getsonmytits

MS. BRITAIN REGRETS…….SHE’S UNABLE TO DEFINE HERSELF TODAY…

Sat, 29 Apr 2006 08:00:36 +0200

If in 2006, Britain the nation, were Britain the individual, be it a Mr, Mrs or Ms, then it would most likely be heading for an expensive and somewhat overdue consultation with a reputable Harley Street Psychoanalyst.
For the purposes of this essay, and in the first acknowledgement to historical influence on our national identity, “Britann(ia)” will be referred to as a “she”, and a Ms. in deference to present day boundaries of acceptability.
Ms. Britain, you see, is having an Identity Crisis! She is insecure and lost. She suffers from low self-esteem and a deal of self-loathing. She doesn’t know who she is, how others perceive her and has no idea what direction her future will take. She used to be confident in the way she behaved, assured of the respect of others and diligent in her responsibilities. She knew how she looked and she believed she looked good! But now the mirror has cracked and she needs help in re-establishing her core identity.
But what is Identity and how do we define it on any level? Does it come from within or is it measured by how we are seen by others? Is it real or is it an abstract concept? Can the concept even be applied to a nation? In order to help Ms. Britain we must firstly analyse these conundrums. Inheritance of some essential genetic traits, a family’s own social engineering and the development of personality will not, in itself,
be enough to establish an identity that is recognisable to everyone. Feedback, from friends, family and general social interaction, will also play its part in forming an accepted idea of who we are. Any identity, personal or national, is dependant on the response of others to how we appear and behave, and since perception is a fluid concept, there can surely be no “real” or “true” identity. How we appear to one person or group will be different to how we appear to another.
In the psychoanalysis of Ms. Britain, however, we must make some simplifications and assume some generalisations. We must examine the past for clues, the present for directions and the future for possibilities.
Ms. Britain’s past, so often viewed through rose coloured glasses, hold significant clues to how she is perceived today. Once forceful and dominant, she established influence and control over most of her world, imposing her views and mores on others less confident or able to make their own choices. Everything revolved around her. Her needs eclipsed those of all others. It was her “right” to come and go at her pleasure, assured that no one would question her actions. After all they were for the good of all. Didn’t she colonise America, “develop” India and open up and “civilise” Africa? Hadn’t she solved minor skirmishes all over the world by “nation building” from the debris of tribal or regional chaos? Had she not rescued the needy from oppression and established order for those less able to establish their own systems? Why, she had even introduced cricket as an example of good behaviour to half the world! Can the World not acknowledge and accept her contribution as she so clearly sees it and defer to her greater knowledge and superiority on all matters? Sadly for Ms. Britain, her magnanimity was and is viewed rather differently. For some, establishment of order was perceived as occupation, development as economic rape, civilisation as oppression, nation building as arranged marriage. Even Ms. Britain’s “children”, expecting a welcome from the bosom of their caring mother, have the audacity to question and make changes to the family home. Clearly self-image is at odds with how we are seen by others!
When she was a “gal”, everyone had their place, knew it and accepted it. There was order. An establishment of hereditary privilege oversaw an army of workers whose duty it was to keep things working. Within this stratum a developing middle class engendered economic growth, developed unseen potential and yet remained socially excluded from real power and influence. This often cited and criticised class system, identified clearly as British, has now evolved into something dear Ms. Britain can no longer understand. Our no longer slim-waisted social structure has bloated with middle age and given us a new system of middle-class values. Self-interested, competitive, materialistic, gaudy, flash, - these are the new standards with which she is becoming associated. Drunkenness, hooliganism, xenophobia and a disgusting disrespect for anyone with differing opinions, promoted and exaggerated by the tabloid media, further degrade her image and muddy her identity.
In a much slower age, when observation was taken as fact, and hearsay went on to become accepted truth, stereotypical identity tags remained accepted “truth” for a very long time. Some notions of British identity still persist. Having eaten our bacon and eggs, gone to our outside lavatories and put on our cloth caps or bowler hats, don’t we all still trek off to town through pea-soup fogs? After a good old plate of fish and chips every evening, don’t we all naturally drink a few pints of warm beer in an east end pub. When we venture abroad, don’t we all wear scruffy shorts and stained vests, fry ourselves crisp on beaches overrun by bloody foreigners, and naturally assume that by adding “o” to any word that we will be understood? Since all we ever talk about is the weather, football, drinking or the war, and then only to other Brits, we see no point in learning about and interacting with Johnny Foreigner! If we leave our minds at home, however far our physical bodies travel, ignorance will persist. Thankfully, image and identity are constantly and ever more quickly evolving. Iconic imagery of Britain such as double-decker buses, palaces, policemen’s helmets, punk hairdos, black cabs and the Household Cavalry have more to do with commercial branding than a realistic identity. Do we honestly think that ALL French women are the epitome of chic, promenading their pink poodles along boulevards to a soundtrack of Edith Piaf? There have to be a few Americans out there who realise that Paris or Venice is not a themed resort in a mid-western desert or that cheese is not all brick shaped and vacuum packed. What once had some truth, based on perceived notions, is now a nonsense, as will today’s “truth” become in a very short while.
