iGURU!’s – Weekly Review – 5th January 2020 “Power does not corrupt men; fools, however, if they get into a position of power, corrupt power...” - George Bernard Shaw ‘THE QUEST FOR POWER’ Amongst the players and actors of the global stage, the quest for global power continues unabated – it has to, since that is a ‘natural law’ of the international system and power ‘abhors a vacuum.’ Currently, this process is taking place amidst global people protests, which is quite clearly a concern. These protests are a reaction to the global political and social environment as it is experienced by people, both domestically and externally. Domestically, rapid changes in the social order are being experienced, exposing deep failings in the current social systems, which are manifest through increasing inequality and social deprivation, economic uncertainty and a lack of purpose and meaning now prevalent in these societies themselves. This ‘alienation,’ is particularly experienced in western, modern so-called developed - democratic societies and other societies who have followed, through coercion or otherwise, the philosophic mantras of capitalism and its ‘post capitalist’ technocratic gurus. ‘PSYCHOLOGICAL ENGINEERING’ - DOMESTIC SOCIETAL STATE/STAGE MANAGEMENT I have recently watched an interesting series of documentary films - (Adam Curtis Collection) which document the rise of a certain 'societal phenomena' and its consequences. This phenomena could be termed, the ‘Delusionary State,’ as all the various elements of the State are affected - the people, the leadership, bureaucrats and other state actors - all the internal state structures and civic institutions are also affected. An understanding of this phenomena must be properly grasped, if one is to fully comprehend what is currently happening to the ‘modern State’ and its future, particularly as this is exemplified in the modern Western State. The forerunners in this ‘societal experimentation,’ as it is being conducted in the west, appears to be the UK and US. One can only assume that this ‘experimentation,’ is ‘tribally orientated’- and that the ‘Anglo-Saxon Chiefs/Power Elite’ are aware of this process and have permitted it. Alternatively, they are unaware and have unwittingly become the satraps of other ‘tribes.’ In the video – ‘Adam Curtis Collection The Power of Nightmares 01 Baby It's Cold Outside’ it discusses the ‘make believe’ world that has been created in modern politics – whose dominant motive is to hold onto ‘power’ and ‘authority’ - and maintain control over the masses, at all costs. The video opens with the following statement - “In the past politicians promised to create a better world. They had different ways of achieving this, but their power and authority, came from the optimistic visions they offered their people. Those dreams failed – and today people have lost faith in ideologies. Increasingly politicians are seen simply as managers of public life - but now, they have discovered a new role that restores their power and authority. Instead of delivering dreams, politicians now promise to protect us from nightmares.” Throughout the video it shows how the roles of the politicians have been transformed and usurped - from being the individuals to inspire ‘hope’ in the people – to the ‘sowers of fear’ – inventing villains in the guise of ‘international terrorism.’ - Why? – To convince the masses that members of the ‘ruling elite’ such as politicians, are still a necessary requirement for society to function. Thus, the global events which have unfolded before our very eyes, has been nothing more than a concocted script – invented stories which are then foisted onto the masses to become a part of their culture, ideologies – and realities. Both the UK and the US are some of the societies considered in the Adam Curtis Collection and they make for a fascinating psychological analysis of why we are, where we are. The Cambridge Analytica scandal shone a spotlight on one of the current mechanisms used to 'psychologically engineer' populations through a manipulation of their political processes e.g. elections, referendums and political campaigns. In an article by Carole Cadwalladr titled - 'Fresh Cambridge Analytica leak shows global manipulation is out of control,' on the Cambridge Analytica scandal she quotes - Brittany Kaiser, an ex - Cambridge Analytica employee turned whistle blower as saying - "Its