Diogenes - Reworked

Here I stand, Diogenes,

Arriving in Athens, never on my knees.

And though I am naked,

My healthy fats diminished,

I am not resentful that

By my father I was banished.

For this is the wondrous city,

Athens: the birthplace of democracy.

Where all men are created equal,

Just not foreigners like me, oh and women are not people.

But that’s beside the point!

This is the home of the greatest philosophers,

Forming moral compasses from ivory towers,

While slaves pray today they may be granted showers.

I am not homeless,

No, I’m an educated man,

But I just can’t bring myself to take more from this land

Than can be held in the palms of my two hands.

“Put on some clothes”

Shouts an Athenian gent,

Neck bent so his gaze

Lands just above my head.

“For what do I need those?”

Is my retort

And it’s met with nothing

But a contemptuous snort.

I used to own a bowl.

It was wooden and beautiful

And it served me with food

From the charity of the wealthy and the rude.

They pity my situation

As if they knew,

But they don’t know how to move through life,

They’re corrupted and confused.

I threw that bowl away

When I saw one day

A dog sipping from the puddle

A smile on his face.

I shouted: “I’m a disgrace!”

And I threw that bowl back at society

That told me I needed

Such an unnecessary commodity.

So I joined that dog

and we sat together,

Knowing that if we just stayed present

This moment would last forever.

The laughs from the crowd

Were drowned out

By a heart that knew

From the start what was true.

I looked that dog in the eye

And clarity filled my mind,

We are none of us better

Than any form of life.

So now the only thing I truly need

Is a lamp, yes, a lamp to see!

I carry it with me at all times in the hope that I may find

An honest human being but thus far I still am blind.

But I’ve really splashed out

On my living accommodation,

Upon a basset hound’s recommendation

I have found a ceramic jar.

What once held wine

Will do just fine

For me to sleep and eat

And urinate with my gang of canines.

And those who mock I do forgive,

But they mock that I am not

Embarrassed to do

What I must to live.

They have become so vein,

So full of disdain,

That what is simple and plain

Just does not sit well in their brain.

All the same, they are not to blame,

They were raised to play this ill-conceived game

By the ruling elite who claim you peasants too

Can eat the finest of meat.

They know no other option

But to want and desire

But if they’d listen I’d tell them

They can aim higher.

They are featherless bipeds,

Plucked chickens no less,

Who will die and realise

We’re all equal when we’re dead.

From voluntary poverty,

I was abducted by pirates,

Who took away the one thing

I truly desired:

Freedom to be

Nothing other than me

And I was plunged

Into slavery.

But in midst of this trouble

I became strong from my struggle

And my philosophy was wiser

Than that of Aristotle.

I escaped a changed man to Corinth, gaining new fans.

I was famous yet hated, but this land was the greatest.

Along came another well-dressed gent

With a serious comment:

“Stand up, young man!

A very important figure would like to shake your hand”

I, Diogenes, will remain sat down

But never on my knees.

I raise my head for a gander

Oh it’s just another human named Alexander.

“Alexander the Great has arrived!”

But I see no titles just those who are dead and those who are alive.

“What does he want?”

I ask as if I owe him something.

“He wants to learn”.

Well that I can give him.

But Alexander stood before me

And asked with authority

If there was anything

He could do for me.

I searched for the words that might

Be right then eventually

I told him

“Step out of my sunlight!”

And Alexander the Curious

Was suddenly furious

He gave me a look

Like he could be dangerous.

But he bit his tongue

And asked:

“So young one,

What is it you do for fun?”

I said, "well Alexander,

I’m glad that you asked,

I was searching through graves

This summer past.

“I do these things,

When I’m alone,

Searching and searching

Through human bones.

“See your father, I heard,

Was a King

So I spent my time

Looking for him

But it took so long

Only to discover

I could not distinguish him

From any other.”

And Alexander

Fell to his knees,

Saying “if I weren’t Alexander,

I’d be Diogenes.”

How Labour Can Win

There's a common trend among political commentators from Milo Yiannopoulos to Owen Jones that the voting public don't tend to think in terms of left and right anymore, so fighting for the centre ground makes little sense.

However, I do believe that people care about whether a political party is authoritarian or libertarian.

Labour have a problem here, that the Tories avoid. Labour leaders are often asked by the right wing press whether they consider themselves to be socialist. There's no good way to answer this. If they deny being socialist, they are accused of being dishonest or selling out their principles. However, admitting to being a socialist poses a serious problem.

Once you have a label such as "socialist" (or, God forbid, "communist"), you are boxed in. It's low hanging fruit then to point at Venezuela or the Soviet Union and ask the public: "is this what you want in Number 10?!"

The Conservatives avoid this because there's not really any ideology called "conservatism". You can claim to be conservative whilst having plenty of room for manoeuvre. Being a conservative lacks any content.

There's no disastrous conservative regime you can point out to the electorate. However, when the Labour leader is cast as a socialist, there is an instant connection made to authoritarianism. And since the public think in terms of an authoritarian/libertarian spectrum, this is bad news.

The Conservative Party may be objectively more authoritarian than Labour, yet they manage to avoid being perceived as such.

