The donkey and the bear - is it really that long!

When artificial intelligence finally surpasses humanity over any number of given tasks and can repeat those tasks, all without human intervention, then we’ll have arrived at the door-jamb of obsolescence, and I can hand over my drafts, so allowing for the odd corrective tweak.  Now, after firmly hoisting myself at the end of part ii, it’s time to move swiftly through part iii.  

Trubrexaggedon - part iii

Looking across the globe the realms of political square dancing seem to be going through a slight pinprick of turmoil.  If I had to pick a point in time, in which the general air of pensive foreboding hangs like a spectre of damocles (like ids at a hip and fun party, celebrating a victory shredding even the barest of safety nets from the most vulnerable in society) then that date hovers somewhere between the years 1928 & 1933.

Many part-time wielders of power (prostrating themselves in gratitude after reaching the executive level washrooms, come slinging out time in the public realm) appear furiously intent on appeasing their zealous, increasingly public, lever pulling power-tuggers, whilst trying to ensure voters vote the way that’s expected of them, but ideally, not having them vote at all.  However, even if the electorate did vote there are always ways to get around that particular bit of planking in the eye - democracy, or no democracy.  Pfft.  As we’ve seen throughout history, all that’s needed is a popular media uprising and soon enough people will trot out that hackneyed phrase “there’s no smoke without fire,” with a third of the readers vehemently, or partially at any rate, believing the regurgitation, and laws changing accordingly. 

Not quite the same as unleashing an army of killer nanobots in need of some real world testing, but it certainly does come a close second.  And why stop at nanobots when robots are becoming increasingly more flexible and heartwarmingly helpful - here, here, and oh yes, here.  After all, where there's a will and funds, and the funds for slaughter are always certainly there, then the ways are becoming practically limitless.

Mix into that heady sloop of rabid squirrels: sudden jolts of climate change, a seasoning twist (or two) of global hunger, an asteroid strike, a sprinkle of world-wide terror, and a stroke of light apocalyptic proportions - adding a dash of quintessential piquant essence.  Naturally, we haven’t quite finished.  Something interesting yet old, such as a new antibiotic-resistant plague, which is also 100% multi-vector communicable, and has at least a 98.5% fatality rate.  That would of course see off most of the populace making the rest, for those that survive, far more amenable and suitably cowering under a bounty of weapons pointed in their direction by autonomous entities a far better prospect to look forward to, for those inside a nice and intact dry base of operations.

Where was I?  Ah yes, the donkey and the bear.

The ongoing, self-inflicted car crashes on either side of the pond (the usa and uk for those in any doubt), show no signs of immediately petering out, or really being nipped in the bud.  It reminds me of, just for a split second after you leave a club, that you truly believe that you can fly, before gravity rudely distributes your body all over the floor.  But let’s not dwell on past memories, moving on.

Considering the scale, there doesn’t seem to be that much news regarding the panama, paradise, or even peculiar papers anymore which considering the large scale filching, is to be expected.  If we take a brief step back, we can really feel deep down that there’s probably going to be a third instalment.  Waiting, pensively.  Over there.  Just beyond that flaming horizon.

With nobody really brought to book (apart from the icelandic premier and i’m not even sure he counts) and the ongoing deaths of investigative journalists it looks as though justice is being shoved firmly back into its box, whilst being sat on by law.  No doubt justice’s full force will be wheeled to bear when an impoverished and poverty struck person decides they need to nick a loaf of bread, or face starvation.  That will teach them. Have their face firmly rubbed in it and displayed across the press, as a freak for public excoriation.

Considering the zeal with which some of the press salivate over any chance to castigate members of the workshy caught pilfering a bottle of water from the local branch of poundlight, due to a lack of rainfall and the local council having to choose between: ensuring the public fountains & water taps are kept running, or keeping the public libraries open for a few hours.  In their great wisdom, the council decided that on leaving the public libraries open!  Not only would that provide an avenue for people to read about how wonderful it was to drink water, but they could also find out how glorious it would be to actually eat food consisting of nutrients and micro nutrients, building to that delirious result of mouthwatering taste, instead of their usual bowl of grey dust.  Surely that would be far better than actually having someone lean over a tap, trying to get some temporary relief?  And if they’re dead from starvation, well it’s a job for the obituary column.

