SHARED ILLUSIONS
Berlin 22/03/2020 – 29/03/2020
Berlin used to be the largest city in Germany stretching over 892 square kilometres with a population of around 3.5 million. Today, and indeed over the last couple of weeks, it has shrunk dramatically to only 80 square meters with a tiny population of just four inhabitants. Luckily, it is rather nice flat and we take pride in the virtue of compromise.
Looking at the wider picture, the EU might be shrinking as well following the publication of various photos and videos showing some Italians replacing EU flags with those of China and Russia. Number of podcasts, filled with utter rage aimed at the EU’s lack of solidarity, were also released. This, of course, might have been just a handful of individuals venting out their frustration but then again, it is clear that the EU as a whole was utterly unprepared for this mess and it will inevitably end up paying a heavy price for it, one way or the other. Staying on the subject of solidarity, China, Russia and Cuba are still flying over their help to most hit European countries while Germany has decided to take at least 47 Covid-19 patients from Italy. Wonderful news, no doubt, but it is clear that much more needs to be done at European level in order to save the union which already appears to be rather shaky after only a few weeks of crises.
In the UK, Prince Charles has tested positive for Covid-19 and so did prime minister Boris Johnson, health secretary Matt Hancock as well as the chief medical officer, professor Chris Witty. Shepherds leading the herd on the way to immunity, one could argue. Although, to me at least, it looks more like a clear case of complacency, neglect and utter incompetence. Not to mention the fact that the chance to procure much needed ventilators was wasted due to urgent email from the EU ending up in Boris Johnson’s spam folder – true story and I don’t blame anyone for thinking that this sounds way too insane to be real. Well, it is indeed insane and very much real, unfortunately. With above in mind, there is little wonder why Italians from worst hit regions are pulling out their loved ones from the UK. They simply think and feel that their sons and daughters will be safer in the Italian purgatory in the middle of epidemics than in the upcoming British hell, and who is to blame them?
As we dive deeper into global Coronavirus crises, capitalism is again turning to socialism to save it from itself. Instead of questioning the system that crashes once every decade or collapses on the sight of slightest crises, western governments are throwing trillions to prop up the failed economy and morally bankrupt modus operandi.
In the US, Federal Reserve fired ‘bazooka’ (that’s the actual word being used all the time – bazooka!) of multi-trillion dollar ‘recovery bill’ that famous director, Michel Moore, characterised as ‘massive thievery which does next to nothing to fight the pandemic and is nothing more than blank cheque to the rich that ordinary people will end up paying for’. Sounds familiar? There are also rumours around the net that crises will be used to finally push forward with the ‘digital dollar‘ idea – capitalist gangster’s wet dream! – so it will be a good idea to keep an eye on this one over the coming weeks and months.
“…the cure cannot be worse than the problem!…” – Trump tweeted a few days ago. Of course, the only way to translate this one is that humans will be sacrificed at the altar of economy. Perfectly ethical thing to do in the minds of neoliberal monsters in charge.
The Onion, world famous satirical online paper, published what is arguably one of the best articles on the crises so far, titled “U.S. Economy Grinds To Halt As Nation Realizes Money Just a Symbolic, Mutually Shared Illusion”. Pure brilliance on multiple levels!
In the UK, it has been announced that the British government is effectively nationalising the state’s railways while towards end of the week, the unthinkable happened, all councils have been ordered to house thousands upon thousands of homeless people across the country. Are they going to be thrown out back onto the streets once the crisis is over? Are they going to privatise back the railways? Is predatory neoliberal capitalism simply going to stand up, dust itself off and carry on like nothing’s happened? In case people don’t realise what is the real problem here, this is indeed the most likely outcome.
Looking at the brighter side, all McDonald’s restaurants are now closed in the UK and most of Europe. This will result in mass detoxification of human beings and whatever the number of deaths Covid-19 will cause, due to this, probably the equal number will be saved. Also, last week we witnessed a record drop in crime, allegedly up to 20% in some areas of the UK and Europe – you can screw around with coppers but not with Corona!
In another equally bright news, the U.S. alone has lost more than 500.000 millionaires so far with numbers set to grow dramatically over the coming weeks. Furthermore, not only that Corona doesn’t like neoliberal capitalism, it doesn’t like neo-imperialism, too! France is pulling its troops out of Iraq after the UK did the same one week earlier. By the way, the US military confirmed the 1st Covid-19 case inside the Pentagon itself. Investigation is underway to determine if it can dance Hopak and Kozachok and if so, there will be little doubt it is Russians to blame! Rachel Maddow will be able to confirm this one pretty soon if she hasn’t already done so by now. Back in Italy, few young engineers figured out a brilliant 3D printed hack that turns scuba gear into ventilator masks. Wonderful stuff – we must keep our heads above the water and stay positive at all times!