To remedy this, Labour need some flagship libertarian policies. For instance, they could promise the complete legalisation of recreational cannabis. The individual policy itself is unlikely to shift votes. Supporters of the policy will likely be young and already inclined to vote Labour (especially with Corbyn in charge). Those opposed to the policy are unlikely to be so against it that they abandon Labour altogether. It is likely that they simply think it goes too far. Perhaps they'd prefer decriminalisation or legalisation for medicinal cannabis only. The point is, it shouldn't cost that many votes.

What it will do, however, is overcome the perception that a Labour Prime Minister will lead a dictatorship style government. It will instead create the perception of Labour as the party of freedom, leaving very few positives for the Tories to claim for themselves.

Pro-Liberty, Not Anti-State

Libertarians argue against the state in favour of private corporations.

Yet they also talk about freedom of speech and the individual.

But there is no constitution governing Twitter, who can ban anyone for any reason.

Ironically, it is the right who often claim Twitter is censoring them. Then they continue to argue in favour of the rights of corporations to discriminate. Because forcing a baker to bake a cake for a gay wedding is "authoritarian".

When private corporations can discriminate arbitrarily, it is the individual that suffers.

Private land is essentially a fascist state, where the owner can ban anyone from doing anything.

Try preaching veganism in a McDonald's. You'll quickly be removed by private security.

Sometimes, the government needs to legislate in favour of freedom. The link between the private sector and freedom makes no sense.

The Wisdom of Dogs

Here I stand, Diogenes, arriving in Athens, never on my knees and though I am naked and my healthy fats diminished, I am not resentful that by my father I was banished. For this is the wondrous city, Athens: the birthplace of democracy. Where all men are created equal, just not foreigners like me oh and women are not people. But that’s beside the point! This is the home of the greatest philosophers, forming moral compasses from ivory towers, while slaves pray today they may be granted showers. I am not homeless, no I’m an educated man, but I just can’t bring myself to take more from this land, than can be held in the palm of my two hands. “Put on some clothes” shouts an Athenian gent, neck bent so his gaze lands just above my head. “For what do I need those?” is my retort and it’s met with nothing but a contemptuous snort. I used to own a bowl it was wooden and beautiful and it served me with food from the charity of the wealthy and the rude, who pity my situation as if they knew, but they don’t know how to move through life, they’re corrupted and confused. I threw that bowl away when I saw one day a dog sipping from the puddle, a smile on his face, and I shouted: “I’m a disgrace!” and I threw that bowl back at society that told me I needed such an unnecessary commodity. So I joined that dog and we sat together, knowing that if we just stayed present this moment would last forever and the laughs from the crowd were drowned out by a heart that knew from the start what was true. I looked that dog in the eye and clarity filled my mind, we are none of us better than any form of life.

So now the only thing I truly need is a lamp, yes, a lamp to see! I carry it with me at all times in the hope that I may find an honest human being but thus far I still am blind. But I’ve really splashed out on my living accommodation, upon a basset hound’s recommendation I have found a ceramic jar. What once held wine will do just fine for me to sleep and eat and urinate with my gang of canines. And those who mock I do forgive, but they mock that I am not embarrassed to do what I must to live. They have become so vein, so full of disdain, that what is simple and plain just does not sit well in their brain. All the same, they are not to blame, they were raised to play this ill-conceived game, by the ruling elite who claim you peasants too can eat the finest of meat. They know no other option but to want and desire but if they’d listen I’d tell them they can aim higher. They are featherless bipeds, plucked chickens no less, who will die and realise we’re all equal when we’re dead.

From voluntary poverty, I was abducted by pirates, who took away the one thing I truly desired: freedom to be nothing other than me and I was plunged into slavery. But in midst of this trouble I became strong from my struggle and my philosophy was wiser than that of Aristotle. I escaped a changed man to Corinth where I gained some new fans. I was famous yet hated but this land was the greatest. Along came another well-dressed gent with a serious comment: “stand up, young man! A very important figure would like to shake your hand”, but I, Diogenes, will remain sat down but never on my knees. I raise my head for a gander oh it’s just another human named Alexander. “Alexander the Great has arrived!” but I see no titles just those who are dead and those who are alive. “What does he want?” I ask as if I owe him something. “He wants to learn”. Well that I can give him. But Alexander stood before me and asked with authority if there was anything he could do for me. I searched for the words that might be right then eventually I told him “step out of my sunlight!” And Alexander the Curious was suddenly furious he gave me a look like he could be dangerous but he bit his tongue and asked: “so young one, what is it you do for fun?” I said, well Alexander, “I’m glad that you asked, I was searching through graves this summer past, I do these things, when I’m alone, searching and searching through human bones, see your father I heard was a King, so I spent my time looking for him, but it took so long only to discover, I could not distinguish him from any other.” And Alexander fell to his knees, saying “if I weren’t Alexander, I’d be Diogenes.”

Balanced on the Edge of Chaos: Why I Miss the Liberal Elite

When I was two years old, Blair was elected, meaning I'd get to grow up in a centre left, pro-European, internationalist and progressive political climate.

Though naturally rebellious, there's no doubting my politics remained broadly a part of the liberal consensus. I was part of the liberal elite.

