The 2020 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony Pt.10

To be read as a direct continuation of Part 9; https://watchitdie.blogspot.com/2021/09/the-2020-summer-olympics-opening_26.html

Harmonised Chequered (Ichimatsu Moro).

This section introduced us to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Emblem. Named "Ichimatsu Moro" or "Harmonised Chequered."

Like all objet d' art or; "Object of Art." This has no real meaning. Or it has every meaning that you wish to project onto it.

However there do seem to be some key elements to the design.

Its general shape is reminiscent of a folding hand fan. The type usually made up of thin strips (blades) of Hinoki (Japanese Cypress) wood. Covered with paper.

Known as; "Sensu" this type of folding fan is a Japanese invention. 

Or as June Carter-Cash put it; "A Jay-pan fan." In the song she did with her husband Johnny Cash; "Jackson."

As all visitors have discovered. Japan is a very hot and humid country. So fans have always played a large part in its culture.

They were once even used on the battlefield to convey messages. Rather like how flags and Semaphore was used by European militaries.

Fans really found their place with the Imperial Japanese Court. Particularly from the Heian Period (794-1185) onwards.

Amongst the Imperial Courtiers or "Kuge" fans became an important way of communicating one's status. Such as through the size of the fan. Or the number of wooden blades.

Due to their role as status symbols fans quickly became a tool for flirting. With available young women using them to entice or deter potential suitors.

The fans, along with the tradition of flirting, spread to Royal Courts the world over. 

Perhaps most recognisably to the French Royal Court of Versailles (1682-1789). From where it has been picked up by modern western Drag Culture.

Within Japan the use of fans as a tool of flirting became so elaborate. That it developed into a specific style of dance. "Jinta mai."

This style of dance has been adopted by many western women over the years. Who often refer to it as; "Japanese Fan Dance."

Although we're not sure if they realise it was invented by prostitutes. To attract customers and advertise their wares.

The Tokyo 2020 emblem also makes use of the colour Purple.

Within Japan this colour is known as; "Kaimurasaki" (Imperial Purple). Since the Asuka Period (538-794 A.D) it could only be worn by the Emperor and the most senior members of his Court (Kuge). 

Under the "Twelve Level Cap And Rank System" there was actually a hierarchy amongst those who were allowed to wear what shade of what colour. 

At the very top there was the Emperor. He alone was allowed to wear the most magnificent shade of purple.

Beneath the Emperor there were his officials. Divided into ranks according to; "The Six Confucian Virtues."

Virtue: The; "Daitoku" (Greater Virtue) who could wear a deep, but lesser shade, of purple. The; "Shotoku" (Lesser Virtue) who could wear a lighter shade of purple.

Benevolence: The; "Daijin" (Greater Benevolence) who could wear deep blue. The; "Shojin" (Lesser Benevolence) who could wear a lighter shape of blue.

Propriety: The; "Dairei" (Greater Propriety) who could wear deep red. The; "Shorei" (Lesser Propriety) who could wear light red.

Sincerity: The; "Daishin" (Greater Sincerity) who could wear deep yellow. The; "Shoshin" (Lesser Sincerity) who could wear light yellow.

Justice: The; "Daigi" (Greater Justice) who could wear deep white. The; "Shogi" (Lesser Justice) who could wear pale white.

Knowledge: The; "Daichi (Greater Knowledge) who could wear dark black. The; "Shochi" (Lesser Knowledge) who could wear light black.

This association between Purple and Royalty is something that exists not just within Japan. 

It is shared by many different cultures, across the World throughout history.

Within Judaism Purple is the colour of Kings. The carriage of early Jewish King Solomon was said to have been upholstered in purple fabric.

As an off-shoot of Judaism Christianity considers purple to be the colour of Christ the King. 

It is worn by, particularly Catholic, Priests during funerals. In which the deceased is being welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven.

In Ancient Greece and Rome purple was also reserved those of the highest social status. Roman Emperors Julius Caesar and Augustus both decreed that only they could wear the colour. 

Emperor Nero went even further. Sentencing anyone who dared to posses, let alone wear, the colour to death.

At around 16:30 on 28/9/21 (UK date) I'll have to pick this up tomorrow. 

Edited at around 17:25 on 3/10/21 (UK date) to copy & paste;

The earlier, "Strength From Within" section of the Opening Ceremony. Looked at something else that is shared across many different cultures.

The concept that the heart is where emotions such as love are located. Those emotions can be manipulated by the strings connected to the heart. The; "Heartstrings."

That idea comes from the work of Plato and his student Aristotle. 

It became universal because their work was written down. Allowing it to be shared the World over. 

Amongst other scholars who would repeat Aristotle's experiments. Confirming his theories.

The global association between the colour purple and Royalty is different though. 

It seems to have sprung up spontaneously in many different cultures. Which seem to have nothing connecting them.

They did though have one thing in common. Planet Earth and the natural environment it provides.

The purple dye used by King Solomon and the Roman Emperors comes from a Sea Snail that lives in the Mediterranean Sea. 

