South Park's The Hobbit

I think now is the right time to talk about this, as I am getting more and more appalled about the way women and girls (yea, my part of humanity) are being abused. Abused by society, men, media and other females.

   Everyone is talking about Drumpf's  normalised "locker room banter" atm. I am not really surprised, or impressed for that matter, I do not pretend that the majority of guys these days are conditioned to see women as accessories. Let's be honest, the majority of people (including females!) speak about, or see women as pieces of meat. More and more we are seen as an accessory, men see as one (just look at men's magazines, or ask guys to name 5 famous women!!), media and fashion industry see as one (just look...around you!)... We girls have become so accustom to it and have accepted it without realising how harmful the consequences are. It has become the norm. Women and girls are supposed to be covered in full-on makeup, wear fashionable clothes and always look like they have come out of beauty salons.

More and more I see girls on the street look like they've came out of fashion magazines, of course, I try not to be judgemental and at every opportunity I try and scratch the surface, but more often than not, I find that they have become the beautiful wrappers of a box. That box contains a mechanism that runs solely to provide for itself the newest fashion trend, haircut, make up.

What are you excited about? - Buying a new pair of shoes.

What are you excited about?- Going to Ibiza.

What are you excited about?- Going out and getting drunk.

What are you excited about?- Saved up to buy expensive makeup.

What are you excited about?- Buying a new flashy car.

Why have you settled for a life so meaningless? Yes, life should be enjoyed, and yes, buying stuff does give you a short-lived enjoyment, but is that all? Give me more! I need more!

We girls have forgotten that there is so much more to us. We should be Wendies and not Kims!

     So why the title of the post? What does South Park have to do with all the above rant? Because its about Wendy (my spirit animal) and because its yet again another example of how spot on SP are on covering important issues through satire. Wendy has always been a representation of virtues, qualities and morale which are so rarely expressed by girls today. I won't spoil the end for you but all I can say is that the episode does not have the usual end music. Even the creators of South Park seemed devastated by what is happening. The scales of the objectification disease have left no one safe. We, women, have become increasingly anxious about our appearance, regardless of our line of work. 

We cannot fight this disease by ourselves, so I am asking you- guys, show your girlfriends, sisters, mothers, friends, female colleagues that you are crazy about their brains! 

I am slightly pissed off

     The title is an understatement. Obviously. If there is one thing I am, it is Pissed Off. Really really pissed off. You ask why? Oh, how kind of you to care!

Privatisation

     I am in my mid 20s, the majority of my peers are either apathetic or suffering from moderate to severe mental irregularities. The inbetween for my peeps is a state of constant anger. Now let me share with you why I am angry today. 

     As teased above, I am pissed off about privatisation. No, I am not a raging communist/socialist/marxist. I am merely a human being that sees, with both the eyes of reason and sense, that privately owned essential PUBLIC services are not working. Well, they are working for the pockets of whoever owns them, BUT they are not working for its users or employees. DOT. PERIOD. END OF STORY. 

     Now you say: "But what could a young lady like you possibly know about this complicated matter? I mean gosh, you can barely use grammar and spelling correctly!". Well, dear friend, I know enough to be pissed off. 

     This is how I see, say e.g. the NHS works.

Public ownership

 1. You are ill  

2. You go see your GP 

3. GP prescribe you what they think will help you get better

4. GP's time is paid by the government (or your money paid in the form of taxes)

5. Ergo GP makes sure you get better just so you don't come back, in order for the government to avoid spending more money on you, and I guess reach targets.

6. Ergo you get the best possible prescription from GP to help you get better

7. FINITO

Private ownership

1. You are ill

2. You go see your GP (who works extra hrs, possibly on unpaid breaks, because management says we have to live within our means)

3. GP gives you a prescription (however GP is very tired from those crazy hrs with no breaks, in addition management has told them they have to see 50 people each day, ergo GP only has time to see you for 5 min, however you say to GP you feel suicidal, but GP doesn't have much time, so GP quickly gives you anti-depressant prescription and sends you off)

4. Because GP doesn't have time to talk you through side effects and alternative treatments, you potentially come back. GP is not happy, but management is happy because it means higher client turnover ergo more money they will get for having more customers

     Because anything that is not owned by the public is driven by and for profit. There is absolutely no exceptions. When you have something like HEALTHCARE being privately owned you will never ever see improvement. How do you expect a private company to eliminate customer's needs for their services (which will be by getting them better)? This is ridiculous. The best argument for something having the need to be privatised is that it will become more efficient.... you know how that happens? By cutting worker's pay for example. I've done a quick/humble research (basically a comparison) between the same jobs being offered in both private and public sector (prison and healthcare to be precise) and guess what! Yep, vacancies for private public services get less money (substantially) than the same jobs available in the scarce publicly owned services!    

