Hi, welcome to my blog.

One perspective on the world, the only one that kinda sorta really counts. A personal experience blog filled with awkwardness, passive aggression and a hell of a lot of complaining from a highly opinionated 90s-born twallop that thinks he is just a bit smarter than he actually is. Prepare for a hell of a lot of stinky bullshit hopefully mixed in with a few educated insigts into the world around us. Through historical, psycological and philosophical anatomisation, I will seek to dissect social constructions and norms of both personal and nationally significance. Until 10/17, the crux of this blog will be the power mechanisms of the international political and economic landscapes that drive our contemporary globalised world. However, this is liable to change as and when I feel like it, and there will of course be updates on anything else vaguely interesting when it pops into my head. Good day, sir!

[thoughtsandsensibilities]

Visit Original Link

BORDERS - a word with powerful connotations, surprising that the homophonic store was such a lemon. But this waffley audio post is about the intangible boundary between states (yes i know, they can be made tangible #trumpthecunt, but that doesn't count... because i say so). You will be glad to know that butchering this topic did provide me with ways to improve for next time, first of all knowing more than just the title before I start would be good. I was kinda going for the wind swept look but my message potentially may be sacrificed. A structure could allow me to speak more fluently and concentrate on how i am articulating myself rather than focusing on the content.

However undoubtedly correct i am (after a lifetime, the feeling does get old y’know), the art of speaking coherently off the cuff is a skill that people spend their lives honing, and often this ‘ad lib’ is a telltale marker for successful people. I may even take a step further and do one of my more complex posts audio style. 

Your ears thank you for the smooth butter that is my voice.

[thoughtsandsensibilities]

Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.

William Butler Yeats

Just saw this interesting quote and a few thoughts came to mind. Yeats presents a notion that can be aptly applied to the staggering limitations and flaws with the modern educational system, a system that we stake our children's and country’s future on. Learning should be about increasing personal propensity and capability, rather than the accumulation of information that, although interesting, may not provide a broad enough outlook and encourages the suppression of individuality and creativity, two attributes that I feel are key in coping with the shitstorm that this species is to face over the next century - from an economic, political and environmental perspective. Education, in the interest of cost saving, has become and institutionalised factory production floor, churning out barely functional unskilled economic agent one class at a time. More kids are about, populations grow... I get it. But what is the point of subscribing to an educational system from which you leave no better than when you enter? The compartmentalisation of creativity and the one size fits all take on child development that has somehow permeated our ‘developed’ educational system has crushed the love of learning that all kids are born with, something that should be nurtured to create contributing adults. 

The Scandinavians are on top for a reason people, but what will it take to make change happen? Sadly folks, for the foreseeable future, we are part of a political generation of pussies. Everyone is playing it safe nowadays for fear of pissing off the electorate. End populism.

[thoughtsandsensibilities]

Buckle up, bitches.

Themes I plan to cover over the next couple of years, of course in addition to my regular cynical observatory posts. This is solely a quick overview of topics floating around in my head at the moment that may do a bit more good on paper. It is in no way a prescriptive list and is liable to change whenever the fuck i feel like it; interests and world outlooks may shift and suddenly I may wake up a pussy and write about increasing corporation taxes to fund welfare...pfft. Don’t worry if nothing interests you yet, as I read more and form more bullshit opinions, the list will grow. Stay tuned! (they are in no sensical order, suck it up)

hard power on the international political stage

corruption and conspiracy (within governments but a focus on supragovernmental dependencies)

religion: its formation and subsequent redundancy. why was it created? the arrogance of man? the need for an explanation? fear of the unknown, of death? to account for a sense of powerlessness?

the concept of god as well as theories on the creation of the universe

the concept of a soul, and the propect of an afterlife. Why was religion made up? (dont bs me about being anti-religious, cos they are all shots in the dark trying to placate the arrogance of man and give meaning). 

