Down and out in Athens

One of the books I have enjoyed is George Orwell's "Down and Out in Paris". It is his account of his time in Paris. He went there for the experience of French culture and had arranged to have a job as an English teacher, but soon he lost the job. Then he ran out of money and experienced the descent from safe middle class and into the nether worlds, also known as poverty. He describes how the never-ending quest the next meal becomes an overwhelming obsession. At first he still tries to cling on to his middle class sensibilities. Keep up appearances, but when poverty strikes you can't do it. For a while he still tried to keep his clothes nice and presentable. Somehow in all this Orwell managed to keep a clear eye for the persons and situations. His account is populated with colorful characters and anecdotes from the nether-world, as well as descriptions of the logic behind that world.

The book reminded me of one of my favorite Danish films. "Hunger" based on Knut Hamsun's novel and directed by Henning Carlsen. This beautiful existential comedy is like a combination of Charlie Chaplin and Beckett. An aspiring writer has recently arrived in the capital of Norway, Oslo. He is obviously talented, but perhaps out of feeling inferior, he keeps tripping him self up constantly throughout the film. He is plagued by both a physical hunger (because he has no money) and an existential hunger (because he has no self-esteem?). He gets an article accepted at the news paper and only has to do a rewrite, but never gets around to it. He gives away money to beggars because he doesn't want to seem poor. He even pawns some of his belongings so he can do it. When the clerk at a grocery store by accident gives him to much change back, he can't accept his luck, but gives away the money. Then he returns to the clerk and fuming wih indignation tells him off for being a lousy clerk. He even sabotages his most incredible luck. The woman of his dreams, an attractive upper class woman, takes him home and initiates a relationship, but he can't have it. He feels it's too good to be true and ends up harassing her. Perhaps in your ears this doesn't sound like a comedy? Believe me, it is. The film ends in harmony, when he finally leaves Oslo on a ship with an unknown destination.

These days this is kind of like my own life. Money is running out. Chances escape me. I fuck up relationships. I think it is time for me to either embrace my impending deroute and go with Orwell, or to find a ship an sail away like Hamsun. Read more!

Obama fever

These days I constantly check for news about Barack Obama. This is kind of weird for me. Not my usual behavior. I have never followed American elections closely before. I have caught the fever. In my recent period of depression, it was one of the few things I could mobilize myself to do. Because in that hopelessness of depression, as weird as it sounds, Obama was a person who gave me a little hope. This almost sounds sick. To project your own hope onto a person you don't know in real life. It isn't. It is natural psychology. And Obama does it so well. Being a symbol for the projection of hope. Don't misunderstand me. This is not in anyway to diminish Obama. I think it is an important aspect of the job description for the head of state. Kings, presidents and the like should in best case be symbols of inspiration and hope. And I think it is an ability and a question of character fortitude. Obama has the ability and it seems he has the character, which can take the massive projection from people without getting his ego inflated. Most modern day people suffer from a variety of narcissistic disturbances. To my observation it seems that Obama has his under control. Obviously the symbol-making is also an exchange between him and the crowd. Commentators say that Obama has developed through the campaign, become a better debater and talker. A part of this is the energy he receives from the crowd, that has been growing in number and enthusiasm.

So here I am. Watching Obama, reading what people say of him and hoping intensely that he will be elected not only as the Democratic nominee, but also president. He has the potential to become a true symbol of inspiration. He understands this part of the job description very well, as almost no one else I have seen. The powerless heads of state, like kings and queens of democracies, and in some cases also presidents, know it because it is their only job description, but Obama knows it even better because he found out for himself.

Here where I live, in Athens, Europe, there is a radical lack of hope in political figures, and that is demoralizing for a country. It breaks down the social fabric, as everyone more and more only look out for themselves. It is also happening in my home country of Denmark, though to a lesser extent, as a certain trust in the 'system' and the professionalism of the politicians remain. But there is no hope or inspiration from the politicians there anymore. And the funny thing is that it is eventually going to cost Denmark money. The social fabric of Denmark has been created throughout hundreds of years by a string of inspirational leaders, not true greats most of them, but still. This has created a strong economy in a country with almost no natural riches. Social scientist have described how the 'trust' of a population saves a lot of money. Compare fx. Denmark and USA, and you will find that Americans spend much more money on lawsuits, protection against lawsuits, security and so on - things that are not productive. If you look at the financial situation of Denmark, it is very, very good. Minimal unemployment, low debts, low poverty and so on. If America with Obama as president could begin the long journey of weaving the social trust, healing the racial divide, healing the divide between rich and poor and all the other divides, then they would not only be happier, but also financially richer for it. Read more!