Yesterday was the 50th anniversary of Aldous Huxley's death. The author of "Brave New World" feared a future where it is the things we love that will undo us.
Unlike the totalitarian society in George Orwell's "1984" Huxley feared a world where information is drowned in a sea of irrelevance, where we are willingly distracted and therefore do not act when our freedom is taken away.
I live in the time when ten percent of the Swedish population say they will vote for a fascist party and our government just started chipping away at the policies of openness that are a cornerstone of democracy.
I have a degree in political science and journalism. I studied human rights, peace and conflict studies and the history of propaganda.
I never thought I would see history re-enact itself in my lifetime. Not in the corner of the world I call home.
And there are protests - but not nearly what there should be. Have we become what Huxley feared 82 years ago?
Are we docile and sedated by our beloved gadgets? Or can we simply not see what our actions or lack thereof will lead to in the long term?
I am an early adopter of technology and I work in the field - I know why I spend so much time staring at screens. But when I look around and see the entire bus doing the same thing I start to wonder what we are doing. Are we choosing the digital soma (the pleasure drug Huxley describes in "Brave New World") instead of participating in the world around us?
German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemöller illustrates what happened when the Nazis rose to power and began eliminating group after group. And how high the price will be if we choose sloth and not action.
First they came for the communists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.
Then they came for the socialists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for me,
and there was no one left to speak for me.
We are only free as long as we demand to be. Trading freedom for security is a dangerous gamble.
The Guardian has an excellent article on Huxley.
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/22/aldous-huxley-prophet-dystopia-cs-lewis
And this comic explains the differences between Orwell's "1984" and Huxley's "Brave New World".
http://cdn.prosebeforehos.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/huxley-versus-orwell-comic.jpg
Saturday, November 23
Sunday, November 17
Dear Attention Whore,
I know it seems like you have the perfect life right now. Women flirt with you, women give you compliments on your body, women want to sleep with you.
And yet there is a piece missing. Why do you put photos of yourself in your underwear on the internet, to be validated by strangers? Why do you chat up every woman who gives you attention?
I know our culture tells us that this is what the best time in your life is supposed to look like. You are desired and you desire. What they didn't tell you is that it's empty.
You are easy and nobody values things that are that easy to get. Your behaviour is hurting others and yourself. Oh but I know you do not see it that way. You're getting laid and women are coming back for more, aren't they?
You are far from the only person I know who acts like this. I know that you are young. In time you will learn and when you know better, you do better.
You don't have to take my word for it. Read Alex James' autobiography "A Bit Of A Blur". He will tell you that he now considers the time he spent hanging out with rock stars, jet-setting and getting laid every night the lowest point in his life.
No dear attention whore, this is not an attempt to change you. Far from it. I doubt you will ever read this and if you do you will not understand what I am saying.
It's not sour grapes.
I am old enough and experienced enough to know that I cannot change another person.
I just hope that one day you will find what you need to change yourself.
Consider this a prayer sent out to the universe. Not just for you but for everyone who is missing the key pieces needed to love and respect yourself.
And yet there is a piece missing. Why do you put photos of yourself in your underwear on the internet, to be validated by strangers? Why do you chat up every woman who gives you attention?
I know our culture tells us that this is what the best time in your life is supposed to look like. You are desired and you desire. What they didn't tell you is that it's empty.
You are easy and nobody values things that are that easy to get. Your behaviour is hurting others and yourself. Oh but I know you do not see it that way. You're getting laid and women are coming back for more, aren't they?
You are far from the only person I know who acts like this. I know that you are young. In time you will learn and when you know better, you do better.
You don't have to take my word for it. Read Alex James' autobiography "A Bit Of A Blur". He will tell you that he now considers the time he spent hanging out with rock stars, jet-setting and getting laid every night the lowest point in his life.
No dear attention whore, this is not an attempt to change you. Far from it. I doubt you will ever read this and if you do you will not understand what I am saying.
It's not sour grapes.
I am old enough and experienced enough to know that I cannot change another person.
I just hope that one day you will find what you need to change yourself.
Consider this a prayer sent out to the universe. Not just for you but for everyone who is missing the key pieces needed to love and respect yourself.