     I mean come on! I bet you've seen Orange is The New Black! What happened when the prison got privatised?! Yep, they cut the costs of the prisoner's food, they installed bunk beds and filled the prison beyond its capacity, they cut down prison officer's hours and hired extra with less contracted hours just so none of them can get pensions..... Not surprisingly, it works pretty much the same in every privatisation. 

     Lastly, just a quick mention on the topic of HOW to privatise a public service for dummies. 

Step 1. Have pals in the government (e.g. Davy Pigfuck and Jeremy Cunt)

Step 2. Ask them to give the public service crazy contracts and targets just so they are unable to reach them, no matter how selfless and hard working its employees are.

Step 3. Ask your pals in the government to make a major public announcement on how bad the public service is performing and how the only way to save it is to let GOOD SELFLESS KIND HEARTED external saviours give a compassionate hand to the poor struggling public service

Step 4. Count on the apathetic TV mesmerised citizens to not give a fuck or have an opinion (UNLESS Beyonce releases a new album that has a song that talks about someone cheating on someone AND THE WHOOOLE world loses it)

Step 5. Buy the NHS

     But hey ho, who cares. We are all too busy watching the new x factor or waiting to see who is going to be in the new big brother. I don't know, just had to write this down, but let's finish on a brighter note: LOOK AT THE PRETTY PUPPIES!!!

MLK

     On this date, 4th April, exactly 48 years ago, one of my heroes was shot.

     Even though his cultural inheritance is so far from where I grew up both timely and geographically, I can help but feel close to the idealistic and spiritual inheritance. Martin Luther King was more than a peaceful fighter for black civil rights, for me he has always been a hallmark for the fight for human decency. Decency which is not bound by colour or nationality. A lesson in universal human decency, that's what MLK is for me.

Here are a few of my favourite Dr King quotes :)

 “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” 

“If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”

“There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.”

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

“One has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.”

“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

PS. Its funny how after Martin Luther King was shot (1968), hard drugs were introduced to black neighbourhoods (where you could buy heroin for as little as $5) and a few years later the war on drugs (1971) appears out of nowhere, totally not specifically targeted to hippies (protesting against the war in Vietnam and supporting civil rights, 1960s) and black people (MLK and civil rights movement, 1960s), which ends up in what we have today in america (like right now)- the majority of black people incarcerated and living below any decent human standard of living. But hey ho, that's my conspiracy theorist part of the brain connecting imaginary dots. Was it not the best way to break down a movement by demoralising its participants?

PS2: FYI if you still have any doubts, there it is: 

I want YOU to care more about the politics

     When war becomes the synonym for peace. When we go on killing people for killing people. When instead of turning the other cheek we bomb the shit out of someone. When instead of talking or protesting we pollute the air and water of our so called enemies and their children. When attaining peace through war is not seen as a paradox but as the norm.

     When freedom becomes the freedom to chose between 23 different pairs of jeans. When the choice is between more chemicals in our food or just a little less. When the true freedom for us, the peasants of the western world, is the choice between that product or the other one.  

     When someone with the surname Drumpf will be the next president of one the most reckless and weaponry nations of all. When knowing more about a family that does nothing but promotes materialism and selfies. When your only thoughts before going to sleep at night are about your outfit for the next day. When questioning reality, the universe and even your own consciousness are seen as thoughts only experienced by deranged individuals. That's when you know we've lost and they've won. 

     Pause keeping up with the kardashians and start watching House of Cards. Although intended as a fictional tv series it is not. It shows you exactly what type of people run the world. While you are at it read The Establishment and how they get away with it. Both american and british governments have been, for the majority of time, full of power hungry people, with us, the peasants, always last on their agenda. And then you wonder why the world that you live in is in such a bad state?

     I have never been one for going into details, I don't possess the ability to change people's minds. I found that to be one of the hardest tasks AND until you yourself choose to question things and to make up your own, informed, no one else can do it for you. 

