Of course, we are ALL consumers. But setting
the scenario and allocating "guilt" is one
thing. Supplying a solution in a complicated
world, another entirely.
Your aim seems to be primarily at conditions in
rag trade sweat shops - and I can think of a few countries that fit the bill - in which wages
paid to employees are very low indeed. How
to address those sorry situations is another
matter altogether in lands steeped in various
ways of life and varied cultures. Who is going
to ensure an "untouchable" in India gets "fair
play" when the country itself is hardly rushing
to reform centuries of such discrimination and
social demarcation. But it has to happen within. In the meantime, better that deprived
working souls have a percentage of something
rather than 100% of nothing from those who, by
buying what they make, can supply income "from
without" while history and change happens - as
it surely will.
"The most melancholy of human reflections, perhaps, is that, on the whole, it is a question
whether the benevolence of mankind does most
good or harm" - Walter Bagehot (1826-1877).
Comment is about Complicit (blog)
Original item by Chris Co
If you think this is simply condemning the consumer or people other than oneself, I think you've missed the point entirely M.C.
I am the consumer, You are the consumer...we all are.
Consumers have the power to inform themselves, consumers have the power to ensure they are not ignorant of what goes on in their name, consumers have the power to make informed decisions and take their buying power where they choose - to make ethical decisions. Consumers have the power of choice!
Instead of blaming others for what we demand, this is about taking responsibility.
If one statement speaks for where the issue and powers lies it is this -
I AM the consumer!
If you still don't like the ethos, or where this poem is coming from, that's fine, so long as we are clear about what is going on here
P.S
Ethical capitalism acknowledges, the market, it doesn't deny its existence, or try to paint a differing reality. It can make a real difference, in real terms, being both pragmatic and logistically sound - so it isn't pie in the sky idealism either.
It starts at the individual level and collects momentum.
Nowhere does it say in any sound economic theory, that part of a product or services appeal; that there cannot be an ethical dimension or desire that drives demand.
To leave no possible ambiguity here - I shall tell you what this is not. It is not, let's blame the consumer, where consumer is a cipher for everyone is at fault but me - let's blame the world. Neither is it decrying reality, in the hope the world will spin on its head and be something different. It is not anti-capitalist, rightly or wrongly. I hope that clears a few things up.
Comment is about Complicit (blog)
Original item by Chris Co
jan oskar hansen
Thu 13th Feb 2014 17:40
I like the title and also the picture of the wood shed
Comment is about A Shed for Wood: Daniel Thomas Moran, Salmon (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
jan oskar hansen
Thu 13th Feb 2014 17:38
I do not like women only or men only readings
it tend to be loop-sided and self regarding when
only one sex get to the mike
Comment is about Loose Muse goes west with new women-only open mic in Cornwall (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
One of the many idiosyncrasies of the English
language, which makes it one of the hardest
languages to master.
Perhaps it is easier to think of raising a
glass of (?) to(wards) something..as in a "toast"
"acknowledgement" or "salute" -
rather than "for" it.
Comment is about No, I Am Not! (blog)
Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska
We're all driven by one need or another. The
consumer, wherever he or she may be, is by
virtue of purchasing, giving work to others.
Am I my brother's keeper? A question posed
aeons ago. Indirectly, the consumer feeds
another demand...that of the need to survive.
Is that cause for condemnation...or celebration?
Comment is about Complicit (blog)
Original item by Chris Co
Ah, the compatibility of free-will and the existence of an omnipotent divinity. Well put, beautifully constructed. Only a couple of jars for me line 7 'hid'... 'starry' wouldn't star suffice? Maybe a little self conscious of the syllable count on occasion. Apart from that a hugely enjoyable read.
Comment is about Fiesty old pro-choice Celia`s dream (blog)
Original item by Harry O`N eill
As ever thanks for your insightful comments Harry. I quite like the random rhymes, but i suppose it does make the poem a little less conventional.
Comment is about Harry O`N eill (poet profile)
Original item by Harry O`N eill
As ever thanks for your insightful comments Harry. I quite like the random rhymes, but i suppose it does make the poem a little less conventional.
Comment is about Valentine 2014 (number 25) (blog)
Original item by Neil Fawcett
Nice one Dave! And as Harry says, all those connections. Wow.
