English Disease

We look to the Germans to see a version of ourselves that we may be critical of. Every trait we berate is equally well applied to the English. These days it is us who stand alone, confused, trying to equate our sense of superiority  and entitlement with a diminishing global position.

Our god given right to police the world is looking psychotic even to most of us now. It isn't only the Scots who quietly giggle at our pomposity.

In 1906 the sociologist Max Scheler critisized his own people, 'Pure joy in work itself, without an aim, without a reason, without an end. Max Weber, his colleague coined the phrase, 'protestant work ethic' to highlight its' quasi religious nature.

This is something many have felt and the bullying all media give the unemployed, the disabled  is relentless. From Kyle in the morning; a man whose career seems dependent on unemployment and the suffering of others to the tory attacks at each news bulletin on the work shy. Where are these work shy? With nearly 3 million out of work it would seem to be of benefit having a few who would rather not work. Employers having the lazy pushed on to them must get pissed off with Camerons futile attacks.

And forcing people to work when none needs to be done is wildly stupid. As resources are clearly running out the endless talk of growth from both sides of the political divide is endemic of a blindness, a psychotic refusal to see that the world is hotting up. Victorian work ethics are no longer appropriate. Burning tomorrows fuel today just to be seen to be moving is idiotic.

It is true that having no purpose in life leads to depression. It is also true that some can not find purpose without work. Looking back to the recession my generation was spat out in to may be of help. The DIY post punk ethos. The art from poverty was huge. The effects of that creativity, from people who were largely unemployed is the foundation of much of todays culture from comedy to literature.

Placing less pressure on the young, helping them to feel self worth from their own actions is preferable to the constant erosion of their self worth. If I see another channel 4 report on a graduate failing in their applications for shelf stacking jobs I may self imolate.