When I was 15, the Labour years were coming to an end and it seemed like we were entering a new era of politics. That was okay though. Cameron was a self-described "compassionate conservative", an environmentalist and Europhile who was prepared to work with the Liberal Democrats to introduce new LGBT+ rights and continue the liberal consensus that had served us so well.

Then something happened, when we weren't paying attention.

The alt-right and control-left turf wars were taking over the internet, but our politicians remained committed to evidence based policy making and centrist consensus building. We thought those elites, with all their flaws, would suppress the tyrannical majority.

Something amazing followed. Despite all the polls pointing to the contrary, Cameron was elected with a majority and forced into holding a referendum on our membership of the EU. It's okay though, the polls clearly show remain would win and the undecideds will always vote with the status quo.

When I was 21, the UK voted to leave the European Union.

Surely this isn't so bad though, we can still take a sensible approach in the interest of the country. There's a presidential election happening in the USA and that informed, experienced, socially liberal Hillary Clinton is bound to win. All the polls show it.

I stayed up all night during the results, fearing the worst. At least I avoided disappointment this time.

And so Trump comes into office as I turn 22. Old ideals are dead.

After the Second World War, countries stopped acting purely in their own self interest. Global politics began to resemble domestic politics, with nation states cooperating for their mutual benefit instead of resorting to war and isolationism.

Soon there would hardly be a need for nation states at all. The 90's saw the walls torn down and borders erased. Whilst physical barriers were removed, ideological differences also began to fade as it seemed ideals of limited government, democracy, human rights, and pluralism were more or less universally accepted, at least in my part of the world.

But something has happened. Something happened when we weren't paying attention.

At the time of writing, the UK is four days from a General Election. This was supposed to be a return to stable government. A few weeks ago, it was clear Corbyn would release a manifesto to the left of Trotsky and May will get a sizeable majority. After all, all the polls are giving her a lead of over 20 points. We can trust the polls, right?

With days to go, there have been two acts of mass murder by Islamist terrorists in the last two weeks in the UK alone (and three in three months). Theresa May has faced calls to resign for her incompetency to keep the public safe. Furthermore, she's polling with a lead of between just 1 and 12 points, depending which poll you believe. A hung Parliament is looking increasingly likely.

Unelectable Corbyn, painted by the media as a terrorist sympathiser, is proving more popular than May on counter-terrorism issues. His opposition to destabilising foreign wars and promises to put more police on the street are unsurprisingly popular.

Perhaps politics has been so confusing lately, than May has no idea what to say to get elected. While Corbyn just says what he believes, May has nothing but "Brexit means Brexit", "enough is enough" and "this is right because it is the right thing to do".

In this climate, it is unwise to make predictions. But what if there is a hung Parliament? What would this mean?

A Tory/Liberal coalition? That goes against the point of holding an election to stop the anti-Brexit parties from frustrating the process. A minority government? Same problem. Another election? Would probably produce roughly the same outcome.

As members of the liberal elite, we've had it good for far too long. And now we're fighting something that no one understands. It is a movement that transcends facts, polls and statistics.

If a hung parliament materialises, parties must forget their tribal instincts. The liberal consensus lies dead at the side of the road. Anarchists, socialists and conservatives need to find their common interests: free speech, honest debate, compassion and understanding. If politics is a game, humanity is losing.

Diogenes the Dog

My ceramic walls are all the shelter I need. As I sit alone in my jar, I notice the pain in my curved spine. I really notice it. And the pain dissipates.

I peak my head out and allow my eyes to adjust to the sunlight. Men, women and children are rushing past. Always rushing. Always busy.

Along comes a dog, who sits outside the door to my ceramic jar home. I sit beside him. Not a word is spoken, but our breath is in sync. And we watch the world go do it's thing.

The passers-by wear fancy clothes and have important titles. Neither me nor my canine friend are impressed by this. 

We nuzzle the kind, bark at the greedy and bite scoundrels. We are loyal to the good but cower from those who mistreat us.

People are cruel to me because I am not embarrassed to do what I must to live. They call me a dog for being naked and urinating in the street.

They think this is an insult, but it is not. I am Diogenes the Dog.

They call me a contradiction because I am homeless and yet teacher to Alexander the Great. But I do not see titles. To me, he is Alexander the Featherless Biped. Me, him and all else are equals to a plucked chicken.

It's All About the Destination

I've often heard it said that the journey matters more than the destination.

Corporate travel companies and nomadic hippies have joined forces to spread memes that having less material items and more stamps in your passport is the key to happiness.

They make a virtue of restlessness.

But after speaking to travellers in hostels something became clear to me: Too many of these people are either thinking about their next destination or bragging about their past adventures. This means they are failing to live in the present.

A few years ago, a British man visited all 201 countries in just under 4 years. This is an average of almost exactly 7 days spent in each country.

Now I'm not saying he didn't experience a lot. But that's the problem.

The key to happiness is well known and the answer isn't quantity.

By valuing quantity over quality, travellers are missing out on why they went travelling in the first place. Frantic schedules leave no time to really see the place you visit. A quick photograph uploaded to Instagram won't cut it.