the moral aspect of feeding gullible, ignorant people a string of lies about a false god (even if you have a religion the idea that millions if not billions around the world are being taught ‘blasphemy’ should piss you off, and you know you are right) vs the benefits that faith has in some peoples lives

climate change (from an environmental and economic perspective)

climate change (political perspective: disparity of impacts, lack of sufficient motivation and consequences of public goods in general),

development of societies throughout history: their cause and philosophy - what characterised success in ancient civilisation

economic and political dependency in a post-colonial world: reference to world systems theory

the occupied and downtrodden India, negative shit that remains and how it will transform

institutions in society eg marriage/family, government, the economy, education, and religion: their role and creation

terrorism in the modern world and how it can be explained by a constructivist understanding

my issue with the USA: how the world would be better off without it

US foreign policy: a monkey with rabies could do a better job

dictators through history

Cambodian genocide, the Holocaust and cases of ethnic cleansing due to a superiority complex

Rwandan and Somalian genocides - how did we fuck up so badly?

top 5 champions and cunts through history: who did the most long term good/damage to human development + what was it about them that made them so great (yes, the evil ones were great)

top 5 champions and cunts over the last 100yrs (non-dictators): how we are still cleaning up their pile of shit + what was it about them that made them so influential (have more personality info on recent individuals)

humanitarian intervention: necessary, evil or necessary evil. RoP??

China: from copper to gold then to lead... what happened here yo? (pre-1850)

China in the last century: phoenix from the ashes of famine and turmoil... what happened here yo? (post-1850)

Focus on social and economic reforms in China: Mau and the swinging 60s in China (the peak of my wit folks, if you got it then played, if not then thank fuck i am here and wait for the post you dumbass)... what happened here yo?

concepts of self and metaphysics: yes we are going to go there...

the development trap: economic stagnation causes and cures

what the fuck is happening in the middle east and why is it so?

cold war: what was going on behind the scenes? teleconnections?

residual effects of the cold war - what kind of power dynamic did it leave in its wake 

analysis of global governance - polarity of power

globalisation: everything about it - I see it as the dominant force shaping the c.20th

behavioural science - the role of parenting and experiences vs the role of the genotype

free market economy ideas - why they came about, a bit on their application in a modern macroeconomic context and a contrast to Keynesian and neoliberal schools of thought

the issue with aid - reincarnation of western imperialism

the hegemony of western powers

issues with corruption in the WB, IMF, WTO, UN, OECD + national foreign aid packets (remember 90s Malaysia Dam)

the new world order: my take on the hypothesised world government, reasons for existing

control of financial markets by NWO since 500AD

control of wars and central banking by NWO

are you sure about the NWO and why if they didnt exist at some point, the need to establish such an organisation would negate any doubt.

the analysis of and comparison between economic reforms in Central and South America and the corresponding economic impacts

MI6, CIA, Mossad, KGB... hmmm somethings fishy here boss

putin, putin, putin, putin, putin. the man, the myth, the legend. his story and the story of russian oil. 

the oil market since 2012, russian economic collapse as wel as OPEC struggles

medicine through time - Hypocrates, Galen, Vesuvius, Pasteur, Koch... etc.

Nazi Germany: how?!?! again specific analysis of hitler’s character

the concept of communication and globalisation when applied to ancient civilisations

sport in today's commercialised world - it has lost all its appeal for me.

British government - the horrible history! would be interesting to engage with the culture of laissez-faire in a conservative government

look at the formation of the first health service in 1948, what led to that point. universal suffrage? growth of moral responsibility? pussies.

how dumb and undemocratic American politics is -  you will be shocked (gerrymandering, vote exclusion, state voting, Russian involvement). get your fat ass down from high horse you fuckup of a country. remember you are only where you are cos you were a pussy in both wars, not standing up to tyranny and then basically shorting the world economy. you were nothing until a huge influx of investment built up your tertiary and quarternary sectors... just saying. 

why the fat people of America voted the cunt Trump into the Oval: right place right time? blame isis? blame terrorism? blame fear? blame bigotry?

the future of consumer tech as i see it

my opinion of Europe and the Euro - dead af.

the French revolution of 1789: why do i think it is important in the context of world history

the aftermaths and culture shocks of post-war periods

Margaret Thatcher and her glorious work moving Britain out of the evil clutches of socialism: why she was right and lefties are soft dummies

colonialism through the c.18th and c.19th

cost cutting in the public sector... just give me 25yrs and i will have costs down 50%. 5 election cycles... oh well - the issue of government inefficiency and political inertia 

why an authoritarian regime may be necessary in the developmental stages of a country

terms of trade fucking the little guys: global bully tactics...

