So it’s day 2 of my blog challenge and today’s theme is to write about what makes me angry. People of a certain age may remember the line above. It’s from the TV series ‘The Incredible Hulk’. It’s a line that was uttered to warn Mr Magee of the disasterous consequences of provoking the otherwise normal Dr David Banner. While I don’t plan to go off on one ala the Incredible Hulk I will put out a few things here that do make me angry.
Central banks, too big to fail financial institutions and complicit goverments make me angry. What makes me equally angry is the way that, in the modern information age, societies have been unable to unravel the veil that protects these institutions. We have never had more access to information and knowledge than we do at present. Unfortunately, we have (with the exception of a few notables) been unable to leverage this into effective movements or crusades that both debunk the current systems and offer more equitable and transparent alternatives.
The failure or government (and the construction industry) to provide a framework for its citizens to enjoy high quality, comfortable and sustainable housing makes me angry. Again, we have the information available that tells us how to do it. Yes, construction firms are motivated by profit. However, if we write unambiguous standards/regulations/solutions and enforce them in a meaningful way then the playing field will be levelled for all. The winners will be those that can realise solutions in the most cost effective and productive manner. Of course, home owners will also win.
It makes me angry that contemporary socio-economic norms have eroded much of what communities need to create healthy individuals, families and environments. The constant demands of consumerism aided and abetted by main stream media and governements is eroding human and environmental fabric. We need to take ownership of how we live. Look at the person, not the house, not the clothes, not the car. In the end, none of these things will matter. Its about the relationships that we nuture, the people that we help and the positive impact that we have along the way. Be a force for good.