tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5811749743523633503.post6821428524548886808..comments2024-03-20T11:36:53.907+00:00Comments on Restoring Mayberry: Canute and the modern worldBrian Kallerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11082602126850605083noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5811749743523633503.post-12919485070171450562016-09-20T21:42:29.565+01:002016-09-20T21:42:29.565+01:00Interesting distinction between the 'Valuable ...Interesting distinction between the 'Valuable Lessons Learned' from watching contemporary, vs older, even classical, stories. I would characterize the former as having a single, underlying, unremittingly self-referential basis: 'It's all about you' - fitting, since these are all stories with a specific demo, identified by 'The Last Psychiatrist' as the 'Dumbest Generation of Narcissists In The History Of The World.'<br /><br />Cause - or effect? I dunno, but I do think it is not only sensible, but could possibly even qualify as self-defense, to remove oneself from direct exposure. In fact, let's think of more material toxins: if you were living next to a plant dumping endocrine disruptors into the ground water and carcinogens into the air, who would think to respond by saying 'oh well, not much you can do about it!' - of *course* there is something that can be done about it. I would move out of the area of most direct exposure - wouldn't you? Especially if you had kids?? Maybe even to rural Ireland! :)<br /><br />Although my plans run more along tropical lines, say, rural Belize...<br /><br />Great post, thanks Brian.gwizard43https://www.blogger.com/profile/07593620523101022936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5811749743523633503.post-42130051384710913702016-09-19T10:34:36.057+01:002016-09-19T10:34:36.057+01:00Brian
Thanks for promoting thought. You describe a...Brian<br />Thanks for promoting thought. You describe a reality we have been aware of for 40 years as parents and now as grandparents. Even before then in the 1960s I was aware of what I called back then 'Americanisation' of British culture. At the same time of course I watched 'Woodstock' and was very aware of 'Vietnam' and nuclear war confrontation. I was born and lived until my late 20s in southern England and in contrast was witness to the last surviving rural people and agrarian countryside. Some parts for both good and ill were recognisably still in the 18thC and 19thC. And once I heard a song in a suburban public bar near London sung by an Irish navvy in his own language. The song made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. I too was a labouring man in those days. <br /><br />For our own children outdoor activities, walking remote hills and generally exploring on bicycles worked well enough for the older two (they had a few like-minded friends). They taught themselves – I watched and marvelled - variously juggling, stilt walking, knots, fly fishing and making great birthday parties for little children, among other things. Books rather than TV seemed a reasonable balance and for our youngest 'history' especially when exploring places is enduring nutrition. We were lucky also that a young and talented artist found a living introducing local children to drawing and creative arts. The children from a variety of homes produced astonishing stuff. I wished then and now we had more children's stories and drama on radio (no advertisements) similar to those I had with my younger brother at home in the early 50s. <br /><br />Would your own talents find an outlet on radio in Ireland? The 'ceremonies of innocence' as Yeats called them deserve renaissance each generation?<br /><br />good luck to you all<br /><br />Phil<br />philsharrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16992266289232459952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5811749743523633503.post-68150436605399306232016-09-19T08:58:54.968+01:002016-09-19T08:58:54.968+01:00David,
You're right, I know -- one just want...David, <br /><br />You're right, I know -- one just wants to give children a space to be children as much as possible, for as long as one can. :-)Brian Kallerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11082602126850605083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5811749743523633503.post-61182062938820199312016-09-16T11:30:12.816+01:002016-09-16T11:30:12.816+01:00You can’t 'hold it back’ and I don’t think you...You can’t 'hold it back’ and I don’t think you should; life’s too short! You of course can teach children to think, to question, to analyse and to understand. It’s the best you can do.DavidThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00574548616439154876noreply@blogger.com