Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life

Well, the bright side of life has revealed itself in two different 180^ degree U turns (or clarifications, or developments) today. Neither of them in any way a panacea but both welcome in their own way. First, I understand that the prime minister has undertaken after pressure from colleagues and "the media" to send every household an A4 sheet of toilet paper. Bravo Sir. Your finest contribution so far. I have so far been unaffected by this aspect of the developing crisis, and if I'm honest had rather thought it to be an invention. After all, the best way to cheer up the British is to point a finger at how poorly some of our former colonies, Australia, the United States (not Canada) seem to manage without us at the helm. What content editor could resist footage of overweight Trump voters engaged in fisticuffs over 4ply before returning home to meet an early death from lack of health insurance.. The President of the United States For The Time Being must surely be the first to reduce his vote share by bringing about the early death of his core support. It surely wasn't happening here? However, the other night in a Zoom meeting an otherwise sensible comrade (who I previously imagined lived a well ordered life) was on his 'phone in the streets after dark hunting down loo paper. He was passing the home of someone else in the meeting and so a couple of rolls were defenestrated to everyone's delight and his relief. Wasn't clear whether it was a failure of household management, a failure of the supply chain or simply poor time management at the root of the crisis - but we all laughed. Not having a shortage in the People's Republic, I shall find an alternative use for the prime minister's gift when it arrives.(Suggestions in the comments welcome) In the second volte face, Brian Chesky, one of the founders of Airbnb summoned us all (Airbnb hosts) to our screens at 11pm this evening for "a chat". I've always liked him. And trusted him. In the early days he would come and visit. He couldn't I think quite understand how this bonkers english bloke, living in a leaking unheated hovel with mice (The Watch House) in Bethnal Green had so embraced his very Californian platform and with such success. I didn't take to the others and their funny little San Francisco ways but I took to him. That the whole AirBnb phenomenon happened in the teeth of his Grandma's opposition, "Don't be silly Brian dear. People will never have strangers to stay in their home" showed a contrarian streak that appealed. Anyway tonight he came good. Not only did he say all the right things, he announced a financial package which by no means compensates, but will mean poverty instead of penury and that is a great improvement on how things looked this morning. As well as a substantial sum in a 'hardship fund",there are measures to ensure the sudden losses will be more equitably shared going forward and retrospectively. And in a touch that really does speak to the Airbnb I embraced eleven years ago, all guests who have stayed with me in that time will be contacted. They will be given the opportunity to get in touch and offer a bob or two if it would help. Sweet in it's way, but I'm about to find out whether my adventures think of me as fondly as I do of them and I'm not sure I want to know. But, hey ho, needs must.

How to Beat Coronavirus Capitalism

I've joined a couple of online sessions with Naomi Klein this week. Safe to say she's a woman who has a clear sense that she is no longer a voice crying in the wilderness. I'd not come across Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor before. She too is tremendously impressive here. I do recommend this broadcast.  In Islington we've had two great online discussions this week.. The first after "Shock Doctrine" was our first 'Zoom Movie Night' and the second after watching this when we were joined by the magnificent Ruthie Shallcross​.  (Lovely to see you xx).  Perhaps the only certainty at the moment is that nothing will ever be the same again. Whatever world emerges from the period of physical distancing we are experiencing, we will all, individually and collectively have been changed and that change will bring almost limitless possibilities.



From the transformed relationships we will have with the neighbours we have come to know and discover through to profound changes in the the geopolitical discourse and relationships that shape the entire world.. Whilst the public faces of the forces of conservatism and reaction haven't so far covered themselves in glory we  can take no comfort from that. The second rate numpties in the White House, in Downing Street are the window dressing. The people who put them there have been, as Milton Friedman told them to forty years ago been waiting for this moment, have been waiting and are ready.



As has already happened in China, on Thursday the US Environmental Protection Agency announced on Thursday they would no longer be policing or enforcing legislation regulating extraction, safety  in the workplace, pollution, employment or the live of indigenous communities.  The limited rights in these areas that have been so hard fought for look set to be discarded in the pursuit of private weath.



Those who would wish it so, are skilled. They are smart and they are savvy. They are highly organised and disciplined. But so can we be. We must be or we fail.



Watch and listen to folk like Naomi Klein, like Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor . Sure, watch them from the sofa or in bed at the moment but get three or four people together afterwards. Online, or on the 'phone, In corresponce or by email. Doesn't matter. What does matter is that we collectively start to imagine. Start to imagine the world as it will become in the ".afterwards".  Those concerned with amassing private wealth and the power it buys are doing just that. Right now. Tonight. They have money, and they have guns. They have the apparatus of the state and largely compliant legislatures. And they have the fear and exhaustion of the people. It's an impressive armoury.



What we must not do is add to it.  The most valuable tool of all, which they will be banking on, is the failure of our imagination.



Let's not give them that. So start swimming or we'll all sink like stones.



https://open.spotify.com/track/52vA3CYKZqZVdQnzRrdZt6