NATIONHOOD
Posted by anthonynorth on October 15, 2010
Microfiction Monday, ABC Wednesday, more prompts below
Try my Paranormal Flash now!
POLLY TICKS
Microfiction: As the builder bricked her
in, she realised she really should have
paid the bill – especially as his name
was Poe.
NATIONHOOD
Nationhood is often frowned upon today. After all, nations make war,
don’t they? Yes, if we think only of nation in terms of politics. But a
nation is more than this. It is also about culture – and it is often here
where the person finds meaning in life. Perhaps we should remember
this, for there’s an adage that if you don’t love yourself, you can’t
love others. I think this is also true of one’s culture.
BRIT NEWS: Human Rights
Commission finds inequalities in
British society. Of course it does. A fully
equal society is not possible. Everything we do
disadvantages someone. This is why we developed
compromise; an attempt to find balance. The only way to
be fully equal is for no one to do anything.
BRIT NEWS: The Guardian claims Met Police want to make it harder
for public to take legal action against officers. As officers of the law
they should understand the law, its safeguards and dangers. This kind
of attitude in our senior police chiefs makes me shudder and worry
about my freedom.
BRIT NEWS: GCHQ warn that critical services such as the
power grid and emergency services face threat of
cyber attack. This has always worried me. Is
our dependence on computers a matter
of putting too many eggs in one
basket? Should the machine
stop, so do we.
FUTURE ZONE
What’s ahead … and Beyond!!!
One Single Impression
Friday Flash 55 – Writer’s Island
One Shot Wednesday
CHAMPION
He’s the champion of humanity,
Survived disaster, all decree,
While stellar wars and chaos raged,
He conquered it, unfazed;
Now he has all he can receive,
Except …
New Adam needs an Eve
FLASH 55 – HYPER
Fiction: The drive worked! It really did!! It took me right out of the
universe – allowed me to travel anywhere, instantaneously, and then
back in again. We had been freed from spacetime. And, man, what a
buzz! It was just soooo incredible! Fantastic! EXHILERATING!!!! And I
was so incredibly high …. No wonder they call it hyperspace.
UNLEASH
Nowhere and everywhere, interlaced,
Non-dimensional, not even space;
‘Twas a singular event when it sang,
It became a huge Big Bang!
Which set in motion a future that thinks,
Hurriedly before Heat Death sinks
© Anthony North, 2010
Try my Pictures of Life, a novel
Akelamalu said
Oh to be able to travel like in your 55! I wish. 🙂
anthonynorth said
Hi Akelamalu,
Yes, I think this post just went thru hyperspace, too. It wasn’t due on ’til the weekend, but I pressed the wrong button 🙂
Alice Audrey said
Too bad warp speed is still all in our minds.
anthonynorth said
Hi Alice,
It is indeed.
Comedy Plus said
I love your 55 today. Now that’s my kind of travel. Awesome.
Have a terrific day Anthony. 🙂
jabblog uk said
Much to think about on your page today but I did like your Flash 55 – if only 😉
anthonynorth said
Hi Sandee,
Thanks for that. One day, maybe 🙂
Hi Jabblog,
Many thanks. Yes, it would be great.
Monkey Man said
Great Hyperspace 55. Also agree that we do have trememdous dependence upon computers to run our critical services, but you could also say the same thing for just plain old electricity. We are a dependent species.
Jeeves said
New adam! Ah ha…Nice ones. Like the micro fiction
anthonynorth said
Hi Monkey Man,
Thanks for that. Yes, we’re certainly a dependent species nowadays.
Hi Jeeves,
Many thanks. Much appreciated.
vivinfrance said
Apart from your incredible journey, I feel vibes of angst coming from your news posts, and even from the Writer’s Island Unleashed poem. I wish you peace and release from worry. Optimism should rule, OK?
anthonynorth said
Hi Viv,
It’s strange how so many of my posts seem to reflect a particular mood – it isn’t intentional. As a rule I’m a very optimistic person, but writing is a fiend sometimes.
