The Great Debate

I haven’t written anything new in such a while because what can I say that’s different from everything else out there. There is little point in me railing against Trump with his culture of ‘fake news’, moaning about the UK election featuring Mays struggle to hold power or even about the numerous terrorist attacks that have happened in recent months. These issues are covered everywhere and I can’t offer a fresh perspective on them.

My own problems seem minuscule in comparison; doubting my abilities in my new job, loneliness, family stresses….these are insignificant in the wider scheme.

Yet, in light of the rise of intolerance, racism, sexism (and all the other -ism’s) I want to touch on something that is written about often in relation to social media – opinion echo chambers.

In online terms this is when your social media of choice if filled with pages, people and posts that agree with and promote the opinions that you already hold. They reinforce the opinions you already hold and block out or shout down any which are in opposition. In an online environment it is easy to see how this can occur entirely by accident – your friends most likely share the same political views, you will ‘like’ pages you agree with and ‘follow’ news outlets you agree with.

However, we rarely discuss how this also affects us outside of our social media bubbles. The friends we choose, our family, our news sources (outside of social media), even out leisure activities can all impact the opinions and values we have. No one likes to be disagreed with but having an opinion challenged in a non-aggressive manner should be considered a good thing. Just because our political debates have become insult-slinging matches doesn’t mean the rest of us should follow suit.

A calm but passionate debate can cause you to analyse your own opinions and perhaps, even to question them. When we are presented with different facts or ways of thinking we should be open to hearing and evaluating them, not against our existing opinions but on their own merit. This promotes rational and critical thinking which in turn can help us to make rational and calm decisions in our everyday life. It also helps us to understand each other and others opinions instead of branding them ‘wrong’.

Our world is a bit of a mess at the moment and perhaps some of it has been caused by our own blind opinions. The rise of science and the Enlightenment only occurred because people were open to new ideas, by closing off our minds, we close off the possibility of moving forward as a species.

So next time a Trump supporter or a Conservative voter attacks you for your opinion, don’t immediately jump to your defence but instead try to understand why they hold the opinions that they have and, maybe, eventually  we can get back to an age of Enlightenment and get out of the dark ages we seem to have found ourselves in.

The Single Transferable Voting System

I’m sure everyone was so thrilled at the announcement this morning that they will get to vote not once, but twice this year! First in local council elections (4th May) and the second time in the snap general election just called for 8th June. We may not have had another referendum but May has thrown us a bone with more voting nonetheless.

I know alot of people are tired of voting after the past few years of referendums and elections so I’m not going to go on about whether or not this general election is a good thing. I’m sure there is plenty of people out there who are better qualified than me already clacking away at their laptops as I type.

What I want to discuss instead is the voting system known as the Single Transferable Vote (STV). The reason I want to do this is because my partners postal vote came through and we noticed that for our council elections, Scotland uses the STV. This is a form of proportional representation (a voting method I personally favour) and is rather simple once it is broken down.

I won’t go into too much detail (The BBC explains it in much more depth) but basically you vote for your preference by putting a number next to their name. The votes are done in stages in such a way that no vote can be considered to be a ‘throw away vote’. This can allow smaller, more fringe parties to gain seats on local councils as people feel more comfortable putting them as a top preference because even if that person doesn’t hit the quota required, your vote will go to your next preference and so on and so forth.

I like this method. It isn’t difficult to understand and it allows for a fairer representation on councils. Parties like the conservatives and labour baulk at it because it would likely dilute their power in Westminster but with everything that has been going wrong over the past few years, maybe that wouldn’t be such a bad thing?

I am Jacks total lack of Concentration

Focus, Concentration; Things that so many of us don’t even think about actively doing. If something interests us we hone in on it, our surroundings melt away and our minds take the time to digest the information being received.

I notice my lack of concentration when it rears its head. It’s always a sign of my anxiety flaring up or my medication dosage has recently been changed. It affects my ability to do anything; hold a conversation, read a book, watch a show. These 2 paragraphs have already taken me far too long to write because I phase out half way through a train of thought.

I literally have to fight with my brain to make it focus, to make it work properly when I’m like this. It’s tiring, which makes it even more difficult. All I want to do right now is nap. I can feel myself slipping into a doze-like state, reality becoming fuzzy around the edges. This link perfectly explains the different issues I have because of it.

