Generation AWOL

Russell Brand has been doing sterling work trying to promote the plight of London's poor. As the soul of the greatest city in the world is slowly being strangled by greedy politicians and gloating Oligarchs, the real heart of London is being priced out of the market. However, Russell's voice is alone.

We all read his articles and tune into Trews, but that's as far as our outrage goes. Gone are the days of protesting students and marching workers. There are no more anti-war songs and hunger strikes. The counter culture is dead, the time of Beatniks, Romantics and Bohemians need resurrecting into a new social counter culture, the ALTnik generation. Alternative and intellectual counter-culturalists, challenging the status quo with a large digital footprint.

The 70s saw a winter of discontent when energy prices were high, the cost of living and unemployment were on the rise. Sound familiar? Back then, this saw the rise of the punk movement. Illegal stores, parties and scary fashion put the willies up the unsuspecting general public and politicians alike.

There should never be rule by fear, but in the case of the punks, it spoke - neigh yelled - at a disillusioned public who felt they were being shafted by the people they were paying to look after them.

Their rebellion had a domino effect and seeped into the public consciousness through nothing but their controversy. And what does the establishment do with a group of people that it fears? It pulls the stops out to discredit and persecute them.

In contrast, the punks may have saved the economy. Their entrepreneurialism generated cash and their counter culture sparked a movement that put London back on the international map.

Now, we're far too busy trying to keep our heads above water or watching box sets to bother fighting the power. We've become lazy, complacent and apathetic about the system that rules us. No one really cares enough to fight and those that do discredit their cause (like the 2011 riots in London).

No one downs tools for a national strike so wages are raised to match inflation. No one takes to the streets to protest against the new world order of media, politics and corporations that rules us.

No one even cares enough about Starbucks not paying their UK taxes to boycott it. We are Generation AWOL, bent over a barrel and being repeatedly fucked by the new world order. And we don't care.

The dianoumenatti

I've talked about an intellectual revolution in previous blogs. A concept that only the aforementioned Mr Brand has embraced.

As I believe media is the new democracy and celebrities are new politicians, we need a new crop of people who aren't comedians, actors, singers, etc. to take real issues with real solutions to the people that matter.

People who are educated and respected enough to take the system down from the inside with the help of the media to gain power and momentum on the outside.

A political counter culture, like the Illuminati but a lot less tyrannical. Perhaps like a political and influential intelligentsia. These people, the diamoumenatti (taken from the Greek word for intellectual), will not be party affiliated, CEOs of any corporation or heading up any media organisation.

Completely independent and impartial but completely knowledgeable about how politics works and one of the people. They would educate us all into what really goes on in Westminster or in the boardroom, offers an alternative and stands on the picket line to fight for us.

Illithyian period

Once the dianoumenatti are in place, it would mark the dawn of a new era of enlightenment. A new renaissance that will wake us from our apathetic slumber. 

We'll all suddenly be inspired to create art, literature, theories, inventions and innovations that will kick start an Illythyian period (named after the Greek goddess of birth - yes, the theme is intentional). Every era needs one and I think we're long overdue it.

As for the intentional link; ancient Greece is practically unrivalled in antiquity for its impressive contributions to just about everything. Even today, its teachings and civilisation are awe-inspiring.

Ever since the Ottomans, Greece has entered a dark age and it's an age that's getting bleaker with its commitment to the Euro. I have hopes that nation of Spartans and Titans will rise up and fight for their beloved country as they have time and time again in history. I believe they need a leader to inspire them, emancipate them and point them to an enlightened future - to reclaim the throne of their former glory. Unfortunately, the repatriation of the Elgin marbles won't do this - it's not like Sampson's hair.

First published on 02/01/2015