Monday, October 21
A lecture on libraries and a mother talking to her son about sex
These are two of the best things I have come across on twitter this week. The first is a lecture by author Neil Gaiman on the importance or reading; reading for fun, reading to travel and reading to escape. And how letting children explore the world of fiction will make a better world for us all.
"The simplest way to make sure that we raise literate children is to teach them to read, and to show them that reading is a pleasurable activity. And that means, at its simplest, finding books that they enjoy, giving them access to those books, and letting them read them."
Neil Gaiman: Why our future depends on libraries, reading and daydreaming
The second is a letter from a mother to a son, a letter about sex and raising children who can challenge the ideals of masculinity and step away from rape culture. I think there are quite a few grown men who need to reflect on some of these issues too.
"What’s way more important than getting laid is pretty much everything. But specifically, you have core values that will always trump getting laid."
Son, It’s Okay If You Don’t Get Laid Tonight
Now go read and learn something new. Because reading is sexy and so is intelligence. Just look at Sherlock.
"The simplest way to make sure that we raise literate children is to teach them to read, and to show them that reading is a pleasurable activity. And that means, at its simplest, finding books that they enjoy, giving them access to those books, and letting them read them."
Neil Gaiman: Why our future depends on libraries, reading and daydreaming
The second is a letter from a mother to a son, a letter about sex and raising children who can challenge the ideals of masculinity and step away from rape culture. I think there are quite a few grown men who need to reflect on some of these issues too.
"What’s way more important than getting laid is pretty much everything. But specifically, you have core values that will always trump getting laid."
Son, It’s Okay If You Don’t Get Laid Tonight
Now go read and learn something new. Because reading is sexy and so is intelligence. Just look at Sherlock.
Thursday, October 17
About Happiness
I recently took a mindfulness class to manage a medical condition. It's not a hippydippy thing - studies have shown that mindfulness and meditation can be an effective treatment for things like chronic pain and tinnitus.
During the last few weeks I have been practising meditation, learned body scanning and breathing techniques. I spend a lot of time focusing on being present, the state of my body and accepting things as they are.
With that process came reflection. I began to think about my life; what makes me happy, what makes me sad and how do I deal with the challenges that we all face?
So I asked myself, if my life ended at this very moment, what scenes would flash before my eyes? At which moments in my life was I truly happy?
The moments I remembered were on horseback, I was challenged and overcame my own fears, I achieved goals, I danced in mosh pits, I failed but I did not give up. I was welcomed and appreciated for who I was. I was loved. But this is what struck me - there were no relationships, not a single "he loves me, yeah yeah yeah" (as The Beatles would say) moment.
That's not to say that those moments are not important (they are) but they were not powerful enough to make it to the top ten, if you know what I mean.
That made me think. Maybe I've going about it the wrong way all these years. True happiness does not come from a lover. True happiness comes from me.
I have been placing my happiness in other people's hands. I see that know.
But that also means that I can reach out and take it back.
Because I am enough. All I need to be happy is me.
During the last few weeks I have been practising meditation, learned body scanning and breathing techniques. I spend a lot of time focusing on being present, the state of my body and accepting things as they are.
With that process came reflection. I began to think about my life; what makes me happy, what makes me sad and how do I deal with the challenges that we all face?
So I asked myself, if my life ended at this very moment, what scenes would flash before my eyes? At which moments in my life was I truly happy?
The moments I remembered were on horseback, I was challenged and overcame my own fears, I achieved goals, I danced in mosh pits, I failed but I did not give up. I was welcomed and appreciated for who I was. I was loved. But this is what struck me - there were no relationships, not a single "he loves me, yeah yeah yeah" (as The Beatles would say) moment.
That's not to say that those moments are not important (they are) but they were not powerful enough to make it to the top ten, if you know what I mean.
That made me think. Maybe I've going about it the wrong way all these years. True happiness does not come from a lover. True happiness comes from me.
I have been placing my happiness in other people's hands. I see that know.
But that also means that I can reach out and take it back.
Because I am enough. All I need to be happy is me.
Friday, August 23
Power, disruption and lies
My brain is a happy mush after two days at The Conference (#theconf on twitter). This year's theme was power, disruption and lies. It's been two days of inspiration, new ideas, conversations with strangers and strong emotions. 52% of the speakers were women, and that alters the dynamic of the event in a very positive way.