I’m writing this to try and make myself concentrate on one thing. It’s the only thing I can actively do to help myself. It’s also a reminder for those who don’t ever suffer from this; be patient when interacting with someone with depression. They may be struggling to follow the conversation or engage the way they would like to. It isn’t a slight to you or the conversation; it is purely an unfortunate side effect of the illness.

*

*I love a fight club reference!

 

Circus Life

“There are girls in feathered costumes who spin at various heights, suspended by ribbons that they can manipulate. Marionettes that control their own strings.”
― Erin Morgenstern

Last June I finally mustered up the courage to go along to a ‘circus fitness’ class and from there I started to learn static trapeze. I go (most) Sundays for an hour and half, going home with bruises and a smile on my face. Even if the training session has involved failed attempts at various moves, or in the worst cases falling off repeatedly, I always leave with a sense of achievement and satisfaction.

“The circus collects the outsiders like a flame tempts moths.”
― Laura Lam, Pantomime

The best thing about these classes for me, has been the friends I have made. A ragtag bunch from all ages and walks of life who are some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met. Everyone assists each other, says words of encouragement and acknowledges achievements, no matter how small.  In a world full of competition, this is a group of people who want others to learn and will happily share any hints or tips they have.

Making new friends is difficult but at no point was I ever made to feel outside of the clique by those who had been going to these classes long before me. Fear of failing at something we were learning slowly went away as I realized that everyone that goes to the class is on their own fitness journey and were all at my stage at some point.

The instructors are just as kind; having a laugh with the classes while at the same time imparting their knowledge and encouraging our growth.

When everything else in my life seems to be going badly, circus is now my escape and reprieve. It’s difficult to worry about work or money when you’re dangling from a trapeze bar with one leg! It’s my stress relief and I love every minute of it.

so, Let’s run away and join the Circus!

 

 

 

Cheap Healthcare is Hurting us All

The NHS has been ‘ring-fenced’ from cuts by the conservative government since 2010, yet this does not mean that the NHS is receiving sufficient funds to continue to support the populations health care needs. Finance directors have reported cutting back on staff, beds and wards in an attempt to meet budgets and still it is forecast that this year will see an overspend of more than £2 billion in England alone.

These constrictions have led to headlines reporting that the NHS is missing waiting times for crucial tests for patients or emergency tents being pitched outside to cope with the number of patients. Yet, unless you are one of these individuals you may not have noticed a reduction in your healthcare. Perhaps a pill name has changed or you have been prescribed a new inhaler but your doctor or nurse has reassured you that it is the same ingredients just under a new brand name which is cheaper than previous.

The same quality but cheaper? Well we can all understand why the NHS has chosen it then. However, several months down the line and this has been shown to be a lie. Diabetics who were given new needles for their insulin injections are reporting that the needles bend or break too easily and cause pain or bleeding. The decision to move to these new needles is a cost saving exercise for the NHS due to the constraints being put on it financially but it is to the detriment of the patients.

Another example, one which is very wide spread and I have experienced, is the move from microgynon contraceptive pill to rigevidon. I was told by my nurse that the pill is exactly the same, its just that rigevidon was cheaper but I should experience no difference with it. Boy was she wrong. Every girl I have spoken to has reported problems with this pill; from spotting, painful cramps to increased anxiety/depression and insomnia. Luckily for me, my nurse moved me back onto microgynon but not all doctors are happy to do so.
This is the very real impact of low NHS funding. Everyday medication is traded for cheaper brands that cause more issues and more likely more appointments at GPs to treat the problems cause by cheaper brands! Most people in everyday life are wary of cheaper brands yet we seem happy to accept it when it comes to our healthcare? This isn’t right and it shouldn’t go on. I encourage anyone who has recently changed brand on any pill to question why and to keep an eye on any unusual symptoms. We can’t let our healthcare be ruled by what is the cheapest brand to buy and the government needs to recognise this.

Internet Communities: A new way to tackle loneliness

Loneliness is something which all of us experience at some point in our lives whether it be when we move to a new area, start a new job or split up with a partner. For some, loneliness is their only companion and in this day and age where very few people say hello to their neighbour, never mind know their name, it is becoming increasingly common for people of all ages to report being lonely. This issue used to be one associated mainly with the elderly, especially if they have no family left, but recently it has been noticed that younger generations are finding it just as difficult to make friends as their elderly counterparts.