  

     As V said it "I know why you did it. I know you were afraid. Who wouldn't be? War, terror, disease. There were a myriad of problems which conspired to corrupt your reason and rob you of your common sense. Fear got the best of you, and in your panic you turned to the now high chancellor.... He promised you order, he promised you peace, and all he demanded in return was your silent, obedient consent." .But you know it deep down in your heart that's not how things should be. There is a better way. You just can't put your head around why the world is not a better place. But they will say its impossible, unachievable, utopia. And you believe them. The world we live in today is their world, an invisible prison, the best one of its kind and its called "The illusion of freedom". 

     I don't claim to know any answers but what I know for sure is knowledge will get you out of mental slavery. So ask, question, observe and most importantly- listen to your guts. There is more, it could be better, and you know it. But you have to get involved!

PS: Give House of Cards a watch! Just notice how often ordinary people's agenda is on the table. Notice how many times politicians who do have citizens on their own agenda are struck down. While you are at it do watch UK Parliament debates and see how often the Conservatives justify cuts for the greater good (which is called Economy, which is the synonym for GOD in capitalism).  

PS2: If you still think that the decisions the majority of governments take are hard but for the greater good of its citizens then google me this: Second Bill of Rights proposed by Franklin D Roosevelt. Explain to me why this was rejected. Was it a decision for the greater good of its citizens or for the greater good of Capitalism's god- the Economy. 

Mental Health

I am of the opinion that there are certain, very burdensome topics that should be discussed by everyone, this is one of them. More than fashion, more than the kardashians, more than rihanna, more than sports.

We live in a world overwhelmed by horrendous social issues, and everyone who turns a blind eye to them and goes about their day is a tool. Yes, I am a judgemental asshole, I know. But my inability to comprehend the mass' oblivion, which in turn leaves me fuming 24/7, has been a permanent part of my character. If you my friend are capable of switching it off, that anger embedded in your soul towards the less intellectually fortunate fellow human beings- do let me know how to do it. One can't love man without hating most of the creatures who pretend to bear his name.

 E.g. DJ Trump and his fanatic supporters

Sorry, whenever I write I let go of any structure, I just let my thoughts flow. Its therapeutic. Try it! 

Back to the topic now (sort of)- Mental Health. I am against nuclear weapons; I am against all weapons. I think weapons are good only if they are kept in storage by responsible people and only used in case of  an aggressive alien invasion. Not against other human beings, and not against animals. Currently in the UK there is a debate for the renewal of certain nuclear arsenal, something that will cost ordinary people living in the country a total of some millions, billions; basically an unimaginable amount of money. That is on account of a hypothetical threat by....to be honest I am not really sure, terrorist? russia? muslims? the asian kim? (aaaaaaaaaand that's a potential red flag for western friendly spying services! "omg Jim, there is a post on the internet that mentions terrorist, russia, muslims AND nuclear weapons at the same time. That is definitely a threat to national security."). I admit I went overboard here, but if you've read the stories of people who have been incarcerated for saying things on the internet you will know what I mean! 

My point is, there is a massive need for attention (subsequently money) to be put into mental health services. Instead, we are about to pay a lot of money into protecting a piece of land full of people who are suffering, slowly becoming shells of themselves, trapped in a mental hell accessing a scarce adequate help IF THEY ARE LUCKY.

When I began working within the mental health services I began to see the issue outside the hospital walls. I began to see more and more people quietly suffering everywhere. So what is the most logical way to go about this situation? Spend ridiculous amount of money on weapons that are capable of causing horrendous harm in order to protect their physical health from a hypothetical threat OR do the right thing? Is it not more logical to heal a broken, suffering mind in the hopes of having more of those working together to find a better solution to suffering of the rest of the world?

You tell me.

PS. FYI UK has more than 200 warheads in its nuclear arsenal. FYI 2, I am currently working with 4 people in a desperate need of mental health attention. Just me, in a world of more than 7 billion people, am working with 4 people who are in a constant everyday hell. People living in a 1st world country that provides free health care. People who have been waiting 6+ months to see a professional who can address their needs. People, who I can say for certainty, are living in a state of constant fear. Just try and imagine. Now tell me about the pretty little things you bough yesterday.

#Blacklivesmatter

Just when I was about to write a post about my fashionable clothes and make up and stuff I got the radical idea of writing about something that actually matters. I've been thinking about a #Blacklivesmatter post for a while, not really sure what more I could bring to the debate until I watched Beyonce's new video Formation. (NB its been a while now I've noticed Blogger does not allow me to post certain youtube videos?! so here is a link, watch it its worth it!)

                          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrCHz1gwzTo

     Let's start from the beginning. The land of the free (USA) where 25% of the world's population is imprisoned. I mean...really? Is there anyone left on this earth that still believes the land of the free and the American dream exist?

