One fact that always sticks in my mind whenever anyone mentions the "l" word to me, is one that I was told by a man who was much wiser than me. Malcolm told me that the Greek's had no less than seven words which when translated give the English word love. In English we have one.
Now let's consider this shall we? There was "eros" - or erotic love - and a whole spectrum that spread to "cupidos" - or true love. Even when trying to express their meaning, I fail because my lexicon is insufficient. It's a relative strength of mine to have a good vocabulary when it comes to written work thanks largely to a voracious reading appetite as a child that stood me in good stead for adulthood. Yet I cannot find any other words for different degrees of love.
When I mentioned this to a less articulate person, they quipped about infatuation or crush and my explanation of how they weren't actually love because they generally implied - amongst other things - a one-sided attraction.
Today I saw an advertisement for a film starring Russell Brand (by the way - he's not married to the comedienne Jo Brand as I initially presumed) and because I was bored, I searched for a picture of him. He's a good looking chap with a whole cohort of past girlfriends he has gone through - and there was more than a few that described his new "love".
This angered me. Perhaps, I thought, this is the reason behind the stratospheric level of divorce in this country. Once upon a time, marriage was a covenant between a man and a woman, with the aim of never being broken. I honestly believe that divorce is inevitable in most couple's lives. There are so many reasons a marriage fails, but often people have too high an expectation from things. People are often arrogant and a little too self-assured, meaning that it is only when they reach a ripe old age whereby their attractiveness is waning that they begin to realise that they had better cling on to their partner. Lack of respect for each other is another reason - and I believe the strongest cause of breakups. In the old days, people took their time about such matters as finding a partner, and when they married it was a much more formal symbol.
People today have more freedom than ever, and yet it has brought much misery on the traditional family unit. Perhaps if we actually understood exactly what love is - we would be able to solve some of these problems. The Greeks certainly had a go at it - yet we overlook history - or those that do remember think that today's generation doesn't need to know about it. We are doomed to repeat the mistakes of history - and no doubt in a few centuries we'll have a distinctive system that categorises relationships. Possibly we'll have a better way of educating people not to make mistakes with love. People will not hurt each other by being stuck in relationships where there is not the right kind of love - they'll know the definition of it and be able to make more informed judgements. The cry of "but she/he says they love me" will cease to be an excuse or justification used by the many. Until then, I love you all. Peace.
Sunday 21 November 2010
Friday 15 October 2010
Zeitgeist
Never wanting to be a conspiracy theorist, I had always stayed away from the realms of those people who claimed that the Illuminati still held power over the world, or that 9/11 attacks were due to the government, but having watched Peter Joseph's "Zeitgeist", I am beginning to wonder.
The film opens with a dubious account of how many old-world religions have parallels with the Christ figure, with many following the star signs (12 star signs, 12 disciples, get it?) but that's only part one of this interesting look at the US government.
Part two delves deep into the lives of those survivors and news reporters in the days just after the 9/11 World Trade Centre terrorist attacks. Interestingly there is evidence to support the theory that perhaps, just perhaps it wasn't actual Al Quaeda that undertook this mission. After all, there are just too many inconsistencies and anomalies to ignore.
My initial view was one of pure scepticism but listening to a fire fighter tell of how there was a loud bang before the first plane hit, the fact that there were pictures of girders cut at a 45 degree angle (the same technique employed by demolition experts), pools of molten iron a week or two after the attacks (not caused by jet fuel - possibly Thermite compound), and the refusal of the government to launch a proper investigation in the aftermath of the bombings can certainly move me to tears over the poor souls who died in those buildings. Combined with interviews with a friend of one of the Rockafeller family, who swears he was told of a coming attack 11 months before it happened, it's getting much harder to sleep at night...
Check it out and make up your own mind. Life is about questioning everything that those in power want to tell you. It's the only way to see the real truth. Even if it is a conspiracy theory, it still raises a few questions such as why Bush had to appear alongside the Vice President instead of separately (to keep their stories straight?).
http://www.thezeitgeistmovementuk.com/
The film opens with a dubious account of how many old-world religions have parallels with the Christ figure, with many following the star signs (12 star signs, 12 disciples, get it?) but that's only part one of this interesting look at the US government.
Part two delves deep into the lives of those survivors and news reporters in the days just after the 9/11 World Trade Centre terrorist attacks. Interestingly there is evidence to support the theory that perhaps, just perhaps it wasn't actual Al Quaeda that undertook this mission. After all, there are just too many inconsistencies and anomalies to ignore.
