Aphorisms
Aphorism
/ˈafərɪz(ə)m/
noun plural noun: aphorisms
a concise observation which [might] contain a general truth.
“Science and education, when devoid of a social conscience or environmental and human concern, are meaningless.”
This is where I collect my random thoughts/aphorisms. To my knowledge, they’re original (mostly) though they have been shaped by my interactions with people, the world and writers who have come before me. I’m in the process of transferring them all to this page. The original page with all the aphorisms is here.
The Latest Aphorism
"History is never written by the dead."
---
"History is never written by the dead." ---
History is never written by the dead
This thought struck me twice in a day.
In a democracy, public decisions cannot be made or Influenced by the unelected
In writing my next novel, which is set in 2048, a point I’d like readers to think about is - who gets to decide where we site our towns and cities?
A citizen's rights aren't protected if the State puts them out of reach
This aphorism comes straight out of my fight with Restorative Justice for justice.
Philanthropy’s ROI is unearned prestige
This aphorism was inspired by the news that Rod Drury maybe a sleaze.
The State doesn’t act out of principle. They respond to risk
This aphorism was inspired by my battle in the restorative justice area as I tried to get my contract reinstated.
Words detached from identity are contemptible
This was when I retreated from social media.
Sometimes I think we have lost our way. Sometimes I know we have
This is just a general aphorism that comes to mind when I watch the news - local, domestic or international.
You join a union out of selflessness, not $elf-interest
When I was writing The Target, my research into unions reminded me of the importance the union movement has played in society, and needs to play in the future.
Ignorance is bliss for a small number of wealthy people
This aphorism has come from different one - ignorance isn’t bliss, it’s ignorance.
In order to tell the truth you must know the truth
This is an aphorism focused on the media and politicians. It sounds simple, but what if you don’t know that you don’t know the truth?
Every answer provided by the status quo, reinforces the status quo
Expecting the status quo to do anything other than maintain the status quo makes little sense.
Surveillance turns people into actors
Think of Winston Smith in 1984. Think of yourself if you were being interviewed by a TV crew. Think how you would behave if there was a surveillance camera in bedroom.
It takes little to turn democracies into former democracies
This concept is simple - democracy is fragile
Distraction fuels the status quo
An infinite range of options of what to watch to keep us constantly glued to a screen so we don’t miss anything. Consequently we miss everything.
If you make an uninformed decision, the decision has been made for you
Social media has proven to be fertile ground for those wanting to manipulate people, citizens and society.
The status quo will never change itself
It sounds obvious, because it is.
To be part of the solution you have to be informed
If you’re not, you’re likely being used by someone with an agenda.
Nothing happens for a reason
While it might sound nihilistic, I just want to counter the aphorism that everything happens for a reason - it doesn’t.
Common wisdom goes unchallenged - whether it’s right or wrong
We - society - used to think the Sun revolved around the Earth. It was the common wisdom of the day and it was wrong.
The society depicted on screens is coloured consumerism
Will this shit make money?