The Land of the Free- whoever told you that is your enemy

The American Dream- because you have to be asleep to believe it

     No! I am not senselessly hating on America, 95% of my heroes (dead or alive) are American. It seems as though the worst off a place is- the more it produces great minds. (On another note it seems like the citizens of New Hampshire are not half as bad- a good portion of them voted for Bernie! So there is evidence to suggest that some Americans are still capable of independent thought.) ANYWAY, it is a statistical fact that the majority of America's incarcerated population is African American even though they are still statistically a minority within the American general population. Another statistical fact: American police has shot more of its citizen (predominately African American) than the rest of the world's police force combined (or Isis and Boko Haram). But hey ho, unless you've lived under a rock or you are the average western-brain washed "kim/kanye product" robot then you wouldn't know those facts, let alone care about them. Nonetheless they are shocking.

     What I am trying to say is that its no secret  America has had a very shameful past (arguably present as well) in the way it has treated its citizen. My naive nature has led me to believe, as a child, that since Dr. Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks and Malcolm X...gosh even since Obama was elected for president- things have improved. Rights for ALL human beings exist, everyone is equal, nae segregation. But that's not the case. It seems there still a long way to go before the 21st century Selma march happens again.

     Everyone with any authority or influence should step up; I know Beyonce and Jay Z have said a few things about #Blacklivesmatter; and I am so proud of Queen B for using Black Panther outfits for her back dancers (little but at least something) however a powerful video and very disappointing lyrics about a Givenchy dress are still far from the iconic sound of the 60s black revolutionary anthems- Young, Gifted and Black and Backlash Blues. Although her Formation video has very powerful visual message which encapsulates the current African American culture its lyrics are literally breaking my heart. I just hope Beyonce, and all other American black artists for that matter, realise the importance of the issue, realise the power they have due to American citizens infatuation with show business.

     Everyone, without exception, should be talking about this. This radical social change needs to have its generational Nina Simone voice, I sincerely hope that Queen B is capable of standing up tall on this one! We the people are simple but not stupid. Give us a 21st century I have a dream speech, give us a Backlash Blues marching song but you have to inspire our hearts and souls. We need idols and ideas to get our hearts pumping in order to move those legs and lips in order to break the silence.     

Nina Simone- Young, Gifted and Black

Nina Simone- Backlash Blues

Birthday Post

     Today I am 24 so here is a little poem by one of my heroes- Charlie Chaplin. A poem that finally began to resonate personally and not just merely be a beautiful poem.

As I began to Love Myself

As I began to love myself I found that anguish and emotional suffering are only warning signs that I was living against my own truth. Today, I know, this is “AUTHENTICITY”.

As I began to love myself I understood how much it can offend somebody if I try to force my desires on this person, even though I knew the time was not right and the person was not ready for it, and even though this person was me. Today I call it “RESPECT”.

As I began to love myself I stopped craving for a different life, and I could see that everything that surrounded me was inviting me to grow. Today I call it “MATURITY”.

As I began to love myself I understood that at any circumstance, I am in the right place at the right time, and everything happens at the exactly right moment. So I could be calm. Today I call it “SELF-CONFIDENCE”.

As I began to love myself I quit stealing my own time, and I stopped designing huge projects for the future. Today, I only do what brings me joy and happiness, things I love to do and that make my heart cheer, and I do them in my own way and in my own rhythm. Today I call it “SIMPLICITY”.

As I began to love myself I freed myself of anything that is no good for my health – food, people, things, situations, and everything that drew me down and away from myself. At first I called this attitude a healthy egoism. Today I know it is “LOVE OF ONESELF”.

As I began to love myself I quit trying to always be right, and ever since I was wrong less of the time. Today I discovered that is “MODESTY”.

As I began to love myself I refused to go on living in the past and worrying about the future. Now, I only live for the moment, where everything is happening. Today I live each day, day by day, and I call it “FULFILLMENT”.

As I began to love myself I recognized that my mind can disturb me and it can make me sick. But as I connected it to my heart, my mind became a valuable ally. Today I call this connection “WISDOM OF THE HEART”.

We no longer need to fear arguments, confrontations or any kind of problems with ourselves or others. Even stars collide, and out of their crashing new worlds are born. Today I know “THAT IS LIFE”!

     PS: As I began to love myself I finally decided to give myself credit for how strong and capable I am. From today I won't doubt myself any longer.  