The satisfaction gained from a memory, will never be as strong as the satisfaction of an experience. What's more, a photograph isn't even a real memory. Often we have forgotten the place we visited and all we have is the photograph which manufactures a memory. At that point, all you're experiencing a snapshot of a place you may have well have never visited.

A traveller's mind is elsewhere: looking at a landscape through a camera lens, thinking about where this photo will be uploaded and what people will think, looking forward to the dopamine hit of receiving a like, trying to look good in this selfie, worrying if they've left enough time to get to the airport and onto the next experience.

Maybe it's time to stop journeying and instead enjoy the destination.

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." - Ferris Beuller

Is the Universe God?

A common explanation given by religious people for their faith is the transcendent feeling they get when looking at a beautiful landscape, observing the stars or meditating on their own conscious experience.

But why infer a god? The explanation is right there! It is the universe that gives you that transcendent feeling.

In a sense, maybe the universe is God.

What are the universally agreed attributes of God?

The creator of the universe and life? The universe created itself as well as life.

Timeless and infinite? The universe contains all that there is and can be, it spans all of time.

Omnipresent? The universe is everywhere at once.

Mysterious? The universe spans far beyond what is theoretically observable.

Incomprehensibility? The universe is not, and likely cannot be, understood.

Oneness? That’s why it’s called the universe and not the multiverse.

Simplicity? The universe is everything at once, not the sum of its parts.

Impeccability? The universe cannot sin and all moral codes in some way relate to the universe.

Providence? The universe directly impacts upon the world and humanity.

Omnipotence? Since the universe is everything, it is all manifestations of power.

Transcendence? The universe created all laws of physics and so needn’t be bound by them.

Veracity? Everything the universe is, is everything that’s true.

If a transcendent feeling comes from an observation and contemplation of the universe, there is no need to look beyond the universe for an explanation.

This is an application of Occam's Razor: Among competing hypotheses, the one with the fewest assumptions should be selected

Where you should travel every month of 2017

January – We are already halfway through January, so spend the rest of the month relaxing, saving money and planning the year ahead. It could be a busy one.

February – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (24^th onwards)

Christmas and new year are over and it’s time to get some much needed sunlight. Join over 500,000 foreign visitors and experience the Rio Carnival for the biggest celebration of the year. This is the best time to see Brazil in all its glory and experience the vibrant culture. Plus, here’s a chance to get to know the history of South America. The music played throughout will be Samba, which originates from the African slaves who were brought to Brazil in the 17^th Century. From this dark past has emerged an incredible celebration of life, making Rio the place to be in February.

March – Graz, Austria (14^th-25^th)

For a truly action packed winter adventure, visit Austria for the Special Olympics World Winter Games. This will involve being in one of the world’s most beautiful and unspoiled city, whilst supporting a truly inspiring event. Starting in 1968, the Special Olympics World Games has helped raise the profile of those with intellectual disabilities. With less fame and media attention than the Olympics, hotels and flights will remain reasonably priced. Austria has always been the number one destination for skiing and other winter sports, but being able to watch world class athletes brings a new thrill to your holiday.

April – The Caribbean

The Caribbean contains a huge number of islands and would need a whole article in itself to guide travellers as to which one to visit. However, consider taking a trip to this area of the world in April. Many nomads will chase summer all year, meaning that they reserve the Caribbean for November to March. As the weather warms up in southern Europe and North America, these places become popular destinations. Instead of following the crowd, consider the Caribbean in April for a cheaper, quieter and ultimately more relaxing getaway.

May – Jerusalem, Israel (14^th)

69 years ago, Israel was founded as a new country on the 14^th May, 1948. Whilst this remains an incredibly controversial and divisive issue, there is no doubting the historical significance of this event. For the religious traveller, this could be a deeply spiritual journey. However, Israel is a safe and fascinating country that can appeal to a vast number of people. Travel to Tel Aviv and experience a nightlife to rival any European city.

June – Trout Lake, Canada (21^st-27^th)

In 2017, Canada turns 150. In 1867, British colonies united into the Confederation of Canada that we know today. And June is the month to join the celebrations. Trout Lake in British Columbia is holding a number of festivals and events welcoming the occasion, including National Aboriginal Day (21^st), Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day (24^th) and Canadian Multiculturalism Day (27^th). This area of extraordinary natural beauty will connect you to the outdoors and reinstall your love of camping, community and campfires. Extend your stay until July 1^st for Canada Day celebrations.

July – Nairobi, Kenya

In December 2016, both giraffes and cheetahs were added to a list of endangered animals, close to extinction, by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). If you want to be able to see these incredible animals in their natural habitat, perhaps this is the year to do it. Kenya is home to the world’s greatest beasts such elephants, rhinos, hippos, lions, giraffes and cheetahs. And in Nairobi, it’s possible to visit “Giraffe Manor” where you can see the magnificent creatures up close. July is the start of the dry season, so you’ll have the best chance to see animals, as they stay in concentrated groups around the limited water holes and begin their great migration.