My initial view was one of pure scepticism but listening to a fire fighter tell of how there was a loud bang before the first plane hit, the fact that there were pictures of girders cut at a 45 degree angle (the same technique employed by demolition experts), pools of molten iron a week or two after the attacks (not caused by jet fuel - possibly Thermite compound), and the refusal of the government to launch a proper investigation in the aftermath of the bombings can certainly move me to tears over the poor souls who died in those buildings. Combined with interviews with a friend of one of the Rockafeller family, who swears he was told of a coming attack 11 months before it happened, it's getting much harder to sleep at night...
Check it out and make up your own mind. Life is about questioning everything that those in power want to tell you. It's the only way to see the real truth. Even if it is a conspiracy theory, it still raises a few questions such as why Bush had to appear alongside the Vice President instead of separately (to keep their stories straight?).
http://www.thezeitgeistmovementuk.com/
Thursday 14 October 2010
House Prices
At this precise moment in time, there are around 26 million homes in the United Kingdom, with prices that are so expensive that many first time buyers cannot afford anything more than a small studio flat - provided that they can provide the money (up to £40,000 for an apartment around London - i.e. up to 20%) which acts as a guarantee for the mortgage lenders.
The problem in England is that for several decades now houses have been seen as an increasingly attractive way of earning some quick money. It is not uncommon for people to make tens of thousands in a decade for simply sitting quiet with their properties, sometimes renting them out, but generally becoming richer in the long run than before.
However, the recession has seen some people becoming worried that their homes will not gain in value.
This has to be the most ridiculous concern ever. Sure - if the home is actually losing (a lot of) money then I could have some sympathy. Yet many people believed that they were simply entering into a business venture that would ensure they were well off in their retirement, or act as a way to generate capital which they otherwise could not earn.
Reality checks set in for people as they now realise than the property market is less buoyant than it was five years ago...
As Grant Shapps, the new coalition's Housing Minister stated recently, homes cannot be treated in the same manner as they were since the 1970's. Homes are meant to provide a roof over your head, not endear you to your bank manager. There are some people out there who just want to have a place to live, yet the artificially high house prices (thanks to the Conservative party when they were last in power with their familiar "greed is good" approach) have destroyed most average people's chance of getting anything like this. Thanks a lot parents and my previous generation. That's another fine mess you got me into!
The problem in England is that for several decades now houses have been seen as an increasingly attractive way of earning some quick money. It is not uncommon for people to make tens of thousands in a decade for simply sitting quiet with their properties, sometimes renting them out, but generally becoming richer in the long run than before.
However, the recession has seen some people becoming worried that their homes will not gain in value.
This has to be the most ridiculous concern ever. Sure - if the home is actually losing (a lot of) money then I could have some sympathy. Yet many people believed that they were simply entering into a business venture that would ensure they were well off in their retirement, or act as a way to generate capital which they otherwise could not earn.
Reality checks set in for people as they now realise than the property market is less buoyant than it was five years ago...
As Grant Shapps, the new coalition's Housing Minister stated recently, homes cannot be treated in the same manner as they were since the 1970's. Homes are meant to provide a roof over your head, not endear you to your bank manager. There are some people out there who just want to have a place to live, yet the artificially high house prices (thanks to the Conservative party when they were last in power with their familiar "greed is good" approach) have destroyed most average people's chance of getting anything like this. Thanks a lot parents and my previous generation. That's another fine mess you got me into!
Thursday 3 June 2010
Precious
Disturbing look at the poor and disadvantaged Black in America. From the book Push, this film follows the protagonist Precious who is pregnant with her father's child. Abused in every single way imaginable by her family and ignorant peers, this is a stark reminder of just how even those of us who think we have nothing, may actually have more than others - even in the Western world.
I'm Every Woman - Oprah Winfrey owns the company that produced this film. It features a brief nod in her direction
Precious fights her way through to independence away from her abusers by meeting her new teacher, to whom she is sent after her original school throws her out for being pregnant.
I was left shocked and startled. Very good and manages to demonstrate clearly the value of love and dignity in a society that may not always be obvious immediately.
I'm Every Woman - Oprah Winfrey owns the company that produced this film. It features a brief nod in her direction
Precious fights her way through to independence away from her abusers by meeting her new teacher, to whom she is sent after her original school throws her out for being pregnant.
I was left shocked and startled. Very good and manages to demonstrate clearly the value of love and dignity in a society that may not always be obvious immediately.
About This Blog
The purpose of this blog is simply a place for me to store my lists of books, music, films, comics, and other media that I have viewed during my life. Sometimes they'll be accompanied by a review. Sometimes not. The list is merely personal and not intended to benefit anyone else directly, though it would be nice if it did.
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