Non Linear Warfare: The General Election 2015

In case you don’t know already, which seems highly unlikely, the general election is just around the corner. Journalists are waiting eagle-eyed for any political slip up whilst politicians are busy polishing manifestos and practising the party line. The upcoming election also means that the party politics game is in full swing, and it’s incredible predictability means the game can be aptly condensed to a just a single line; “do you remember those awful decisions [insert party here] made, you know, way back in [insert date here], well just in case you’d forgotten all about it we are the only party that you can trust to fix it”. Whilst these tête-à-têtes usually lend themselves rather well to entertainment, they also operate as potentially dangerous diversions; the media and the electorate find themselves discussing the latest political fallout as opposed to the policies that deserve far greater attention than they receive.

These tête-à-têtes usually rest upon personal quips and carefully selected statistics, thus tactfully avoiding whatever uncomfortable questions are circulating at that time. It’s frustrating, unnecessary and entirely common, but most importantly in benefits those in positions of power…

In 2014 Adam Curtis created a short film titled “Oh dear”-ism II – Non-Linear War”. It considers the information we are fed, the rise of Vladislav Surkov and the relationship to modern art. It’s a compelling watch that raises questions about our own political environment, the contradictory information that is received daily and who stands to gain from it. Take the political saturation of statistics for example; we are told by one party that the deficit has been cut in half, though we are told by another that it has significantly increased. Who do we trust? Next we are told that public funding has been cut, whilst another tells us that public spending has increased. Again, who do we trust?

The answer is that we can’t, irrespective of who or what party. Everyone has a statistic to rebut the one before, but all that serves to do is unsettle. No one knows what is true, what is false, what is manipulated and what is un-doctored. It should be a scandal, but it is incredibly difficult to determine what and who is actually wrong when another will tell us the complete opposite – how can you fight against something if it’s constantly shifting, if you’re not sure what exactly it is that you’re rallying against?

So the status quo remains, the tête-à-têtes serve their purpose and the voter is left to negotiate uncharted waters alone. But we shouldn’t just flounder and accept what we are told. The general election is the perfect time to seek out information for ourselves, challenge and query manifestos, policies and promises. And so if you haven’t already, register to vote. If you don’t, as Nick Clegg put it, it would be like going to Nando’s, not ordering and then complaining about what you were served.

https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

The News: Another Version of the “Truth”

The Israeli-Gaza conflict is an intensely  sensitive subject not only in the international political sphere, but for ordinary people around the globe. High profile individuals have similarly waded into the debate whilst others have tried to shy away from it.

Just over a week ago, comedian Russell Brand uploaded a video in which he dissected Fox news’ Sean Hannity’s coverage of the conflict. That video has over 2 million views and counting.

It is clear that Brand’s analysis, which ever way you look at it, forces us to consider how we consume the news. The news is something that for many of us we consider the truth about what is happening in the world. This belief is somewhat naïve for the very reason that the truth is an absolute; something is either the truth or not the truth, there is no middle ground, so why then are there so many versions of the news, be it transmitted by television, radio or print? What one establishment will report, the other will alter and report differently.

That doesn’t mean to say that news is devoid of any tangible integrity. Reporters and journalists are bound to deliver accurate, unfalsified information but it is inevitable, given that the majority of news corporations are owned by private investors with their own interests at hand, that the news is filtered into another version of the truth. Similarly, the cultural influence of a region, ruling government and domestic policy all have a hand in how the news is presented to the wider public.

Analyses like Brand’s serve to remind us that we are constantly influenced by our surroundings. That the truth is frustratingly unattainable, an ideal that not even the news can grant us.

The Commonwealth and Scottish Independence

The XX Commonwealth games are drawing to a close in Glasgow in just a few days time. And as you’d expect at any international competition, the quality of sport across the board has been exceptional.

But there’s far more to the Commonwealth games than just sport. The competition is as much about the 53 Commonwealth member states and their history; Empire and independence, culture and nationhood.

Yet despite their differences, the Commonwealth is a family of nations who, like any other family, have their disagreements but come together when it counts. Perhaps this is why the Glasgow games in particular have struck resonance with the question of Scottish independence.

Forgetting all the economic and political arguments of the Yes and No Campaigns, it is clear that the home nations have a unique bond. Our histories and cultures are so complexly intertwined that it is no surprise that we find ourselves willing our fellow home nations on in competition, enjoy their success as much as our own, and are as protective of them as we are of ourselves.

True, there is a sense of comradery between many of the Welsh, Scottish and English athletes because they train together, but the Scottish crowds have been equally accommodating to home nation visitors and athletes.

Whether you’re in favour of Scottish independence or not, it is difficult to ignore the sense of national pride that the games exude. What is not so clear however is how, or even if the Glasgow Commonwealth games will affect how Scotland votes on the 18th September later this year…

Medicine: The Price We Pay

Allegations recently emerged that the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKlein (GSK) was directly involved in systematically bribing doctors in China.

In the UK, The Cochrane Collaboration recently claimed that the drug Tamiflu, on which the Government spent around £473m, “did not prevent the spread of flu or reduce dangerous complications, and only slightly helped symptoms.” A result of unpublished research data about the drug’s side-effects and usefulness.

So, when did it pay to be part of the medical industry?

The answer, to cut a long story short, is that it has always paid to be part of the medical industry. If you consider the religious healers of the ancient Greek and Roman Asklepieion, 17th & 18th century quacks, private physicians  and apothecaries, it is clear that “medical professionals” having been charging us for their services for thousands of years.