Gargh, the donkey and the bear!

If we look back at all those countries which have either expressed a wish to, or attempted to remove themselves from the petrodollar and take on a different currency, such as the euro, or in the case of libya whilst under the firm control of gaddafi, form a new continent-wide currency to replace the dollar as favoured currency to trade in oil, then without exception, the drums of war started to peal, and the labelling of those countries as dangerous to the utter existence of all around them reached a roaring crescendo - well, that is in the usa media and political circles.  But those countries didn’t really have the clout of somewhere like, china.  Yes, China - and this is something which completely passed me by, and I didn’t see on any of my newsfeeds - on the 26 march 2018 started trade in yuan-dominated oil futures contracts.  Some hail this as the beginning of the end of the petrodollar, whilst others believe such talk is overblown and the petrodollar dominance will be fine for years to come, which it could well be.  But over time all things change, and the fate of the us dollar will be the same as all others before it, bulldozed by the onward march of history.  For many in the usa and other countries around the world, let’s hope it’s a nice and orderly transition of influence and not a worst case scenario.  An event, i have no doubt, that will be ably presided over by the 45th potus, and  the coterie of mountebanks.

Oh dammit, i nearly forgot. The donkey and the bear!

Trailer trash

Tired of having shows trailed for new season airings, only to see that the "big-tits" have decided in their usual way that people in a different country/continent can't watch, as they’re still waiting for the electronic transfer from the highest bidder there to flag up. 

It’s so reminiscent of that region 0-5 thing that handicapped (for two weeks) dvd players, that worked out so well.  Sort of telling people for years that “of course dvd’s cost $20 to produce, it’s an expensive process.”  Yes, expensive on their livers.

Have they learnt?  Of course not, but despite the “trillions” they're losing every year due to global piracy and talent draining from the industry, they still have enough billions to spend on films, hundreds of millions on star salaries, have the most lavish parties, awards, hire teams of lawyers, teams of judges, even teams of politicians - scrub that last bit, as we know anything over 1,000 (put your denomination here) is enough to start rubbing that particular shaft of political jiggery-pokery.

So as they still decide that we can watch when they feel we can, or listen to things only when they deem fit, I and I'm sure many others have decided that once that "cannot be viewed or listened to in your country" caption pops up, then on the block list it goes.

"Aren't you just cutting off your nose to spite your face," I hear you ask.
If it's working for the media-tits then there must be something to it. 

So when not wasting my time no longer listening or watching much, where does it all go....

Now where have i mislaid my billions?

Sarkattack

Why are people so shocked about the barclay brothers closing down and shipping out of sark?

Multi-billionaires, corporate giants, money machines have always attempted to subvert/bend/change governments to suit their ends.

The people of sark voted to keep their system of feudalism in place, for whatever reason they are happy with it or simply - after 400 years - just that little bit worried the prospect of potential change.

The brothers don't like it and have voted using the influence they have.  You could say they have elected to use their rights of expression. 

The co-operative don't invest in countries, companies  or regimes that goes against their ethical charter, should they be told they can't do that even though those millions might help people in poverty?  Aren't they expressing the rights of their members and beliefs?

Plenty of people complain about the lack of democracy in so many parts across the globe, yet right on the uks doorstep is an island which is only now taking faint faltering steps.  They made their choice to keep change at a minimum, and the brothers expressed their disappointment, perhaps it is just a case of nothing to see here.

But it's approaching that time of year, for feasting, dancing and song...

Dickens would be so proud of our brave new world - a rambling missive

Forcing people back to work, if they are unable to find work or are incapacitated, sounds like a return to Charles Dicken's country.  You could see the great man himself flicking through the pages of today's papers with depressed resignation at the direction the current government, opposition party and general populace are seemingly headed. 

With the ban on smoking, kill joys are now working on drinking, no doubt after that we'll all have to wear the correct type of clothing otherwise we'll be sent to the gallows.

