Why do I write a blog? Maybe it’s because I’ve been
faffing about for years trying to write a bloody novel and haven’t the patience
for the longer form. Maybe it’s because in all my life I have never found the
physical forum to have the kind of conversation I imagine might be possible if
everybody was on my wavelength. Or maybe it’s because, apart from comments
which I can moderate, I have full editorial and engagement control. Why argue
when I can just block and go? (Actually, I rarely block; it’s funnier watching
them rant away.)
Picking a topic is usually the easiest thing to do as I always listen to Radio 4 on my journey to and from work and there is usually plenty to bang on about;
politics, money, politics, ‘studies show’ reports, politics, climate science, the energy debate and
more politics. Actually it’s all politics, really isn’t it? In the absence of
verifiable hard facts that everybody can understand the great debates of the
day are reduced to soundbites promoting partisan positions. The big deal right
now is, of course, the referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU and oh what
a load of politics it is.
How in the world is anybody just looking for simple
clarity going to get answers to the very real questions and concerns they have
about such issues? The Remain campaign is very openly threatening Tory MPs if
they dare to challenge the ‘official’ line and smearing the dissenters at every
press briefing and leak. But the Leavers are hardly covering themselves in
glory, with internecine squabbling and power plays forever derailing the
coherent message of hope they want to spread.
It’s the same with climate change; if somebody with
impeccable scientific credentials tells you it’s for real you will be inclined
to believe. But when somebody equally august tells you not only that it isn’t
happening but that the first bloke was paid to deliver his message and backs it
up with examples of influential decision-makers in the thrall of big oil, big
solar, big wind, with statements that later turn out to be 'out of context', how are you to separate fact from fiction?
It’s to be hoped that social media, like Twitter, allows
on-the-spot reports of actual events, but even then it depends what you are
being shown, who is showing you it and as ever, who is paying for it. We should
always ask ourselves who stands to gain, but then again, how do you do that if
you have neither the raw data nor the means to analyse them? All we can do is pass
everything through the prism of our own experience and prejudices and come up
with a ‘truth’ we can be happy with.
But don’t worry, help is at hand and here’s the science
bit: I use Occam’s Razor – scientifically proven to be the very best analytical
razor money can’t buy. Try it you’ll like it It’s so simple even a Labour
supporter could do it! But here’s the best bit – if you are not absolutely satisfied
we will refund every penny, no quibble. Or was I paid to say that?
