RECYCLE THIS Thursday, Dec 28 2006 

Environment anthonynorth 2:40 pm

A few weeks ago the stupid little box I was given for recycling cans took to the air in the wind and deposited its contents throughout my garden. This is a regular story of recycling – being open-topped, neighbours have taken to checking each other’s home alcohol consumption.
And it gets worse. It has just been announced that Christmas wrapping paper may, or may not, be suitable for recycling. Categories of said paper have been advised. And even if you should recycle a particular type of paper, this is dependent upon their being no labels or sticky tape on it.
Who are they trying to kid? Actually, no one. They mean it, these council jobsworths, and some are prepared to fine you £1,000 if you dare to disobey. And they said totalitarianism was dead.
Recycling is important. As an environmentalist I know that. But I suggest we begin by recycling these little local government idiots. Their rules and penalties have now become, not just a joke, but a constant irritation. And people are beginning to be turned off looking after the environment for good.

(c) Anthony North, December 2006

 

CHRISTMAS HANGOVER Wednesday, Dec 27 2006 

Diary anthonynorth 10:22 am

It is the day after Boxing Day and I’ve tried to be good this Christmas. I’m not a big eater; I’m only a moderate drinker – a couple or three small beers a day. And I’ve managed to stick to it this Christmas – well, most of it.
So why do I feel so terrible? Why do I feel as if my head will explode and my stomach already has? Why am I going round in a daze, and why doesn’t the world run in a coordinated way today?
I suppose it’s part of the annual ritual, and a part you will suffer whether you deserve it or not. Christmas is so embedded in western culture that we no longer do things our way, but the same way as everyone else. We are programmed to perform in the same way as the kids in the Nativity play.
It’s the part of the experience that says, never again. But the problem is you have some 350 days, now, to forget. And I bet you do – next year. I bet I do. And it’s there, in the fridge, the trifle, the left over turkey. I can hear laughter.

© Anthony North, December 2006

 

SERIAL MEDIA Wednesday, Dec 27 2006 

Crime anthonynorth 9:07 am

A man has been arrested over the murder of five prostitutes in Suffolk. Already dubbed the Suffolk Strangler, the case has attracted interest from around the world. This is for many reasons. For instance, the case fascinates me.
There is no ghoulish intent behind this fascination. The reason is simply that the case does not fit the usual serial killer scenario. Such killers kill over many months or even years. Yet it seems we have had a frenzy of murder more akin to the spree killer.
Occasionally, a serial killer will go into a frenzy, but the result is usually absolute carnage of the bloody kind. But the victims in this case seem to have been strangled. It just does not fit an understood pattern. And here is my interest: are we seeing the emergence of a new type of serial killer?
The media, however, has no such urge to understand. Rather, media has become too involved in ratings and sales. And for that, a man will be surrounded by a media circus which, in the end, does nothing for the victim’s families.
But this is the least of the problems. As the media circus rolls on, we come closer and closer to the point where a fair trial cannot be had. When a person has already been tried in image and print, true justice goes out of the window.
I don’t know if Steve Wright is the killer of five prostitutes in Suffolk. The trial will decide that. But that is dependent upon the trial being fair. If, through media interference, that is deemed impossible, then a killer could walk free. Which is no good for justice, or the victim’s families.

© Anthony North, December 2006

 

EXTINCT Wednesday, Dec 20 2006 

Environment anthonynorth 10:25 am

One episode of Extinct (ITV1 – Dec 06) was enough for me. Whilst I could not fault the subject matter, the treatment was horrendous. Yes, we all want to save the mountain gorilla or Asian elephant, and the concept of getting the general public involved was admirable. The problem was the way they did it.
Extinct was, in effect, a reality show, where people voted for the animal they most wanted to save. Glossy and brimming with celebrities, the whole concept made a mockery of the cause.
Animals are at risk because people have been moved into their habitats as Third World countries modernise to meet western demands for trivial products. At the head of the trivia infested west is the reality show. Hence, the concept used to help the animals is part of the problem that is killing them in the first place.
With a trivial-based mind-set, the programme will, of course, do nothing in the long run. Subjects that are packaged as a trivia treat do not last. Rather, people will vote a few times, their proceeds going to the cause, then turn off the telly and turn off the mind to the problem, safe in the knowledge that they think they’ve done something.

© Anthony North, December 2006