so abundantly clear our electoral systems are wide open to abuse...I'm very fearful what is going to happen in the US election later this year, and I think one of the few ways of protecting ourselves is to get as much information out there as possible." Again, in the same article, Carole Cadwalladr writes - "The Facebook data scandal was part of a much bigger operation that worked with governments, intelligence agencies, commercial companies and political campaigns to manipulate and influence people, and that raised huge national security implications." BILLIONAIRES - BIG DATA - BIG COMPANIES - BIG BROTHER One of the mechanisms for this process can be identified. In a further article by Carole Cadwalladr, titled - 'The great British Brexit robbery: how our democracy was hijacked' - she writes - "There are three strands to this story. How the foundations of an authoritarian surveillance state are being laid in the US. How British democracy was subverted through a covert far - reaching plan of co-ordination enabled by a US Billionaire. And how we are in the midst of a massive land grab for power, by billionaires via our data. Data which is being silently amassed, harvested and stored. Whoever owns this data owns the future." Whether, one accepts, the detailed analysis and views of the writer, presented in the article about the nature of the relationship, between the various parties and individuals named, in the UK and US - the companies, governments, politicians, political parties and the billionaires who are alleged to have funded such campaigns - is not germane to the point - one mechanism of 'psychological engineering' - has clearly been identified, thus explaining, at least to some degree, why modern day politics globally is so surreal, why any form of 'societal consensus,' is evaporating fast - why politics today is a 'madhouse,' - why there is so much delusion/illusion - political bitterness and disaffection. The 'psychological engineering' that has occurred and which is continuing, to again, quote the above article is - "Psychological warfare....that's what it is. Psyops. Psychological operations - the same methods the military use to effect mass sentiment change. It's what they mean by winning 'hearts and minds'. We were just doing it to win elections." These problems have arisen as a consequence of the neo-liberal economic agenda, rolled out by global elites over the last few decades. The political and social consequences of these policies, extend way beyond questions of economics since when coupled with modern technology, they produce far reaching consequences. Part of the problem is this and I quote - "The connectivity that is the heart of globalisation can be exploited by states with hostile intent to further their aims(...) The risks at stake are profound and represent a fundamental threat to our sovereignty." Alex Younger, head of M16, December, 2016 - (from the article - 'The great British Brexit robbery: how our democracy was hijacked' - by Carole Cadwalladr.) I would only add to the above quote, by stating that, it is not just states that can exploit our vulnerabilities - but other 'non-state actors' - such as, billionaires, Big Tech/Big Data companies - and other large multinational corporations. The modern state and its contents (us) is as potential 'prey' to these massive global forces. THE UK – ‘CHURCHILL’S GHOST’ However, technological developments and the machinations of political elites, are not the only factors which have contributed to the delusion/illusion in UK politics. There is at least to some degree a more ancient mechanism at play - this is the conjuring up of ghosts. The specter of Churchill, still haunts all British political leaders – even to this day. The end of the second world war marked the end of the British Empire as the country was now bankrupt. However, as the Adam Curtis films demonstrate, the UK remained haunted by Churchill’s ghost of ‘imperial greatness.’ This specter was one to which, in particular conservative Prime Ministers were fond of and was clearly, powerfully manifest in the premiership of Margaret Thatcher (1979-1990) during which Churchill’s ghost persisted – It is also present in the current Conservative PM Boris Johnson (for related article - click here.) These are not party political observations and similar pathologies were also exhibited in Labour leaders, most notably its most successful leader PM Tony Blair (1994-2007). In his case, the delusion was not expressed in Churchillian terms, but through his ambition to ‘remake the world,’ aided by erstwhile allies, US Presidents Bill Clinton and G.W.Bush jr. These ambitions culminated in the disastrous invasion of Iraq - a grotesque, unnecessary and continuing calamity, which is the Iraq of today. The ramifications of this folly are still being felt. The assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani took place on the 3rd January 2020 at Baghdad airport in Iraq. Therefore, the ‘flame and fire’ of the almost certain Iranian retaliation – when and wherever it occurs and the wider ensuing regional and potentially global conflict - will have been lit in Iraq! – the ‘liberated’ and ‘free’ Iraq – of Western delusion/illusion - prepared by an earlier US, UK folly. How can this imperial specter be exorcised? UK - WHEN FANTASY MEETS REALITY: ‘MAD DREAMS’ & ‘MAVERICK BUREAUCRATIC REFORMS’ Unfortunately it seems – no time soon. Politically, Brexit has highlighted for all to see, the failings of the UK political elite. However, instead of tackling the source of continuous strategic failings of government , we see again the casting around for scape goats. The latest target is pretty much the entire UK bureaucratic apparatus – in the shape of the British Civil Service – Enter Dominic Cummings. To me, Dominic Cummings – presents as a ‘hermit monk.’ – I could be wrong, as I have never met or spoken to him and I’m going by the unflattering images and ‘mug shots’ – I see plastered over news reports. Yes - I’m sure my perceptions of him are being managed, as they are with most leaders and indeed most high profiled individuals. President Donald Trump, is another hapless victim, although he doesn’t help himself – his self confessed ‘orange face’ and admitted ‘wet racoon hairstyle’ don’t help – but let’s be clear - they too can be victims – victims of this - ‘imaging,’ ‘mass perception management’ – ‘psychological engineering.’ And the ‘imaging’ works - because in the case of Dominic Cummings - as the ‘hermit monk,’ – then he can easily play the role of ‘Rasputin’ reputedly - ‘Mad Monk’ – adviser to the Tsar of Russia and family. We know what happened to them (click here) – Thus one can predict PM Boris Johnson’s political fate!!! You see, hardly any of it is ‘real’ – in the sense that most of it is carefully ‘stage managed.’ You only have to know the ‘script,’ upon which the ‘drama’ is based and role which the ‘Players and Actors’ are playing. Such is the sorry state of modern global politics. But again, I must say, as with President Trump – Dominic Cummings does not help himself. Significant ‘apparent political power’ in the UK is unquestionably in his hands – how much and its true nature is debatable – but its presence is undeniable. You cannot have members of staff escorted from 10 Downing Street, enforced by armed police officers, as Dominic Cummings famously carried out with impunity, without a kind of power, which extends far beyond party politics. As advisor to the PM his power is real and not illusionary – and he intends to exercise it. Undoubtedly his power extends beyond that of ‘adviser,’ whatever that means these days – and so it therefore seems that an adaption to an old adage is due – ‘He who pays the adviser calls the tune.’ These are the current forces to which the UK is currently beholden to. So – Dominic Cummings advisor to now Prime Minister Mr. Boris Johnson – the pro-Brexiters driving Great Britain into their exit from the EU on 31st January 2020 – “do or die.” Having secured their power in office – let the games – I mean Reforms begin! In an article – ‘Civil service told it is ‘woefully unprepared’ for Cummings’ reforms’ it describes the Civil servants currently occupying Whitehall as being ““woefully unprepared” for the sweeping reforms” which are currently being masterminded by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his advisor, Dominic Cummings. Civil servants will be placed under extreme scrutiny - “Officials could be made to take regular exams to prove that they are up for their Whitehall jobs…” In Dominic Cummings personal blog he recently posted a ‘recruitment criteria’ for No. 10 – and it would seem, they are now hiring and are calling for “weirdos and misfits with odd skills” (read blog post here.) Throughout Cummings’ blog post he stresses ‘unusual’ candidates are what they are looking for – “Unusual mathematicians, physicists, computer scientists, data scientists… … Unusual software developers… …Unusual economists…” Oh and also – a few warnings are thrown into this ‘we’re hiring!’ advertisement as Cummings states – “I’ll bin you within weeks if you don’t fit – don’t complain later because I made it clear now.” What’s going on? Based on the above – it appears that there is no real reform of the current maddening system – but additional madness - just a change of faces –and even crazier still – some crazy candidates ? - deluded by the scent of power - potentially entering the higher eschleons of the British Civil Service – again, what’s going on? - What a shame. So in the UK then – that faction of ‘ruling elites’- it would appear that we shall be witnessing some truly ‘whacky’ ideas – from a ‘Mad Monk’ - to further intoxicate the masses with a ‘phantom dream’ – which is a nightmare in disguise – and also most importantly, to further humiliate and demoralize an already broken UK power elite. It is this - and the fallout from such events - which the mass of the British people must realise and unite as a nation to deal with. UK – ‘DOWN BUT NOT OUT’ In time the British people - shall learn, that their divisions over Brexit must be buried, but that unfortunately that there does not exist a political party or statesman/woman with the prescience to see, understand and have the courage to deal with the true dangers currently facing the UK. Conjuring up the ghost of Churchill – is no solution, the language of Shakespeare, may assist – but ultimately, what is required are leaders with vision - committed not to ‘service of self’ – but of ‘service to others’ – namely, their own people.’ REFERENCES TO ARTICLES, VIDEOS ETC To view the contents of this index – click on the subject of interest below. ALPHABETICAL ORDER C Cambridge Analytica - Cambridge Analytica - Fresh Cambridge Analytica leak shows global manipulation is out of control (4-Jan2020) Contact iGURU! - To get in touch with iGURU! - Send us a message G Global Protests - What's driving global public anger? | Inside Story (on Youtube 31-Dec2019) I iGURU! - Daily Info - How To Use Guide - Weekly Review Index Suggestions - Make a suggestion to / or for an iGURU! index M Mad Monk - Execution of the Romanov family | Wikipedia - Grigori Rasputin - Mad Monk P Politics - Adam Curtis Collection The Living Dead 03 The Attic (on Youtube 2-Apr2017) - Adam Curtis Collection The Power of Nightmares 01 Baby It's Cold Outside (on Youtube 2-Apr2017) - Adam Curtis Collection - Youtube Search results U UK - Margaret Thatcher - The great British Brexit robbery: how our democracy was hijacked (7-May2017) - Tony Blair - Whitehall | Wikipedia - Winston Churchill | History Past Prime Ministers UK-Boris Johnson - Boris Johnson's 'Do or die' Brexit quotes in full as PM refuses to apologise for missing 31 October deadline (28-Oct2019) - Kathy Sheridan: Boris Johnson is already a modern-day Churchill (24-Jun2019) UK-Dominic Cummings - Adviser sacked by Cummings may have case for unfair dismissal – expert (1-Sep2019) - Civil service told it is ‘woefully unprepared’ for Cummings - Dominic Cummings' call for No 10 staff may break employment law - 3-Jan2020 - The Guardian - Dominic Cummings | The Guardian - ‘Two hands are a lot’ — we’re hiring data scientists, project managers, policy experts, assorted weirdos… – Dominic Cummings's Blog US - ANALYSIS: Why the US embassy in Baghdad was assaulted on New Year's Eve (1-Jan2020) - Mike Pence pushes 9/11 conspiracy theories to justify Suleimani killing (4-Jan2020) - U.S. airstrike kills top Iran general, Qassem Soleimani, at Baghdad airport (3-Jan2020) US-Religion & Politics - Metaphor, the Holy Bible and the Western Hero: Corrupting Jesus to Trump the Constitution (1-Jan2020) - Trump Orders Pence to Find Passage in Bible Where Jesus Tells People to Get the Hell Out (22-Jul2019) US-Trump - Trump explains his distinctive orange hue: it's the lightbulbs (13-Sep2019) - President Trumps Hair vs a wet Raccoon (on Youtube 17-Aug 2019) POWER & POLITICS: STATE/STAGE MANAGEMENT - UPDATES INDEX To view the contents of this index – click on the subject of interest below. ALPHABETICAL ORDER
U US-Trump - Coronavirus - Trevor's Extended Thoughts on Trump's Initial Response to Coronavirus | The Daily Show
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