August – Nebraska, USA (21^st)

Forget New York and Disney World this year. Instead experience the USA’s first total solar eclipse in 26 years, happening on 21^st August 2017. Nebraska represents “real America”; a vast and beautiful plane in the Midwest. If it suits you better, consider Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, North and South Carolina or Georgia. Any of these states represent the best chance of experiencing the eclipse. Leave Florida and California for another year. Visiting Grand Island, Nebraska, will give you the longest viewing time of a total eclipse, a total of 2 minutes and 34 seconds. Travelling across the Atlantic for 2 and a half minutes of action might not seem worth it, but the miles of incredible wilderness and hospitable locals will make the trip a unique adventure that will create memories lasting a lifetime.

September – Reykjavik, Iceland

Sticking to the celestial theme, September might be the perfect time to see the northern lights. At this time of year, Iceland is a little warmer so it is more accommodating to the average traveller. However, it is outside of peak tourist season so you’re likely to get great deals on flights and hotels. Arrive in Reykjavik, but head north to get the best views of the sublimely beautiful northern lights. Iceland’s popularity as a tourist destination has soured recently, due to being both accessible and yet enchanting and exotic. Visit in 2017 while it’s still relatively new as a tourist hotspot.

October – Goa, India (19^th-24^th)

2017 has been designated as a year of cultural exchange between the UK and India, so what better time is there to visit? The festival of Diwali is a huge celebration – think fireworks and great food. In Goa, this is also a time to celebrate Lord Krishna defeating the evil demon king Narkasur. This means building huge monsters and parties in the streets. Goa is a popular and stunning destination, but October the place really comes to life.

November – St Petersburg Russia (4^th onwards)

Since the Russian Revolution (November 6^th 1917), the enormous country is experiencing increased tourism due to its complex and fascinating history. On the 100^th anniversary of Lenin’s uprising, experience this brilliant and intriguing culture. On November 4^th, Russians celebrate Unity Day as a national holiday. This gives visitors a chance to join local’s in exploring and celebrating the nation’s history. 100 years ago to the month, the aristocratic tsars of St Petersburg fell from power, leaving only imperial palaces and magnificent canals.

December – Cologne, Germany (all month until December 23^rd)

Due to the terrorist attacks at Berlin’s Christmas markets in 2016, Germany may be needing tourism more than ever this year, as travellers avoid visiting. As the inventor of Christmas as we know it, Germany provides a truly magical and authentic Christmas suitable for all ages. Cologne transforms into a winter wonderland this time of year, covered in snow and the most beautiful Christmas lights. The markets provide visitors the chance to purchase handmade and unique gifts for their friends and family. Furthermore, at barely a 2 hour flight from any UK airport, travellers are never far from their family and this is a cheaper option at an otherwise expensive time of year.

Yorkshire Spirit: The Rise of Craft Alcohol

In August 2016, Stancill Brewery pioneered Sheffield’s first craft lager. This is just one example of how the craft alcohol industry in the UK has boomed in recent years.

In 2015 alone, the craft beer industry grew a total of 13%. Sheffield is now branded the “real ale capital of the world”. Steel City is now home to 57 independent breweries – 31 of which opened within the last five years.

But what explains this growth in the popularity of craft? What does this trend say about the changing culture of Yorkshire and the UK in general?

There is no limit to the range and diversity of craft ales, beers and lagers, that are now available from any high street supermarket.

For example, Five Wiers is a particularly fruity 4.0% from the House of Steel brewery, a reference to the industrial history of Sheffield. The label is basic, with a handmade feel. The text on the back of the bottle describes the city as containing “a plentiful supply of good brewing water and a thirsty, hard-working industrial workforce”.

The water is certainly a factor. According to Stancill’s website, the Peak District offers water that is “beautifully pure and soft”. Five Weirs, then, along with other leading craft beers from Yorkshire, combines the beauty and poetry of the English countryside, with the hard grit and manual labour that built this city.

Why Craft?

Craft beer unites all generations around values of small, local produce, that is ethical and passionate.

This can be seen as a return to the “good old days”, as well as a youthful rebellion against the commercialisation of Britain.

The IKEA Effect may also help explain the growing attraction for homemade alcohol. This is the cognitive bias that many people have towards the things that they have created themselves. For instance, a wardrobe bought from IKEA is not only a cheap and decent quality item, but it is also built by the buyer who feels a sense of achievement. This occurs even when the product has been badly constructed.

Similarly, craft beer is locally sourced and produced, helping buyers feel a genuine connection to the product. Pride of Sheffield may be a little pricier than your Carlsberg or your Foster’s, but it has a taste of home for the residents of South Yorkshire.

Wellbeing not Hedonism

For many, this represents a departure from the traditional British style of drinking.

As we enter the new year, it seems that the whole country has been having a few too many, leaving trails of vomit in the city streets. But craft beverages value quality over quantity and authentic experiences over material possessions.

There are hopes that the future of drinking culture, with government initiatives such as minimum unit pricing, will shift to something more purposeful and healthy. Along with growing trends such as minimalism, veganism and mindfulness, the rise of craft could mean the rise of increased mental and physical wellbeing.

Beyond the increase in independent breweries, home brewing beers and ales is inexpensive and rewarding. With no recorded cases of death due to contamination of beer, home brewing is a fully legal and cost effective hobby for many UK citizens.

