For some there is nothing more mysterious, marvelous, quizzical and yet strangely logical than the writings of Lewis Carroll. For those with a lifelong yearning, a hunger for something more... a marvelous thing has happened.
Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland has opened to a storm of controversy, with many surprised to find the story a departure from the original text. I myself had trepidations once I saw that Alice was a woman rather than a girl and that this story did indeed seem to cover new territory.
Well all my doubts were whisked away as I entered the masterfully conceived, beautifully rendered and spectacularly realised wonder that was to unfold. Where I had feared a cringing homage to the Disney cartoon or a mish mash of the contents of the two original books I was instead delighted to enjoy a fun, engaging and mesmerising balance of old and new. There is enough of the original story to make die hard fans feel comfortable and a few literary nods to the text. Alongside this is a rich and well balanced new mythology which is supported by marvelous performances and a restrained yet beautiful use of 3D.
The only confusing decision was that the Queen of Hearts is referred to as the Red Queen... whereas in the text there are royal families White, Red, Hearts, Spades, Clubs and Diamonds, in keeping with the dual themes of chess and playing cards. This can be forgiven however as it was required by the storyline that the queens be sisters and how could the writer forgo the delicious exclamation of “Off With His Head!”. Helena Bonham Carter revels in the roll, as do all the other cast members, striking a fine balance between pantomime and a childlike exaggeration of affairs.
For some the world of Lewis Carroll is more than a storybook-land. The twisted logic, the intricate interplay of words, puns and puzzles give a sense of depth and awe. For some these texts allude to something large and wonderful, something illusory and amazing. It is an escape of sorts but also a place of belonging for those who perhaps do not buy in 100% to the here and now. The idea of an other-world, an ether-place where although nonsense prevails the danger is real. A world which parallels our own but in which a holy emphasis is placed upon spirit, curiosity and of course on Wonder.
I embrace this new addition to the tales of Wonderland. It is a miraculous opportunity to revisit old friends and ideas, to take another trip and gain new perspective on an old home.
Showing posts with label culture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label culture. Show all posts
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Honouring Personal Commitments in Generation Y
Given all our technology you'd think that everyone would be more closely linked and bonded than ever before. However that doesn't seem to be the case for most people and the quality of relationships is also being effected.
In Gen Y there is nothing quite so important as the ability to be 'easy going'. This is a loose term which at one time would have meant to be relaxed and happy to go with the flow. Over time this has shifted and the phrase has taken on a more demanding connotation. The new incarnation of easy going requires that a person have no particularly strong identification with anything. That is to say that they must be willing to give over any notion that they had when it comes to discussion, expression of opinion or interactions with others.
An inability to immediately release from ones values and ideas is often seen as being difficult or uptight. In many cases it is not simply enough to acknowledge the opinion of another, there is a mania for attempting to convert others to a congruent point of view. As a social study this is interesting as it is in direct contrast with those values which would have been at one time highly prized, particularly amongst men. The idea of a stoic man of sound principle who would calmly express his unshakable ideal was treated with reverence. These days he wouldn't get invited to any cool parties.
Keeping in mind this premise of the chronically easy-going GenY'er, whom expects complete malleability of the opinions of others but whom conversely feels an unyielding thirst to convert others to his point of view; let us consider how this may manifest itself in the way of actions.
As a member of Generation Y myself I base my ponderings mainly upon personal observation. Statistically it must be said that there is a great deal of variation, however what I am discussing here are broad themes, represented again and again as patterns of behaviour.
The process of making an arrangement with a Gen Y'er is the classic example. A time is set, a place is set and therefore an arrangement is made. To a more traditional mind this might seem straightforward and deceptively simple. In the mind of Gen Y however an arrangement is just an idea: A thing that could happen, maybe... but you'd better be prepared to be easy going about it. I have noted again and again in dealing with people of my own age group that there is a real difficulty in translating ideas into action. So many things remain abstract and beyond the thinker to make the move into actualizing the thought.
Why is this? It's hard to say, however maybe the mindset can be partly explained by the complete lack of existing paradigms for normal behaviour in Gen Y. The traditional notions of 'making a life' which were summarily demolished during the Baby Boomer and Gen X years are by now almost beyond memory. So in Gen Y we grow up with no particular expectations placed upon us in terms of marriage or procreation. The astronomical price of housing in most countries encourages many not to enter the property market and anyway, eventually the Baby Boomers will die, leaving everyone nicely inflated properties and pension funds (or so the theory goes).
