Three questions:
1. Is this blog necessary? I don’t know.
2. Is it worth reading? Yes, absolutely.
3. What is it about? It’s about 700 words
But seriously,
4. Why write this blog?
I have an urge to say things. Important things. I want to be heard. I am a self-designated font of (mainly useless) knowledge on every subject imaginable. I want to show off. I want to tell the world my version of the truth. I want to fix things.
It’s not much to ask, is it? After all, I am an eye witness, standing on the street corner of life, watching as the world collides with itself in a multi-vehicle accident. I am constantly beaten about the head with gratuitous information from radio, TV, internet, newspapers, movies, family, friends, colleagues, strangers, Indian call centre operators…
They tell me things and they expect me to listen and understand. They want me to use this information – at least I assume they do; why else would they give it to me? With information, we are told, we can make informed choices. But which pieces of information do we use? What choices? And do we justify them for selfish reasons, or do we take a global view?
Answer the question! Why write this blog?
This blog is a defence of simplicity.
When I argue, people say, ‘Ah, yes. But that’s very simplistic.” Talking heads on TV fire ‘simplistic’ at each other like arrows with a poison tips. They toss ‘complex’ around like it’s a compliment. You can’t be an ‘expert’ with simple, but with complex you can have a career. You must then complicate everything to cover your tracks. An expert can never simplify; he or she would be immediately out of a job.
But let me simplify:
Simple = good
Complicated = bad
I don’t deny that some things are complicated. I’ve tried for many years to simplify my understanding of my wife without success. I am now convinced she will remain complicated forever. Yet that’s simply why I love her. (I will tackle this conundrum in a later blog post)
As you read this, you may decide that my views and solutions are too simple. But remember, simple = good. That will be my defence when the reviews come out.
Some of my arguments may appear to be stupid. As I will not dress up my ignorance or trouble myself with a great deal of research, this may well be correct.
The blog may also be threatening to some people. It won’t, but I plan to use this argument against my detractors.
Things I hope this blog will accomplish:
1. Become very popular and somehow lead me to a huge amount of money.
OK, only one thing.
I won’t insult you with; ‘this blog will make you think’, or “I want it to change the world.’ In an ideal world it would, but jeez, it’s just a blog. And I’m no expert…
However, the blog is meant to entertain. If it doesn’t, feel free to recycle it. It won’t make up for the time you lost by reading it, but you’ll feel a little better.
So, who the hell am I?
I’m just an average, ordinary guy. When I was growing up, television reporters seeking an opinion approached the ‘Man in the Street’ for a quote. The man (who, strangely, would often be a woman) would say, “I think the Prime Minister should be put up against a wall and shot.” My parents would always nod in approval at this sound, sensible and practical piece of advice.
Now, while I do not advocate this method of dealing with Prime Ministers (lethal injection is far more humane) this is exactly where I am coming from. My shallow views and opinions are based solely on what is going on around me. Based on the things I see and hear. And based on the things people think I should know and insist on telling me, whether I want to listen to them or not. I blame the media.
If you want depth, visit the Titanic.
I am just the Man in the Street, so whaddoIknow?
Whaddo I Know? 