Specifically from a poison called Purpurin. Which they use to hunt their prey.

A similar, but different type of Mollusc also exists in the seas around Japan. The poison extracted from these Akanishi-kai is also used to make purple dye.

Both the Mediterranean Sea Snail and the Japanese Akanishi-kai live underwater. Making them hard for humans to get to. 

They are also very small, relative to humans. So contain very tiny amounts of Purpurin.

Meaning that to dye a garment the size of an adult t-shirt. You would need to harvest something like 15,000 of these molluscs.

The massive amount of labour needed to collect all those Molluscs and turn them into a dye. Make for an extremely expensive product.

Meaning it could only be afforded by the richest in society. Who tended to be Emperors or Monarchs.

Under the Twelve Level Rank And Cap System. It was only the Emperor who was able to wear purple produced with Akanishi-kai dye.

Even his son Prince Shotoku, who invented the system. Along with the Daitoku and Shotoku. 

Had to make do with purple produced with a dye made from Purple Gromwell. A shrub, which although still rare. Is, at least, landbased.

Purple is also at the very edge of the colours that humans can see. The Visible Light part of the Electromagnetic Spectrum.

It is something else that seems common to all humans. Regardless of where they have lived in the World, or in history.

This concept that when people die. They move on from this dimension onto another plane of existence.

Probably the most simplistic version comes for Christianity. Where good people go to Heaven and bad people go to Hell. For all of eternity.

Within most Asian Animist religions this other dimension is based around the Buddhist concept of; "Naraka."

Although they can be there for a very long time, billions of years. Naraka is not a final resting place for the dead. 

So much as a land their ghosts must travel through. In order to return to this dimension. Reincarnation.

Followers of these religions mourn their loved ones by leaving gifts for them at shrines. These gifts are supposed to help aid and sustain them on the journey through Naraka. 

Food and water are the most common gifts. There is no worse fate than being a; "Hungry Ghost."

Other things that ghosts may need on their journey through Naraka are offered in paper sculpture form. Which is then set on fire.

Money has always been popular. But, apparently, demand for Covid vaccines now extends into Naraka and spirit world too.

Perhaps the most famous example of preparing for the journey through Naraka was that of Chinese Emperor Qin Shi Huang. 

Whose supporters buried him with an 8,000 strong Terracotta Army. To conquer the afterlife.

What is perhaps less well known is that Emperor Qin's Terracotta Army also includes battalions of musicians, strongman and acrobats. To entertain the afterlife.

Along with thousands of bureaucrats. With which to administer the afterlife.

Particularly in Japan it is believed that each year ghosts are given a couple of days holiday from Naraka. The; "Obon Festival."

In which they're able to return to this dimension, albeit still in spirit form. To visit their relatives and thank them for all the gifts they've given them.

Chinese people celebrate the same festival. Only knowing is as the; "Ghost Festival."

At the end of both festivals. Relatives light paper lanterns to guide the ghosts back to Naraka. 

A tradition that seems to have caught on in the west. Even if no-one seems to understand its origins.

Although they may not have understood it. I think humans have always known that light can be divided into different colours.

Certainly since the first Rainbow appeared.

It was the Ancient Greeks who first wrote down their attempts to explore the phenomenon. Known as; "Refraction." Using prisms of glass to create their own rainbows.

It was Ptolemy, a Persian Muslim Mathematician living in Egypt. 

Who discovered that Refraction was caused by light being slowed down by the medium as it passed through. Be that medium glass or water.

Ptolemy's work was built upon by Ibrahim Sahl. Another Persian Muslim Mathematician, living in Iraq. 

Who was first able to devise an equation. Allowing you to quantify Refraction, how much the light was being slowed down.

Rather appallingly Ibrahim Sahl's discovery is now known as; "Snell's Law." 

After the Dutch European Colonial Astronomer Willebrord Snellius. Who pretty much just stole Ibrahim Sahl's work and passed it off as his own.

It was the German Physicist Heinrich Hertz who proved that visible light was made up of Electromagnetic Radiation. The magnetism created by an electrical current.

This radiation repeats in the form of Waves. Electromagnetic Waves. 

It is the medium, glass or water, lengthening or shortening of these Wavelengths, relative to time. Which causes Refraction.

Heinrich Hertz worked in the 19th Century. At this same time other scientists was discovering and exploring the existence of another form of matter. Which they termed; "Particles."

It was the French Chemist Louis Pasteur who proved that sickness and illness is caused by these Particles. Which he termed; "Germs." These Germs were later divided into Bacteria and Virus.

Social Distancing was actually the experimental method that Louis Pasteur used. To prove that Germs, such as COVID-19, exist. 

So we're all still waiting on the Mask-Nutters. To explain why they think Social Distancing will stop the spread of COVID-19.

Ernest Rutherford and Paul Villard, British and French Physicists, were interested in a different type of particle. Alpha and Beta Particles. 

Although too small for humans to see Rutherford and Villard proved the existence of these particles. 

