For though he preaches I should feel otherwise, the saga surrounding Russell Brand has left me with a great antipathy towards the general British public. There are two great problems with the British public; I had at first thought there was just a single simple problem.
The first, as I mentioned before, was simply the respect for each other. However, most people seem to forget that respect is so abstract that it isn’t simply given or received on the basis of word or deed. Therefore, one cannot show respect simply by declaring it, nor can a person demand evidence of respect. Hence we cannot show respect at all, they might only imply its presence.
The second is as simple as the first. It is lowering the "offence threshold". For example, if someone you knew all your life slipped a swearword into a conversation, on what basis should you consider that offensive? I feel people forget that offence should only be taken if it was an intended outcome. I fail to understand the uproar following the "Brand-Ross affair", since, although not entirely pleasant for those concerned, there was no intent to offend and the respective parties have apologised and those apologies accepted. I would deem that matter at this point final and closed. However, many thousands, I would hedge, have purposefully lowered their "offence threshold" to add some sensation to their lives with disregard to popular culture.
So I come to Channel 4, who have refused to request that Jamie Oliver carefully sieves the flour of his words to remove some of those lumpy old swearwords in case someone complains the cake is too lumpy. From this BBC News article, Julian Bellamy, head of programmes for Channel 4 said, "When you watch these shows it’s very clear that the fruity language he uses is a real response to the shock and anger at what he sees [and] his passion and determination to change things," and that Channel 4 should feel no pressure to act under "cultural conservatism and censorship". If Jamie Oliver isn’t intending to offend, why get upset over it?
Grow up, Britain!
...with no replies just yet.
You know it’s funny how you can get a particular idea or impression about someone before you’ve even seen them. I have to say that I thought Pete Doherty was a bit of a drug-fueled twerp, whose talent is only noted for the people he stays around.
But I have to say, having watched Friday Night With Jonathan Ross tonight, my impression of him has changed. Coupled with his Wikipedia entry, he appears to be an educated, introverted poet with a panache for words. He also seems rather delicate and fragile, and perhaps his drug-taking is part of his personality to such a degree that it accentuates his music, like other writers such as those in The Beatles, for example. Perhaps he fears his talents might wane should he cease his drug intake.
I’m still not too keen on the music, but perhaps I might start more attention to his lyrics.
...with no replies just yet.
Well my dear readers, I shall be away to Japan tomorrow! Well… that is if you count getting the train from Newcastle to London ‘on the way to Japan’!
Part of this epic journey will be to navigate myself across London to get to Heathrow on the last tube. I realise there is an element of risk involved here: my train arrives nine minutes before the last tube leaves. I am rather depending on the fact that GNER isn’t a complete arse tomorrow night (it isn’t usually, but if some twat attempts suicide, I shall be rather upset and – even worse – stranded in London). I am also depending on the fact that I can get through the turnstiles in London without too much bother. I shall be lugging around my suitcase, so this isn’t too promising. If anyone spots me, I would appreciate a cup of tea by this point!
But I’m looking forward to going. It’s been a short-lived dream for me. Short-lived because it’s coming true not long after dreaming it! Jonathan Ross’ Japanorama went some way towards creating that dream (and indeed realising that dream, since Weiran is also a fan), and a new series has just started. So if you want to see how mad, passionate and to some degree perverted Japan has become, be sure to watch the programme!
...with one reply so far.
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