random post: political uncertainty, Britishness

By alice | November 6, 2008

My computer conked out. There are a number of annoying things about that, such as no instapaper for storing articles like this one down the sidebar, the delete button being in the wrong place, the letters needing more hammering than on my computer so I miss some out quite often, and not having access to all my photos of snow and Wales to post here.

Also I am very very confused about the political situation, which is annoying. Not because of misunderstanding important components, just because it happens to be a “wait and see” situation anyway, with various different possible outcomes. Many people think things were uncertain before the election, and now feel confident and happy because of Obama’s win. But to me, this “new era” takes things to a whole new level of uncertainty, although admitedly one I would choose over the kind of certainty McCain was offering (certainty about various wrong and undesirable things).

Is all change good? No. Only good change is good. Change per se is neither good nor bad: but it is essential, and being positive about change is healthier and ultimately less dangerous than trying to prevent it from happening. But I think Obama’s “change” is code for “moving towards the left”, really, which isn’t really new or exciting. Left-ness is not a new or exciting idea. If he comes up with something more impressive than that, it’ll be great, but I haven’t heard mention of it yet. If anyone has any ideas, I’d be glad to hear them.

Also, if Obama is using “change” to mean “go left”, he has fooled a lot of people who thought he had a whole different kind of politics in mind than just left.

Oh dear. So tired and cynical. I’m blaming Britain, which is not at its best this time of year.

Things I’ve noticed this trip round:
1. My manners go down well in London but really badly in the country. They are too assertive and positive, and one is supposed to be cool, understated, slightly grumpy. I don’t do those anymore because in the US everyone finds them rude, especialy with a “British accent”, when shortness and negativity come over as the worst kind of ungrateful patronising attitude you can imagine. But outside London, many Brits consider brightness and jollity to be fake, annoying and insulting.
2. The deadness of the long dark all-the-shops-are-shut evenings absolutely kills me. It’s dark at 4.30pm now. What are you supposed to do between then and midnight anyway? Argghhhh…
3. Still so very much to enjoy here. It’s infinitely more detailed, rich, tapestry-like, aged, multi-layered, absorbing, full of inspiring odd things to see and hear and notice, than most of America (reasons: vastly more history, and populatedness). But I always have a struggle finding those jewels. And so do most other Brits. So I don’t really “get” what keeps them going. In the US, everybody is looking for their new inspiring dream, direction, idea, purpose: here, it’s not like that. At all.

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4 Comments »

4 Responses to “random post: political uncertainty, Britishness”

Mary Says:
November 6th, 2008 at 3:22 pm

I share your uncertainty. Everyone has been raving about his speech, and while I agree that he seemed serious and sincere, I’m… not sure what I heard. I understand that an election speech is not the time to lay out specific policy, but I can’t deal with all the vague emotional stuff – change and the country getting better and yes, we can!

Question about your last Britain vs. US point: Do you think it’s good that Americans are always looking for their Life Purpose? In the sense that it keeps people going, yes, it’s good, but it makes it hard to ever be satisfied. There is only the future and never the present.

alice Says:
November 6th, 2008 at 4:57 pm

I think it’s great to be redefining, re-finding, honing, updating your life purpose- which is the same thing as always finding it, really. Much, much better than never really thinking about it at all. The dissatisfaction thing is definitely a potential negative side-effect, but one that can be avoided.

I like this subject a lot, might blog about it more later- thanks for the inspiration!

Shefaly Says:
November 6th, 2008 at 5:45 pm

Alice:

As the wisdom goes: plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose! Going by early appointments and the rumours of certain names being courted, this would apply. :-)

Between 430pm and midnight, it depends. I went to a press evening for the SS-09 collection of one of my favourite multibrand stores today. Very interesting although I committed to several pieces.. :-) There are book events and talks happening too. Plus there are DVDs to watch and reading to do and writing to catch up on. I also cook so that takes some time and I telephone friends.

alice Says:
November 7th, 2008 at 7:33 am

I think it’s the out-of-the-house ones of those that I miss. The feeling of mobile freedom. So maybe it’s a country thing more than a Brit thing. (making yet another mental note not to move out of the city…)