Showing how they were able to pass an electrical (ionic) charge onto other particles. Creating what looked like a smoke trail in a cloud chamber.

It was the French Physicist Louis de Brogile. Who, in 1924, demonstrated that Electromagnetism existed as both Particles and Waves.

It could transfer between those two known planes of existence. A phenomenon known as; "Wave/Particle Duality."

Shortly after Louis de Brogile. The very famous German Physicist Albert Einstein demonstrated a Duality between two other known planes of existence. Energy and Matter.

Einstein was even able to devise the equation E=MC². Allowing you to calculate how Energy transferred into Matter, relative to the Speed of Light (C).

A simple, common-or-garden example of E=MC² is a compost heap. As organic Matter decays it partially turns into (heat) Energy.

Although relatively rare. Particularly in a country as damp as Britain. Garden compost heaps can spontaneously catch fire and explode.

It also happens in nature. Where decaying organic matter creates heat which turns into wildfires.

Something which is very important to remember. As we struggle to deal with increased wildfires due to Climate Change.

After the Great Fire of 1910 the US seemed to forget that wildfires are a natural occurrence. So introduced a Zero Fires policy. 

By suppressing natural fires they've simply been building up more organic matter or: "Fuel" for when unnatural fires occur. Making them much more destructive and harder to contain.

Within UN Climate Change negotiations there are entire workstreams dedicated to just this topic.

Einstein's proof that it is possible to transfer between planes of existence. May be why it seems to have been common to all humans, throughout history. 

The belief that when people die they merely move onto a different plane of existence. 

It's true. A sort of fundamental truth that we've all always known. Yet somehow forgotten.

Yet another example of Conventional science finally starting to catch up of these ancient Animist religions.

Due to it sitting between the realm of which humans can perceive, Visible Light, and a realm of which humans cannot. 

The colour Purple is also very heavily associated with magic and witchcraft.

As you move through the Electromagnetic Spectrum. The Wavelengths shorten, becoming more dense.

Thanks to the Duality you can think of these Waves as Particles being affected by Gravity. Meaning they become heavier.

Beyond the colour Purple you have Ultraviolet Light (UV). Which, I think we all know, can burn human skin. Sunburn.

Beyond UV Light you have X-Rays and Gamma-Rays. 

Both of which can pass such an intense ionic charge onto human cells they kill them. There's only so many human cells that can die before you start running out of human.

So while X-Rays may allow you to see your bones. They're not doing your bones any good.

As a result Purple is considered the heaviest and the strongest colour.

Colour is very important within Anarchist politics.

Inspired by military signals Anarchists have the Black Flag as their main emblem. This conveys the message to keep fighting until the job is done.

The exact opposite of the White Flag. Which was originally an order for your own troops to stop fighting and allow themselves to be captured.

Anarchists also often combine the black with another colour. Specifying a specific cause. A sort of communication of Tactic\Objective.

Within Anarchist politics Purple is used to signify the cause of Gay Rights.

The main emblem of Gay Rights is the Rainbow Flag. Specifically with Purple as the bottom band.

It's certainly a good story. To say this is to signify the Anarchists as the strongest, heaviest part of the Gay Rights movement. 

The bit that will still be there. After the rest of the flag has been shot to pieces.

Rather like that famous photograph of World War Two US Marines raising the American Flag. On the Japanese island of Iwo Jima.

At around 17:45 on 3/10/21 (UK date) I'll have to pick this up. Hopefully tomorrow, rather than in a week. 

Edited at around 18:30 on 5/10/21 (UK date) to copy & paste;

As has been a recurring theme of these Olympics. Ceremonies and all. I've enjoyed a long relationship with Japan.

This began in 1999. When a Delusional Schizophrenic used Samurai swords to attack my local Church. 

I was not in the Church at the time. But my parents were.

As far as anyone can tell. He decided to do this because he genuinely believed he was living in an episode of; "Buffy The Vampire Slayer." A US TV show that was popular at the time.

This actually triggered something of a short-lived western obsession with Japan and Japanese culture. 

It also forced some poor person in Japanese Intelligence. To go through Buffy the Vampire Slayer in microscopic detail.

I only got around to watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer in 2020. 

However I'm now convinced the attack on the Church was staged. As an attack on the TV show.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer really helped rescue the career of Eliza Dushku who played the "Faith" character. 

After she found herself shunned by the industry. For daring to complain about being sexually assaulted on the set of the 1994 movie "True Lies."

Not only did the show give Eliza Dushku work. It also seemed to go to war with the industry on her behalf. Over the issue of rape and sexual abuse.

Season 4 of the TV shows the characters battle the main villain; "Adam." A sort of half-human Cyborg. Very much like Arnold Schwarzenegger's famous; "Terminator" character.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer also introduced one of the first openly gay characters seen on US network TV. "Willow Rosenberg" played by Alyson Hannigan.

Not only did it introduce Willow as a gay character. It also showed her to go onto to have a normal relationship with another woman. "Tara Maclay" played by Amber Benson.