why care about animals, or the environment... can we not just adjust and figure out a solution if and when shit hits the fan?

the art of persuasion and likeability

advertising - are you selling a product or a brand? a feeling or a culture?

the law - origins? are there big disparities between countries? simple moral code

tax law? overcomplicated, how tax gets avoided

criminality across the world, who controls drugs trade

accusations of hard drug trade being facilitated by MI6 for political and monetary control - up to 60% of cocaine and opium coming into the UK during c.20th was assisted by individuals within the government through MI6. CIA and cocaine during second half of centrury.

cannabis culture and historical legal status 

cannabis medical uses... you will be surprised

cannabis legalisation... 420420420420420 - why it is the way the world is moving? why the drug was illegal in the first place when it is a softer substitute to alcohol and why it has remained so? subtextual racism, corrupt political parties, big pharma lobbying, UK is governed by old money with backwards, conservative ideas.

intelligence - what causes it and can you practise to become smarter?investigation into the theory that length and number of neurones dictating intelligence

the power of the mind: the sectors of the brain, ‘mind over matter’

natural aptitude: be that physical or mental - why are you good at certain things and not others?

theory of evolution... my thoughts on the theory and its disappointing reception within the scientific community

the solar system - stars and their formation

big bang theory, string theory, n theory, relativity and special relativity

the concept of infinity and its application

the theory of multiple dimensions running on adjacent temporal pathways

ancient romans and greeks - their forms government (king, democracy, republic, empire)

the agriculturalisation of society - ancient egypt, ancient mayans - benefits but also costs

the agricultural and industrial revolutions in Britain and Europe.

the british empire at its peak

why cunt USA became dominant superpower - political hegemony

why cunt USA became economic giant after WWII

why the US is the cause of a majority of issues facing the world today

the dark ages and the black death

early transcontinental trade - silk road

ottoman empire - these guys are underrated in terms of academic and cultural interest, no longer!

moguls and Ghengis Khan - probably one of the scariest and most fearsome dudes to ever walk this earth. a born fighter. prompted the construction of the GW. kinda my hero. 

the physical formation of the earth - Pangea, astroid? Yellowstone, oh shit! a few wacky theories including magnetism, the moon, Jupiter's moons

extraterrestrial life. we know it is there. no way for it not to be.

eastern religions - polytheist, emphasis on connection with supernatural, more spiritual

what made a religion popular around its inception

how does religion maintain following? what is it about feeling part of something bigger than yourself, something intangible yet set firmly in reality...

qu’ran - the most violent of all scripture or just repeated misinterpretation? it is an interesting line of enquiry, and this accumulated knowledge squashed a surprising amount of misinformed opinions i have encountered over the past few years; of particular relevance now.

the UN millennium development goals failure + general lack of altrustic tendencies as a society - why are we such dicks to our fellow human beings and strategies to reduce the level of dickishness.

[thoughtsandsensibilities]

Bullet vs. Body

Yes, you are correct that a small piece of lead compound would undoubtedly conquer the squidgy composite of carbon and silicone that sits between a person’s legs and head. 

However, the second debate of the same name that rages in the literary community is more closely contested. What is the most effective way to communicate information? Is the manner in which shit gets said information dependent or personal preference? There are obvious contextual constraints on either of their uses, but if one were to have free choice what method of madness would they set their heart on. I have always been a bullet point kinda fella. Although the point life automatically makes information be perceived as more succinct, potentially makes you write more concisely and allows the sequencing of information in a more clear and comprehensible way, it may also lack the delicate touches and lavish connectives that appear in bodies of prose. The writing style is really only allowed to flow if one sentence leads onto the next, allowing the development of a complex argument. Reading a body of writing may take longer but it will be a more fulfilling experience in my view, however, this may compromise the efficacy of communication. 

Hmmmm, I am not sure you know - interesting point mate. 

Cheers man.