Emmanuel Ibok said
I concur to your words on nationhood as much as I do to compromise…but even compromise if well analyzed can still breed inequality…it is just a matter of humans learning we can’t always win….and your take on Unleash was wonderful…great thought.
Cheers!
trisha said
loved the polly ticks. 🙂 the story was very violent, yours is full of humour.
Dick said
But what is our culture that it can accommodate the weight of a word like ‘nationhood’? You and I would agree that British culture represents positive syntheses of different traditions – Northern post-industrial and third generation Asian; white urban London and third generation Afro-Caribbean; Glasgow indigenous working class and third-generation Italian and so on. But many would see these syntheses as striking at the very roots of nationhood and its relationship with culture would have an entirely different resonance for them.
Context is all, of course, when trying for some universal sense of the meaning of a word. But some words declare context and I believe that ‘nationhood’ is one such. For many the word is immutably associated with notions of patriotic attachment to the state and thus to governance. Maybe we need to consider the clumsy alternative ‘countryhood’!
Bill said
Good Microfiction Anthony, good thing she didn’t paint herself into a corner at the same time.
I always thought the Police were above the Law already? Liked your Flash 55 as well, Spock would be impressed. So would Our Susan.
systematicweasel said
Awesome post, Anthony! =)
-Weasel
anthonynorth said
Hi Emmanuel,
A harsh way of putting it, but you’re right. The best we can hope for is balance.
Hi Trisha,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
Hi Dick,
I think there are ideals covered by our shared identity outside governance – a spirit of compromise, a specific sense of humour, a sometimes ridiculous sense of orderliness. Could these form a kind of over-culture of ideals within which our multi-cultures thrive?
Hi Bill,
Certainly many of the police think they are.
Hi Weasel,
Many thanks for the kind words.
Diane Truswell said
Man, this reminds me of 911, but it may not be the case. Just had a full body scan yesterday, LOL.
anthonynorth said
Hi Diane,
Yes, a bit confusing that one, I admit. It’s about the Big Bang, and the creation of the universe leading to thinkers who can think about the Big Bang.
Mary said
I will comment on Nationhood rather than your Writers Island writing. I agree about nationhood 100%. Nationhood is pride in one’s culture, and I find no fault with that. (It is sort of like having a good self image..we all need that.) It is when someone puts their culture above the culture of others that problems occur.
1sojournal said
Liked all of it Anthony, as usual. I do think that seeking balance is far more appropriate than ‘equality’. Equality is such a threat to the dual mindset. And love of culture would definitely go a long way in establishing a balance in all of that. Thanks for the thought process,
Elizabeth
Short Poems said
Awesome writing, Anthony 🙂
James said
sad fact is we can only love someone if get something out of the relationship.
If you dont believe this then ask yourself why cant you love someone equally that you hate?
even if relationship is all one way the person whos showing the love will suffer quite happily for just one moment of acceptance. This still follows the rule i stated at beginning. Yes even the love you show your family follow this rule.
But in regard to nationally, nature wants us to unite as one man so it will cause a blurring of national borders to achieve its goal. Resist or accept thats all we can do.
What is the meaning of my life? the most important question anyone can ask in this world. Not to be answered in afternoon session of pondering.
anthonynorth said
Hi Mary,
Thanks for that. And I totally agree. In having confidence in ourselves, we can more easily be tolerant of others.
Hi Elizabeth,
Many thanks for the kind words.
Hi Short Poems,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
Hi James,
As a general rule you are perhaps right – in normal life. And even in the abnormal situations, the person can still get a buzz out of helping. But I’ve seen remarkable examples of people putting others first, and even if selflessness is selfish, it is still a magnificent human trait.
KB said
I would love to travel as in your 55.
P.S. Glad to know I’m not the only one who has heard of netball 🙂
SandyCarlson said
Your champion poem has me wondering what world awaits us, what are we creating. Thanks for this poem.
ana said
The first one was by far my favorite! : )
anthonynorth said
Hi KB,
Yes, it would be great – and plenty of time for netball, then 😉
Hi Sandy,
Thanks for that. I’m afraid too many people don’t ponder this.
