Far from being a society of mature people, western culture encourages mass narcissism and infantilisation, in ever-increasing numbers.   Nigel Pocock   What is ‘community’? It is a noun, and has a verbal form, ‘communication’. This gives us the essence of a ‘community’, for it is nothing more or less […]

‘Pseudocommunity’ is when a group is characterised by formal politeness and etiquette. In working past this ‘nice’ formality, chaos ensues. In his book, A Different Drum, Scott Peck argues that the idea of ’emptying’ is an essential prerequisite to peace in any ‘community’. . Nigel Pocock . With major possible […]

At risk of social opprobrium every member of the public wing of the UK BBC staff ―especially presenters and newsreaders and the like― will be compelled to wear a red poppy―the symbol of glorious death or serious injury in defence of the nation.   Nigel Pocock   War has always […]

There was a documentary released on BBC TV on Picasso, in October 2023. It focussed primarily on Picasso and his relationships with women. What came out was the failure of the various commentators and interviewees to reconcile the two (alleged) sides to Picasso, his ‘great’ art, and his controlling behaviour […]

Not all tests of truth involve formal logic, or a science lab. Some require existential testing, much like a marriage or a doctor’s prescription.   Nigel Pocock   Gordon Brown promised more consumption in order to escape the banking crisis; more consumption drives wage demands, in a never ending circle, […]