Well. As normal as you can in a show with the words; "Vampire Slayer" in the title.

From the very start the show made it clear that it intended to have Willow as a gay character. 

She would often wear a backpack with Rainbow straps. Or dress in the Anarchist combination of Black\Purple.

However the network blocked the show from introducing Willow as a gay character. For a host of reasons.

They were concerned about the homophobic backlash it would trigger. 

Particularly from Evangelical Christians. Who were already upset by the shows portrayal of Demons, Vampires and magic.

That was alongside some more valid reasons. 

Mainly stemming from the fact that when Willow was first introduced. Both the character and Alyson Hannigan were about 15 years old. Below the age of sexual consent.

It is obviously one thing for a 15 year old to explore their own sexuality, at home. While watching a TV show. 

It is another for a middle-aged man to force a 15 year old to explore their sexuality in the making of a TV show.

Something which was rather central. To the show's war with the industry, on behalf of Eliza Dushku.

Also while I think the homophobic backlash is wrong. I would hesitate to throw a 15 year old into the middle of it.

This huge battle between the show and the network. Over the Willow character's gayness. 

Was something that was played out on screen. Throughout the first three seasons.

At the time there was a US band called; "Lit." 

When the network were blocking the Willow character. Red Lit stickers would appear in the background.

When the network were beginning to open up to the idea of Willow as a gay character. Yellow or, Amber Lit stickers would appear in the background.

We knew that Willow's gayness would be revealed and her girlfriend would be introduced. From all the Green Lit stickers that appeared.

This battle over Willow's gayness became a huge Cause Celebre for the gay community within Hollywood. With them all piling on demanding that Willow be turned gay.

This seemed to make the show uncomfortable.

The enthusiasm with which middle-aged gay men and women. Were desperate to impose their sexuality onto a 15 year old.

As with the Lit stickers. This apparent Duality between Hollywood Paedophilia and Homosexuality was also played out on screen.

Particularly in the Season 4 Episode 8 "Pangs." This centres around a long buried Colonial Mission being uncovered. Releasing a vengeful Chumash, Native American, spirit.

In an early scene. A definitely gay-looking, middle-aged, female Archaeology professor is seen speaking down a phone. Saying things like;

"Yes. We're all very excited. I can't wait to go down their myself."

Later in the same episode the "Anya Jenkins" character, played by Emma Caulfield, is shown. Having just visited the home of the, presumably, much older Dean of the University. Saying something like;

"His wife was very welcoming. She kept trying to feed me her pie."

Both lesbian themed sexual innuendos. So lacking in subtly they must be obvious even to non-English speakers.

The apparent Duality between Hollywood paedophilia and homosexuality was the really explored in Season 4, Episode 10 "Hush."

This saw a trio of very gay-looking men (ghouls) stalking the University dorms. Looking for young men to horribly abuse.

No-one was allowed scream. Or to speak out against it.

So in the production of Season 4, 1999-2000. The characters in the show were doing battle with the Adam character. 

While the show itself was doing battle with powerful Hollywood figures. Such as Arnold Schwarzengger, who went onto the be the Governor of California.

The show was also facing something of a backlash from the Hollywood gay community. For daring to question their obsession with trying to touch children.

The show was also becoming very famous.

With Alyson Hannigan and the lead actress, Sarah Michelle Gellar starting to be offered big movie roles. They could easily sink the show by their leaving.

Into this Britain started blaming the show for a sword attack on a Church.

An attack which was primarily designed as a generalised warning. About the threat of Islamist terrorism from Afghanistan. 

First from the theft of Serbia's southern Kosovo Province. Then, in 2001, from this group called; "Al Qaeda."

All while the show was still getting blamed by Evangelical Christians for things like the April 1999 Columbine Shooting.

It should be obvious to see why Britain got so angry. At a TV show.

As was discussed at the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest. At quite some length.

Britain just could not cope with an earlier episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Season 3, Episode 11 "Gingerbread."

This sees the town gripped by a moral panic, very much like the Salem Witch Trials. It ends with two main, and one ancillary, characters being burned at the stake.

This was the show telling the story. Of the moral panic that it had unleashed amongst Evangelical Christians. With its portrayal of Demons, Vampires and magic.

Britain, however, got it very wrong. Assuming it all to be a metaphor for homosexuality.

After all. Homosexuality seems to be their answer for everything. It is their magic power.

This inability to cope. With even the most basic of things.

Seems to have been a major driving factor. Behind Britain's, curious, 2006 decision. To just completely withdraw from reality.

As an ally. It would be remiss of Japan not to join in the deafening chorus.

Calling on Britain to at try to reconnect with reality.

At around 18:40 on 5/10/21 (UK date) I'll have to pick this up when I can.

Edited at around 18:35 on 12/10/21 (UK date) to copy & paste;

Then there is the pattern itself. A simple repetition of Purple Square, White Square, Purple Square, White Square.

As with the notion of Heartstrings. The association between the colour Purple and Royalty. The belief that when people die they move to another plane of existence.