Soon to, no doubt, as too many people will be perceived to be enjoying themselves, the holiday periods will be rolled back and working hours increased under the guise of research showing that if people didn't have so much free time they wouldn't:

1. get drunk so often,
2. have enough time to be obese eating all that balanced food

Whilst those who had too much free time on their hands would be made to work a 50 hour week for the benefit of the community, ensuring they are no longer:

1. idly unemployed and going around robbing people,
2. have time to smoke and so become less of a drain on the health service - eventually,
3. need to live in deprived areas and having offspring turn into feral beasts - through boredom and nothing else better to do.

Yes, it's mainly those who are poor, whom the political chatterers and right of Stalin editors seem to have it in for.  If you're rich and wealthy then you can ensure your offspring are suitably taken care of by the chauffeur and bodyguards, even if they would rather be rogering the missus.

It's could, perhaps, be also true that there are shirkers out there who find the problem of moving to pick up a remote control, to much effort.  But the vast majority do want to work. Meaningful work.  Work, that at the end of the day makes them feel like they have made a difference. Work that is more than the means to a basic existence. 

Unlike, investment bankers, whose idea of making a difference is knowing they've pushed a few million more people further into poverty or destroyed the meager savings of another bunch of pensioners.  For this group, the government should barrel down with increased legislation.  Raise taxes so many of them actually pay proper taxes.  But will they? No. As the government is in fear they will up sticks and leave for easier climes.  Not realising that in reality, easier climes could only be had at the beach house.

A spineless government that believes this group will simply up sticks and leave, creating chaos and plunging the country into ruin. Perhaps.  but with the bloodsuckers gone, ramping up inflation (especially housing), then the vast majority will be able to manage on the average meager wage, and anyhow they will have to learn how to, once China and India truly begin their inexorable climb to burgeoning middle-class hood and their respective Bourses surpass the london stock exchange.  Then the redistribution of traders will begin as the lse fades into the distant horizon, overtaken by the far east and a new european financial exchange, the last dreams of empire finally fading into the mists.

Been at work is bad for your health, especially in this day age; unless you work for google or apple and perhaps - at a push - ibm. 

In london on any working day just - if you can bear it - travel on london underground and look at your fellow travellers.  Rarely will you see anyone smiling or laughing. If they are, it's a firm bet they are tourists, or passing through, or have only lived in the capital for 6 months and not yet had the happiness and love for life beaten out of them.  But just look at the people going to work. It's a chore, the majority don't enjoy it, but they keep doing it.  For they know if they don't, that they could be that grubby beggar pestering everyone for 10 pence or is it now £50, to help buy a cup of tea.  Heaven forbid they end up like that, so away they beaver and work. 

To be fair there are people who have lived in the capital for 10 or more years and are still happy. But then they have homes overseas, holiday 20 times a year, worked hard and don't have to endure more than they need to.

But for those stuck within the boundaries of the M25 and its lofty green fields, the constant grind has the subtleness of your own personal pneumatic drill.

Changing planets

With the ever increasing noise about climate change and how it will affect the planet and all the species it contains, perhaps now is the correct time to think about what comes after. 

Imagine all that captured carbon solidified and compressed into a small space then been carted over to mars.   With the leaps and advances made in the arena of ameliorating the worst effects our own climate folly could embue upon us, the flip side could be the knowledge to change another worlds atmosphere to one of our own suiting.  Yes that wonderful science fiction staple that is known as terraforming.

Security vetoes blood soaked hands?

Amazed at the shocks revereberating around the "developed" world that two permanent members of the security council vetoed the implementation of sanctions against Zimbabwe...

Let's see now?

Russia! Oh yes, a poster child for democracy. Not poisioning ex-spies it disagrees with, nor grabbing assets that under a different premier would have been sold off for cheap trinkets - like a tantrum child. Nor showing how manly and muscular it can be by posing with upper torso exposed whilst fishing. With a tenuous, almost Mugabgiesque view of what democracy should be, that's permanent member security veto number 1.

