I think one fertiliser for local, 'real' political engagement is ritual, whether morris dancing, wassailing, church or festivities for the Queen's platinum jubilee. The village I live in has grand plans for the latter and the community will be all the better for it, i believe, notwithstanding that the community has a spectrum political beliefs and grades of loyalty to the crown.
Thanks for this well constructed summary of our common situation. I think we use the spectacle as a way to remain removed from too much reality, which keeps getting scarier. Or we are fed it as a sort of opiate? Yes, we can indeed do better.
I think you're right. It is offers an easy out from our fears and insecurities, and the difficulties of life. Of course, the insidious thing is that the more we collectively escape in this way (and it is hard not to), the bigger those fears and the underlying problems become too. A vicious cycle.
Thank you for another thought provoking piece.
I think one fertiliser for local, 'real' political engagement is ritual, whether morris dancing, wassailing, church or festivities for the Queen's platinum jubilee. The village I live in has grand plans for the latter and the community will be all the better for it, i believe, notwithstanding that the community has a spectrum political beliefs and grades of loyalty to the crown.
Thanks for this well constructed summary of our common situation. I think we use the spectacle as a way to remain removed from too much reality, which keeps getting scarier. Or we are fed it as a sort of opiate? Yes, we can indeed do better.
I think you're right. It is offers an easy out from our fears and insecurities, and the difficulties of life. Of course, the insidious thing is that the more we collectively escape in this way (and it is hard not to), the bigger those fears and the underlying problems become too. A vicious cycle.