Hi Ana,
Many thanks. Glad you liked it.
kimmy said
on NATIONHOOD: incidentally, i posted something about ‘culture’ as well. i realy wish OTHER PEOPLE would see it the way we do..
Cynthia said
A charming Champion you’ve painted.
Ramesh Sood said
What a lovely take on the prompt champion..and how consistently you have been blessing me and my writings with your valuable comments.. thanks, Anthony for all the encouragement.. a cherish each of your visits to my page..
Sweetest in the Gale said
Loved your “Champion”…the twist at the end made me smile. So clever!
anthonynorth said
Hi Kimmy,
It would indeed.
Hi Cynthia,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
Hi Ramesh Sood,
Many thanks, and you’re welcome.
Hi Sweetest In The Gale,
Kind words. Many thanks.
gautami said
Wonderful 55er!
sombre sobriquets
anthonynorth said
Hi Gautami,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
PattiKen said
Very nice as always. I totally agree that nations are at their most basic, “home” and a major contributor to our definition of self. / I really like all of the pieces in the future zone. Fun.
anthonynorth said
Hi Patti,
Many thanks for the kind words.
Twilight said
Hmmmm – I have to disagree on nationhood, AN – sorry. My own weekend post sets out my feelings on the matter (of patriotism). Although, perhaps you see nationhood/national culture/pride as apart from patriotism perhaps?
And (oh dear I am in an argumentative mood today)…..
The only way to be fully equal is for no one to do anything. How about “for everyone to do something, each according to their abilities, all according to their needs”?
Sylvia Kirkwood said
Love your MM, Anthony! Marvelous as always! Try never to have a landlord names Poe!!! Hope you have a great week!
Sylvia
anthonynorth said
Hi Twilight,
I think the problem here is that I tried to take all politics out of it. If we take patriotism, in most instances a person who does a patriotic act is actually thinking of a part of his country to which he identifies – he’s patriotic as collective action defends his family, his football team, the playing fields of Eton.
As for that correct political statement, I agree, in political terms, but I’m talking more culturally and in terms of society. Mr A wants to play his music very loud. Mr B next door turns his music up, so no one actually hears the music properly, and Mr c to z are all angry. An equal act leads to inequality for all.
anthonynorth said
Hi Sylvia,
Thanks for that. It’s a name to make one shiver 😉
Peggy said
The name “POE” is already on my do not hire list for my house!
Phew, thanks for outing the builder man!
Scary, poor princess!
Great job Anthony, like the sly smile at the end!
anthonynorth said
Hi Peggy,
Many thanks. Yes, Poe and houses just don’t go together 😉
Michael G-G said
Great MM, Anthony. Got to pay your bills!
Also liked the zip of your 55. I’m also of like mind about computers. It’s now such a hassle when they go down at my local sports center. What would it be like if there was a national black-out? CHAOS!
Have a great week.
anthonynorth said
Hi Michael,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
Kay Davies said
Poe, as in E.A. and “The Fall of the House of Usher” — I hadn’t even thought of him, but now that you mention…
Looks like I have a lot to learn about microfiction.
Kay, Alberta
anthonynorth said
Hi Kay,
Yes, he’s the fellow – and you’re doing fine.
Pat said
Ah, shades of The Cask of Amontillado! Excellent, Anthony.
I enjoyed all of your writings. I agree with your sentiments about nationhood. It’s normal to love one’s culture, and I dare to say it’s abnormal to hate one’s culture.
I tire of people belittling patriotism in my own country.
anthonynorth said
Hi Pat,
Yes, Poe certainly had a thing about being bricked in. And thanks for the comment about nationhood.
Reflections said
Too bad, even with technology and seeing the other side of nations, the world, we still can not truly see the other side of wars created by nations.
Tammie said
champion: so well said with a twist of wit to make it wise
Rinkly Rimes said
Maybe if she’d called him ‘Eddie Babe’ it might have been better.
anthonynorth said
Hi Reflections,
Yes, we’re very shortsighted here.
Hi Tammie,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
Hi Rinkly Rimes,
It could well have been 😉
pamela said
Anthony,
I always enjoy your writing.