These misconceptions and other circumstances affecting Ms. Britain’s present state of Identity are history in the making. In guiding her present actions, she has looked to her past and continued with actions consistent with expectations. But is she looking for answers in all the wrong places? With two sides to every story, can she not look for a legacy which is realistic and of which she could be proud? Behind the arrogance associated with her Imperial past, is there not something that defines Ms. Britain’s benevolence and karma? She has to get over the pomposity, the superiority and the arrogance with which she is associated. She must see herself realistically. She must recognise her darker past and accept her past shortcomings. She must listen to and learn from her imperial “children” and gain their respect. Respect for elders, like all forms of respect, is earned. Their experience, wisdom and knowledge, shown and used wisely, set benchmarks for others to follow. “Glory” can also be associated with less destructive elements than the Trafalgars, Waterloos and Battles of Britain normally used as markers of Britain’s identity. Ms. Britain has to accept a few home truths. Firstly she is a size 6. She is forever trying to punch above her weight. She cannot afford the lifestyle she once enjoyed. She should downsize. Play up her good qualities and show her true style. Power and Influence are not always best exercised with arms and bombs. She must stop decrying bullying when she herself is a bully. She must not advocate restraint while she behaves like a glutton. She must recognise the difference between truth and propaganda, self-interest and a greater good.
Ms. Britain must learn how to play in a team. She is no longer the star player and must realise only by identifying with the World at large can she hope to thrive and prosper. This is not to say that she cannot have her own personality. Indeed, one of the biggest threats to any national identity is that of Globalisation. Ms. Britain is behaving as a corporate giant. Profit and growth and competition, (so long as it doesn’t damage her) is the new mantra. Does she really want to be seen thus? As reassuring as it might be to see old red phone boxes, Routemaster buses or eat English breakfasts on foreign holidays, it is surely more rewarding to discover something different and unique on one’s travels. Globalisation of goods and services, whilst efficient and profitable, destroys individualism and further exaggerates the gap between rich and poor.
Ms. Britain must also come to terms with her multi-culturalism. She must accept that her mirror image is no longer exclusively white, middle-class, Church of England, village green on Saturday afternoon, smoke filled pubs and the Queen’s Christmas message. These and other identity tags are now only part of a much more diverse picture. Many cherished institutions need to be kept, but not for reasons espoused by sectarian groups only interested in control and power. She must resist the continual erosion of our most cherished and hard won democratic principles such as Freedom of Speech, a non-political legal system and the pursuit of a fair and just society. Britain’s undervalued qualities of stability, creativity, inventiveness, compassion, strength of purpose, humour, resistance to oppression and concern for the right course of action need to be examined afresh. Ms. Britain can find herself again, can find her natural place amongst nations and survive and prosper with an identity with which she is comfortable and secure. She must learn to be honest, consistent and true to herself and in so doing she will have influence far greater than her past would allow.
And so, Ms. Britain, what of the future? How will you fare in an age of ever quickening changes to global dynamics? Will you learn from your past and be aware enough of your present circumstances to create and develop an identity that will sit comfortably with the World at large as well as the needs of your own ego?
I would like to take this opportunity to make a few suggestions, however idealistic. Idealism is what drives progress and becomes concrete with the right mindset. A good deal of what Ms. Britain will become will depend on circumstances beyond her control. The Internet age, enabling instant news and views will allow unprecedented insight into all aspects of the lives of all people, breaking down pre-conceived ideas and attitudes. Providing the Dark Forces of power and control do not gain a monopoly hold, we, as world citizens, can use this to change our future direction away from our more destructive ways and allow our mentality to catch up with our abilities. Ms. Britain should be in a unique position to help guide human-kind towards a future free of oppression, poverty and war and towards a sustainable global social structure. Her natural qualities of compassion and reason can and should be revitalised and used to steer herself and others from the brink of Armageddon. Her inventive nature should be harnessed towards the positive and creative rather than the destructive. The creation of a fair and just society where poverty is eliminated and respect and pride is the norm would be a start. Rather than handing out our national possessions to the already greedy rich, our national wealth should provide for our citizens. By setting the world an example in the creation of a model society, where justice for all, respect for oneself and the feelings of others, the rejection of violence and the need for war, the provision of services vital to the fulfilment of human potential, only then can we earn a national identity of which we can be proud.
Before Ms. Britain can embark on such a task, she must first rid herself of the garbage of the past and present. To rid herself of her self-loathing she must resist the desire to forever search for the negative. Celebrate the good and positive and change the bad.
Rather than focus on the negative in a celebratory way, offer positive solutions. Change the trait of self-destruction and embrace positivity. She must raise her low self-esteem by actions that proudly assert who she is. Old style Imperialistic excursions, or cronyism to playground bullies serve only to further blight her identity and destroy her true self. Economic rape masquerading as open market policies will poison the image of a just and proud nation. Control, exercised in the name of invented bogey-men, and its consequent erosion of basic human rights, will scar the national psyche forever, and will never be undone.
To be well, and to overcome her Identity Crisis, Ms. Britain has to learn to deal with her deep denial of her past and ongoing bad behaviour. She must look beyond football, Churchill, the Queen, red buses and phone boxes, fish and chips, pubs and brown sauce, the Beatles and Cool Britannia, Ark Royals and Concorde, and all the other futile and patronising tags used by politicians to control or corporations to sell, and get real!
The British, like the rest or the human race is generally good and nice and kind and lovely and cuddly. It’s that ugly sub-conscious, self-destructive urge to dominate and divide that’s the problem!