So is it this lack of expectation which leads to a general malais and a large scale abandonment of traditional 'core' values? A commitment to ideas such as respect and honour is difficult when it is exercised in such a minority, especially in an environment where the majority are enforcing their own stance wherever there is conflict.
Another factor is the constant anxiety around doing these things perceived to increase status or happiness. One might end up with a priority structure which sees one attending every Pilates class and seeing every episode of Gossip Girl but then declaring they have no time for socialising. This kind of self imposed time poverty is an outward symptom of a life lived in neutral, or first gear at best. The results is a quagmire of cancelled appointments, missed deadlines and broken goals: failed commitments.
Contrary to what was discussed in the previous blog entry about values based living I would doubt that many people would look back on such a life with a glowing sense of pride.
The ability to be consistent with oneself and with others is a skill and one which takes a great deal of attention. It is something that all of us have varying success with at different times and I don’t believe that anyone has escaped failure. However it is possible, through treating your commitments as important, to achieve a state of greater ease and honesty.
Being reliable has come to be seen as being rather dull in Generation Y and sadly as such has been disregarded by many. Along with many other key traits, the ability to honour ones commitments is more important now than ever. With a population that is being driven apart by communication tools rather than drawn together. As personal contact becomes less the norm than text messages, Facebook and Tweets, these ‘appointments’ become some of the most precious agreements of our lives. There can be no lasting emotional fulfilment in a life which finds room for work, gym, naps, Internet porn and television and marginalises simple human contact.
Having been through the exercise outlined in the Values Based Living article you should have gained a clearer idea of the kind of things that are important to you and importantly, what kind of people you want to be close to. There is no special trick to translating this into firm, consistently met commitments. It is a general shift in thinking, a transition from idea to action which can only be brought about by increased mindfulness.
Take some time each day to think about the commitments you make to yourself. Nail down those abstract ideas of who you want to be and where you want to go. Start to do all those small things which you have left undone and be strong and decisive moving forward in becoming reliable, both to others and with your own True self.
In Gen Y there is nothing quite so important as the ability to be 'easy going'. This is a loose term which at one time would have meant to be relaxed and happy to go with the flow. Over time this has shifted and the phrase has taken on a more demanding connotation. The new incarnation of easy going requires that a person have no particularly strong identification with anything. That is to say that they must be willing to give over any notion that they had when it comes to discussion, expression of opinion or interactions with others.
An inability to immediately release from ones values and ideas is often seen as being difficult or uptight. In many cases it is not simply enough to acknowledge the opinion of another, there is a mania for attempting to convert others to a congruent point of view. As a social study this is interesting as it is in direct contrast with those values which would have been at one time highly prized, particularly amongst men. The idea of a stoic man of sound principle who would calmly express his unshakable ideal was treated with reverence. These days he wouldn't get invited to any cool parties.
Keeping in mind this premise of the chronically easy-going GenY'er, whom expects complete malleability of the opinions of others but whom conversely feels an unyielding thirst to convert others to his point of view; let us consider how this may manifest itself in the way of actions.
As a member of Generation Y myself I base my ponderings mainly upon personal observation. Statistically it must be said that there is a great deal of variation, however what I am discussing here are broad themes, represented again and again as patterns of behaviour.
The process of making an arrangement with a Gen Y'er is the classic example. A time is set, a place is set and therefore an arrangement is made. To a more traditional mind this might seem straightforward and deceptively simple. In the mind of Gen Y however an arrangement is just an idea: A thing that could happen, maybe... but you'd better be prepared to be easy going about it. I have noted again and again in dealing with people of my own age group that there is a real difficulty in translating ideas into action. So many things remain abstract and beyond the thinker to make the move into actualizing the thought.
Why is this? It's hard to say, however maybe the mindset can be partly explained by the complete lack of existing paradigms for normal behaviour in Gen Y. The traditional notions of 'making a life' which were summarily demolished during the Baby Boomer and Gen X years are by now almost beyond memory. So in Gen Y we grow up with no particular expectations placed upon us in terms of marriage or procreation. The astronomical price of housing in most countries encourages many not to enter the property market and anyway, eventually the Baby Boomers will die, leaving everyone nicely inflated properties and pension funds (or so the theory goes).
