tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3074989369645085645.post596833203380092693..comments2018-05-03T19:35:38.132+00:00Comments on The Leafman: Kerala - man walkingJohn Pearcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06215683869242226746noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3074989369645085645.post-75152877628870215512010-08-01T00:00:38.536+00:002010-08-01T00:00:38.536+00:00Well put - thanks - I agree - good to hear from yo...Well put - thanks - I agree - good to hear from you. Not much more to sayJohn Pearcehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06215683869242226746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3074989369645085645.post-6387734795588220752010-07-28T14:19:55.213+00:002010-07-28T14:19:55.213+00:00The Kerala image seems to signify an individual...The Kerala image seems to signify an individual's determination and abiltiy to survive. He is marching with some purpose to get out of the oppressive heat, perhaps with little hope of help from the leaders of his country. He knows that is survival depends on his own capacity not on any 'social capital' provided by his government. Any 'meaning in relationships' and shared purpose are with those who are close to him and in whom he can trust. The future he can create for himself is restricted by circumstance. That circumstance is helped or hindered by the infrastucture that his government can provide for him. They in turn are helped/hindered by their own circumstance, determined by internal and external forces (perhaps greed or self prservation being major components).<br />In this time of cutbacks and austerity, we must be sure that the Big Society is not just a big sham. Removing interfering government might sound a good idea, but if it means off-loading problems onto 'the people' without providing the infrastucture and support then it is merely 'a good idea' that has no real meaning nor purpose except to make do until the heat is off and the storm has passed. it might work. or it might just be storing up trouble for the future. <br />If our leaders are to offer hope, it must be have within it trust, goodwill and a shared direction marked out by the acknowledgement of our interdependence and all that that means.John Squireshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04018433874249641774noreply@blogger.com