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A DAY IN TOWN or The regression of the Human Race

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 09:41:34 +0200

I've just returned from a shopping trip on a Saturday morning in an everyday, mid sized British city and have decided to opt out of the Human rat-race and take to the hills at full speed.
Am I the only person left truly "alive" or are there others out there who have noticed the alarming deteriorisation of basic Human social and motor skills?
Does anyone else sense the impending breakdown of social order and inter-social behaviour it has taken eons to establish and refine? I don't mean political or legal order, but rather natural skills of action and response that allow us to function in communities in whatever country or society we inhabit.
I once watched an intriguing programme analysing Human beings’ amazing ability to be aware of their immediate physical space and be able therefore to move and function at speed in crowded areas without a bloodbath pile-up. A high camera demonstrated how we can weave and wind through a crowded rail terminus with ant-like skill.
Though Creationists support the quaint notion of human life being in the region of 10000 years, the more developed brain knows this to be wildly underestimated. Whether the former or the latter is "true", isn't it fair to assume that we are a socially advanced, intelligent life form that, with our super-techno, faster than light, yesterday is history "development", might we not be improving on the aforementioned skills?
WRONG!
We, and by that I mean everyone who pissed me off with their selfish, ego-centric, under-developed, tiny brain powered, zero-empathetic presence on said trip, are regressing at such an alarming rate that I fear we will all be confined (for safety) to our keyboards as our only means of safe, social interaction. The day is coming when we simply can't be trusted with going out for fear of being trampled or of us harming someone else.
Firstly, there are too many of us! Stop breeding and give everyone some space. Roads are clogged from dawn till dusk and for those who still remember we have legs and feet, the pavements are not much better. Why twentysomethings, or even younger, feel the need to multiply their questionable genealogy at the rate of one or two per available breeding period is beyond me. Worse, why drag them all along at once, side by side, spewing and sprawling and clogging any available walkway without the slightest thought that other people have a physical space entitlement too? That key parenting skill in showing acceptable behaviour, - awareness of self in case of harm ( to self or others ) has apparently deserted the androidesque "children of Thatcher". They, the hollow, dead-eyed, mask make-upped, aggressively set-faced drones, assume a pathway to whatever goal to which they aim will cut a swathe before them as they push their over wide, fat wheeled, shiny paintwork kid carriers with two or three "outriders" on legs directly at oncoming pedestrians. The same drones, once dispossessed of kids, hop into the motorised equivalent of the pushchair - the 4 x 4 with bull bars ( lest there be wandering wildebeest in our city centres), and behave in exactly the same manner on the highway!
Jump for your life if they are on a mission and are travelling at speed, but even worse if they are dawdling. The litter of humanity that gets under one's feet has surely caused more high blood pressure, sudden spine-wrenching, ankle-breaking incidents than an emergency evacuation of a football stadium.
Then they stop! Where? At the narrowest point on the path of course. Right by the bin or the scaffolding or between the illegally parked car and the queue for the badly sited ATM, the doorway of a shop, or the claustrophobic aisle of a busy shop.
Why there? They all do it now. The ability to think one step further has gone!
At last you get to the check out! A queue? No matter, we have developed skills of patience and respect to deal with delays haven't we? NO!!! She, three punters in front, now has to "negotiate" with one of the brats over the latter's screaming demand for this week's must have teeth rotting, fat creating goo It must have. Little darling has to be gently and caringly persuaded that Mummy is far too busy to deal with this and darling must make up its mind and decide on an alternative (that makes mummy look health conscious) that the nice shop lady will go and get for it! We must all look on, roll our eyes in sympathy and respect "darling's" behaviour as acceptable. NO!! Slap the little sod and make it aware of the fact that other people exist!
God I need a coffee! A few free tables but they are cluttered with dirty cups, presumably left over from a chimps tea party. You sit down.... and wait.... and wait... and finally some oik grunts something at you. Order gets taken ( you assume), but oik disappears without taking any scussy crockery, only to return with warm milk when cold was ordered, and the cup is slapped down spilling contents and dislodging crusted, badly positioned spoon. Then they expect a tip! NOT!!
When did this all go astray? What happened to parental responsibility to teach manners, consideration and respect? No, not schools, PARENTS!!
When did everyone become so important that there was no time for the feelings and space of others? WHAT'S THE BLOODY RUSH?
I fear we are, as a race, getting to the point where this appalling self-important, "my needs are greater" attitude is the norm. Good manners, awareness and respect for others as well as oneself are being genetically de-programmed by each new generation. The less they were taught about non-feral behaviour, the less they pass on.
You try it! Go out on a Saturday mid to late morning and OBSERVE! Am I right?

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