Whilst the overall quality of the alcohol produced may be low, the hands on nature of the task leads to an increased sense of satisfaction with the finished product, much like the satisfaction of eating a home cooked meal.

What Next?

The craft beer industry has seen double figure growth for more than 7 years now, changing the make up of the industry. In a recent tweet, Goldman Sachs claimed that “Craft beer could be 20% of industry volume by 2020” in the USA. A similar trend is likely for the UK.

However, following an initial spurt, growth has remained stable for some time now. Instead, real exciting developments are happening in the world of craft spirits – think locally produced vodka, rum, gin and whisky.

Currently, Goldman Sachs reports that craft spirits account for around 2-3% of the total market. Nonetheless, the speed of growth is roughly that of the craft beer industry just 10-15 years ago, when independent breweries were beginning their revolution.

Leading the independent Yorkshire spirit uprising are the Whittakers, who control a family run business, producing small batches of carefully distilled gin from their handmade distillery in Nidderdale, North Yorkshire. Their artisan craft is self-described as “basic but functional”.

And this is the essence of craft, that is flourishing so perfectly in Yorkshire.

Alcohol had become a soulless, corporate industry, with an unreconcilable tension between racking up as many sales as possible, whilst claiming to care about the health and wellbeing of customers through the government’s drink aware campaign.

Craft beers and spirits take the most basic ingredients and equipment and produce something made with love and care. It is an exercise in artistic expression, with a blue collar heart and soul.

It is local and small scale, but conducive to wellbeing rather than wealth. And this is why the craft alcohol industry will continue to flourish in Yorkshire, the rest of the UK and globally.

Does Failure Exist?

When considering fears and anxieties, many people will mention a fear of failure.

But what is failure? Is it something to fear? And more controversially, does it really exist?

My instinct is that failure is merely the non-achievement of a goal or task. I haven't looked "failure" up in a dictionary, nor contemplated its potentially variable and individual-specific definitions within its possible role as an essentially contested concept.

That's because this is a blog, not a philosophy seminar.

The non-achievement of a goal or task

Nearly all goals and tasks are either self made or adopted by an individual from social norms and expectations. That is, we set goals - to get an A level or a job, for instance - and in some cases, we create these goals because we think they will make us happy. In other cases, we carry out tasks set for us either by an authority who is demanding it, or because of the pressure to conform to what is "normal".

This distinction is irrelevant: whether we invent our own tasks or they come from external sources, these are not real things that have intrinsic worth. They are only important in that we decide them so.

The only non-socially constructed (natural) tasks are those of survival and reproduction.

Yet dying is rarely considered an act of failure. Nor should we call someone a failure if they do not bear children. Particularly for a species that is more concerned about over population than extinction.

Whilst bearing children (and not dying for that matter) may be extremely important goals to many people, they are not intrinsically necessary.

People will die regardless and we don't blame them for it. Even in the case of suicide and extreme recklessness, it is important to understand the biological and circumstantial factors over which they had no control.

Now I'm not saying we shouldn't fear death. Just that dying isn't a failure. And if dying isn't, what is?

The fear of failure can be overcome by the simple realisation that it doesn't exist, except as a construct in your mind.

We were not put on this earth to do anything. We have evolved to propagate our DNA, but we needn't. We have inbuilt desires to survive, but we won't.

Goals and aspirations are all well and good, although the acceptance that "more or less everything is absolutely fine" (Derren Brown) is more conducive to happiness. Even in cases where getting that degree or promotion does bring happiness, the failure to do so is not a failure at all. It is just another fact of life, devoid of value.

A shift in how we think about these things, could be the key to removing some of our greatest fears and anxieties.

Why a Citizen's Income Could Be the Key to Happiness

The idea of a Citizen's Income has been floating around the news for a while (and the idea dates back to Thomas Paine), but I suspect in the near future it could become a major talking point.

What is a Citizen's Income?

"A Citizen's Income is an unconditional, automatic and nonwithdrawable payment to each individual as a right of citizenship."

More info: http://citizensincome.org/faqs/

I have almost nothing original to say on this topic, but I'll just quickly list the key benefits and what I think it means for happiness and wellbeing.

Advantages of a Citizen's Income

- By replacing all other benefits, the costs of administration are reduced massively
- It pleases the economic right because it stops the possibility of fraudulent or immoral benefit claims, whilst encouraging enterprise and without increasing taxation
- It pleases the economic left because the poorest in society can afford to live comfortably
- By reducing crime and improving health, government spending in these areas can be cut

How Would it Contribute to Wellbeing?

By giving everyone a guaranteed safety net, financial anxiety and uncertainty would be reduced. Whilst wealth does not equal happiness, poverty and economic insecurity are leading causes of unhappiness. A basic income would bring everybody over the threshold of wealth that is needed for a minimally adequate standard of wellbeing.

Furthermore, it would reduce the need to work. Whilst employment is a key component of wellbeing, stress and unfulfilling work can be detrimental to happiness.

With a Citizen's Income, working hours could be reduced allowing people more free time to pursue other goals in their spare time. Those who enjoy work and aspire to wealth could still do so since work will always be rewarded and not affect the amount of Citizen's Income paid.

Another plus is that workers would be able to demand better working conditions and so will find their time at work more enjoyable and fulfilling.

