Tuesday 20 June 2017

The Hutt Recommends: Revolution

Revolution by Russell Brand
(Politics is cool, yo.)

Let me start by saying that I've never really taken to Russell Brand as a comedian, with the specific exception of when he appears working in tandem with Noel Fielding, but despite my aversion to his stand-ups I have observed that he has on occasion put forth a few thought-provoking sentiments in interviews and that had me curious.
   I stumbled upon Revolution on audio, read by Brand himself, as I anchored in a well-known bay in the depths of the internet. Having listened to a lot of books of varying quality in the last few years I figured that Brand's particular kind of insanity compacted into 9 hours of audio files wouldn't infuriate me more than some of Heinlein's more sexist scifi (of which I haven't bothered to finish a few because of said sexism). Normally, I just listen to books on my way to and from work and I rarely find myself trying to find excuses to go for a walk or take a detour in order to keep listening for "just a few more minutes...".
   I can happily announce to you that with Revolution, I did just this.



   I studied Politics at university and am familiar with most of the ideas Brand brings forth, anarcho-syndicalism seemingly being at the forefront, which certainly makes it easier to take in and understand what basis of ideas Brand works from. This book requires more reading, obviously, as Brand's grand ideas are all snippets of other people's grand ideas. It lacks depth in ideology but as I read it, it's supposed to - you're meant to finish the book and go "hey, here's a great idea to read more about and possibly incorporate in my everyday life". Revolution starts with individuals and ends with societies; it starts with civil disobedience at the face of inequality and ends with the subversion of an unjust system.
   What Brand lacks is what most leftist ideologies lack these days - a grand theory. A utopia and a way of reaching it (but please do tell me when you find a comprehensive handbook to building coherent alternative societies). On the left we cry for equality and justice but have no viable ideas of how we could practically build that kind of society. We say we want to include everyone, but say nothing of how we are to do that or proceed from there. I think this is why right-wing parties have gained so many followers lately - they have an idea of how to hands-on "solve" our societal problems and even though their ideas are terribly short-sighted, fear-mongering and is kicking the wrong people in the face, people can see solutions. Scared and desperate people are easy to manipulate with populist propaganda hiding a more sinister ideology.

   Corporations is who we should be kicking in the face.
   Capitalism is what we should oust from our lives.
   We should be building community instead of undermining it.
   Brand gives us the choice between Capitalism or the Planet, and he's right.

   All in all, yes, Revolution has that Hollywood yoga pants vibe; a celebrity with a history of living it big trying to convince others less fortunate that changing the societies in which we live is as easy as pie even though we might not have the monetary funds that makes it so easy for Brand himself to make his ideas heard.
   However, Brand is in his own way very charming and rather funny and Revolution is well worth a read. If you like that sort of thing.

Saturday 10 June 2017

You funny little man

Oh, Mr Howard 💚
Russell was amazing (except for a poorly performed fat joke) and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Friday 9 June 2017

Happy about this

Tonight I've gone so far out of my comfort zone it's ridiculous.
   This weekend is Pride weekend in my city and I've taken time off to be a part of it. (I didn't last year and regretted it deeply.)
   Tonight I was at a pub meet with a bi/pan group. After that I went to a party arranged with the dress code = underwear. And I went. I actually went. And I had fun. I didn't know anyone.
   It's a strange time to be alive.

Wednesday 7 June 2017

Not happy about this

That feeling when I made a whole pitcher of iced coffee yesterday while it was all warm, sunny and nice just to wake up this morning to windy, cold and rainy. Not amused.


Tuesday 6 June 2017

I want to forget about the Dragon

   Well. That's a whole lot of hours of my life I can never get back.
   I speak of course about Iron Fist. Fucking hell, what a load of garbage.
   Daredevil, Jessica Jones and Luke Cage are all shows I could get behind and enjoy (especially Jessica Jones). Despite the criticism I've read against Iron Fist some of my friends liked it so I had to give it a chance. I was hoping it might be easier for me to wrap my head around all of the characters once The Defenders premiere. Again; what a load of garbage, so in retrospect I would rather not have.
   I have never fully understood martial arts films with white dudes in the lead, so it should come as no surprise this was incomprehensible to my sad little brain. There is no larger motive. No grand plan. No great principles of life governing our lead man.
   It's slow and tedious.
   Claire Temple is the only 'pro' in a long list of 'con's.