Revolutions, Not Resolutions

IN 2026, RESOLVE TO: . NOT fixate on “having the last word” - have the words you have. Make them strong enough to be remembered wherever they come. . ACCEPT that other people are not you (and you’re not them), and that’s okay. . CONSIDER - how would you respond if you were spoken to/given the treatment you’re throwing at/suggesting for others?

No, I'm not talking about the "seize the means of production!" kind of revolutions, but a more impactful, sustainable, accessible and inclusive form of radicalism; the "revolutions" in the way you approach and engage other people - and yourself.

In 2026, the revolutions we need to engage in - or perhaps start - are:

. Revolutions of attitude - focus on having impactful, rippling words, rather than the last word.
Create a message which carries, rather than relying on argumentative fallacies, sheer force of volume/tone, or insults.
View people you find yourself in conflict or disagreement with as cultures to be explored, rather than problems to be solved.

. Revolutions of approach - come with curiosity.
Argue as though you are doing so in front of a sensitive cat, or a young child - if you can't? Journal the argument you wanted to make, so you can look back at it over time, and refine the original argument into a suitable argument without losing the message.
Identify the communication style in which you are most able to remain calm and focused, and prioritise that communication style. Do not engage in heated arguments in styles which do not enable you to easily remain calm and centred.

. Revolutions of understanding - love doesn't mean approval, agreement, or even affection; love in the universal sense means "recognition as a human being whose life and success is equal to my own life and success."
Equality is not the goal; equity is. Equality says "here; everyone has the same book!" Equity says: "Okay, we have audiobook versions of the book, we have books in different languages, books in Braille, there's a documentary/skit that conveys the key themes of the book if you find that easier to engage with, there's a range of chairs, so feel free to find the one that's most comfortable for you, or lay on the floor, or sit on a table - whichever is most comfortable for you; there are separate rooms if you need to have space and silence to read comfortably, feel free to listen to background music through headphones while you read, move around if that's easier for you."

. Revolutions of awareness - be conscious of why you're doing something, and how it makes you feel. If it makes you feel resentful, aggressive, or low, and doesn't pay your bills? Stop. Doing. It.
Be conscious of, and concerned for, how your words, behaviours, and failures to keep agreements impact other people.
Be aware of what you are able to agree to, and don't go beyond those limitations.

The best revolutions begin privately, but spread socially. Humans are a species of mimicry - we don't do what we're told, we do what we see showcased by others.

That's what "be the change you want to see in the world" means - engage with other people the way you'd want them to engage with you.
BIN 2026, RESOLVE TO:

. NOT fixate on “having the last word” - have the words you have. Make them strong enough to be remembered wherever they come.

. ACCEPT that other people are not you (and you’re not them), and that’s okay.

. CONSIDER - how would you respond if you were spoken to/given the treatment you’re throwing at/suggesting for others?

Have We Reached The End of Growth?

End of the road for economic growth in the UK? The UK government - and most Western European governments - hyperfixate on economic growth as a measure of political success: If growth is strong, the claim goes, then the government of the day are doing things right, regardless of how popular their policies are with the public. If growth slows, the government has clearly made the wrong decision, and needs to alter course, and prove that they deserve to be in charge. This is something that has become a sacred truth in government. "This will destroy growth!" "This risks crashing UK growth prospects!" have become ever-more aggressive reactions to policy suggestions from opposing parties, or individual politicians. Initially, I assumed this was deliberate fear-mongering; because the public associates "economic growth" with " my individual life improving, me as an individual having more money for less work, and everything gettin...

(Un)Packing the Punch: What People Mean When They Mock Equality

"If women want equality, it's fine if I punch you, then?" "Why should I give up my seat for a pregnant woman? They wanted equality, after all!" "Equality means she should be doing a proper day's work, too, not lounging around scrolling socials all day!" These are all common retorts against the equality that is legally enforced to the benefit of cisgender, able-bodied, mentally well women (and which is often more readily and fully given to white women in those categories.) The perception of the Left is that this is "proof that men just want to be violent." And some men - and some women, and some non-binary folk - undoubtedly do. The possibility of being an objectionable piece of sh*t who wants to harm others, and make irresponsible choices, is a fundamental aspect of being human, which is why the consequences of irresponsible and anti-social choices should never be weakened or removed. For many others, though, their discomfort with th...

What Happens When Growth Ends?

The Bank of England is expressing significant concerns about Britain's "ageing and ailing workforce", harmonising to the government's tune of how the long-term sick are responsible for the UK economic challenges, and how "necessary" raising the State pension age is. Those two songs have been a more or less constant refrain from various shades of UK governments since 1997 - almost 30years. Pretty much my whole life, and the entirety of my life as someone old enough to vote. Of course, work is necessary. Countries have essential core services which require vast workforces to provide and administrate. Governments should be generating national income by exporting from the manufacturing, STEM, creative, and knowledge economy sectors, all of which require their own skilled and specialist workforces, and the workforce of their respective administrative and marketing functions. Continuous income, to cover the unavoidable payment lags in exports, is necessary fo...

The Productive Pessimist

Search This Blog