[thoughtsandsensibilities]

Go. Just click that back button. Don’t press forward now. You are not welcome anymore.

You may have noticed me creating introductory posts that barely scratch the surface on some interesting things and alluding to future posts often. I am starting several lines of enquiry into various aspects of the world simultaneously, the lines will be continued as and when I feel like it and may branch out without warning. This is to keep me interested, couldn’t give a shit about whether you are still here. If you can soldier on, please indulge me for the time being, I simply have so much to write about and thus going down every tangential avenue or road of red herrings would result in my arguments lacking structure and substance - you people would end up with bullshit that is not only less viscous but emanates less of a caustic odour and thus consumption will be less impactful (and yes i really am going the full distance with this analogy, embrace it). But, it is less of a request and more of an if you find it too disjointed you can go suck my balls. Nevertheless, you could also argue that the anecdotal titbits just show the multi-faceted nature of the subject matter in question and the requisite poly-disciplinary approach to gain the fullest picture.

[thoughtsandsensibilities]

Frienemies, partcunts, bffuckyourself, biatches...

These took me longer than you would think. By the way, friend + enemy (cannot claim ownership of this one), partner + cunt, bff + fuckyourself, Because I Anticipate These Cunts are Extremely Seditious. 

Well you guessed it, I am talking about human relationships. Friendships, best friendships, partners, wives, mistresses, the parent-child relationship (at some point in their lives hopefully occupying both roles within the dynamic - subtle reference to our innate biological function and only natural duty to our species, child rearing, so to all of you arrogant anti-children monsters get over yourselves - YOU ARE HORNY FOR A REASON), friends with benefits, semi-fuck buddies that arent classified as of yet, one night stands, your crush, the old lady you smile at as she passes you on the street, a man you exchange pleasantries while queuing at the checkout at tesco, the cashier at that same check out regurgitating the same few words (after the 10,000th iteration there may be no feeling to the words but the intimacy of and reactions to the situation are still interesting)... etc. Every form of human contact, be it a momentary interchange between two strangers in a public place or repeated interactions in a marriage that has spanned decades and weathered multiple children, establishes a relationship and rapport. Relationships are extraordinary even in the broadest sense of the word and have immense power over the human psyche. 

Themes for future posts will be the power of making and breaking friendships and the psychological benefit of inclusion, what is the significance of interactions and the power of a smile, the dynamics in a romantic relationship and the reasons behind it as well as the science of attraction, and taking a look at perceptions of relationships and identity and cause of sexual bigotry.

Possibly as a synopsis, I will take a holistic view of the human species, a view that people find uncomfortable, but is probably the cause of a race of arrogant, self-centred dickfucks who have spent the last 5000-7500yrs either killing each other, killing other shit, praying to thousands of different artificial gods (oh i forgot, your god is the one that has hit the nail on the head or is in charge of the rest - wow 1000th time lucky, please help me achieve salvation! - more on the futility of religion another time) and destroying the planet. We are simply highly intelligent animals, and although we have sufficient intelligence to control the environment rather than having the environment control us, are behaviours are dictated by chemical releases in glands in the brain. I will expand this thesis to include the role of experiences (if you read my intro then you would know the ‘nature vs. nurture’ reference was coming, if not then why are you here) in shaping perception, norms and ideals. Apparently, the biological conspiracy runs so deep we have little control over choosing a sexual mate. Using examples with an element of judgement, e.g. dates, interviews and public speeches, I will try and sequence my thoughts on our supposed ‘choice’ and what makes a person likeable or attractive. More next time.

[thoughtsandsensibilities]

Silly hippie actually onto a dickie, dizzy from another pretty shitty committee?

The global climate system is complex, however this complexity leads to an element of fragility. I am not some tree hugger hippie that believes in veganism or the conserving of small-scale nature reserves such as for the sake of an ugly species of shrew. Apart from sharing their love for marijuana, i find their outlook and culture to be naive and kinda annoying - I find that everyone that has the capability of making a real change but remaining to make bullshit grassroots and community-based changes simply just lack vision. BUT, I also understand that green people are the ones with the right kind of idea. The issue is that the people leading climate protection cannot currently complete, there isnt really anyone to lead the fight. 

what about the media? in the UK with state-funded independent news, you could argue there will be less biased media opinion (but at the end of the day someone is making the news and your views, at least in part, are shaped by the messages that are presented to you framed as non-fictitious information. I will come back to the fucked up nature of our media organisation when doing my set of posts on the corruption, undemocratic nature and downright criminality of the political elite wealthy countries, with particular reference to USA and UK (just because i know more shit about them). 

