Modern living as experienced by many people in the early part of the 21st century has become increasingly complex, stressful and dysfunctional, due partly to the ever intrusive technological invasion of even basic daily activities and a restricted role specialisation which makes employment change difficult. This process has been accentuated by the current devastating economic crisis which has resulted in a severe restriction in the exercise of personal choice in life styles with a consequent instability in social organizations and community structures. As a result our media is dominated by discussions of analytical and procedural assessments of our economy by a limited number of financial ‘experts’ while the social professions which give tangible expression in qualitative terms to the human values of this society are largely treated as a severely challenged by product of the economic malaise.
Stability in society is more likely when achievement and aspiration run parallel, as was generally the case during the recent ‘Celtic Tiger’ cycle of sustained economic growth in Ireland. Thus, in the current situation of sudden national and worldwide economic decline and energy scarcity, there is obviously a distinct tendency for achievement levels, and in some cases the basic need to maintain even a family home, to be severely constrained. However aspirations, particularly among the young who have never known any other situation, continue to demand satisfaction in a manner with which they were previously familiar. Inherent in such conditions is instability, conflict and potential social disorder.
The scope and composition of basic communities are key determinants of social stability. However, the dynamics of any community organisation are associated with work opportunities, social values and physical environmental influence as they change over time. In Ireland at present, over 550 thousand people are denied any meaningful work experience through unemployment, their social role is marginalised and their economic use value so reduced as to make the retention of even basic living accommodation extremely difficult for them. Is it any wonder that the overriding impression in Ireland at present for many people is a sense of great anxiety and even despair leading to suicide in some cases?
I believe that any solution to Ireland’s problems must channel the needs of social, physical and economic factors affecting its entire people into a common purpose. All people who are allegedly ‘cherished equally’ at present under our constitution, should in fact be guaranteed a basic ‘home’ shelter , should be given a defined ‘work’ function in their local community and the stigma of ‘unemployment’ and inadequacy should be removed permanently. There should also be a clear objective in government policy to maximise the involvement of people in the Arts where their cultural ‘value’ can be given tangible expression for the overall benefit of their local community.
Thus, the current concentration on ‘negative’ endless economic analysis should be replaced by positive social and cultural initiatives geared to enhance community fusion. The key matrix for a successful community identity is activities, resources and relationships and economics is necessarily central to only one of these. The current excessive economic perspective does not offer enough opportunities for a life lived to its true potential. Art, music and the appreciation of beauty are not dependant on a booming economy.
Furthermore, we need to throw off the shackles of the narrow perspective of our educational and professional upbringing. We can find inspiration here in the lifestyle of artists such as Michelangelo Buonarroti. The wonderful artist was a sculptor, a painter, an architect and a poet and he had even a wonderfully musical sounding name! He was ambitious and often ill tempered and enjoyed the company of popes and princes where he was often very frustrated in achieving success and finality in his various endeavours. I’ve read that he was generous, caring to others and a man of integrity while he liked good company, good food, fine clothing and handsome men. Indeed it could be said that his life was a work for art while his art has become a work for life for millions over the intervening centuries. When my own humble artistic efforts hit the bumps as it were, I am heartened by the example of such men. I may never aspire to achieving their artistic skills, but I share their inspiration for personal fulfilment in times good and bad.
This finally brings me to the Angels Delight! There is a lovely local market in my village each Friday and they have a range of tasty foods to ‘die for’. As my good wife is away for the weekend visiting our grandchildren, I thought that I would surprise her on her return with a couple of Angel Delight Chocolate Minicakes! They may not quite reach the artistic excellence of the Sistine Chapel, but I feel somehow that Michelangelo Buonarrotti would approve.
Sound Byte: (from Michelangelo by Klaus Ottmann)
“If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote verse. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, he lived.”
Martin Luther King Jr (1929-1968)
All comments and musings welcome!
Stability in society is more likely when achievement and aspiration run parallel, as was generally the case during the recent ‘Celtic Tiger’ cycle of sustained economic growth in Ireland. Thus, in the current situation of sudden national and worldwide economic decline and energy scarcity, there is obviously a distinct tendency for achievement levels, and in some cases the basic need to maintain even a family home, to be severely constrained. However aspirations, particularly among the young who have never known any other situation, continue to demand satisfaction in a manner with which they were previously familiar. Inherent in such conditions is instability, conflict and potential social disorder.
The scope and composition of basic communities are key determinants of social stability. However, the dynamics of any community organisation are associated with work opportunities, social values and physical environmental influence as they change over time. In Ireland at present, over 550 thousand people are denied any meaningful work experience through unemployment, their social role is marginalised and their economic use value so reduced as to make the retention of even basic living accommodation extremely difficult for them. Is it any wonder that the overriding impression in Ireland at present for many people is a sense of great anxiety and even despair leading to suicide in some cases?
I believe that any solution to Ireland’s problems must channel the needs of social, physical and economic factors affecting its entire people into a common purpose. All people who are allegedly ‘cherished equally’ at present under our constitution, should in fact be guaranteed a basic ‘home’ shelter , should be given a defined ‘work’ function in their local community and the stigma of ‘unemployment’ and inadequacy should be removed permanently. There should also be a clear objective in government policy to maximise the involvement of people in the Arts where their cultural ‘value’ can be given tangible expression for the overall benefit of their local community.
Thus, the current concentration on ‘negative’ endless economic analysis should be replaced by positive social and cultural initiatives geared to enhance community fusion. The key matrix for a successful community identity is activities, resources and relationships and economics is necessarily central to only one of these. The current excessive economic perspective does not offer enough opportunities for a life lived to its true potential. Art, music and the appreciation of beauty are not dependant on a booming economy.
Furthermore, we need to throw off the shackles of the narrow perspective of our educational and professional upbringing. We can find inspiration here in the lifestyle of artists such as Michelangelo Buonarroti. The wonderful artist was a sculptor, a painter, an architect and a poet and he had even a wonderfully musical sounding name! He was ambitious and often ill tempered and enjoyed the company of popes and princes where he was often very frustrated in achieving success and finality in his various endeavours. I’ve read that he was generous, caring to others and a man of integrity while he liked good company, good food, fine clothing and handsome men. Indeed it could be said that his life was a work for art while his art has become a work for life for millions over the intervening centuries. When my own humble artistic efforts hit the bumps as it were, I am heartened by the example of such men. I may never aspire to achieving their artistic skills, but I share their inspiration for personal fulfilment in times good and bad.
This finally brings me to the Angels Delight! There is a lovely local market in my village each Friday and they have a range of tasty foods to ‘die for’. As my good wife is away for the weekend visiting our grandchildren, I thought that I would surprise her on her return with a couple of Angel Delight Chocolate Minicakes! They may not quite reach the artistic excellence of the Sistine Chapel, but I feel somehow that Michelangelo Buonarrotti would approve.
Sound Byte: (from Michelangelo by Klaus Ottmann)
“If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote verse. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, he lived.”
Martin Luther King Jr (1929-1968)
All comments and musings welcome!
Note: I'm told there is a tech fault with this blog and comments cant be left! Trying to fix but sorry in meantime!
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