This pattern is another example of something which seems common to all humans. Regardless of where they have lived, throughout history.

It was said to have been used in King Solomon's Temple. From where the Freemasons adopted it. Using it as a symbol of the Duality between Good and Evil. 

The Balinese know it as; "Saput Poleng." Where, like the Taoist "Ying, Yang," it is considered to represent the balance in the Universe. Good, Evil. Light, Dark.

Initially in Japan it was known as the; "Stone Pavement Pattern" (Ishidatami Moyo). As it resembled paving stones.

During the Edo Period it was adopted by the hugely famous Kabuki Theatre actor Ichimatsu Sanogawa. As his signature stage look. 

Leading it to become known as; "Ichimatsu Moyo" (The Pattern of Ichimatsu)."

These days I think it is most commonly known, globally, as the "Checkerboard Pattern."

This Checkerboard pattern is an example of a Geometric Progression. It alternates and continues indefinitely.

This continuous growth means that it is considered a symbol of prosperity in Japan. Along with many other Asian societies.

The Indonesian island of Buton actually used checkered fabric as its currency. Up until, about, 1955.

This association with money also occurred in Medieval Europe. Where a checkerboard sheet or table top was used as a sort of calculator. An; "Exchequer."

Britain's Chief Finance Minister continues to be formally titled; "The Chancellor of the Exchequer."

One of the earliest recorded uses of the checkerboard pattern is in a Chess Board. 

Chess was first invented in what is now India. In around the 5th Century B.C. Around the time King Solomon was building his Temple.

The pandemic has rather forced us all to become interested in one specific type of Geometric Progression. 

With all the talk of "Flattening the Curve" and "Exponential Growth." From people who, clearly, do not understand the terms.

There is actually an ancient Persian story that explains Geometric Progression and Exponential Growth using the Chess Board.

A King is so impressed by this new game and wants to learn how to play it. So he summons a knowledgeable peasant to explain it to him.

The peasant agrees. But only if the King pays him. 

With one grain of rice for the first square on the board. Then double the number of grains of rice for each subsequent square.

The King thinks that one or two grains of rice seems a perfectly reasonable payment. So agrees.

Not realising that by the time they'll reach the 64th square. He will owe the peasant all the rice in the kingdom.

That is exponential growth. If we assume that each square is a separate, set frame of time.

Within the world of theoretical mathematics it's believed that Geometric Progressions will go on indefinitely. 

However the American Astronomer Carl Sagan once quipped that's not possible. As eventually they'll run out of things to consume. 

Although I think he was having a theoretical debate over whether the Universe is finite or infinite.

Sagan's point does though have some relevance to the fight against Climate Change and Environmentalism more generally.

The eternal conflict between an economic model that requires continuous growth and consumption and finite natural resources.

This conflict was first properly explored, in writing, by Thomas Malthus. An 18th Century Church of England Protestant Christian Minister.

Malthus that the ultimate goal of the human population was happiness. The main source of that happiness was population growth.

Not an unreasonable opinion. Given how populations have, traditionally, gone about growing.

The problem was that the supply of food could not increase to keep pace with this population growth. Inevitably leading to a correction. A mass die-off event. A famine.

Even before Malthus had begun to write down his thoughts. Human innovation was providing a solution.

In the form of the Second Agricultural Revolution. The first being the invention of agriculture during the Neolithic Period.

The Second Agricultural Revolution was the result of the complex interaction of numerous factors.

Covering it fully is a doctoral thesis in itself. In fact it has been the basis for many doctoral theses over the years.

However it can really be summed up in one word; "Industrialisation."

At the Second Agricultural Revolution's start farming was for subsistence. Each family would work a little piece of land, borrowed from a feudal Lord, to feed themselves.

From about the 15th Century onwards the feudal Lords began enclosing their properties. Stopping the peasants from using it for subsistence farming.

Instead the Lords employed the peasants as workers. On much larger farms which were not intended to feed them. But to produce products for sale. 

With part of the profits being paid to the peasants. Who could use the money to buy products with which to feed themselves.

This new model of production was accompanied by a host of scientific and technological advances.

Such as the invention of a new type of, more efficient, plough. The Dutch & Rotherham Swing. Along with the discovery of fertilisers, new types of crops and better ways to grow them. Crop Rotation.

This meant that between the 15th and 19th Centuries food production grew much faster than the population. Despite Malthus' pessimism.

In the 1960's, at the height of the Cold War. 

The US looked at poverty and hunger in the Third World. Along within First World countries which may be tempted to join the Communist Second World.

They saw an opportunity to shore up and increase their global power. By attempting to recreate the Second Agricultural Revolution globally.

US allies would be rewarded with a Marshall Plan style program of technology and knowledge transfer. A program the US dubbed; "The Green Revolution."

In launching it in 1968 the US Agency for International Development (USAID) actually went to pains to stress. 

That this was not the violent Red Revolution of Communism. 

Nor the Colonial White Revolution.Where the US tried to impose a puppet regime on Iran.

