Happy New Year
It’s early January and I’m back at my blog. As with years past, I have resolved to resurrect this place and write semi-regularly. I suspect – as with years past – the result will be a flurry of activity lasting anywhere between three and six months. By the time summer comes around, I will have noted the fact that my words are being read by about 50 people, all of whom are either friends or fellow-travellers… people who, by and large, agree with much that I say. As a result, I will conclude that this blog is essentially redundant; having little or no real effect on the world (confirming to my friends that I still believe what I’ve believed for the past decade and a half doesn’t count).
I’ll then write a few caustic articles savaging the political system and individual politicians with intemperate language. I’ll call the general populace a bunch of fools for continuing to engage with a political system that is corrupt and clearly holds them in open contempt. I’ll lament a mythical golden age where people were prepared to challenge the status quo and radical ideas weren’t automatically dismissed as crazy.
Finally I’ll lapse into frustrated silence punctuated only rarely by an occasional rant when the world does something even more absurd than usual. So yes, there you have it. Enjoy it while it lasts, dear reader. And have a very happy new year. Seriously, do.
Don’t underestimate telling stuff to your friends and fellow travellers. They then pick out your best points and lines and use them to be more persuasive when talking to those you’ll never meet. It’s how ideas spread. Keep at it!
January 4th, 2013 | 1:26pm
by Merrick
I try not to be sycophantic when saying this old fruit, but I’ve said it before. Your writing very often encapsulates how I feel about the world, when I have neither the time, inclination or skill to put those feelings into words.
Consequently you often give voice to what I’d like to be saying and I can therefore direct people to you. It’s perhaps a little lazy, but it’s the truth.
Your words do some good as Merrick says, as they embolden others to speak about society’s woes.
January 4th, 2013 | 1:34pm
by RA
..and I make my own pint with poor sentence construction…. doh!
January 4th, 2013 | 1:35pm
by RA
Sounds like a good plan! 🙂
January 4th, 2013 | 1:36pm
by Gyrus
Sounds good to me!
January 4th, 2013 | 3:32pm
by Dave
Your friends read your blog? I never cracked that market.
January 4th, 2013 | 11:39pm
by Joel
It’s true, I often find myself quoting things you’ve said either here or in conversation, & appreciate the work you’ve put in to clarify new or difficult concepts for a wider audience. Of course, for additional effect I usually attribute them to either Albert Einstein or Jim Kerr – two public figures whose syntax yours uncannily echoes (I think it must be the heavy accent).
The one of yours I probably use the most – or the one that first springs to mind, anyway – is “there is no sustainable way anyone has found of taking a ton of metal with you everywhere you go” – Obviously, inspiring & thought provoking in itself, but how much more effective coming from the lips of the lead singer of Simple Minds? And before you start with your whining, yes, I know it might sting at first to be deprived of your little day in the sun, & you may have to swallow your pride a bit as the kings of 80s cavernous stadium AOR are credited with your so-precious ideas, but you have to ask yourself this: where would their legacy be – indeed, what would their legacy be – without all your work behind the scenes?
Jim, I know from first hand experience that your words matter – to me, your friends, your readers here, & sometimes the Milli Vanilli fanclub.
January 5th, 2013 | 2:04pm
by L. Byron
Thanks for the kind comments folks. And Joel, I find threats of violence help in that regard.
L. Byron, suddenly a lot of things make sense. For years I’ve heard people tell me, “say what you like about Simple Minds, but that Jim Kerr really knows his stuff on the ERoEI of Canadian Tar Sands”.
January 6th, 2013 | 5:09pm
by Jim Bliss
It’s also the only possible explanation for all those Einstein quotes demanding compulsory marijuana use we see so much of these days.
January 6th, 2013 | 6:46pm
by L. Byron