Getting to know yourself

   
     Finding yourself. One of the stupidest things I've heard but guilty of perhaps saying once or twice in my lifetime. I have noticed people saying things without really knowing what they mean like I am trying to find myself. The thing is that you are already there. The correct way of saying it: I am trying to get to know myself or I want to learn about myself. Now, who you are, is a completely different topic but the fact is- you are there, somewhere. A lot of people point to their heads, thinking they are inside their skulls. I personally don't think that's where I AM located. That's clearly where my brain is but I don't think I am brain. Unfortunately (or fortunately) I believe that my brain is just a tool ,similar to my fingers but more sophisticated, that helps me navigate myself through this life. Yes, it stores my memories, and as a firm believer of social learning theory I am positive it plays a big role in my personality and the way I make choices, however I don't feel it is me. Yes, I also believe it generates consciousness (or in other words: this strange feeling of realisation that you are realising stuff) but again- it is not me. When I close my eyes and try and feel ME- my heart skips. That's where I am- in my heart. And by me I don't mean my name, my history and my likes.

     I seem to be in a constant onion peeling process where I have began to see everything as an onion that has layers. Years ago I used to think ME was- my likes, my personality and my memories however as time went by and I have looked more deeply (peeled a layer) I saw that those things were influenced (or learnt) by my parents, environment etc. So, was that really ME? Now I am in the process of peeling yet another layer of myself but I won't bore the audience any further. I am asking you to, or more like challenging you, to go to bed one night and begin to peel the layers. I will give you a hint- think about the moments where you were truly happy. Those specific moments where the layers have disappeared and your true self was the only one present. Not your name, not your friends, not your hobbies, not your favourite band/book etc, just you.

     I suspect that all the recently "self-acknowledgement" themed posts are influenced by 1) I have spend a substantial amount of time questioning stuff, especially myself and 2) I started working in a mental health hospital and as I psychologist in training am all about that psyche. I also believe that one of the greatest gifts we are given by being conscious is not to merely be a biological consumer machines but to have the opportunity to get to know ourselves. I just so passionately believe that there is more to life than what I am told. Am I the only one left?

New Year Resolutions

I don't really like to brag but this New Years Eve was probably my best one so far! For two main reasons (1) I was myself for myself (being present in the moment for no purpose other than to be alive and enjoying it) and (2) the DJ played Ace of Spades on midnight.......That song and Holy Diver has always been the two songs that could always empower me! Because of how much Ace of Spades means to me at that moment in the first minutes of 2016 I told myself that this is going to be the year where I will make changes in my life. Changes I have been contemplating on making for a very long time.

 As the great Michael Jackson once said "If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make a change.". I have long ago given up on my grandeur delusions that I can somehow change the world  fundamentally, I mean fuck... Gandhi, King Jr., JFK... they couldn't single-handedly change systems but what they did was infect a majority of people with an idea. NB The picture is a perfect visual representation of what I am trying to say! :)
 So, accepting that everyday is a learning day for me as of today I have a few New Year Resolutions that I plan on sticking to!

I am sharing them with you because I think they are not bad ideas.

1.Local Shops. I am making a list of things I can purchase from local shops (e.g. second hand books, films, food, candles). I have a few weeks before I start university again so I plan to scout the town and find little privately owned shops. I know the products sold will be a bit more expensive than the big chains but I am making the conscious decision that from now on I will VOTE with my money. I don't know if you've noticed but McDonalds has started closing restaurant after restaurant all because people are choosing not to buy their poisonous products! So from today, my friend, whenever you buy something think first: (1) do I really need this thing and (2) does the place I am buying it from pays its taxes :D.

2.Eat less animal products. I don't usually eat a lot of meat however after watching a documentary called Cowspiracy it only makes sense to rethink my carnivore habits. There are three reasons (1) Would you kill an animal yourself to eat it? Just think about it...if you think you are unable to kill an animal even in a controlled environment such as a slaughterhouse why are you OK with someone else killing that animal for you? Please, as horrible as it sounds, watch a video of how different animals are killed. Yes in circumstances of starvation I probably would kill an animal to eat it but that's not the case in the country I live in so why not spare it and just eat a banana?? (2) The film is produced by Leonardo DiCaprio who is passionate about fighting climate change. The film argues a very believable point: the number one environment killer is animal agriculture. (3) As a firm believer of the FACT that everything is connected, just imagine the pain and suffering (chemically) that you are consuming in the meat of a brutally killed animal.