Comment is about Poignant poem about wartime disaster that claimed 61 lives in Lancashire (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
I wish I could make it tonight Chris - been too long eh? However, we're off to Bob's mum's for her birthday so cannae be there I'm afraid. Hope it's a good night - it looks like it's gonna be a top do!
Comment is about Complicit (blog)
Original item by Chris Co
Thx Laura, for reading and your thoughts/kind comments - most appreciated.
Hoping to make Wigan tomorrow, it would be nice to say hello and hear you read if you can make it.
My Best
Chris
Comment is about Complicit (blog)
Original item by Chris Co
Kenneth Eaton-Dykes
Wed 12th Feb 2014 16:39
Ha ha. Thanks Harry.
I'll see you there?
Comment is about Harry O`N eill (poet profile)
Original item by Harry O`N eill
<Deleted User> (6895)
Wed 12th Feb 2014 16:38
we rate this poem as your best yet Frederick.xx
Comment is about In there somewhere is goodbye (blog)
What a touching set of connections Dave : to
be named for the lad, to write the poem, for it to be seen, and then brought to modern light in the book....a wonderful outcome. a very impressive memorial indeed.
Comment is about Poignant poem about wartime disaster that claimed 61 lives in Lancashire (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
A lovely and feeling poem in those first three lines Nick.
But after a fairly lengthy experience of life now...the very last person I`m prepared to have faith in is myself.
Believe me, we`re all quicksand.
Comment is about my 1st ever poem published as ode to Alanis in the pill issue 3 Alanis morrissette zine in late 96 (blog)
Original item by NICK ARMBRISTER
As someone also missing the cold, I find this unconventionally unusual
I like the `bereft` in stanza one.
Stanza one is striking, and its effect, with stanza two,
is first `softening` and then contrastively freezingly `stiff`. both of them ( With the `25` of the title) preparing for lastingness of the final `I still grow for you`
About the half rhyming I`m not sure (the over-hang of`maybe` and the (random?) catch-up of `march` and `starch` ?. I suppose it could be called `modern`...but?
That`s what I call love.
Comment is about Valentine 2014 (number 25) (blog)
Original item by Neil Fawcett
jan oskar hansen
Wed 12th Feb 2014 11:47
a poet should not be hampered by work done before
and not listen too hard what critics have to say
Comment is about The Visitations: Kathryn Simmonds, Seren (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
I´m sorry you have been in a situation like that. Thanks for your comment and take care!
Comment is about February Morning (blog)
Original item by Karin
Can't listen to that just yet Chris, but wanted to say I think this is a spot on poem. Great rhythm, and the mix of horrific reality with that blind greed is a tonic to my eyes. Informed choice - damned straight.
Cheers
Comment is about Complicit (blog)
Original item by Chris Co
Bohemian eh? Nice euphemism for drunken :D
Shame I'm gonna be missing this - looks like it's gonna be a beltin' night! Be great if anyone could record both Steve and Dave - two fab poets.
And - UKIP if you want to hahahaa :D
Comment is about Perversely political? Steve Mellor at Write Out Loud Wigan tonight (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
nick referred me to this, dave.
it's excellent stuff. deserves to be published defo.
well done
Comment is about The Freckleton Air Disaster (blog)
Original item by Dave Carr
powerful stuff Dave. I have a big interest in aviation archaeology, ww2, history and related things. ive written similar poems and visited crash sites including a B-24 over the moor from Dovestones, Greenfield. I never knew of the incident in your poem, ill research it. your poem brought it to my attention. thanx.
Comment is about The Freckleton Air Disaster (blog)
Original item by Dave Carr
Great words on such a sad event. I know these kinds of events well, having survived one or two.
x
Comment is about February Morning (blog)
Original item by Karin
Brilliant!
I have to say, that sometime in my past I courted tory views (although blindly), but what this tory government has done to the weakest part of our UK society is more than despicable, to be honest, I find it monstrous.
Good work blue!