With people working less hours, there would be an increase in jobs, meaning that they are more evenly spread. Instead of one person working 40 hours a week (being stressed, tired and unhappy) and another person working no hours (thus being poor, anxious and unfulfilled), a Citizen's Income would allow for both to work 20 hours, avoiding the negative effects of work and increasing wellbeing for the both of them.

But finally, and most importantly, all people would be allowed to pursue the jobs that they truly want to do. Particularly as technology increases and takes over low skilled work, it is important that the economy is restructured so that people can still earn a wage. This means that the job market must align with higher skilled and more satisfying careers.

For artists, writers and other creative types, this would be a blessing. They can sit on their secure income whilst pursuing the art that makes not just them happy, but also brings joy to the rest of society.

The same applies to scientists, mathematicians and entrepreneurs.

By providing a basic income at the same cost (or cheaper) than the current benefits system, every individual in society has the chance to become far happier.

Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is

As a sales assistant for a major department store, I feel a little guilt for what I'm about to write.

Not because I want everyone to shop where I work so that the CEO can keep his millions, but because without these shoppers, I wouldn't have a job.

And without the free market and innovations that companies provide, along with the short lasting pleasure and convenience enhancing impact of a new purchase, very few people would have jobs at all.

Not everyone can make money blogging their thoughts (I don't).

But huge department stores create merchandisers, sales advisers, customer services, designers, deliverers, managers, maintenance workers and builders. And much more besides.

Without the constant buying of largely unnecessary material possessions and spare possessions and replacements for broken possessions, we'd struggle to make a wage, which means we'd struggle to live.

However, simultaneously with working in retail and seeing items that I want to buy for 30 hours every week, I have been reducing the amount of things I own.

I only have three t shirts, and I'll probably never own more. I'm considering reducing to two, but I love these three so much.

And that's the point. It's not that we can't love material possessions. But we should only own the stuff that really brings us joy.

I never wanted to become a minimalist. It felt like downsizing for the sake of it. Instead, I just decided to get rid of the things that don't really serve me and only keep the things I really couldn't bear to live without and see what's left.

As it turns out, I donated, threw out or sold around about 80% of my possessions and now feel like I have more space and freedom than ever. And furthermore, I don't miss a thing.

Even if I did miss something, that pain is easily outweighed by the freedom I've gained and the knowledge that things can always be re-bought.

No one likes a preacher, but the fact is I wasn't in a competition to see how few things I could live with. I was just seeing what made me the happiest. Preach.

But what surprised me the most is how my mindset has changed. Now I almost never buy things. Beyond consumables like food and toiletries, I only ever purchase something if I can be absolutely sure it will add value to my life or is an upgrade on something I currently have and can replace it.


So where have I put this extra money? I just spent a decent amount on a holiday to Berlin and a motorbike.

Berlin is a city I've visited a few times and really fell in love with, but it's been four years since my last trip. Motorbikes are just awesome and I've wanted one for a long time.

I couldn't have afforded this if I'd spent all my money on clothes and gadgets. I still order a lot of pizza and drink a lot of beer. I don't want life to be boring.

The point is that I've really invested time in considering what truly makes me happy. This means long term investments and experiences, including travel, rather than small cheap items that just add clutter.

The question is: if we all put our money where our hearts are, where would all the jobs go? And how would we afford the experiences that bring us joy?

Subjective Immortality: How to Live Forever

At this point, I'd like to use my blog to quickly summarise philosophical breakthroughs that I've made.

The argument I'll make has already been touched upon by Wittgenstein and Epicurus, but I didn't know this until after I'd made the discovery for myself.

Wittgenstein asserted that "death is not an event in life", whilst Epicurus claimed that "death is nothing to us."

In my view, for all intents and purposes, death does not even exist, except in the case of other people.

I have no religion and nor belief in the afterlife. So how can I not believe in death? Am I saying that we can somehow survive death? Not quite.

Current scientific knowledge suggests that consciousness is an emergent property of the brain. We know this because objects without a brain show no sign of consciousness. (Actually I might argue against this is in a later post).

Shutting down parts of the brain literally shuts down certain aspects of consciousness. For instance, when we sleep, the frontal lobe becomes largely inactive, meaning that we can experience things with no continuity whatsoever and not question our reality.

In a dream, maybe you are in a car but you're at work but your grandmother is there and then you're in her house and she's baking cookies which you can't manage to put into your mouth even though she died years ago. And yet you won't suspect that anything is wrong.

This shows how deeply connected to consciousness the brain is. When we die, our entire brains shut off. So too, I argue, must our experience.

But human beings (and presumably other animals) live subjectively. Sure, we do science to try and find objective truth about the world, but all that really exists to us is what we are experiencing.

I assume the moon is still there right now, but I'm inside and my curtains are closed, so whether it is or not makes no difference to me, unless I feel the effects of a disappeared moon directly (which is likely).

So all that really exists to me is what I experience. I will never experience death, only the moments just before.

Therefore, from a first person perspective, death never arrives.

The time for which you are alive, is all the time you will ever know. It is eternity.

Wittgenstein sums it up better then I'd ever be able:

"If we take eternity to mean not infinite temporal duration but timelessness, then eternal life belongs to those who live in the present."

