Survival in the 21st Century – Peter Culley (29th)

You may consider that I should be the very last person impudent enough to offer up my thoughts on life in the 21st century and – more specifically – how to survive it. Those who know me personally or who have read some of my meanderings will be painfully aware that (in common with many in my age group) I am old, somewhat embittered, cynical and angry. I will not try to deny it. It is all true.
In my defence I would say that a cursory glance at my life’s experiences and – in particular – the specific background to those experiences – might well be put forward as conprising partial exoneration for these extreme views. The world I grew up in was not perfect (something I have already conceded in an earlier article) but it was immeasurably preferable to the utter madhouse we reluctantly inhabit today. For a start I was born at the start of a bloody World War which was only finally extinguished by the nation making Herculean efforts (along with our allies) over an exhausting period of hard work, self-sacrifice, suffering and humour. The aftermath left the nation exhausted and facing a new world order requiring us to adapt. This we did with varying degrees of success, as we came to terms with our changed role in the world.
It was not easy but slowly and surely we recovered from the trauma of war and became – if no longer a great power – a country os some significance, whose people excelled in a variety of ways to stamp their genius on the world. Our record in sporting achievement; technological invention; fashion, science, medicine, entertainment; etc., speaks for itself, while our economy steadily improved. We still had to cope with international crises (Suez, Middle East, Cold War) but at least we sidestepped the awful Vietnam War. Between the 1950’s and the new century my own life prospered too, with a wife and family, ownership of my own home, service in the RAF, employment as a teacher, etc. The prospect was set fair as the new century approached.
And now here we are in 2024 having just elected a Labour government after 14 years’ Tory rule, and wondering where it all went wrong. Because, whatever your own political point of view may be, the overall public perception of our nation currently leaves a lot to be desired. Where did it all go wrong? There was never just any one moment or event that gave rise to this dissatisfaction. The disillusion process was a gradual one that, sadly, has accelerated with time.
Obviously the Brexit Referendum in 2016 had a profound effect upon the citizens of our country, not least because the decision to leave the EU was achieved on the back of a mere 52% majority. However, had the result of the people’s vote been wholeheartedly respected by the powers that be, we might have avoided the bout of bad feeling and (dare one say it) sabotage that followed.
At the same time as we grappled with this tsunami, we were also subjected to the policy of multi-culturalism that threatened to change the very character of the nation iirreparably. Though very possibly welcome in principle, the pace and scale of this policy has sown discord and fear to a degree that – had the policy been introduced slowly and with relevant safeguards – could have been avoided.
The upshot is that our population has rapidly grown and continues to do so; creating real stress in terms of housing, employment, public services, etc. The situation has been exacerbated by the proliferation of divisive cults such as Black Lives Matter; Just Stop Oill; Climate Change, sexual identification; Wokism etc. The added onslaught upon our history and heritage, along with the frequent problems arising from this kaleidoscope of nationalities in our overcrowded nation has caused alarm and despondency among many of our people.
The situation has not been helped by the arrival of a pretty mediocre bunch of elected MPs, and the very depressing number of historical scandals (eg the Post Office debacle; the blood transfusion fiasco, Grenfell Tower etc) which have soiled any reputation we may have aspired to for justice and fair-dealing. I could itemize numerous recent instances where events have caused those of us of a certain age to wonder if the lunatics have taken over the asylum, but you get the point.
My sanity is under threat. How do I cope with this dilemma and retain a modicum of common sense in a world seemingly gone mad? Sadly I have come to the conclusion that there is no simple solution, no silver bullet as it were. Although that phrase conjures up one such solution but, then again, who would you wish to assasinate, and how many qualify for this extreme remedy?
No, the best I can offer are what I can only describe as coping mechanisms. palliatives that may provide temporary relief as you read your morning papers or follow the news on the TV. Personally I find classical music a soothing alternative, with emphasis on that produced by Puccini, Rachmaninov, Beethoven, etc. Another remedy of mine is to ‘escape’ into a saner, more attractive past through literature where I can wallow in nostalgia and imagine myself part of the fabric. Thomas Hardy (‘Far From the Madding Crowd’) and Charles Dickens (‘David Copperfield’) spring to mind, though you will have your own preferences for period and author. The only problem here is that my historical knowledge of the past far too often comes to the fore and promptly exposes any rose-tinted representations presented in many novels. Booze is a further aid when it comes to inducing amnesia (as are drugs) but their effects are usually of short duration (or permanent if taken to excess). A healthy sense of humour is probably the best defence against encroaching madness!
You get the idea. Let me end on a note of optimism. However bad things seem to be, in time things will get better. If I am wrong, please don’t bother to inform me. It would be too depressing.