Again. Fully covering the Green Revolution is a doctoral thesis in its own right.

However, as with the Second Agricultural Revolution. Its main focus was the industrialisation of farming. Moving from subsistence farming to commercial farming.

It also focused heavily on prompting the use of new technologies. Particularly irrigation and water management. Along with the latest synthetic fertilisers and pesticides.

The selective breeding of livestock was really invented during the Second Agricultural Revolution. Scientific advancement allowed the Green Revolution to expand selective breeding to crops.

Leading the creation of new strains of crops. Such as IR8 Rice. Which allows five times as much food to be produced from the same amount of land.

The Green Revolution was massively successful. So much so that it forced China to compete. Both to tackle hunger within China and to avoid losing influence to America.

March 2021 actually saw the death of Yuan Longping. A hugely respected Chinese scientist. 

Who is really considered the; "Father of Hybrid Rice" and; "The Man Who Fed The World." Despite competing claims from America.

The Green Revolution though was not without its problems.

I think we could all have done without the synthetic pesticide DDT. 

Which was so damaging it really sparked to modern Environmental movement. Having been highlighted by Rachel Carson in her book; "Silent Spring."

Also considered to be inventions rather than natural occurances. These new crop varieties such as IR8 Rice are covered by International Intellectual Property Rights (IIPR/Copyright). 

Which can turn them into a mechanism of Neo-Colonial dependency.

Rather than harvesting the rice and using some of the seeds to plant the next crop. Farmers are now being forced to buy the next batch of seeds.

Woe betide any farmer who has the misfortune. Of having some of Monsanto's Intellectual Property blow into their fields on the wind.

The Green Revolution has also exacerbated the problem of John Locke's Labour Theory of Property. That no-one can be paid for simply not cutting down a tree.

So in countries like Brazil people are forced to cut down huge swathes of Rainforest. To make way for commercial farms.

Fortunately, as with the Malthus problem. Human innovation finally seems to have found a way to overcome the Locke problem.

In the form of Carbon Credits. Allowing nations to receive payment for the vital work that Rainforests do for us.

Unfortunately the regime of Obama and Biden has forbidden us from using that solution. 

Through the imposition of the Paris Agreement horror show.

The Rice and Chess Board story was first written down in 1256 by Ibrahim Khallikan. A Persian Buddhist who was working as the Chief Judge or Egypt at the time.

Along with Ptolemy and Ibrahim Sahl. Ibrahim Khallikan is the third significant Persian figure in Mathematics that I've discussed in just this section alone.

That allows for another little dig at Black Lives Matter. Particularly their idiotic Critical Race Theory.

Followers of Critical Race Theory wish to ban the teaching of Mathematics in American schools. On the grounds that it is; "White Supremacist."

Not only isn't Mathematics White Supremacist. It isn't even particularly White.

It is predominately Middle-Eastern, Persian/Arab. With a little bit of influence from Asia. Thanks to the Silk Road.

In the wake of the 9/11 Attacks a joke went round amongst critics of then President George W. Bush. 

Claiming that after declaring war on Al Qaeda (The Base). Next he wanted to declare war on Algebra.

The joke was really on them though.

The Mathematical system of Algebra was first developed by Muhammad al-Khwarizmi. Another Persian Muslim Mathematician, living in Iraq. 

"Al Gebra" is an Arabic phrase meaning; "Bringing together the pieces."

So it would make rather a good name for an Al Qaeda like terror group. If it wasn't already taken.

Obviously there is case in the teaching of Snell's Law. To point out that it is actually Ibrahim Sahl's Law.

However I think that, particularly at High School. Maths class should really focus on teaching Maths.

For people in UK Commonwealth countries. Along with residents of the US cities of Chicago and Pittsburgh. This checkerboard pattern is synonymous with the Police.

In that context it is known as; "Sillitoe Tartan." After Sir Percy Sillitoe. The Chief Constable of Police in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. 

Who introduced it in 1932. As a way to make his officers more visible in the dark.

Although Sillitoe never served in it himself. Policing across the, then, British Empire was heavily influenced in the; "Shanghai International Settlement." Located in what is, broadly, the Chinese city of Shanghai.

The Shanghai International Settlement was established by the 1843 Treaty of Nanking. At the end of the First Opium War (1839-1842).

This wasn't quite a British Colony. In the way that Hong Kong was established as a British Colony. Instead it was a more unique arrangement. 

It saw Chinese people and Westerners living together. 

However the Chinese people were bound by Chinese law. While the Westerners were exempt for Chinese law. Theoretically being bound by laws enforced by the British Municipal Council.

This created something of a gangster's paradise. The sort of hedonistic place where people would go to disappear. 

As you would expect. From a place created by a war fought to make the consumption of Opiates, more or less, compulsory.

The Shanghai Municipal Police attracted, shall we say; 'unconventional' officers from police forces from across the British Empire. 

Such as the British South African Police or the North Rhodesian Police. Both of which Sillitoe served in.