Comment is about Here There Be Demons (blog)
Original item by Ian Whiteley
It must have been hushed up. I'd never heard of this till Dave's poem. I knew all about the Welsh mining disaster in a town I can't spell - it fills you with the same kind of horror and sadness - there's really nothing worse than the loss of young life - it's hard wired into us to protect them and it leaves you feeling so bad - though it feels like a bit of a platitude to say it.
Comment is about Poignant poem about wartime disaster that claimed 61 lives in Lancashire (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
LOL - no Wigan is the venue to go to if you're looking for solace amongst the tragedies of life - somewhere you can recover from it all and realise that life's definitely worth living!
I'm overjoyed to see two established WOL'ers and friends enjoying such success - and all on the same night - wouldn't be anywhere else on the 13th!
Comment is about Perversely political? Steve Mellor at Write Out Loud Wigan tonight (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
jan oskar hansen
Tue 11th Feb 2014 16:15
jan oskar hansen
Tue 11th Feb 2014 16:13
I think your barber has a drink problem
Comment is about barber (blog)
Original item by Marnanel Thurman
Bardic warriors savage lines
mirror whispers thousand words
stifling atmosphere shouting people
please don't be late
for our secret strange
weird odd wad world
Stockport W O L collage sent.
Comment is about Options - February Collage poem (blog)
Original item by Stockport WoL
Tue 11th Feb 2014 11:40
jan oskar hansen
Tue 11th Feb 2014 08:36
sad story I remember reading about many years ago
Comment is about Poignant poem about wartime disaster that claimed 61 lives in Lancashire (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
It's getting biblical is this flooding.
Comment is about IFFY SMIFFY (blog)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Let's hope I still have time to imrove my English.:-) Thank you so much, ny dear Solar Winds. :-)
Comment is about No, I Am Not! (blog)
Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska
<Deleted User> (9882)
Mon 10th Feb 2014 21:15
drink to that...not...drink for that.x
Comment is about No, I Am Not! (blog)
Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska
Oh, my God! Everyone wants to drink TO THAT. :-)
Why not FOR THAT?
Comment is about No, I Am Not! (blog)
Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska
You didn't answer my question: :-) TO or FOR?
Comment is about No, I Am Not! (blog)
Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska
<Deleted User> (9882)
Mon 10th Feb 2014 21:03
lets drink TO that Larisa-very good poem-thank you.x
Comment is about No, I Am Not! (blog)
Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska
<Deleted User> (9882)
Mon 10th Feb 2014 20:57
By the way, I would like to ask you if it is right "drink to that" or " drink for that" ?
Long time ago, when I was a student, I've writthen a short poem:
Your eyes - my eyes.
Your lips - my lips.
Our eyes have met
But lips not yet.
Let's drink for that!
Comment is about No, I Am Not! (blog)
Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska
Thank you dear M.C. for yor support! :-)
I believe you. :-)
Comment is about M.C. Newberry (poet profile)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Kenneth Eaton-Dykes
Mon 10th Feb 2014 18:44
Thanks Laura.
Much appreciated
Ken xx
Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)
Original item by Laura Taylor
Kenneth Eaton-Dykes
Mon 10th Feb 2014 18:39
Pension life longer than working life. The economics of Micawberism?
Comment is about M.C. Newberry (poet profile)
Original item by M.C. Newberry
Tattooed dog owners
heavy lifting arms
supermarket plastic bags
filling up with
tinned pet food
leaving food bank
total balance nil.
Comment is about Food Banks Are Bad (blog)
Original item by Linda Cosgriff
Options we have many
making the right one
is coming down tonight
to W.O.L Stockport meeting
the theme - - - options
Comment is about Write Out Loud at Stockport on Monday (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Mon 10th Feb 2014 11:41
Thanks for your comment Laura.
This poem's ending is sublime!
Did you know there was a statistic that around 10% of Twitter activity was related to Justin Bieber a while back.
Share this on Twitter - you'll find many interested eyeballs! :)
Comment is about Judging Justin (blog)
Original item by Laura Taylor
This is really quite - well, seems to me it could be read as quite sexual. You filthbag! ;D
An interesting piece - nicely ambiguous.
Comment is about Close Reading (blog)
Original item by c byrne
<Deleted User> (9882)
Fri 14th Feb 2014 00:50
ditto the Wildes.x
Comment is about In there somewhere is goodbye (blog)