Caramblogage

This IGAF (Is Goodness a Fashion) series explores, from a non-expert point of view, the social, economic and narrative ramifications I see developing from the COVID-19 crisis, worries, but also hopes for a future that the current shock to the system may result in. https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/oureconomy/following-coronavirus-money-trail/ The response to COVID19 demonstrates the role of publicly funded bodies in the resolution of public and economic moments of panic- the role of governments and geographic unions, of a global response to a pandemic, of a healthy and workable health care system that is universal and the ability to effect universal solutions to specific problems. There are some "temporary" measures that, no matter whom you ask, will be described as "human". Time to wonder and wander, to crystalise your path, to engage with friends and loved ones, to not work- to, for a while, not operate within the rules of the market. It is a short break befo...

This IGAF (Is Goodness a Fashion) series explores, from a non-expert point of view the social, economic and narrative ramifications I see developing from the COVID-19 crisis, worries, but also hopes for a future that the current shock to the system may result in. I very much doubt that the COVID-19 crisis will be the cathartic moment that enables a better future for this world as a whole. Take note that most of this writing is happening over the span of two months at this point, if I include the February Zine that preceded my temporary return to Caramblogage- a very short time. It feels like months have been compressed into days, once again. Two weeks of shock, of disaster and, finally the reemergence of capitalism. It bears repeating that I don't believe that this novel virus is any less dangerous than it is made to be, and that we should do everything to mitigate its effects on friends, loved ones and societies. We should be mindful that those of us in the urban global ...

This IGAF (Is Goodness a Fashion) series explores, from a non-expert point of view the social, economic and narrative ramifications I see developing from the COVID-19 crisis, worries, but also hopes for a future that the current shock to the system may result in. Somehow, the shop I work at has escaped all the shutdowns so far- apparently, printing remains essential, as does the picking up of packages (or the purchase of ethically questionable medical masks ). I did go to work on Sunday- yesterday, by now. I needed a few hours of normality for myself and this is where I find some of it- work therapy. Immersing myself in other people's problems for a while, dealing with easily solvable and routine tasks and generally pleasant people- assuming the role of the genial shopkeep. It's not a bad place to be in a crisis. It's 20 minutes away on foot. At the tobacconist under my house, they set up beer boxes to mark safe distances. The old man, Uncle, I call him, whom I like,...

This IGAF (Is Goodness a Fashion) series explores, from a non-expert point of view the social, economic and narrative ramifications I see developing from the COVID-19 crisis, worries, but also hopes for a future that the current shock to the system may result in. Many of the conversations I've been having lately have revolved around the emergency measures governments, states and unions of states have been implementing surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak. The tenor of these conversations is generally: so that healthcare measure was possible all the time? So the money for funding UBI is theoretically available? So you can call out the corruption of profiteering off such a situation? For years, the question when it comes to many hollowed-out state-run social welfare or even social support programmes, the question of "how do we pay for this??" has been raised. There are some very simple answers to that question, but it seems they required a radical suspension of "...

This IGAF (Is Goodness a Fashion) series explores, from a non-expert point of view the social, economic and narrative ramifications I see developing from the COVID-19 crisis, worries, but also hopes for a future that the current shock to the system may result in. Hello. It's been a while. It's been a lot of living, some work, but mostly just getting things back to a place I feel comfortable from. There's been some shit, there's been mostly good, there have been many encounters with unexpected people and some adventure was had along the way. And now, after this long while, I find myself sat at home, wondering what to do with myself. The streets are becoming quieter by the day, people locking themselves away at home, every headline in the past weeks has been about exactly one thing: a Coronavirus and its effects on the world. The last time I remember we as humans dealt with a possible pandemic was the Bird flu- H1N1, I believe- and even though those were worry...