The only difference now is the sheer scale of the industry, a multi-billion dollar industry at that. Those on the front line of the healthcare industry are the vital, dedicated and empathetic individuals all of us will at some point come into contact with. What is often forgotten however, is that behind these qualified professionals is a ruthless business that trades in undercutting the opposition. And like any other business it is driven by money; hooking big investors, raising share prices and widening profit margins.

The problem? The medical infrastructure, in effect hospitals, medical equipment, doctors and nurses, is in place to save lives and improve a patient’s quality of life with the best resources at it’s disposal. The companies that supply this equipment, research data and drugs have these and other demands pressing on them at any one time. So why is it that patients are sometimes compromised, that pharmaceutical don’t always publish all of their data and in some cases particular medicines are prescribed in favour of other more effective ones?…Because if that meant losing out to another company,losing money, losing investors, losing shares and stock prices the industry wouldn’t pay. And as we know medicine is a money game.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-28142118

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-26954482

Roy Porter, Blood and Guts: A Short History of Medicine

Fashioning the Modern Individual: The Age of the “Selfie”

Throughout history the “modern individual” has been obsessed by image. Fashions may have come and gone, but the inherent concern for one’s aesthetic appearance has endured throughout the ages; from the cosmetics of Ancient Egypt, through to the grandiose clothing of the 18th century citizen, and the distinctly sombre style of the Victorians.

Unsurprisingly in the age of  the tabloid magazine, Instagram and the “selfie,” the “modern individual” of the 21st century is no stranger to these concerns. We live in an artificial and consumerist driven environment, whereby the ownership of branded goods and the places we are seen, have come to mean something beyond the goods and places themselves; a reflection of our character and those around us.

Whilst this is perhaps true of other moments in history, the parameters of image construction, its maintenance, availability and permanency has dramatically altered. The 21st century presents a strange dichotomy; there exists a norm of self censorship, whereby we can alter images of  ourselves, control what peers and even strangers see of our lives through social media, all within a culture that encourages us to share publicly and unashamedly the minutest details of our existence.

This dichotomy is indicative of the importance of self-documentation; how we are recorded is important to people. In a matter of moments we can have access to a whole host of information, pass judgement on individuals be it unfounded or not. Yet in spite of this there is a desire to be seen, even if what we present to the world possesses an inherent and conscious falseness.

The norm of how we “untruthfully” present ourselves to our peers is perhaps best exposed in considering the conscious decision to present ourselves truthfully. Exemplary of this is the backlash surrounding the “No Make-up Selfie”. It had somehow become ‘brave’  and distinct from the norm to present oneself without a filtering process, completely unedited.

So how then are we to fashion the “modern individual” if the “modern individual” is merely an illusion, a collection of edited and staged moments?

To this there is no answer. The “modern individual” is strangely elusive; it is a false construction of identity based not on how we are in actuality, but how we present ourselves to be.

The Ukraine Crisis

With reports of pro-Russian separatists seizing control of cities and towns across eastern Ukraine, the country’s crisis looks set to continue. Unsurprisingly, amid escalating military involvement, political tensions between Russia and the West remain high.

The US Secretary of State John Kerry recently accused Russia of “distraction, deception and destabilisation” in Ukraine. Despite these accusations, and the economic sanctions imposed on Russia by the US and EU, Putin has made it clear that Russia reserves the right to intervene militarily, should it’s interests be threatened.

Some have since speculated on Russia’s actions within the post-imperial context of the Cold War era, yet beneath the political storm surrounding the annexation of the Crimea region, two questions remain; to whom does Crimea’s national identity belong, and does this national identity justify Russia’s actions in Ukraine?

It is undeniable that Crimea has strong links to Russia and the Soviet Union given that it was as recent as 1991 that the region became part of an independent Ukraine. It’s cultural and linguistic heritage is subsequently closely intertwined with that of Russia, though there are multiple ethnic divisions within the region itself.

In spite of this, Russia’s annexation of Crimea remains firmly against international law. Putin has consistently defied and challenged the West’s response to the crisis, stating that “in people’s hearts and minds, Crimea has always been an inseparable part of Russia.” This sense of national identity, firmly associated with Russia in large parts of Crimea, cannot however be used to bypass international law and warrant further reciprocal action in Ukraine against the West’s involvement. Not only does it leave Russia open to international scrutiny, but places Ukraine in a state of crisis and uncertainty as to its political future.

This political instability has already spilled over into parts of eastern Ukraine, with 8 European military observers taken hostage and presented to the media in Slovyansk for allegedly spying on behalf of NATO. Though 1 observer has since been released, it indicates a worrying escalation by pro-Russia separatists as increasing numbers of pro-Ukrainians are detained by armed groups.

It is clear from this that the situation requires extensive and on-going negotiations to minimise the damage already caused in both Kiev and Crimea. So far though there has been little success in talks held at the conference in Geneva over a week ago.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26387353

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/23/ukraine-crimea-what-putin-thinking-russia

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/28/us-new-sanctions-russian-officials-companies-putin

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-crisis-armed-prorussian-separatists-parade-hostages-in-front-of-worlds-media-9293830.html

http://en.ria.ru/world/20140416/189244529/Kiev-to-Raise-Crimea-Return-at-Geneva-Meeting–Ukrainian.html

The First One

This is it. The very first post. 

And as such I should  probably begin with a disclaimer; Distribution Bay is, in all honesty, an experiment. And, like any experiment there’ll be mistakes along the way -though hopefully not too many! So, what to expect and why bother?

A bit of everything, about everything, for everyone. Life, as ordinary as it may seem, is a shared experience, but it is also a venture into the unknown.

Distribution Bay is a place for discussion about the world we live in; what makes it tick and what happens when the tick stops.

So if you fancy a trip into the unknown, or are just curious as to how the experiment turns out, become a follower and keep reading!