In 2010 the Mental Health Foundation found loneliness to be a greater concern among young people than the elderly. The 18 to 34-year-olds surveyed were more likely to feel lonely often, to worry about feeling alone and to feel depressed because of loneliness than the over-55s. This is problematic because of the close relationship between loneliness and mental health – it is linked to increased stress, depression, paranoia, anxiety, addiction, cognitive decline and is a known factor in suicide.

The growth of the internet in helping to combat loneliness is constantly debated. Some argue that social media can actually make people feel more alone as no one presents a true version of themselves online and seeing others going out regularly while you are in the house can make feelings of depression etc even greater. However, for others the internet can present the opportunity to create support networks that grow into true friendships.

The latter option has been my experience. For the past six months I’ve been a part of several facebook groups filled with like-minded girls** all of whom have one thing in common: their love for the clothing brand Black Milk Clothing and all other things shiny nylon. Being a fan of this clothing brand presents the opportunity to be in a community of girls from around the globe who are known as ‘Sharkies’*. The sharkie community is made up of girls from all age groups, ethnicities, walks of life and religions (although for many nylon is a religion).

Photo courtesy of Camp Sharkie Con

Although the one thing bringing these girls together is clothes the bond quickly goes beyond that. The conversations on the pages range from excitement about latest clothing releases to discussing relationship issues, mental health problems, life choices and funny stuff. Actively involving yourself in these interactions leads to relationships being formed with girls that live miles away, sometimes even on a different continent. For many these friendships don’t stay online, regular meet ups are arranged for girls in local areas to get together for lunch/dinner/drinks and get to know each other even better. Some of these have led to great friendships being born that have lasted for years; these would never have existed and influenced people’s lives if these groups did not exist.

Photo courtesy of camp sharkie con

Recently a large meet up was organised in the UK dubbed ‘camp sharkiecon’; a weekend involving 70-plus girls in centre parks. Unfortunately I could not attend but the stories and pictures that have been shared by the girls who did attend make it look amazing. They went swimming, cycling, swapped clothes, had pancakes, chilled in hot tubs and generally had a great time getting to know each other. This experience will stay with these girls and the great memories that were made may help them through tougher periods of their life.

photo courtesy of https://instagram.com/justge0rgia

Black Milk Clothing also organises official ‘Sharkie cons’ around the world with one being held in Australia (where the company is based), LA and Europe. This is where the global aspect of the community comes into play. Girls who may not even speak the same language come together to party for a weekend with the creator of Black Milk and go home with new friends from across the globe. These conventions involve trying on new styles that the company are working on, pool parties, beach parties etc. Although not cheap to attend they form a connection between the participants and the brand making both of them stronger.

Photo courtesy of Erica Fox Wilde https://instagram.com/ericafoxwilde

Some of the members of the community have shared stories about how fellow sharkies have helped them through tough times. Anonymous presents often get sent to girls who have posted about having a hard time, people have lent each other money to get by, ill members have received support from across the world and for me personally one girl took the time out of her day to help me tutor my little sister in maths. One friend from a group even tried to raise the funds for me to go to a meet up in London on May 4^th! These generous and altruistic acts of kindness are what, for me, perfectly sums up the community. I love being a part of it and for me is somewhere I can turn to when I’m having a bad time or even just to chat too if I’m ever feeling lonely. I now count some of these girls as friends and I can’t wait to meet them when I finally attend a meet up.

It’s difficult to put into words how much of a positive influence these groups have been for me and I know it’s the same for a lot of the members of the community. It’s often difficult for people to understand that I have so many internet friends that I share so much with but in the day and age of the internet this is where support networks and friendships are formed and I’m so glad that I know I can count on these people if I ever need them.

Of course not everyone’s experience of the internet is the same and many argue that it actually enhances our sense of loneliness. However for me, and all my fellow sharkies, the internet has grown a community where acceptance, support, love and friendships thrive.

*Sharkies got their name because on release nights its a feeding frenzy and in the early days of BlackMilk they caused the site to crash. The owner then put up a picture of a shark until they got it back online again. And the term ‘Sharkie’ was born

**there is boys in the community but for the purposes of this post I’ve made it girls as most groups I am active in are exclusively girls.