Pamela
anthonynorth said
Hi Pamela,
Many thanks. Much appreciated.
trisha said
Shubho bijoyadashami (Happy Vijayadashami)! May the blessings of the Goddess shower down on you and your loved ones forever.
anthonynorth said
Hi Trisha,
Many thanks for that.
MorningAJ said
Don’t argue with anyone called Poe. Nevermore!
anthonynorth said
Hi MorningAJ,
Correct. It’s not a good idea 😉
Sylvia Morice said
Great Microfiction! I wonder if Poe would be satisfied being paid in loaves of bread, or perhaps in garden utensils???
Have a wonderful week. Cheers!
anthonynorth said
Hi Sylvia,
Thanks for that. Knowing about Poe’s life, I think he’d demand booze.
Mama Zen said
Excellent microfiction!
anthonynorth said
Hi Mama Zen,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
quilly said
You and Amoeba both went for the Poe angle on Microfiction. I most definitely prefer my killer Princess angle.
And whatever you do, don’t feed the hyperdrive Ritlan!
hope said
Oh no…Poe is NOT the man to forget to pay. Well done!
EG Wow, Canada said
Wonderful take on the Microfiction picture for this week! Hopefully in her next life she will remember to pay her bills. 🙂
moondustwriter said
Mr. Poe the brick layer ah ha – nice Microfiction mon ami
anthonynorth said
Hi Quilly,
I’m sure if Ritlan had been around for Poe he’s have had a killer Princess.
Hi Hope,
He certainly isn’t.
Hi EG Wow,
Thanks for that. We must hope so.
Hi Moondustwriter,
Many thanks. Much appreciated.
patti said
Love the “poe” reference- we’re reading him in class this week and next. Loved your Champion piece as well- chuckle chuckle.
anthonynorth said
Hi Patti,
Thanks for that. Studying Poe is good.
signed .............bkm said
Wow Anthony, great thoughts on Nationhood and culture and self – well said and so true..we identify with our culture it is our comfort and when are secure in it we do not need to conquer others only defend it our own….nice…bkm
anthonynorth said
Hi Bkm,
You raise a vitally important point there. So true.
anthonynorth said
Hi Bkm,
You raise a vitally important point. So true.
Sylvia Kirkwood said
I couldn’t agree more with your thoughts about “Nation”! A very wise and insightful post for the N Day — for any day, every day! Thanks for sharing the wisdom, Anthony!
Sylvia
anthonynorth said
Hi Sylvia,
Many thanks for those kind words.
Roger Green said
Yeah, but when your NATION does embarrassing things such as war, and torture and Tea parties, what does one do?
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
Granny Smith said
I like the last verse especially. It speaks the truth.
anthonynorth said
Hi Roger,
Perhaps the problem is the nation is not at ease with itself, thus breaking the ideal I lay down.
Hi Granny Smith,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
brian said
its the end of the world as we know it…~REM but i guess maybe this is the beginning…or the beginning of the end. or…nice one shot!
anthonynorth said
Hi Brian,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
Tumblewords said
A fine look at Nation. Always a thoughtful read to be found on your site and I appreciate it to the Nth! 🙂
moondustwriter said
Love your hyperspace 55. Wonder how long til we are jumping there.
Also thanks for coming along for the rocket ride at One Shot – you always have the words to remember
Just a reminder that we would love you to enter the One Stop Competition (ends oct 22).
Moon Smiles
hollyheir said
Each week I find your page so interesting but it’s daunting to talk about everything you write about. I find myself agreeing with your political statements and I enjoy all your explorations of outer and inner space. So I say well done, unique, enjoyable. Gay @beachanny
suzicate said
New Adam needs an Eve…made me chuckle!
Amity said
I like your champion thoughts Anthony! 😉
anthonynorth said
Hi Tumblewords,
Many thanks for the kind words.
Hi Moondustwriter,
Many thanks, and you’re welcome.
Hi Gay,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
Hi Suzicate,
That’s good to know. Thank you.
Hi Amity,
Many thanks. Glad you liked them.
Geraldine said
Hi Tony, finally getting around to my OSI visits, nice to read what ‘s new here,with you.
