The Evil European

Energy policy in the UK over the last 20 years has been shown for what it is....a complete fuck up. During the Thatcher years, the all conquering free-market was to lead to a glorious golden age of cheap, clean and efficient energy. Looks like we are going any of these.

A total lack of planning, policy or direction from the DTi has resulted in the UK heading towards an energy crunch in 5-8 years. The shift to gas has also left the UK increasing exposed to fluctuating energy prices and the whims of the Kremlin.

Put in this light, the relatively recent decision to build a new generation of nuclear plants is a panicked decision designed to get the UK out of the whole its created. I am not against nuclear power per sa. its the expense, mess and danger of current and near-future designs that is rather off putting. The UK has a terrible track record for planning the entire nuclear life cycle. Fusion, as I have detailed earlier, looks more promising for the long term. However, until then, power is still required.

There is no long term approach to power generation that is renewable, sustainable or stable. The UK is committed to 20% renewable by 2020, but the opposition to renewable energy like wind is going to make this hard.

I have to say I get rather pissy at anti-wind farm types. They want and need energy as much as the next person, but they dont want it in their back yard. Personnely, I think that nuclear power stations should be built there instead, see how they like that.

However, everyone is going to have to accept responsibility for energy generation and consumption. We are all going to have to be more efficient (not like the free-market) and think before we act. It should be up to the west, and Europe in particular to take a led in these issues.

Ah fuck, I have run out of things to say and I cant be bothered adding more.

It was one way to start the day. Turned on the BBC World Service tis morning to be greeted by the following headlines.

- Food production has plateaued and no longer able to keep up with population growth
- Trading suspended on the Indian stockmarket after fall of 9% this morning. Global markets still falling
- Blocked on Gaza
- Ex-NATO leaders make case for first strike use of nuclear weapons

It all reads like a dystopian sci-fi novel...except its not. This is real life. Such events are nothing new. Increasingly, I am personally left with the impression that events are not only spiraling out of control, but the governing elites, elected or otherwise, are unable to address them. Its not so much a case that such issues cannot be addressed, but that the political and intellectually leap is to great. Politically, as in not being able or willing to bring the general public with them, and intellectually as in not able to face the planetary challenges.

There has been debate on the need to reform the UN, bring it into the 21st century. Such reforms won't bring it into the 21st century, as much of the thinking around governments and nations is deeply rooted in the 19th century at best.

I have no idea what else to say, but carrying on the dystopian sci-fi theme....

Depictions of the Statue of Liberty in science fiction

Doomsday Art

I am mind-fucked at the moment.

Having burrowed away for years on my thesis, I never expected to see similar issues to my research appearing in a national newspaper.

While covering far more interesting ground that my actual thesis, it spells out the same story...that what is happening in Europe is different, unique, can play a role in addressing the issues that face us, and possibly provide a model for civilisation.

There is more than I can take in at the moment, but I feel truly hopeful that I have a role to play.

My expedition to the Job Centre was less than successful than I hoped. Seems that I earn to much! It makes you wonder how people are to live of the dole! I am not sure how I will get through this month...but there are a number of plus sides.

First, no ritual humiliation every two weeks to get £59.50. Second, this is most likely the last time that I will be this broke.

While on the subject of social services, Johann Hari provides an interesting take on the public services, namely the NHS and public broadcasting.

wibble wibble wibble wibble

Retrospective on the last year, which can be summed up in one word....SHIT!

Your life tends to orbit your Ph.D...though my PhD turned into a blackhole and started to drag me in!

As can be seen from this blog things started to go wrong (or rather really wrong) in April. The whole Ph.D was simply going from bad to worse with it dragging the rest of my life with it. My supervisor left the previous year and it simply felt as if the bastard was never going to get completed. By April I had run out of steam. Only the help and support of my family, friends and the department (among other things) got me through.

The most amusing point in the whole PhD thingy was the viva. Hand on heart, I was not nervous until around three days before. Then the night before my viva, the main electricity substation for the university exploded cutting power to a large chunk of campus. It was at that point I discovered something worse than doing a viva....not doing a viva and having to wait another three months! Thankfully an alternative venue was found and three minutes into it I found my stride and actually ended up enjoying the whole thing! I came out with minor corrections (completed within 2 hours) and a huge sense of relief, really upset stomach and a three day migraine!

I have handed in my final copy, I am no longer a student. I have to admit I fill rather numb and hollow (I also feel that even though I have a BSc, MSc and now a PhD that I know jack shit and am only qualified to collect trolleys at a supermarket!) I have found picking up my life which has in reality been on hold for the last two years very hard. I have got my work cut out to reconnect with those that mean most to me, as well as meeting new people. I need to get one of those job things too!

I shall use this blog as an outlet for what interests me in the world, and to document my reconnection with it. It seems half arsed to doings things to put in a blog, but I need to a kick up the arse.

I came across a Latin phrase the other day; "Audentes fortuna iuvat", fortune favours the bold. I find the use of bold and not brave most interesting....even if you are scared, it does not mean it will stop you from trying. Something I am going to try and remember.

Later,

R.I.P
Matt's PhD
2001-2007