Idea 115 is Left, Right and Centre

The idea of left wing politicians is so much part of the furniture that I'd not thought about how the term is derived, seems that it dates back to the French Revolution where in National Assembly  the aristocracy supporters were on the right and the commoners on the left.

Historically the left is considered progressive and the right somewhat reactionary but there have been many 'radical' conservatives of late trying to roll back the areas of influence of the state.

In fact some contemporary commentators consider that the extremes on both the left and right can share more in the beliefs than those in the centre.

The media often finds it easy to position individuals and parties in the spectrum from Left to Right but increasingly new trends and affinities are confusing the picture where many modern conservatives are considered 'liberal' on personal issues but 'conservative' financially.

The diagram shows a more nuanced interpretation of the parties active in the UK.

The green movement is generally considered to find a place somewhere on the left.

Idea 114 is Utopianism

Mustard and Cress

I suppose this is probably the first horticultural experience many of us have - not too sure why the ideal medium is considered to be a flannel, would think that compost has always been cheaper and more suitable.
Hopefully Mustard and Cress has some health benefits too, this site gives some indications of some foods that are said to provide extra nutrients.

Dead Man Down

Yesterday we went to see the new film Dead Man Down, that is the first Hollywood blockbuster from Danish writer/director Niels Arden Oplev, for me an  enjoyable film and although very much in the action genre it has a certain European sensibility which provides more depth then many films that are produced by the big studios.
I reckon that both Colin Farrell (an Irish Man playing a Hungarian) and Noomi Rapace (a Swedish woman playing a French character)  put in pretty good performances. Plenty of action and I only closed my eyes very briefly.

Utopianism

Utopianism is a belief in an ideal society which follows on from Thomas More's use of the term 'Utopia' which  he gave to an ideal and imaginary island nation.

This idea of a Utopian state or society has been used in many fictional works both in a positive portrayal  like that of William Morris's News from Nowhere  and darker works like that of  Aldous
Huxley's Brave New World .

Although actual large scale realisations like the  Communist states in the USSR and China have not ended well smaller versions of Ideal communities have been more successful these include  the Scottish New Lanark experiment and the Kibbutzs of Israel.

Non Magic Mushrooms and Idea #113 is Collectivism versus Individualism

Mushrooms

in the dark and fed with s*** etc

As I continue to be seduced by nearly every seed packet I come into contract with it seems almost inevitable that I'll try my hand at mushroom growing (Wilko White Button).
Having looked at the instructions on the packet I have ended up going somewhat my own way - we'll see in 20 or so days if there's anything to show for the effort.
Mushrooms it seems provide loads of health benefits.

#113 Collectivism versus Individualism

Idea 113 looks at the tension between Collectivism and Individualism, those favouring the group, state or society at large would fall under the umbrella of Collectivism, this though I feel is not the flavour of the day and we live in a time of not just i-phones and i-Pads but are also all about the i-ndividual. Collectivism is not solely a position of the left but in Hitler's Germany the society was a collective one.
The European state (particularly the social democratic versions) emphasise rights and responsibilities allowing personal freedoms but privileging too  the state's role in protecting the less fortunate with adequate social provisions.   In the USA there is a deeply held belief in individual freedoms and a 'smaller' state.

 

Ludwig von Mises (1881- 1973) was an Austrian philosopher who was  critical of Collectivism, here's a commentary on his position.

UK entertainers found guilty of child abuse and Idea 112 is Federalism versus Centralism

The last few months have seen a number of aging celebrities being arrested for child abuse committed during the 60s, 70s and 80s, it is difficult not to have feelings of sympathy for those people in the public eye  who are now suffering the vilification as their past crimes are exposed.


Who's the joker?

Stuart Hall it was today revealed was a serial abuser, there are others who are under investigation (I will not add to the rumour mill here) and there is little doubt that many on the periphery do  now regret the blind eye they turned to what they knew to be wrong at the time.

Some of the abusers (like Hall) will no doubt express regret at past actions (on being caught they will express this regret), in truth it is important to reflect on the many figures who did not commit these crimes and recognise that although the past was a different land morality is still a measure of the behaviour of individuals and many in similar positions did not exploit the opportunities for abuse presented to them .

Many young people have had their lives blighted by the misdemeanours of 'adults' it was not the  fault of these minors, the deal is that adults are responsible for their actions and the way the law must operate is that crimes do not disappear merely with the passage of time.

While having sympathy with those in advancing years who  now have to justify their terrible actions it is important to reflect on who are the victims and the message we are sending to them.

Okay back to the big Ideas- 112 is Federalism versus Centralism.

The governments of modern states battle between devolving power and centralising control, I recall on a visit to China many years ago seeing a banner proclaiming 'Think Globally Act Locally' and so it is that a tension acts between the centralised control that is meant to exist in countries such as France (known as a unitary state)  and the Federal system of countries that operate like the USA.

Their are arguments that favour localism in terms of reflecting the desires of the populace and in truth it is unlikely that the tensions between a centre (like London) and the regions will ever be fully resolved.

In  reality it is not a straight choice and many countries are still battling to find a comfortable equilibrium,  in recent years the UK has moved to devolving away from the centre giving some authority to the Governments and assemblies of Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland.

The tensions within other countries, like for example the former Yugoslavia have led to fracture, war and the formation of independent nations but strangely these new nations are able to work together in such federal alliance as the EU.