Happy Mid week, G
http://www.veggiesyarnsandtails.wordpress.com
http://www.mypoeticpath.wordpress.com
Reader Wil said
“If you don’t love yourself, you can’t
love others.” Almost what Jesus said:” Love your neighbour like yourself”. thk This is also true of one’s culture.You are right, because we are so dependent on our culture, our language and habits. We cannot give it up, but we can learn new languages and customs and add them to what we are used to do.
anthonynorth said
Hi Reader Wil,
Very true. Infact, we should learn of other cultures, not in order to bring them into ours, but to make them no longer unknown and mysterious. In that way toleration grows.
anthonynorth said
Hi Geraldine,
Thanks for that.
Chris G. said
Another great publication, Anthony!
Like the reflection on Nationhood–it’s quite true, it’s more than we often think. Culture is quite important, and we should cherish it–but the political devotion to nation, unquestioning, should indeed be shunned. Too many times, in present and past, we’ve seen where such unflinching “patriotism/nationalism” has led…
And by god, yes, we are all far too dependent on computers. At this point, I think, if the web, if technology, etc. were crippled, mankind would be lost. They’d go bloody insane. All of society has become far too dependent on the system–a system that is, unfortunately enough, inherently fragile.
Man, Unleash–you’ve really captured it there. The world, beginning, rising end. Best get out those profound thoughts as quick as possible.
Emmanuel Ibok said
Here again…as cool as the first.
Cheers!
anthonynorth said
Hi Chris,
Many thanks. Yes, any politic is simply a brief hiccup in any nation’s life – and mostly not right for the nation. A leader borrows sovereignty. We should remember that.
Hi Emmanuel,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
dustus said
Hyper and Unleash… what a super creative ending to a great overall magazine post. cheers
anthonynorth said
Hi Dustus,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.
Shashi said
You have amazing range… I loved all that you have produced here… Very very interesting…
ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya
Twitter: @VerseEveryDay
Blog: http://shadowdancingwithmind.blogspot.com/
anthonynorth said
Hi Shashi,
Many thanks. Glad you liked the post.
pete marshall said
hi anthony and boy have i missed your posts…polly ticks was excellent and really made me laugh!!!! nationhood was interesting…i love culture, as my work suggests, but i have always been loathe of borders….to me borders is what causes wars…if it was culture then the geordies would be fighting the cockneys…but they dont…put a border between them though like scotland and england and thats when the trouble starts…cheers pete
anthonynorth said
Hi Pete,
Thanks for that. As I see it it is intolerance or oneupmanship that causes war, borders being an obvious part of this. I look forward to the day when knowledge of others brings tolerance.
Jay said
Ah, nationhood. It is no longer politically correct to feel proud of our country – in fact, it seems that England no longer exists, perhaps to foster the ‘no patriotism’ non-culture. Because of this, I no longer DO feel proud of my country, but at the same time. I am English, and wish to be known as English.
Which leads me nicely on to the ‘inequalities in our society – of course there are’. Yep, of course there are. And in our efforts to wipe out racism and sexism and any other ‘isms’ the PC lobby can think of, I now feel discriminated against, as a white, native-born Englishwoman, in a stable long-term marriage with sufficient funds to take care of me and mine. This is, apparently, nothing to be proud of at all, and I should just keep quiet.
Darned if I will! The Scots, Irish and Welsh are all proud of their heritages and rightly applauded for it. What’s wrong with being English all of a sudden?
Claudia said
i liked your “champion”
anthonynorth said
Hi Jay,
I feel the same myself. To be proud of who I am does not mean I’m going to persecute those who are different.
Hi Claudia,
Thanks for that.
evenstarwen said
When bricks are involved, never mess with a man named Poe. Love your microfiction!
anthonynorth said
Hi Evenstarwen,
Thanks for that. Glad you liked it.
Geraldine said
I like your take on the OSI prompt tony. I’ve been there too…
Hugs , G
http://www.veggiesyarnsandtails.wordpress.com
http://www.mypoeticpath.wordpress.com
anthonynorth said
Hi Geraldine,
Thanks for that. Much appreciated.