Climate change is an issue from every perspective, if you go against that fact then you are a FUCKING DUMBASS. And guess what Another issue with members of the Republican party, along with intolerance, guns, racism, are deterring independents (well so I thought before that stupid blonde cunt won - again more on this blemish of humanity later). Political manoeuvring by the vast lobbying power of big industry completely outmatch the underfunded, poorly staffed hippie organisations (yes i know not the right term - go hug a tree). You just cant compete. Clout in the political world comes from money, influence and cause - it is a shame that a majority of hippies do not possess even one of these attributes.  We need a new climate leader, fuck off Al Gore you had your chance. I am kinda feeling BO will take the reigns. The juxtaposition between Barack (peace be upon him - a joke of several layers if i say so myself) and the farm animal currently in the oval has fortified his political influence - he has the potential to use it for good. 

In future posts, I would like to continue with the topic climate change. I will talk about global attitudes and frameworks to the emission and subsequent damages caused by greenhouse gasses, the strength of international initiatives, the industrialised vs industrialising country debate, emission capping/permits/marketplace, impacts of climate change - disparity in scale between countries, looking at the issue theoretically from an international relations point of view (probably going to be the most academic and empirically based), the economics of climate change (doing nothing will cost us more - stern report, uk, the reasons for the slow speed of progress centring on value theory). I want to go past the bullshit about polar bears and penguins and whales, yes i get they are majestic and cute and impressive, but i cannot ever substantiate the cost and effort of their protection. People stop making the climate change arguement with a picture of a polar bear on a small iceberg in an expanse of ocean, it is a people problem. It is no longer conjuring sympathy but apathy. Again a small point that will be expanded at a later date. Oh and fuck the US, they are the biggest climate cunts ever. Fuck you, America, you selfish fat bastard. 

[thoughtsandsensibilities]

Weather or not I give a shit...

I find the physical mechanisms behind climate patterns fascinating. The plethora of factors influencing temperature, visibility, wind, precipitation... etc. is actually crazy. At any point in time, the weather in the UK is impacted by coolness from the north, warmness from the south, the impact of land use and relief, the proximity to the ocean (greater heat retention --> milder climate), ocean currents and temperatures, our distance from the sun, variations in the sun's output, our axial tilt... you can take the analysis deeper but i am sure you get the point. Microclimates, created due to nuanced local environmental conditions, are a joy to spot. 

A climate occurrence that just came to mind is a fairly weird and interesting one. The El Niño Southern Oscillation, created due to alternating bands of hot and cold water in the Pacific, happens randomly every ±7yrs but no one knows for sure what causes it. The primary variable is surface water temperature - the warming phase is known as El Niño (the little boy - more widely referred to) and the cooling phase as La Niña (the little girl). Its impacts are peculiar, thus the attention, but illustrate perfectly the level of interdependence between continental climate zones. It is thought that there have been at least 30 El Niño events since 1900, with the 1982-83, 1997–98 and 2014–16 events among the strongest on record. It impacts every continent of the globe. South America is naturally impacted greatest but even Africa and Asia experience climate shifts. During ENSO, some areas have cyclones, it causes droughts in some areas and floods in others, wildfires, fish migration patterns shift (think about livelihoods) and sea ice formation changes. 

[thoughtsandsensibilities]

Why hello, I didn’t see you there...

A bit of context

Hi there, thought I would make a post by way of introduction.