In which case, belief in an afterlife does not mean living forever. It means always waiting for death, not being present now. If we accept that this life expressed as the consciousness we experience right now until the second our brain shuts down completely is the only life we are given, then we must live in the present and we must live forever.

Socially Ideological, Economically Pragmatic

In my last post, I described myself as a libertarian.

Perhaps what I meant was, I am socially libertarian.

This means I basically adhere to Mill's harm principle in all cases: if no one is being harmed by an action other than the actor, it is a permissible action, as long as everyone involved is consenting.

Without compromising my position, there must be laws to protect children and other vulnerable people. But rational, free thinking adults? Let them do as they please as long as no one is being harmed.

This is a debatable position and one that is not based in pragmatism. I have an ideological belief in liberty.

As an atheist, I believe humans probably have just this one life and just this one body. To control what another human being does with their life or with their body is to meddle in the one life they have been given.

If a person chooses to take drugs, they are only harming themselves. It is self punishing.

However, am I an economic libertarian? In many ways, yes.

Do I believe the state should have a monopoly on fizzy drinks? Of course not. Anyone should be able to make and a sell a sugary drink, which allows consumers the complete freedom to put their money where they wish.

In this sense, tax should be as low as possible so that individuals can choose what to do with their fairly earned income.

However, when it comes to healthcare, prisons or education, my views are a little different.

These are the foundations of a flourishing society and are too important to be left to private companies in all cases. Instead, I take a pragmatic approach: that is, what works in practice?

If the state can provide healthcare that leads to everyone, regardless of wealth staying away from illness, then it should do so.

If state run prisons reduce incidents of reoffending and successfully tackle crime, then they should remain publicly funded.

Does this make me a socialist, libertarian leftist? Not necessarily.

I have no ideological opposition to corporations or austerity. I would, for instance, describe Corbyn as an ideological socialist, believing that the state is better on ideological grounds.

Conversely, Osborne as Chancellor was ideologically committed to austerity and reducing the size of the welfare state.

So perhaps a new paradigm is needed. It's not about left or right; authoritarian or libertarian. It's about ideological vs. pragmatic.

I am socially ideological and economically pragmatic.

Brexit, Trump, Freedom & Flexibility

Never let yourself become trapped by circumstance.

Without delving into the mechanics of the free market and laissez-faire economics, I would describe myself as a libertarian.

Libertarianism is a vague label, but one which has been seized by the political right. You know, the ones who say we can't allow gay people to get married because there's a chance churches won't be free to be homophobic.

I say let the churches be homophobic! But let gay people marry.

Whether I'd describe myself as left wing kind of depends upon where the centre lies. With Trump and May in power, it seems the world has shifted to the right. But more importantly, it has shifted toward authoritarianism and nationalism.

Whilst I could be trapped in America behind Trump's wall, being in Brexit Britain isn't much better.

Freedom of movement is as essential a right as any other freedom. Freedom of speech, of assembly, of religion: Buzzwords of the Trumpets.

But why can't we have the right to move and travel and live and work where we please? America remains a bastion of freedom. As does Europe. But these freedoms are crumbling before our eyes.

Through fear of authoritarian, terrorist, theocratic, Islamic jihadists, we are allowing our liberty to be eroded.

I mentioned in a previous post that my job will only last one more month. Furthermore, the contract on my flat is only good for another three months.

Some people dread this kind of instability. I relish in it.

"Because a man who'd trade his liberty for a safe and dreamless sleep. doesn't deserve the both of them and neither shall he keep."

Philosophy Degrees: What are they good for?

I have recently graduated with a degree in philosophy. Naturally, my first step after graduation was to jump straight into unemployment.

Actually the truth is very different. Yes, I was unemployed for a few months. But I entered the "real world" (I hate that term) with a clarity of thought.

My idea of life was very well formed. With years of utilitarian and wellbeing study under my belt, I knew the true purpose of life was to be happy.

This seems kind of obvious, if over simplified. But if there is one thing about which I am certain, it is this.

What happiness is, is a different question. However, an easier and more useful question is: what makes us happy?

As an empiricist, I have read a mountain of studies which can answer this question. I do not have to go out and do my own research.

What makes me happy? Good quality relationships, high levels of health and a sense of purpose.

What makes me unhappy? Stress. Among other things. But stress was the key component of unhappiness that I sought to avoid.

So, following university, I went travelling to Peru and Bolivia, where the most stressful encounter is being spat at by an alpaca. Here I thought long and hard about my next steps, whilst trying with moderate success to live in the present.

I decided that when I arrived back in England, I'd rent a home in Sheffield. With only one month's rent money in the bank, I had 30 days to find employment.

After 29 days, not only did I have a job, I had a job that I loved. The pay was high, the environment was relaxed and my colleagues were friendly. Was I lucky? Sure. But the job I chose was for three months only, so I always knew I didn't have to stick around if it hadn't been right for me.

In the long term, I'd like to be a writer. I want to maintain a life that is as free from stress as possible, yet is passionate, engaging, productive and beneficial to others.

Philosophy: what is it good for?

Well, it gave my existence a point and my life a purpose.