The Shanghai Municipal Police was particularly attractive amongst members of the Royal Irish Constabulary. 

Particularly after it was disbanded. Following Britain's defeat in the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921).

Marking its centenary year this year. The Irish War of Independence was really the first Guerrilla war.

I appreciate that military history is rarely consider mainstream history. Nor do I think it ever should be.

However Guerrilla warfare has been the main type of warfare since the end of the Second World War.

Such as in the 20 year Vietnam War. Or the 20 year war in Afghanistan.

So the invention of that type of warfare. During the Irish War of Independence. Is certainly historically significant.

At around 18:50 on 12/10/21 (UK date) I'm very obviously not finished with this section. 

Edited at around 14:40 on 13/10/21 (UK date) to fill in the Malthus, Green Revolution placeholder.

At around 14:55 on 13/10/21 (UK date) I'll try and get back on track.

Edited at around 16:25 on 14/10/21 (UK date) to tidy up a bit and copy & paste;

One particular veteran of the Irish War of Independence. Who went on to find work with the Shanghai Municipal Police (SMP) stands out. William Fairbairn.

Much of Fairburn's career with the SMP seemed to involve brutal street fights. He's said to have enjoyed more than 600 in a 20 year career.

This gave him an opportunity to compare his British Queensbury Rules Boxing. With that fancy 'Chinese Boxing' (a Mix of Martial Arts). 

This allowed him to invent a new style of fighting. Which he named; "Defendu."

In Shanghai Fairbairn also pioneered a number of knife-fighting and gun-fighting techniques.

You may be familiar with the phrase; "Shoot from the hip." Fairbairn invented it.

The art of drawing a pistol from a concealed holster. Then quickly dropping your target, one handed. Without using the pistol sights. 

It turns out the bullets just go where you point it.

In May 1925 the SMP opened fire on a protest calling for an end to Imperial Rule. The; "May 13th Movement."

In response Fairbairn established the SMP's Special Reserve Unit. Initially this was intended as an anti-Riot Squad. The first in the World.

However the SMP's Special Reserve developed into taking on Hard Target Arrest and Hostage Rescue roles. Making it the precursor to modern police Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) units.

In the US TV show; "S.W.A.T" they drive around in an Armoured Vehicle (MRAP) which they nickname; "Black Betty."

The SMP's Special Reserve pioneered the use of Armoured Vehicles with their; "Red Maria." Essentially whatever was the 1925 equivalent of a panel van. With armour plating and a heavy machine gun turret.

Serving alongside Fairbairn in the SMP's Special Reserve was a sharpshooter by the name of Eric Sykes.

With the outbreak of the Second World War both Fairbairn and Sykes returned to Britain. Joining the British Army.

There they used their experience of Guerrilla warfare from Ireland. Along with the irregular fighting skills they'd developed in the SMP's Special Reserve. 

To invent a new type of military force. The Commando force.

One of the first of these Commando Forces was the First Special Service Force. The so-called; "Devil's Brigade." Who are recognised as the first Special Operations Force (SOF).  

To equip these new Commandoes Fairbairn and Sykes invented a new type of fighting knife. The Fairbairn-Sykes (F5) Fighting Knife.

The F5 Fighting Knife continues to be used by SOF forces. The last recorded kill comes from Britain's Special Boat Service (SBS). In Afghanistan in 2019.

The F5 Fighting Knife also continues to be used as the emblem of the British Royal Marine Commando Force. 

As it is used as the emblems of the Belgian Commando Corp. The Dutch Commando Corp. The 1st and 2nd Australian Commando Regiments. Along with the US Army Rangers.

Fairbairn and Sykes then went onto to found and train the Special Operations Executive (SOE). 

The SOE is often, commonly, referred to as; "The French Resistance." Although they were responsible for anti-Nazi resistance movements across Occupied Europe.

Fairbairn and Sykes then went onto help America form the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). Which, at the end of the Second World War, became the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

The Shanghai Municipal Police also pioneered the use of intelligence-led political policing. What used to be known throughout the British Empire/Commonwealth as; "Special Branch." 

Although, globally, then now tend to be referred to as; "Counter-Terrorism Command." 

The SMP's Special Branch had some notable successes. Such as the arrests of Jakob Rudnik and Richard Sorge. Members of the Third International. A Soviet organisation dedicated to spreading Communism globally.

The SMP also helped the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) smash the base of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in the Shanghai Municipal Settlement. Although I think we all know how that ended, eventually.

Sir Percy Sillitoe went on to head Britain's domestic intelligence Security Service MI5. 

Sillitoe's MI5 career was ended though by the Cambridge Five scandal. In which the Soviet Union managed to place a network of spies at the highest levels of Britain's government and intelligence services.

The Cambridge Five scandal is considered to be the worst failure by British Intelligence.

Well. It used to be.

In adopting the Checkerboard Pattern into the uniform of his officers. Percy Sillitoe seemed particularly interested in making them more visible to motorists. A growing scourge in 1930's Glasgow.