I haven’t fully decided as of yet, but I am pretty sure I am making my blog to be anonymous. My reasoning behind this fits nicely with the primary motivation for this blog. Firstly, the obvious personal aspect of a blog, mentioning activities or people, may come back to bite me in the arse one day. Posting incognito will naturally be safer (similar concept to going incognito watching porn… oh shit now you must know I am a guy - or one of the girls that admit to it... so now you know i am immature as well). Secondly, I feel I have a few bits and bobs of information currently suspended in a persistent vegetive state, accumulated over years of a passion for learning (a passion that although still exists is buried deep under a pile of metaphorical shit.

Thirdly, I am also interested in the psychological influence of this anonymity on the way I will express myself. This, when combined with the hypothesised positive psychological effects that blogging or journaling can bring, make for a worthwhile experiment. How much different will it be to other communicative social networks, such as twitter and facebook? Although both of these concepts encourage unencumbered expressionism, in my view it is severely limited by a social environment that breeds judgement and insecurity. I am not talking about free speech, of which I might add I am a staunch advocate for (in all forms even the most morally repugnant), but I am referring to classically ‘speaking your mind’ in the face of unwanted attention or critique. Thus, blogging may serve a purpose to myself, and others in my circumstances. A medium to express your thoughts and desires; a utopia in which innermost fears and emotions can be articulated without fear of judgement; a platform to resist that temptation to conform to the will of societal populism; a virtual memoir in which to pour hopes, dreams and disappointments; an electronic diary to systematically narrate your day to. The opportunities, endless. Although I am categorically saying that I will not use this blog as a personal collection of mental detritus and emotional sob stories, be fully prepared to witness a crying face emoji now and again.

So after all that bullshit, what the fuck is this blog about. This blog consists of thoughts that somehow manage permeate my brain cells, separate to all the preoccupying shit that life brings. That is not to say that the posts do not reflect on my personal experiences (this is, of course, inevitable, however some may elude to my life more directly than others). I know what you are thinking… just some more thick, sloppy BS. And while you would be 100 per cent correct, please indulge me for a few moments longer. I want you to remember that I have a life (the last time I checked) and hence me sitting down to write shit is a big deal so do not expect to read drivel, more than half of the time. These thoughts will range in content… from researched academic observations to conspiracy theories I subscribe to (no, I will not waste your time on ’jet fuel doesn’t melt steel beams’ crackpot theories and am not ignorant enough to take anything at face value - further on this in due course); from my complaints about flaws in people, society and social constructions, to professions of the beauty and complexity of the world and human nature; from confessions of minor misdeeds committed to profound philosophical and existential observations about life itself. I can’t really tell you what you will be reading over the coming weeks and months, but I can say that everything I write will be poised, discerning and aim to offer at least a marginal level of insight.

I can say with a fair bit confidence that I am an interesting individual, which can partly be accredited to my intense intellectual passion for the human, spiritual, scientific and socioeconomic development of the human race. Armed with (minimal) knowledge in the academic spheres of (yes, you guessed it! another long, unnecessary, grammatically incorrect semicolon list)… history (everything and anything but a distinct focus on the human dimension and mindset behind events), political sciences (particular fascination with the interaction of actors on an international level and I am a proponent of structural realism; politically conservative in the purest sense of the term, against populist socialism), economics (my primary academic focus - development and behavioural economics are my fortes; supporter of free market economics), philosophy (fascination with metaphysics and epistemology and well as conceptualisations of value theory; impassioned atheist) and psychology (currently balls deep in existential-humanistic theories, but also have made partial sense of cognitive and social psychology). So, aside from telling you about the heaps of shit I know, the point of me listing my abstract, somewhat redundant, collection of interests is to demonstrate a love and unrelenting fascination for the species I am proud to be a part of (cos, you know, fuck being a sheep). An apt scholastic discipline is potentially anthropology, but the perfunctory and unspecific nature of the branch of study has deterred me from frequent application of the term. I am an esoteric believer in the power your experiences have in moulding the person you are, I am sure that microexpressions in my writing style have given you some clues as to my demographic profile, and the immense power of the human mind in processing and manifesting information and experiences. I enjoy leveraging this belief as well as acute observation in dissecting the world around me.

Oh and one more thing, I tend to ramble. But if you made it this far, I am sure that fact has dawned upon you by now.

By the way, apologies on the shitty design. I will take a shot at improving it when I have a bit of time and a few more posts to work with.