I’m better off than the majority of the people in the world. I have food and water and shelter and reasonable health. I don’t live in a war zone. But I’m worried about the world, so much horror and anxiety. Will things ever get better or must we all be stuck in a morass of hate filled argument and anger? Something might give, but all I can see is more of the same. I am not generally a pessimist and it may be my feelings are simply a reflection of what’s going on in my own life. However I can wish for better times, even if its unlikely to happen in the near future. I think we are in the Pandoras box situation? We still have hope.
So many schools seem to concentrate on “worthwhile” subjects, Sciences, Mathematics, English. The old fashioned three R’s reading, ‘righting and ‘rithmeric…
But we need creative thought as well as producing drones that do productive work.
If you learnt technical drawing you could design cars, create architecture, produce blue prints for engineering. Yes it’s all at the press of a button now, AI does so much, but artistic ability can help with innovation and ingenuity.
Art helped our understanding of medicine, Leonardo DaVinci undertook studies of anatomy that were well before other medicine caught up. Look at his drawings of dissections to understand his fantastic knowledge.
Art is in advertising, illustration, magazines, books, clothing, wallpaper design, surface pattern, product design, ceramics. That worthless degree that our government might close down could be the next big digital game, the shape of rotor blades that save energy for planes or wind turbines. Even a more readable font for someone who is dyslexic.
So art really should be a big part of modern society. Without it there would be no fashion, no special effects for TV and film, no beautiful make up for theatre or other creative productions.
Life is not just bean counting, it’s about passion and beauty. Otherwise we might as well all be clones, in grey jumpsuits, working 9 hours a day, sleeping when we are told and not attempting to be any different than anyone else.
It’s happening here in my home city all the time. I report it but the council probably don’t have the staff to deal with it anymore because of the cuts (austerity cuts in local government by our National government). A few years ago the council used to have days when people could have their bulky rubbish collected, but now people have to pay to take stuff to the tip and they don’t have the money. They should be encouraged not charged to use the tip. Also I guess covid isn’t helping…
The world is full of rubbish, plastic, toxic waste, pollution, CO2, fluorocarbon, the list seems endless. What we leave in our neighbourhoods is just a small part of the wreck we are making of the Earth.
We were in quite a reasonable situation earlier today. Not to many restrictions here about the Corona virus. That was until a news conference with the Prime Minister.
Now anyone over 70, pregnant or with underlying health conditions should self isolate for 12, yes twelve weeks. They should not go shopping, go to bars, clubs, pubs or restaurants. People with a persistent dry cough or temperature above 37.8°C should self isolate for 14 days and stay in with their families. Schools are staying open for now, but that may change, and some parents are already keeping their children off school.
There is a shortage of hospital beds and ventilators and possibly a lack of oxygen. There will be many problems no doubt.
It feels like we are in a sci-fi horror film. Like an apocalyptic future that has just arrived. How will the elderly and vulnerable people cope? Obviously this will have an economic impact, but its better to save lives than lose them for lack of funding. People could be thrown into debt and destitution.
The overall illnesses and deaths are not high yet. But we are at the start of a new world. Who can say how many will be affected. And yet millions die of starvation and illness every year. Poverty is one of the biggest killers. The first world has been lucky until now. Perhaps we have lost some of that luck.
I’m trying to be a bit healthier so I decided to sautee some vegetables, (mangetout, carrot, onion, orange pepper, mushrooms). …added Brown rice and some tomato pasta sauce at the end.
I like this sort of simple cooking, not too much oil, a bit of water, to keep the fat levels down….not too much pasta sauce, save the rest for tomorrow.
I’m so lucky to have these things available to me. Most of the world does not have a selection of fresh vegetables and meat you can buy all year round. People lack fresh water and sanitation. Life can be hard and harsh. It’s only when you think about others that you realise how well off you are.
I wonder how I would manage if I was put in the situation, the life, of someone living on under a dollar a day? I can’t imagine the hardships. I don’t know enough about it to comment so I will leave the thought in my mind and try and find out more.
Is it wrong to say our way of life is superior anyway? The busy urban life we lead in western cities and towns robs us of contact with nature. The 24 hour a day culture that had grown up around us keeps us from sunlight and air. We are cocooned in our glass plated homes. A chrysalis waiting to emerge? Or to die because we overheated?
Perhaps it would be better if the world shared and pooled its resources, a bit less for the rich, a bit more for the poor. Yes I admit I am an idealist. I want the best for all humanity. If I could share this meal I would,
Mallaband-Brown 