I like that, Harry, thank you. I recall that Max Porter told us that Grief was the thing with feathers... Let's hope it's Emily's bird flying over our politics for the next five years.
This is what gives me hope Matt - you'll know of Timpson’s and their policy for employing ex-offenders to help them back into work, which is why I always get shoe repairs and my dry-cleaning with them. Well Timpson's CEO James Timpson (who’s also Chair of the Prison Reform Trust) is the new Prisons Minister...
Yes, I know well of James Timpson and his work and ethics. That appointment — possibly more than anything I heard yesterday — filled me with immense hope. Starmer’s words, though so carefully scripted, have all been reassuringly unifying. Goodness knows we need a solution in Timpson’s department quickly.
Matt, this is a great read, the ending though reminded me of a discussion I recently watched on Eye of the Storm — a YT channel, where (approx halfway through the recording) Raoul Martinez, Yanis Varoufakis and their guest, political commentator: Ece Temelkuran discuss ‘Hope’ and how every thing has become so bleak that we as humans should not depend on It as it places us at the beginning of a type of paralysis. What humans need is determination and to have faith in other human beings at a grassroots level. The conversation was very thought provoking to say the least.
Temelkuran’s book — TOGETHER 10 Choices for a Better Now — explores this notion further. I intend on purchasing it & thought it was worth mentioning here.
Here is part of a review of the book by Sean Greer Pulitzer Prize winner and author of Less:
“…award-winning political commentator Ece Temelkuran puts forward a compelling new narrative for our current moment, not for some idealised future but for right now, and asks us to make a choice. To choose determination over hope; to embrace fear rather the cold comfort of ignorance; to save our energy for an unwavering attention on those in power and the destructive systems they uphold, rather than wasting time spewing out anger and outrage online.
Above all, this book asks you to choose to have faith in the other human beings we share this planet with.”
Thank you so much for this, Frances. I like Varoufakis' thoughts and writing, and wasn't aware of the podcast series. I'll be sure to listen in from the beginning. I attended a book event of his last year: the crowd was immense, and many of them devotees – to say the least! I like and agree with Temelkuran's point: we must not depend on hope. Faith is far more sustaining and determination will be essential over these coming months. Hope feels like an OK place to be beginning, but we must build quickly on it. Thanks so much for commenting. I'll try to remember to let you know what I make of the podcasts.
I hope you are right Matt
There’s a first time for everything. 🤞
Well said Matt - as Emily offered, Hope endures despite all adversity...
“Hope” is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all -
And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -
And sore must be the storm -
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm -
I’ve heard it in the chillest land -
And on the strangest Sea -
Yet - never - in Extremity,
It asked a crumb - of me.
I like that, Harry, thank you. I recall that Max Porter told us that Grief was the thing with feathers... Let's hope it's Emily's bird flying over our politics for the next five years.
This is what gives me hope Matt - you'll know of Timpson’s and their policy for employing ex-offenders to help them back into work, which is why I always get shoe repairs and my dry-cleaning with them. Well Timpson's CEO James Timpson (who’s also Chair of the Prison Reform Trust) is the new Prisons Minister...
Yes, I know well of James Timpson and his work and ethics. That appointment — possibly more than anything I heard yesterday — filled me with immense hope. Starmer’s words, though so carefully scripted, have all been reassuringly unifying. Goodness knows we need a solution in Timpson’s department quickly.
…something far more valuable: hope.
Matt, this is a great read, the ending though reminded me of a discussion I recently watched on Eye of the Storm — a YT channel, where (approx halfway through the recording) Raoul Martinez, Yanis Varoufakis and their guest, political commentator: Ece Temelkuran discuss ‘Hope’ and how every thing has become so bleak that we as humans should not depend on It as it places us at the beginning of a type of paralysis. What humans need is determination and to have faith in other human beings at a grassroots level. The conversation was very thought provoking to say the least.
Temelkuran’s book — TOGETHER 10 Choices for a Better Now — explores this notion further. I intend on purchasing it & thought it was worth mentioning here.
Here is part of a review of the book by Sean Greer Pulitzer Prize winner and author of Less:
“…award-winning political commentator Ece Temelkuran puts forward a compelling new narrative for our current moment, not for some idealised future but for right now, and asks us to make a choice. To choose determination over hope; to embrace fear rather the cold comfort of ignorance; to save our energy for an unwavering attention on those in power and the destructive systems they uphold, rather than wasting time spewing out anger and outrage online.
Above all, this book asks you to choose to have faith in the other human beings we share this planet with.”
I hope (!) you don’t mind my meandering!
Thank you so much for this, Frances. I like Varoufakis' thoughts and writing, and wasn't aware of the podcast series. I'll be sure to listen in from the beginning. I attended a book event of his last year: the crowd was immense, and many of them devotees – to say the least! I like and agree with Temelkuran's point: we must not depend on hope. Faith is far more sustaining and determination will be essential over these coming months. Hope feels like an OK place to be beginning, but we must build quickly on it. Thanks so much for commenting. I'll try to remember to let you know what I make of the podcasts.
A very good read
Thanks, Andrew. Weather here perfect for the occasion: rainy with sun; warm, with a chill wind.
As expected
I do feel more hopeful now. There is even more reason to shout our voices x
That’s so good to read, Beth. Hope is a vital place to start. x