Neoliberal capitalism removed from us our true-self while turning entire societies into a dumb, soulless debt-paying machines. We should be using self isolation and social distancing to reflect upon ourselves and by doing this, hopefully, realise that there is more to it all than infinite, mind numbing cycle of going to work and paying off the bills. Sleeping child inside of us all should awake now and spread its dreams like wings beyond the matrix of illusions this system has entrapped us with. Sooner the better… or else!
COMMENTS
SHARED ILLUSIONS
Berlin 22/03/2020 – 29/03/2020
Berlin used to be the largest city in Germany stretching over 892 square kilometres with a population of around 3.5 million. Today, and indeed over the last couple of weeks, it has shrunk dramatically to only 80 square meters with a tiny population of just four inhabitants. Luckily, it is rather nice flat and we take pride in the virtue of compromise.
Looking at the wider picture, the EU might be shrinking as well following the publication of various photos and videos showing some Italians replacing EU flags with those of China and Russia. Number of podcasts, filled with utter rage aimed at the EU’s lack of solidarity, were also released. This, of course, might have been just a handful of individuals venting out their frustration but then again, it is clear that the EU as a whole was utterly unprepared for this mess and it will inevitably end up paying a heavy price for it, one way or the other. Staying on the subject of solidarity, China, Russia and Cuba are still flying over their help to most hit European countries while Germany has decided to take at least 47 Covid-19 patients from Italy. Wonderful news, no doubt, but it is clear that much more needs to be done at European level in order to save the union which already appears to be rather shaky after only a few weeks of crises.
In the UK, Prince Charles has tested positive for Covid-19 and so did prime minister Boris Johnson, health secretary Matt Hancock as well as the chief medical officer, professor Chris Witty. Shepherds leading the herd on the way to immunity, one could argue. Although, to me at least, it looks more like a clear case of complacency, neglect and utter incompetence. Not to mention the fact that the chance to procure much needed ventilators was wasted due to urgent email from the EU ending up in Boris Johnson’s spam folder – true story and I don’t blame anyone for thinking that this sounds way too insane to be real. Well, it is indeed insane and very much real, unfortunately. With above in mind, there is little wonder why Italians from worst hit regions are pulling out their loved ones from the UK. They simply think and feel that their sons and daughters will be safer in the Italian purgatory in the middle of epidemics than in the upcoming British hell, and who is to blame them?
As we dive deeper into global Coronavirus crises, capitalism is again turning to socialism to save it from itself. Instead of questioning the system that crashes once every decade or collapses on the sight of slightest crises, western governments are throwing trillions to prop up the failed economy and morally bankrupt modus operandi.
In the US, Federal Reserve fired ‘bazooka’ (that’s the actual word being used all the time – bazooka!) of multi-trillion dollar ‘recovery bill’ that famous director, Michel Moore, characterised as ‘massive thievery which does next to nothing to fight the pandemic and is nothing more than blank cheque to the rich that ordinary people will end up paying for’. Sounds familiar? There are also rumours around the net that crises will be used to finally push forward with the ‘digital dollar‘ idea – capitalist gangster’s wet dream! – so it will be a good idea to keep an eye on this one over the coming weeks and months.
“…the cure cannot be worse than the problem!…” – Trump tweeted a few days ago. Of course, the only way to translate this one is that humans will be sacrificed at the altar of economy. Perfectly ethical thing to do in the minds of neoliberal monsters in charge.
The Onion, world famous satirical online paper, published what is arguably one of the best articles on the crises so far, titled “U.S. Economy Grinds To Halt As Nation Realizes Money Just a Symbolic, Mutually Shared Illusion”. Pure brilliance on multiple levels!
In the UK, it has been announced that the British government is effectively nationalising the state’s railways while towards end of the week, the unthinkable happened, all councils have been ordered to house thousands upon thousands of homeless people across the country. Are they going to be thrown out back onto the streets once the crisis is over? Are they going to privatise back the railways? Is predatory neoliberal capitalism simply going to stand up, dust itself off and carry on like nothing’s happened? In case people don’t realise what is the real problem here, this is indeed the most likely outcome.
Looking at the brighter side, all McDonald’s restaurants are now closed in the UK and most of Europe. This will result in mass detoxification of human beings and whatever the number of deaths Covid-19 will cause, due to this, probably the equal number will be saved. Also, last week we witnessed a record drop in crime, allegedly up to 20% in some areas of the UK and Europe – you can screw around with coppers but not with Corona!
In another equally bright news, the U.S. alone has lost more than 500.000 millionaires so far with numbers set to grow dramatically over the coming weeks. Furthermore, not only that Corona doesn’t like neoliberal capitalism, it doesn’t like neo-imperialism, too! France is pulling its troops out of Iraq after the UK did the same one week earlier. By the way, the US military confirmed the 1st Covid-19 case inside the Pentagon itself. Investigation is underway to determine if it can dance Hopak and Kozachok and if so, there will be little doubt it is Russians to blame! Rachel Maddow will be able to confirm this one pretty soon if she hasn’t already done so by now. Back in Italy, few young engineers figured out a brilliant 3D printed hack that turns scuba gear into ventilator masks. Wonderful stuff – we must keep our heads above the water and stay positive at all times!
