Recently Patrick Macfarlane, my fellow, fellow at this dear Institute discussed on his Vital Dissent podcast the Kazuo Ishiguro novel, Never Let Me Go. In his books Ishiguro frequently covers memories, relationships and the human condition. Never Let Me Go, is a dystopian book on the meaning of individual life and how systems, hierarchies and society itself can value and categories people based on collective and ideological needs. I suggest listening to Patrick’s podcast for an in depth break down. I will not reveal any spoilers. Only, care to elaborate and expand on certain themes. I read...

In 1988 authorities began their investigations into the allegations that important people from business and government were involved in child sex trafficking. It turned into a scandal. The investigations ended in 1990 when it was concluded that the allegations were unfounded. The ‘Franklin Scandal’ was mostly isolated to Nebraska. Despite victims coming forward, and witnesses confirming that businessman Lawrence E King held parties that featured the abuse of minors, it was a political hot potato. Many claimed it was a cover up. Prominent conservative politicians attended the sex parties,...

There was a study in April, 2024 that showed the IDF attacks between 7th October and 22nd November of 2023 on hospitals, schools and water infrastructure in Gaza were not “random.” The IDF response to the 7th October terrorist attack was absolute. Revenge on a people. Sympathy for the Israeli government concluded, “there needed to be a response.” The Palestinians, most of them youth, were decided as guilty. It had been stated on numerous occasions, because decades earlier they had elected Hamas. There had been no elections since. The Hamas regime needed to go, if the people won’t do it. They...

It is hard to be up to date with any coverage for an ongoing war, especially in the social media age. Things move fast, the information that is real, verified, takes time to be confirmed and understood as factual. Lies, deception and sensationalism spreads fast, it’s produced cheap and nastily with the single purpose of engagement or to manipulate perspectives in those crucial moments of world opinion. Right now, in it’s war on Iran, the US and Israel are engaged in a battle for optics and the decapitation of the Iranian regime. The genocide in Gaza, attacks on Lebanon and Syria and now the...

God Save The King! It’s a public holiday and that is enough for many of his subjects to rejoice for. The magical exuberance and privilege to have a sitting regent, whose majestic reign stabs back to times when warlords, bandits and pirates took land, rallied warriors and pillaged the land until they themselves realised that the real booty and bounty is to be found in the permanency of government. Taxation. And, the God granted right to rule, to subjugate the peasantry. To bless useful and otherwise wealthy men as lords, to own populations, as slave, serf and then in time citizen subject. To...