THE FANTASY PROBLEM

Young people are driven by sex, romance and neediness - and a combination. Before they know it they’re in a bind. The tragedy is that even if they could free themselves most of them have no alternative option.

Life outside of conventional relationship is not easy to navigate as my personal experience testifies. It’s out with the scope or interest of most. Instead the ordinary compromise is chosen.

I seem to live in a fantasy, a world where good connection beyond these compromises might be possible. Reality defeats it time and again.

THE FAMILY PROBLEM

The nuclear family is often said to be a fine thing particularly by conservatives who think it should be the bedrock of society. It’s doubtful if the family is ever a fine thing. Just as often it’s a harbour for dubious character traits like selfishness, emotionalism, irrationalism, fanaticism, instrumentality and others.

It might only be when people engage society away from the family fold that they have to learn maturity and become wholly civilised (Rousseau). In this sense society is a good thing contrasted with family life which is often over indulgent and stultifying of growth. The worst examples of relationship can be found in families. The parent/child relationship e.g. is too much based on narcissism and dependency and is redolent with selfish interest. Healthier relationships can be formed outside the family with others from different backgrounds.

It’s difficult to imagine how some kind of better alternative to family can be evolved but until that happens we will continue to serve up emotionally retarded individuals into the world ready to mess up. Societies will continue to be blighted as a consequence.

THE SYSTEMS PROBLEM

As I see it, organisations are using too much systematic analysis in their structures these days. Procedures are contrived at a senior level and then implemented structurally by the rank and file who usually can’t deal with cutting edge dynamic. Any situation that requires imagination or creative thought clashes with the procedure.

Life comes in lumps, not neatly bound. Market forces are supposed to allow for that, where fixed structures as with the old command economies it was argued, don’t. Banks are most vociferous in advocating market forces and maximum efficiency in their systems. No slack is tolerated. Everything is tightened. To be lean is to be liberated as the bullshit would have it. That doesn’t always work because life is lumpy. Sometimes spare is needed to respond to the dynamic. Systems should not be so lean that they don’t have the muscle to adapt to change quickly.

The Banks and the Institutions are keen to recruit systems folk, those who can implement procedure. Creative types are not welcome here. We will all pay a greater price for this folly further down the line.

THE ANALYSIS PROBLEM

We should be sceptical of analysts such as lawyers, consultants, intellectuals etc. Analysis is often only a story from the case. Start with some facts and from logical induction derive a premise. From there you can deduce to a conclusion. The relationship between that and reality is tenuous. Might be some, or none. That’s the hard bit. That’s where the quantum physics comes in; where you run with the ball, think on the hoof, roll with the dynamic, and ultimately, get a result hopefully. Entrepreneurs and artists are not likely to be good analysts. They are better executants. Analytical skills to them might be a hindrance. Analysis in no way guarantees a result. It might turn out only to be analysis - just another story.

THE PROMISE PROBLEM

There is often a problem with the gap between word & deed. There are those who talk things up and show promise but don’t deliver. Others promise little and deliver little. Neither are much good. What’s needed is to promise and deliver - those whose word is good, who can inspire confidence, and have integrity and vision. These are the people.