All keynotes and sessions are available in the video archive. The ones that stuck with me were Susannah Lipscomb on what we can learn from the past, Cindy Gallop on changing the world through business and sex and James Bridle on how we understand technologies.
I love the idea of a historian being the first speaker at a conference that is very focused on the future and what's next in technology.
One of the most important sessions was Online Harassment, What Drives it and How it Lowers Visions. Anita Sarkeesian, Kate Miltner and Laurie Penny spoke about online harassment and the larger structural problem of women and minorities being treated as second-class citizens. They shared their own experiences of harassment and strategies for coping. Women in the audience spoke of their own fear of being targeted, a fear that stops women from participating fully on the internet.
It's important to point out that when people are being harassed for speaking their minds, it's not an internet problem. It's a problem we have to deal with as a society.
In her very frank and funny keynote, Cindy Gallop spoke about being honest about sex, dealing with negative comments and interacting with those who write nasty comments. She's badass and you should check out her TEDtalks.
How we understand new technologies is key - and we need a language and metaphors to talk about them. James Bridle highlighted that our perception of technology is often more important than what the technology can actually do.
Maybe there is so little debate about technology and surveillance because most people don't understand what kind of world we have built around us, and more importantly what it has the power to do. An interesting point that I will return to in another post.
James Bridle also mentioned how technology has made things visible - like online harassment - and given us a chance to do something about them.
There is a lot of good things happening at The Conference. One of the best is meeting friends, talking to strangers and making new friends.
And then you go home, read tweets, and stay up way too late writing about the whole thing.
All keynotes and sessions are available in the video archive. The ones that stuck with me were Susannah Lipscomb on what we can learn from the past, Cindy Gallop on changing the world through business and sex and James Bridle on how we understand technologies.
I love the idea of a historian being the first speaker at a conference that is very focused on the future and what's next in technology.
One of the most important sessions was Online Harassment, What Drives it and How it Lowers Visions. Anita Sarkeesian, Kate Miltner and Laurie Penny spoke about online harassment and the larger structural problem of women and minorities being treated as second-class citizens. They shared their own experiences of harassment and strategies for coping. Women in the audience spoke of their own fear of being targeted, a fear that stops women from participating fully on the internet.
It's important to point out that when people are being harassed for speaking their minds, it's not an internet problem. It's a problem we have to deal with as a society.
In her very frank and funny keynote, Cindy Gallop spoke about being honest about sex, dealing with negative comments and interacting with those who write nasty comments. She's badass and you should check out her TEDtalks.
How we understand new technologies is key - and we need a language and metaphors to talk about them. James Bridle highlighted that our perception of technology is often more important than what the technology can actually do.
Maybe there is so little debate about technology and surveillance because most people don't understand what kind of world we have built around us, and more importantly what it has the power to do. An interesting point that I will return to in another post.
James Bridle also mentioned how technology has made things visible - like online harassment - and given us a chance to do something about them.
There is a lot of good things happening at The Conference. One of the best is meeting friends, talking to strangers and making new friends.
And then you go home, read tweets, and stay up way too late writing about the whole thing.
Historian Susannah Lipscomb gave the opening keynote on learning from the past - a nice touch in a conference about the future.
Anita Sarkeesian speaking in the session on online harassment.
Cindy Gallop. Photo by Media Evolution.
James Bridle on understanding and talking about new technology.
Wednesday, August 14
Why I work out
When I went to the gym to lose weight I never kept it up. I would go three, four times and then my motivation would fizzle. Now I work out because it makes the voices in my head shut up. It also helps to fix the damage I do to my body by working at a desk. Yeah you read that right, sitting down in front of a computer causes injuries.
I go running, do my physiotherapy and go to the gym because it makes me feel better. It's not about looks or weight, it's about being healthy so that I have the energy to do other things.
Here are three books that inspired me this summer.
Journalist and injured runner Christopher McDougall wants to find a way to run without getting hurt and discovers the secrets of Mexico's Tarahumara Indians, a tribe of long distance runners. During his research he alters his own running style based on what he learns and sets up a race between the tribe and some of America's best ultra-runners.
Born To Run is a well-written book that you'll enjoy even if you have zero interest in becoming a long distance runner.
Lüc Carl is the opposite of the shy, mysterious tribesmen found in Born To Run. A wannabe musician turned bartender in New York City finds himself fat, dumped and not liking it. A funny, honest story of how he learned to get healthy and fell in love with running.