Then there's China, sigh. Ivory back on the market, promoting quiet diploamcy whilst buying up the "developing" - as if the entire world is not in a continual state of developemnt - world's resources, but unlike the Mugabe regimie more likely to imprision for decades as opposed to have the army or ex-army go around and kill them. Duff them up a bit yes. Kill them? No! Well, if you don't take into account Tibet, or the Tiananmen Square massacres (nearly 20 years ago - strange that it still feels like yesterday), or the Falun Gong 'sect', or "AIDS activists have been followed by police and beggars rounded up." And there we have permanent member security veto number 2.

So with all that and China soon to be in bed with Russia over oil & gas, supply and demand, then it should come as no surprise at all ,that things went the way they did in the UN security vote.

And there's obvioulsy going to be no surprise when the 1920's recession clips our chirpy wings, bringing us down from the heady clouds of the never-never we (oh so seemingly briefly) inhabited, to the scrabbling scorched earth of the never-never again.

IndyMac Bank, with perhaps Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae going the same way and destroying 50% of the US mortgage backed guarantees, the green back is looking, as each day passes, more the sick puppy that will soon be on its back in the advanced stages of rigor mortis; with everyone saying 'how did it happen?'

Well those who wouldn't be giving thanks that the great satan has been laid low.

A whole heap, of Chancellors doings

Well the first budget brought into existence by Alistair Darling is a roasted horse chestnuts load of landfill waste. Which will be made ever higher by his inaction.

I imbibe the odd drink and smoke way to much. So yes it's a crap budget for me. More taken out, as ever.

With 'stability' the new watchword replacing 'prudence'; they both appear like pantomime dames. All show but laddered and leaking stockings going as far as the eyes can see.

Can't wait until the next one. When things in the country really do start going downhill.

But on a good note, he's returned to using the old budgetary case that the old chancellor jettisoned. Good to see we're firmly heading back to good old tradition... Oh well boom and bust, here we come!

Underworld CSI

Often wondered, since watching CSI (only the Las Vegas one - the others are too painful), whether it has an underworld equivalent; perhaps called ICS?

You know, sultry, depressive and bombshell types that go around watching crime scenes and how they're solved. So now we have criminals running around with different coloured lights making sure their tracks are sufficiently covered with a suitably nifty little vacuum cleaner sucking up any stray passing bits of debris and DNA. If not, then they deserve to get caught.

Ghosts in the shell

Sometimes as we meander our way through life, with some experiencing a harder time of it than others. We come across and meet up with people that stop us in our tracks. Who actually make us sit up, and actively think!

They have a selfless abundance of goodness that is remarkable for its sheer pugnacious disregard for reciprocation. A wealth of untrammelled energy which is utterly astounding.

Then on the flip-side you have the Stalin's, Pol Pot's, Mugabe's, Bush, Bin Laden's and now the one from Kenya, whose entire existence appears to be that of making everyone else's hell.

Don't get me wrong, I'm as humanist-atheistic leaning as the next sensible person. But with the number of atrocities jumping by the day and, of course, impending (again) global calamities around the corner, perhaps there is something more than just electrons whizzing through grey spongy soup which makes those few people, special.

Flying trotters

So a politician's finally done the decent thing and resigned.

To clear his name.

After, and only possibly mind - nothing's yet been proven! But been caught with both front trotters, snout, and floppy ears waving around in the crumbs jar. It's more and more, beginning to look like a re-run of the Major years.

GP Patient Survey...

When the above popped through the letter box, I thought I'd died and gone heaven.

Perhaps it is me and I have been labouring under a misconception that booking an appointment to see ones GP had been, or is in the process of been, reduced to a week! Perhaps even, at a push two!

So I bite my tongue when I am told the earliest appointment is four weeks away. And bite it even harder when that four weeks have been and gone and I go to find I shall be seeing a locum and not my own regular GP! A Locum in today's parlance, is a professional temp!

They (the government - perhaps more under the previous than current incumbent) have been happy bleating on about the number of billions been pumped into the NHS (National Health Service). But all those billions appear to have been soaked up by the heightened upper echelons remuneration, way before reaching the bottom, in the form of meager scraps.

