Hydorah

Any ideas I express here are just snippets and gross over simplifications of what I really think. But you don’t have all day…Do you…?If you do, read on...First off, a quote:"Conventional people are roused to fury by departure from convention, largely because they regard such departure as a criticism of themselves."
-Bertrand RussellAnyone who has ever been confronted with bigotry ignorance or prejudice because of their choices will feel that quote resonate with them.That sets the tone! I'm not all about serious stuff though. I am good fun to be around, a good conversationalist... A thinker, yes but I have a good sense of the absurd.I'm still well in touch with being a child and have a fertile imagination. I think ‘growing up’ is just an that those who lack imagination or the self confidence to truly enjoy themselves, employ to try and make those that can genuinely enjoy life, feel that they are somehow lacking.Well it doesn’t work on me! I can be who I want to be… I can do all that ‘grown up’ stuff too. Work full time, Live independently, take care of others… And still play, have fun and be as irresponsible and uninhibited as I like on my own time!Bertrand Russell is not a hero for me, but a lot of what he said about the world, thought and also himself, I feel applies to me. It’s quite uncanny.As you may already have guessed I do not define myself as a goth, or a punk, or a metalhead or an anything else - I'm a me! Some sort of selective amalgam of many bits and pieces.I believe in fairness, justice, freedom of opportunity, the supreme value of individual morality - tempered by the judgement of one's peers. I cannot jump in whole heartedly on either side of the individual morality vs. common morality debate.I am a humanist in that some things are patently right or wrong and as such are universal standards to be upheld. For example: Forcing people to do things against their will, enslaving them or otherwise oppressing people in some way. The problems here arise from definition…But then again I believe in moral relativistism in that some choices and practices regarded as ‘immoral’ by the minority should be protected. The concept that outside of harming others, individual morality is supreme appeals to me. Problems here arise from balancing choice with protection, sometimes damaged people are ‘cheerfully’ abused… Nothing is ever simple! Perhaps unfashionably, I also beleive in vengance, carefully crafted so as not to get yourself into major trouble or create a spiral of retribution... People ought to be punished for causing harm to others.I think you should only forgive those who genuinely acknowledge their transgressions and have addressed them appropriately. We don’t need to keep on punishing people. Except for sometimes we do… Where certain types of crime have been committed we forgive and forget to an extent, but in order to protect the vulnerable we must necessarily impose restrictions.Politically, in my youth, I was a staunch communist - red star badges, the lot… Reason being; I idealistically believed in the idea of fair division of wealth. This can only be idealism as it absolutely does not take into account the natural desire of all beings to attempt to feather their nest as deeply as possible. This is Darwinian stuff, observation tells us it happens.These days I think the true moral champion of all political ideologies is anarchism. Yeah! Cos in anarchy everyone is in charge of themselves. Imagine how different we would have to be for that to work.If we were who as people we ought to be, anarchy would be goer as a non system of non government! If we all considered each other in our actions and actually listened to one another we could all get along without the need for statutory law and governmental regulation.But of course too many people are greedy, mean, selfish or just plain irresponsible and it is inconceivable that such an idea would work for any group other than a small yoghurt weaving commune somewhere.I like myself very much and pride myself on my level of self knowledge and self awareness. I don't surprise myself. I'm not always right of course, and I don't have a massive ego.I learn constantly but due to having a shit brain (Dyslexia that takes the form of bolloxed short term memory) It's anybodies' guess (including mine) as to what I might retain.I am aware this might appear to contradict soem of what I have previously stated... So don't write in. No, actually do write in, I'm probably at work and could do with something to do:-)I'm working full time, I'm a BSc student on a work placement... I also try to find time to spend about three hours a day playing guitar. I'm a music collector and a wannabe DJ.I'm very into clothes lately, my gorgeous friend, Wy, is teaching me how to sew and I like creating looks, with the meagre resources I have, it is quite a trick to accomplish.Shoping wise vintage clothing shops like the real McCoy and that crazy little shop at the top of Totnes' main street are really cool.For new stuff... Support our local traders! Dare in Truro is very cool and Cryptic in Plymouth is quite new but well run. The proprietors of both shops are lovely people. Go browse!Oh I do like go out and party quite a bit! I have some wonderful friends who fill my life well and whom I love very dearly.I presently live in Plymouth... For how long? I don't know, certainly for the remainder of my degree. But I think if I leave Plymouth I might leave the UK altogether.I have been about a reasonable amount... Within the UK. There is a hell of a lot of the UK I haven't seen, and I will see lots more over the coming months.I am really into all sorts of things... History
Politics
Art
Religion (As an intrested observer!)
Philosphy
Sociology
Fashion
Design
Technology
Architecture
Natural History
The Environment
The English Language
Mythology
The Arcane
Individual People
Cities
I could type all day, as there is way more! Of course being a relatively good thinker, I am acutely aware of huge gaps in my knowledge and do strive to fill these gaps.And there is never enough time in the day or money in the bank, to do it all and see it all.And crap like work keeps getting in the way of my personal development. Or playtime if you prefer...I have no firm idea what I will do when I graduate. One step at a time, I think.If I hate all kinds of things... it is prejudice I hate most.It is all over the place. Sometimes it is in the workplace or in the pub it is very frequent and takes many forms. Most distressingly racism and cultural/historical prejudice.Consider these words:"If the human race wishes to have a prolonged and indefinite period of material prosperity, they have only got to behave in a peaceful and helpful way toward one another." -Winston ChurchillToo true, Winnie, old chap. Great advice from a true British hero...The funny thing being, the UK is one country that attempted to enslave the entire world (not the only one of course) and now as a nation it expects some kind of pat on the back for it! Hahaha!More generally I hate people who can't just let other people get on with being who they want to be! The quote from Bertrand Russell says it all -again.I recently heard politicians on the TV describing the UK as a land of tolerance. I don't think they realised that tolerance is not what is required if that's what they are offering they need to think again.Consider the noun 'Tolerance' it has become a synonym for acceptance of religious or cultural difference, but it is the language of prejudice because it implies the superiority and benevolence of those who so graciously tolerate the beliefs, religion or lifestyle of others...Dictionary definitions of 'Tolerance':The capacity for or the practice of recognizing and respecting the beliefs or practices of others.Of course, and:Leeway for variation from a standard.The permissible deviation from a specified value of a structural dimension, often expressed as a percent.The capacity to endure hardship or pain.So we can clearly see the etymology there, people start using tolerance to express the idea of allowing people to practice their chosen faith and so on so it gains this meaning. But it’s pre-existing definitions betray an attitude.Personally I think 'respect' replaces 'tolerance' in this context.Rant over!