So is it this lack of expectation which leads to a general malais and a large scale abandonment of traditional 'core' values? A commitment to ideas such as respect and honour is difficult when it is exercised in such a minority, especially in an environment where the majority are enforcing their own stance wherever there is conflict.
Another factor is the constant anxiety around doing these things perceived to increase status or happiness. One might end up with a priority structure which sees one attending every Pilates class and seeing every episode of Gossip Girl but then declaring they have no time for socialising. This kind of self imposed time poverty is an outward symptom of a life lived in neutral, or first gear at best. The results is a quagmire of cancelled appointments, missed deadlines and broken goals: failed commitments.
Contrary to what was discussed in the previous blog entry about values based living I would doubt that many people would look back on such a life with a glowing sense of pride.
The ability to be consistent with oneself and with others is a skill and one which takes a great deal of attention. It is something that all of us have varying success with at different times and I don’t believe that anyone has escaped failure. However it is possible, through treating your commitments as important, to achieve a state of greater ease and honesty.
Being reliable has come to be seen as being rather dull in Generation Y and sadly as such has been disregarded by many. Along with many other key traits, the ability to honour ones commitments is more important now than ever. With a population that is being driven apart by communication tools rather than drawn together. As personal contact becomes less the norm than text messages, Facebook and Tweets, these ‘appointments’ become some of the most precious agreements of our lives. There can be no lasting emotional fulfilment in a life which finds room for work, gym, naps, Internet porn and television and marginalises simple human contact.
Having been through the exercise outlined in the Values Based Living article you should have gained a clearer idea of the kind of things that are important to you and importantly, what kind of people you want to be close to. There is no special trick to translating this into firm, consistently met commitments. It is a general shift in thinking, a transition from idea to action which can only be brought about by increased mindfulness.
Take some time each day to think about the commitments you make to yourself. Nail down those abstract ideas of who you want to be and where you want to go. Start to do all those small things which you have left undone and be strong and decisive moving forward in becoming reliable, both to others and with your own True self.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Is this Australia Day or Sorry Day?
It's Australia Day. The sun is shining and the people have taken to the streets. Not many people know what its all about and not many people care. It's relaxed, unstructured, random. It's Australia.
But oh how it brings them out. The neo-political, nouveau-bourgeois, self appointed judges all go into session. The verdict: Guilty with a capital G. Too loud, too drunk, too jingoistic, too patriotic (its the wrong kind of patriotism dontchya know) and just not good enough!
There is a disturbing undercurrent of entrenched disapproval which seems determined to bring a safe and healthy monochrome to our full spectrum nation. The furrowed brows and wagging fingers, the blogs and rants giving us all the wrap on the knuckles we so clearly deserve. For what could be more disturbing, more threatening and upsetting than to see Australian flags on the cars and temporary tattoos of the flag and southern cross. Surely this makes immigrants uncomfortable. Surely this encourages a smothering monoculture which is an affront to the Toorak-hippies. Never mind that the ma and pa bargain shops run almost exclusively by new immigrants are the main channel for purchasing said paraphernalia and that many of those sporting them are first generation Australians.
Today I walked around St Kilda, up the wonderful Carlisle St, through the beautiful St Kilda Botanical Gardens, soaked up the trendy vibe of Acland St and finally took a walk along the spectacular beach and Esplenade. What I noticed was the fullness and richness of the Australian experience. You could see it all there: families, drunkards, teenagers, senior citizens, every race, every kind of dress, every skin colour. The behaviour was similarly of every degree: quiet couples, abusive creeps, teenagers chanting Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi!
To some this is unacceptable. Some exercise a blind hypocrisy which decries anything inconsistent with their own beliefs and bullheadedly tries and impose their own, not open to discussion, or compromise, or even to the idea that different and opposing views might exist and not effect them. It's called extremism. An extremism just as illogical, dangerous and threatening to democracy and liberty as any other.
Interestingly the entry price for being able to air such opinions seems to be a special type of self righteousness. It does not have to be based on education or life experience but seems to be more centred around using natural cleaning products, supporting the correct charity (through credit card donation rather than actual action thank you very much) and perhaps driving a Prius if you can manage it.