Would this be a time to mention Consultants, Area Managers, Managers, Secretaries, whose increasing use of days off 'due to stress', must make opening a travel agency within hospital grounds an accountants financial dream. Doctors (not the private - full or partial), Receptionists, Nurses, Security, are more or less front line targets and deserve way more money than they're getting. And of course the humble Cleaners for whom English may be a 2nd or 3rd tongue, a course in English along with a 'how not skimp on the cleaning solution' and report your bosses if forced to' one, would be in order.

On the bottom line - apologises - front-line, it is a shame all those billions spent on the service have proved incapable of ensuring that when your four week wait is over, and you have made it over the threshold (so proving, however tenuous, your claim to be in the land of the living); that the look of disappointment palpably rippling outwards from the front desk - like some bodily emanation as another body hasn't pegged it and manages to stumble through - increases in tedium each dreaded passing visit.

Then the wait to finally see your GP begins. Book an appointment for 10am and if you are lucky, you will be seen two hours later by about 12pm. If anything, you are far better pretending that your body is about to gasp its last and you will be zipped in under an emergency booking. At least then you are guaranteed to walk out in a couple of hours with a printed prescription pre-laden for the next round of pills; praying to which ever god you believe in that you don't have to pay the place a visit, ever again!

If you miss your appointment by 10 minutes or more, you are politely told that you can't be seen. As the Doctor is now busy. And you will have to re-book, for another time! Which is, naturally, another 4 weeks down the line.

How can it be improved? Hard to say. The current economic downturn negates the ability to increase funding. But even then just throwing money at it isn't the right idea; despite the strain it is experiencing, people living longer and having more ailments with increasing age and new forms of expensive treatment coming on-stream.

But what is needed is a root and branch structural review with no sacred cows or white elephants in the closed wing. A review that every citizen is involved with and not just once in a blue moon at election time. The NHS used to work! We just have to find a way of making it work and work effectively (for us all in the UK), over the next few decades!

Are we been well served by the NHS? Only if you're an estate agent, travel company and, with increasing cases of MRSA, MRSi and other yet to be championed unknown bugs around the corner, I have to vouch a no!

One possible view of MRSA infection.

Morning radio, sunny shine.

Waking up and listening to Radio Four's Today programme is one of the few pleasures I have remaining in life. Which, without much effort on the part of Messrs Humphrys, Naughtie, Stourton, and Mademoiselles Montague and Quinn, manages to bring me to the brink of over brimming.

It's strengths lay in its contented fuddy-duddy dusty old slippers role one minute, to whip-cracking firebrand-politician-beating-outrider, the next and I wouldn't want it any other way!

So where's the moan. Well, even I start to yawn when that favourite old chestnut of the home-counties, incorrect grammar - as opposed to that other chestnut of immigration – is brought into play due to the lack of anything else more news worthy. Even it it does bring a lighter air to proceedings. If I really want to know whether a diphthong's more classy than a pure thong, I'll consult the online or real life oracle and come to an appropriate decision. For those of us with diminished and diminishing memory sticks, its far better putting them to use remembering when that last pint was consumed or, even more importantly, when its time for that next meal!

For those who were up at the crack of lunch time, they'd have been greeted to the sights of hoary-frosted bearded clouds lazily meandering across clearing horizons, sadly this would be over powered by the increasing level of vehicle exhaust working in concert, with the growing levels of sunlight tethered smog! So why not move and stop moaning? That's all well and good, but the draw of a 24hr shop nearby, a tube station that is only five minutes walk, buses for every destination within three minutes walk, a cinema, bars, good restaurants, a fully functioning market, even a M&S (no don't work for, have anything to do, or receive any vouchers from them) on the doorstep, I can put up with the probable life-shortening experience I'm going through, for at least one or two more years. But then, there'll be that nice little cottage in the country - or some other country – miles away from anywhere or anyone... Maybe I'll just buy some sturdy earplugs!

But in the meantime, here's a few pictures of the glorious few odd days, of sunny bliss.

Birds in flight, a wee copse....

and a couple more, showing a glorious autumnal day!