3.Learn to let go. Although I have a little poster next to my bed with a quote from Bill Hicks "Hey don't worry, don't be afraid, ever, because this is just a ride" for the past year I have notice that I was getting more and more anxious about stuff. I became a chronic worrier. That constant state of worry wears you down. I realised not long ago what the true meaning of letting go is achieved through habit and repetition. So this being part of my new year resolution: Learn to let go, it is not something you achieve in a day, you have to practise it everyday! Nothing helps me remind myself that my worries are all but illusions than the great scene from the film Instinct:

4, LISTS LISTS LISTS. As a chronic over-thinker and someone who is analysing themselves 24/7 I am a huge fan of lists! I have a "Dear Diary" in which I have began to record my mood of the day, a simple analysis of what made me feel like that AND the most important part: 5 things I am thankful for today. Pretty much number 1 is always my DOG and 2 is my BED. No matter how low you feel you can always find at least 5 things that are worth living and breathing for! Its an amazing idea to be thankful for something right before you go to bed because no matter how shit the day was, HEY!, you have your warm bed! AND you are breathing! And fluffy socks....oh do fluffy socks dominate my list every night!

5. Music. As strange as it is I have noticed that I've stopped listening to my favourite songs in the past year. If you can be bothered do read some journals and even books on the influence of music on our lives. Again, as a constant self-analyser, I have noticed that I have certain days where I am lacking something emotionally (I call them deficits). For example, I have days where I feel full of energy but I feel too anxious to seize the day, my deficit in that situation is BADASS. So, as lacking badass I play Ace of Spades or Holy Diver and instantaneously my mind believes its badass and I am able to go out my flat feeling capable of conquering the world. WARNING!  If you are feeling perfectly fine and just want to listen to music DO NOT, and I repeat- DO NOT EVER listen to Jeff Buckley. That man will make you miss your ex from 10 years ago and you will get all depressed about why things didn't work out when yous were 17 even though it felt like the greatest love of all!

6. Challenge yourself. 

Could not emphasise on this more! The other day I went to my first Aikido class. I have always wanted to learn Aikido however being the anxious mess that I am now I never had the strength to go. This was so out of my comfort zone, going to a gym where I don't know anyone, dressed in my trackies and tshirt considering everyone would be wearing their gi, and being totally new to the whole thing! But I did it and I felt so alive and proud of myself. So if there is one thing that you are scared of doing, that is outside your comfort zone: DO IT. The feeling afterwards is soo worth it.


PS. Make your own list of things you would like to do. Forget about losing weight, stopping smoking etc. Look really deep into yourself and see what you would really honestly want to improve. But most importantly be kind. Be kind to yourself and others. That is my biggest new year resolution and it should be yours too! :)

The Establishment (book)

I don't typically like to review books but this was a present from a very special someone and it turns out to be the best book I have read in a very long time!

I don't really like to write about politics as the whole subject can be summarised as the biggest let down in human history (following Donald Trump of course). It is important to note however that very recently my whole political fascination has been sparkled up by the one and only- Jeremy Corbyn. His ideas, speeches and his mannerism as a whole has generated my hopes for real change. I cannot emphasise more how much that man makes me feel whenever I hear him speak

As I was chatting away my views on politics on a first date (as you always do of course!), my date said I sounded similar to what Owen Jones has written in his latest book: The Establishment and how they get away with it. Few days after he gave me the book and I will say, for the first time I have read a non-fictional book in less than a week! I just couldn't stop as everything Mr Jones was talking about I already knew but not in a knowledge/facts way but more of a feeling in my guts.

Contents

1. The Outriders 

2. The Westminster Cartel

3. Mediocrity

4. The Boys if Blue

5. Scrounging off the State

6. Tycoons and Tax-Dodgers

7. Masters of the Universe

8. The Illusion of Sovereignty

Conclusion: A Democratic Revolution

This is probably the most detailed book on how companies and governments in the UK have been "scrounging off" people for decades and not giving anything in return solely driven by the word PROFIT. Of course if you speak unsatisfactorily of the current social system (the big C word) people will call you communist (and by people I mean the poorly educated majority that reads The Sun and goes on to claim it has a very informed opinion on all political matters) however lets ignore the fact that hunners of economists have declared the undeniable fact that the co-existence of profit and democracy under any other social system is achievable.

Anyway I don't want to make this a long post however I had to say something about this change I feel in politics (in the UK with Jeremy Corbyn and in the USA by Bernie Sanders) but I can feel the true human nature in those politicians. I can feel it in their words.

PS. I hope this post makes you wonder that's all I am after. Go and read something that is non compliant to your current views and see for yourself! :)