We are constantly told we are too racist, too intolerant, too thoughtless, not green enough. These insurgents within our society (for this is what they are) have no time to declare what is right and good and true in our world but only have energy and spirit for those things which they see to be wrong or unjust. Interestingly a large proportion of these opinionated souls are either unemployed or eternal students and rely on those taking part in the economy that they find so disgusting. They cry out “Justice for all” without the slightest acknowledgement that we have indeed, against all odds managed to gain a state which affords justice to most.
The fact is that despite the odd yobbo and the statistically unavoidable antisocial and criminal components of the population we are largely an even-tempered nation, not prone to random acts of Indian student stabbing or toxic waste dumping. Most people hold an inherent concern for their fellow man and also for the world in which we live. However we are constantly judged careless as we are not launching ourselves onto every available soap box to extol a completely negative and judgemental view of all that there is.
I had never considered deeply what Australia Day meant and to be honest I don't think that's what its about. It's a day like any other, for Australians to do whatever they want. For most this does not mean causing a racially motivated riot or stabbing someone with a broken bottle.
So in the spirit of the day let me put out my hands as a symbol of apology to our cantankerous malcontents. I'm sure the population joins me as we apologise for not containing our inappropriate and contaminated patriotism. Our poisonous and unsettling declarations of love for our country, which you feel disinclined to share, finding our culture (or perceived lack thereof) irksome and Neanderthal. You may rap your gabble of pseudo-justice and don your black cap to pass down the sentence of death, the dissolution of a system which you see as so faulty and broken, such a failure that you would prefer some kind of idealised ,communist anarchy.
In fact it's usually more general than that. No particular policy or cohesive strategy is required. No roadmap to take us to your eutopia. Just the naysaying, just the constant overwhelming speak, the chatter, the background hum of cicadas saying BAD BAD BAD.
It must be terrible to feel so trapped within a society of which you so violently disapprove. To have all your time consumed discussing the problems and issues which confront you every day as you try to survive against the constant assault of horrific injustice. Over the dinner table you are disgusted at how little people do to support the poor or the enviroment “but do please pass the organically grown, hydroponically nourished, pure-spring-water-misted eco-zuccini . I can only get it at that one little green grocer. They have it flown in from Equador where some quaint little villagers grow it and it's three times as expensive but don't you know it's just so much better for the world.”
I can not agree with a school of thought which insists it is for freedom and a greater good but at the same time disapproves of the majority of what people do and would like to see it “corrected” or banned. This way lies facism and unilateralism. When the bulk of the population is not seen as having a valid opinion or knowing what is good for them, the path to dictatorship is not far away. Though I'm sure it would have a pretty name, like the Rainbow Unicorn Decision Council for Universal Wellbeing.
As you walk around today, amongst the crowds of the people and visitors of this country maybe you can take a moment to acknowledge some miracles. We are mainly fed, mainly clothed, mainly safe and mainly free. 98% of us are always working toward a better world, some just for themselves and their families and some for everyone. The degree to which you care is not a function of how opinionated, self-righteous and critical you are. Nor is it immediately cancelled out if you choose to have a southern cross tattoo or mount a small Australian flag on your car. If you're a control freak maybe try doing a large jigsaw puzzle (you know the ones that are mainly sky or a wheat field) or try herding some cats, that should keep you busy for a while. Meanwhile leave Australia alone.
But oh how it brings them out. The neo-political, nouveau-bourgeois, self appointed judges all go into session. The verdict: Guilty with a capital G. Too loud, too drunk, too jingoistic, too patriotic (its the wrong kind of patriotism dontchya know) and just not good enough!
There is a disturbing undercurrent of entrenched disapproval which seems determined to bring a safe and healthy monochrome to our full spectrum nation. The furrowed brows and wagging fingers, the blogs and rants giving us all the wrap on the knuckles we so clearly deserve. For what could be more disturbing, more threatening and upsetting than to see Australian flags on the cars and temporary tattoos of the flag and southern cross. Surely this makes immigrants uncomfortable. Surely this encourages a smothering monoculture which is an affront to the Toorak-hippies. Never mind that the ma and pa bargain shops run almost exclusively by new immigrants are the main channel for purchasing said paraphernalia and that many of those sporting them are first generation Australians.