Neoliberal capitalism removed from us our true-self while turning entire societies into a dumb, soulless debt-paying machines. We should be using self isolation and social distancing to reflect upon ourselves and by doing this, hopefully, realise that there is more to it all than infinite, mind numbing cycle of going to work and paying off the bills. Sleeping child inside of us all should awake now and spread its dreams like wings beyond the matrix of illusions this system has entrapped us with. Sooner the better… or else!
Brilliant piece!
We are seeing the best and worst of normal people, and the worst of the elite (as per fkn usual)
I would hope that people will see the system or systems for what they really are, and indeed see if we get anything positive out of this unreal madness.
In the normal people, if we judge the mad world of the internet, we are seeing an increase in escapism and, at times, funny madness. The creativity is all based on crude entertainment.
The media concentration is on the virus and nothing else, this is solely the collective magnifying glass that we have to view the world through. I do worry more about what was on the bucket list of the said elite class, and how much they are viewing this episode as their chance to tick them off. As you say, the digital dollar will be one such on that list, after all, these things take years and they are almost ready to roll! We can speculate how much they plan and push things in direction and in advance, but whether they instigate elements or not, they always utilise such events. So, I am not positive about the post-virus age. SOME real people will start to view opportunities for better societies and systems, but those in charge have already utilised the downs to become their ups, long before you even had your cornflakes.
The elite class will ride through this with a gigantic surge of power, as small businesses and service providers go under. The global food stores, Amazons and such have already seen massive increases of the market. They are thriving, because they are allowed to as well as having the foundations of being large scale and pro help with tax evasion. So our local systems suffer so their CEOs can thrive.
I am very positive and hopeful in everything, but I am already seeing this as an opportunity for them – not us. We are never one step ahead, because our currency is fear. Their currency is greed and power. A mass population thriving on fear vs a small population (very small) thriving on greed (power) has a known outcome ;-)
I wish I could see positivity for the systems after this has finished, or even our collective consciousness, but I am for once very sceptical.
Despite the socialist systems proving themselves to do what is needed when most needed, people have been so far removed from those ways of thinking, and the media are not reporting these acts of humanity or kindness. These are not stories that show up the present aggressive capitalist system in a good light, and so our media will not allow that be projected on to our collective minds. Even small amounts of socialism are not supposed to creep in, as they affect profit and power – well established.
The idea of the UK nationalising the train service and having free internet for all were, I think we might recall, ideas put forward by the “racist” anti-racism champion (1984 was never so accurate) UK PM to be that never would be!
If the Conservatives are wanting to RE-nationalise the railways, it will be because their friends in the private sector are not making enough money, so they want to officially pass it back to the UK population. This makes the Tories look momentarily decent and ‘socialist’ but we know it is pure capitalist reasons. If the UK population can work their arses off to pay for it and make it work, then it can be handed back to the predators.
Sorry, I am usually accused of being stupidly positive about things, but this will result in masses of power swaps to the elite class. The biggest will be the “please look after us” syndrome. The intelligent will be forced to give up their freedom because the dumb fall for changes in a ‘secure future’.
The irony is, the death of the weak and old that is happening right now will result in all these bored people at home (rabbits) replacing them with new, young versions. Less of the problematic old people that recall history, over night being replaced with new, programmable ones for the future. Another win for our psychopathic ‘leaders’.
Damn, do I sound depressed!!
I need to watch Mighty Boosh and calm down.
THE SLEEPING CHILDREN WITHIN US NEED TO BE RELEASE. CORRECT!!
@Zorg
Very good post – thanks!
Quote, “I would hope that people will see the system or systems for what they really are, and indeed see if we get anything positive out of this unreal madness.”
This is exactly one of the reasons why I am writing all this. Tiny personal contribution to, what should be at least, a collective effort. I would argue about ‘unreal madness’ part a bit. It is, unfortunately, very real – both the pandemic and madness itself which is vividly reflected in criminal neglect and general unpreparedness of all western governments. All the money, tech, science and time that they had to prepare for such horrors and yet they did almost nothing.
As for outbursts of pessimism – they are normal and, dare are I say, objective given the general situation. Pessimism in this particular case is certainly more realistic than optimism for the exact reasons you’ve already mentioned, but we should never let it to overwhelm us in any way and we shouldn’t be giving up the fight for better world regardless how hopeless the situation might appear to be in any given moment. We can all do our small parts and contributions on individual bases and, hopefully, we will organise into more meaningful collective(s) eventually. Diem25, for example, is doing rather good job at this and it’s probably the best way forward right now. Sign up!