In ancient Venice - the republic was often under threat from various coups
A novel concept at the time , rendered the inhabitants of the city among some of the most law abiding in all of Europe
The notion - not so far removed from adoptive processes of later tyrannical and fascist regimes , was to encourage the citizenry to report on their friends and neighbours to the administration any suspicious or unlawful behaviour that might threaten the very structure of the society itself
These post boxes were cited around the city , so that anonymous written tips could be reported without fear of reprisal from anti establishment members in the communities
Schnydes , snakes , creeps and rats could all gain favour from the Doge for offering information that could unravel any potential coup
There are many periods in history that have emulated this neighbour Vs neighbour mentality to truly fanatical extents , we have burned witches , gassed Jews , napalmed villages and drone bombed schools and weddings ... All for the bizarre and often misguided premise of the ' greater good '
We really are a funny little pack animal when considered from all contextual angles ...
As I sit here reflecting on what has gone before - considering the implications of expressive actions during what can only be considered yet another very concentrated weirdness in this little epoch we currently inhabit
' keep calm and carry on ' ... I think that's a dangerous mantra , I noted it at the time of its seemingly commercial scale roll out ...
If you were foolish enough to levy your housing needs against an overinflated pricing structure ( which in itself actually only highlights the shocking devaluation of labour in our midern times ! )
Then keep calm and carry on would encourage someone beholden to a massive debt - for no greater reward than to carry on living where they do and in a manner to which they are accustomed ... To perhaps follow instructions that might otherwise contravene their usual moral positions
The rise of fascism - whether you dress it up as a Christian crusade , a socialist vision , a commy plot or a capital incentive
It's the rot that sets in and completely derails an otherwise conscience minded people's with a natural empathy for Thier fellow human being
Now Margaret Thatchers great edict " there is no such thing as society " well I suppose that could be true ...of you have a means to secure huge swathes of land , an island perhaps , self sufficient and surrounded by walls on all sides - then yes I suppose in this instance there is no need to aknowledge a broader society
But for most of us , that are amid the throng of humanity and have no means of indulgent escape to our own personal paradise - then unfortunately ' society ' is a thing !!!
I've just spent the last couple of months , throwing spanners into the contemporary redundant political machinery that I am , have been , subjected to for over a decade now - the tip of a gargantuan ice berg
There are a mere quarter of a million permanent inhabitants in the funny little city of plymouth
There are around 1600 assholes in the direct employ if the city council here , most of which I have aimed direct and pertinent complaint against over the years - each if these 1600 assholes , have partners , friends siblings offspring and spouses
So 1600 assholes multiplied by an average of say 3 would be a hostile tally of just under 5000 assholes by correlation
Then there is the outlying and outsourced aspect of that ,- probably another 2000 assholes, all do gooders , wage chasing mortgage interned cic enterprises
Then there is the MOD - the navy have had a massive presence in the city for generations , the army and the RAF plus the reserves
Probably looking at an accumulative asshole ratio , all on the queen's shilling
5000 assholes , plus 2000 assholes ....plus an additional 10000 assholes in the services - all with military wives , kids , parents and grandparents ...
Then there are all of the assholes that cling to these centres of allegiance - regardless of ridiculous systemic failings
Mortgages to pay and vacations to be earned ...
All the while the middle east burns to the ground - we send billions in munitions to the Ukraine and now we are interested in the socio economic implications of America's interest in China's interest in Taiwan....
Assholes in all directions !!!
I look around the room - is there anyone here that isn't a complete asshole ??
Over the years I have become accustomed to soaking up a bit of misguided hate
Ever the stranger in a foreign land ....the guys that get pissed off because I've often got a pretty girl vying for my attentions , because I didn't quite get , chewed up , bitter, twisted , fat or bald in my endeavours so far...
And on top of all of that , as this age of nonsense has rolled on and I have assimilated my career into a kind of fine comb critique of what some of the behaviours of these people
Drug addict social workers - emotionally unstable Councilors - deranged local authorities - a lunatic parliament - a police force and a military that hold the whole shit show up as something that should be respected , authority worthy of our unbridled obedience ...
Nah man ....I don't buy into it
So upon consideration - what's that maybe 25,000 - 30,000 assholes Vs lil old me that's just here in my hometown
" So you have enemies , that at least means you have stood for something "
Where the fuck are the rest of you ?.. keeping calm and carrying on ? Keeping your head down ? Paying off your mortgage to a banking sector that should have sunk 15 years ago ??
Just fuck off !!!