Today I walked around St Kilda, up the wonderful Carlisle St, through the beautiful St Kilda Botanical Gardens, soaked up the trendy vibe of Acland St and finally took a walk along the spectacular beach and Esplenade. What I noticed was the fullness and richness of the Australian experience. You could see it all there: families, drunkards, teenagers, senior citizens, every race, every kind of dress, every skin colour. The behaviour was similarly of every degree: quiet couples, abusive creeps, teenagers chanting Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi!
To some this is unacceptable. Some exercise a blind hypocrisy which decries anything inconsistent with their own beliefs and bullheadedly tries and impose their own, not open to discussion, or compromise, or even to the idea that different and opposing views might exist and not effect them. It's called extremism. An extremism just as illogical, dangerous and threatening to democracy and liberty as any other.
Interestingly the entry price for being able to air such opinions seems to be a special type of self righteousness. It does not have to be based on education or life experience but seems to be more centred around using natural cleaning products, supporting the correct charity (through credit card donation rather than actual action thank you very much) and perhaps driving a Prius if you can manage it.
We are constantly told we are too racist, too intolerant, too thoughtless, not green enough. These insurgents within our society (for this is what they are) have no time to declare what is right and good and true in our world but only have energy and spirit for those things which they see to be wrong or unjust. Interestingly a large proportion of these opinionated souls are either unemployed or eternal students and rely on those taking part in the economy that they find so disgusting. They cry out “Justice for all” without the slightest acknowledgement that we have indeed, against all odds managed to gain a state which affords justice to most.
The fact is that despite the odd yobbo and the statistically unavoidable antisocial and criminal components of the population we are largely an even-tempered nation, not prone to random acts of Indian student stabbing or toxic waste dumping. Most people hold an inherent concern for their fellow man and also for the world in which we live. However we are constantly judged careless as we are not launching ourselves onto every available soap box to extol a completely negative and judgemental view of all that there is.
I had never considered deeply what Australia Day meant and to be honest I don't think that's what its about. It's a day like any other, for Australians to do whatever they want. For most this does not mean causing a racially motivated riot or stabbing someone with a broken bottle.
So in the spirit of the day let me put out my hands as a symbol of apology to our cantankerous malcontents. I'm sure the population joins me as we apologise for not containing our inappropriate and contaminated patriotism. Our poisonous and unsettling declarations of love for our country, which you feel disinclined to share, finding our culture (or perceived lack thereof) irksome and Neanderthal. You may rap your gabble of pseudo-justice and don your black cap to pass down the sentence of death, the dissolution of a system which you see as so faulty and broken, such a failure that you would prefer some kind of idealised ,communist anarchy.
In fact it's usually more general than that. No particular policy or cohesive strategy is required. No roadmap to take us to your eutopia. Just the naysaying, just the constant overwhelming speak, the chatter, the background hum of cicadas saying BAD BAD BAD.
It must be terrible to feel so trapped within a society of which you so violently disapprove. To have all your time consumed discussing the problems and issues which confront you every day as you try to survive against the constant assault of horrific injustice. Over the dinner table you are disgusted at how little people do to support the poor or the enviroment “but do please pass the organically grown, hydroponically nourished, pure-spring-water-misted eco-zuccini . I can only get it at that one little green grocer. They have it flown in from Equador where some quaint little villagers grow it and it's three times as expensive but don't you know it's just so much better for the world.”
I can not agree with a school of thought which insists it is for freedom and a greater good but at the same time disapproves of the majority of what people do and would like to see it “corrected” or banned. This way lies facism and unilateralism. When the bulk of the population is not seen as having a valid opinion or knowing what is good for them, the path to dictatorship is not far away. Though I'm sure it would have a pretty name, like the Rainbow Unicorn Decision Council for Universal Wellbeing.
As you walk around today, amongst the crowds of the people and visitors of this country maybe you can take a moment to acknowledge some miracles. We are mainly fed, mainly clothed, mainly safe and mainly free. 98% of us are always working toward a better world, some just for themselves and their families and some for everyone. The degree to which you care is not a function of how opinionated, self-righteous and critical you are. Nor is it immediately cancelled out if you choose to have a southern cross tattoo or mount a small Australian flag on your car. If you're a control freak maybe try doing a large jigsaw puzzle (you know the ones that are mainly sky or a wheat field) or try herding some cats, that should keep you busy for a while. Meanwhile leave Australia alone.
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