I love The Drunk Diet because it shows that you can change your lifestyle without changing who you are - but you might discover new sides of yourself. It is full of quotes like "Remember when you made fun of me for ordering broccoli? Who's got the better chance of scoring the hot chick now?" and advice on how to party without messing up your training.
Also, the world needs more fit, witty rock n roll guys in tight clothing.
Rich Roll went from couch potato to ultra-distance runner. A moment of clarity the night before he turned 40 led to a lifestyle change for this lawyer and father of four. He switched to a plant-based diet (that's another word for vegan), got a coach, found a goal and finished 11th in the three day triathlon known as Ultraman. Two years after that moment of clarity he was named one of the world's fittest men.
Despite his own massive achievements his message is simple. Just begin and embrace the journey. Be open to where it's going to lead you. Start small and keep going. Eat a lot of plants.
And that is what makes Finding Ultra so inspiring. I never really pay attention to recipes in women's fitness magazines that are all about low calorie options. But when Rich Roll talks about eating right to get the best performance from your body I pay attention.
It goes back to what I said in the beginning about why I work out. Eating lean meals to lose weight? Not that interested. Finding the best possible fuel for my body, giving me the energy to go out and do things? Improving my health? Hell yeah, bring it on!
I want to be stronger and fit because what it will allow me to do, like becoming a better equestrian. And when I get inspired I find myself heading for the gym with a smile on my face.
Speaking of smiling and getting off your ass;
I go running, do my physiotherapy and go to the gym because it makes me feel better. It's not about looks or weight, it's about being healthy so that I have the energy to do other things.
Here are three books that inspired me this summer.
Journalist and injured runner Christopher McDougall wants to find a way to run without getting hurt and discovers the secrets of Mexico's Tarahumara Indians, a tribe of long distance runners. During his research he alters his own running style based on what he learns and sets up a race between the tribe and some of America's best ultra-runners.
Born To Run is a well-written book that you'll enjoy even if you have zero interest in becoming a long distance runner.
I love The Drunk Diet because it shows that you can change your lifestyle without changing who you are - but you might discover new sides of yourself. It is full of quotes like "Remember when you made fun of me for ordering broccoli? Who's got the better chance of scoring the hot chick now?" and advice on how to party without messing up your training.
Also, the world needs more fit, witty rock n roll guys in tight clothing.
Rich Roll went from couch potato to ultra-distance runner. A moment of clarity the night before he turned 40 led to a lifestyle change for this lawyer and father of four. He switched to a plant-based diet (that's another word for vegan), got a coach, found a goal and finished 11th in the three day triathlon known as Ultraman. Two years after that moment of clarity he was named one of the world's fittest men.
Despite his own massive achievements his message is simple. Just begin and embrace the journey. Be open to where it's going to lead you. Start small and keep going. Eat a lot of plants.
And that is what makes Finding Ultra so inspiring. I never really pay attention to recipes in women's fitness magazines that are all about low calorie options. But when Rich Roll talks about eating right to get the best performance from your body I pay attention.
It goes back to what I said in the beginning about why I work out. Eating lean meals to lose weight? Not that interested. Finding the best possible fuel for my body, giving me the energy to go out and do things? Improving my health? Hell yeah, bring it on!
I want to be stronger and fit because what it will allow me to do, like becoming a better equestrian. And when I get inspired I find myself heading for the gym with a smile on my face.
Speaking of smiling and getting off your ass;
Monday, August 12
Closure
Some love stories just go on and on. I first came across Boysetsfire five or six years ago. The music was out there but the band had performed their last show and retired. So I enjoyed their music and watched live performances on Youtube.
Boysetsfire made me a very happy Punky when they reunited in 2010 and played live in my home town the following year. This year they released a new album and did a limited edition on purple vinyl. Boysetsfire and purple? Oh yeah, I ordered it the day I found it.
Sometimes the songs that you need to get through a tough time come into your life right when you need them.
Boysetsfire made me a very happy Punky when they reunited in 2010 and played live in my home town the following year. This year they released a new album and did a limited edition on purple vinyl. Boysetsfire and purple? Oh yeah, I ordered it the day I found it.
Sometimes the songs that you need to get through a tough time come into your life right when you need them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)