This visibility is why the Checkerboard Pattern Flag was adopting in the world of motor-racing. Used to signify the end of the race.

British Teenagers were invented by Lonnie Donegan. In 1952.

They immediately started racing about on motorcycles and motor-scooters. The; "Mods & Rockers" made famous by the 1979 movie; "Quadrophenia."

Particularly the Mods quickly also adopted the Sillitoe Tartan. Presumably as a way to mock the police officers who were trying and failing to flag them down.

I think this is why Sillitoe Tartan was adopted by British Ska record label "2 Tone" in 1979. Although I suspect they're probably not sure themselves.

Probably the most famous band signed to 2 Tone were The Specials. They eventually split up into two bands. The Special Beat and Specials AKA (Also Known As).

I publish under the name; "Sovereign." Except where it isn't available. In which case I publish under the name; "Sovereignaka."

A little reference to The Specials and 2 Tone.

Although that, perhaps, risks overstating the amount of thought that went into it. There were a lot of fast warrants flying about after 9/11.

Shakira invoked by the Ska sound and 2 Tone Checkerboard Pattern imagery in her 2014 song; "Can't Remember To Forget You."

An effort to firmly shove a Chris Brown dating Rihanna in my direction.

I really don't like going on about this. It sounds like I'm claiming Rihanna's achievements since then as my own.

I'm really not. Those are most definitely Rihanna's achievements.

I didn't really have much to do with Rihanna between 2014 and 2021. It was actually a bit strange. Trying to catch up where we left off.

However I like to think I helped a bit. In allowing Rihanna to reach her full potential. 

Just as Shakira helped a bit. Just as Katy Perry helped a bit.

The point is that my actions tell a very different story.

To the, frankly, lies the US and Britain have been trying to tell. 

Portraying me as some sort of Wayne Couzens/Brian Laundrie type character.

At the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest the 2 Tone Checkerboard Pattern was used extensively. In an effort to repeat the trick. By firmly shoving Miley Cyrus in my direction.

However the Ichimatsu Mori emblem was unveiled back in 2016. So I don't think that was their primary intention.

Although, that said.

Miley Cyrus came round my house in 2013. We've sort of been stalking around each other ever since.

That's why I chose this year to face up to her. 

With everything being quiet with the pandemic it seemed a good opportunity. To get whatever it is out of our systems.

If only so we can finally be rid of each other. 

 

To be continued in Part 11.

17:10 on 14/10/21 (UK date).

 

The 2020 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony Pt. 9.

To be read as a direct continuation of Part 8; https://watchitdie.blogspot.com/2021/09/the-2020-summer-olympics-opening_19.html

Media Clowns I.

There then followed a short interlude.

A skit featuring clowns dressed as TV (news) crew. 

So there was the presenter in his suit, holding a microphone. The camera operator, the boom mic operator, the floor manager/director.

They mimed accosting another clown. Dressed as the director of the ceremony with his headset and clipboard. 

Shoving the camera and microphone in his face. As if demanding he answered their questions.

This was a reference to all the controversies which have surrounded the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Confirming that they were all scripted and planned.

Really the first happened all the way back in March 2020. 

When the first creative director Hiroshi Sasaki was forced to step down. After making jokes about the comedian and actress Naomi Wanatabe's weight. 

Saying she could only have a role if she played the part of a pig. The; "Olympig."

That was intended to contribute to the recurring theme of the Opening Ceremony. 

Improving rights for woman within Japanese society. A society which can view women's contribution and value only in terms of their physical appearannce.

It also picked up from Israel's 2018 Eurovision Song Contest win. With the artist Netta. 

Like Naomi Wanatabe Netta is a larger woman. Although you would stop short of calling her fat. She is just that shape.

It was part of a wider discussion about how women, particularly their bodies, are viewed and treated in the music industry.

Israel's 2018 Eurovision Song Contest entry was really a response to US President Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Then, during the 2018 Song Contest, withdraw from the Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA).

Engulfed by such political controversies Israel knew it would have to go big at Eurovision. So it did, literally.

Displaying a sense of humour that would suggest. They're unlikely to be offended by my joke. 

That we'd get to find out what Netta would look like if she lost weight. As she's going to spend the next year sweating like the proverbial Jew in the Attic.

In rather a flat year Israel won the 2018 Song Contest. Meaning they had to host the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest. 

Opening its audience up to everyone in the International Community who has ever been forced to form an opinion on the Israel/Palestine Conflict. So everybody.

By referencing Israel's 2018 Eurovision Song Contest entry through this controversy. Japan was also bringing into discussion all the issues surrounding it.

That recurring theme of improving rights for women in Japanese society. Was really explored by the, one-time, head of the Tokyo Organising Committee and former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori.

In February 2021 details were leaked of an Organising Committee meeting. Held in 2019.

In which they were discussing setting a target of having women make up 40% of their membership.

Yoshiro Mori declared that it would be a very bad idea. 

As women talk too much without ever having anything to contribute. Meaning that meetings would go on for too long and nothing would get done.

He 'apologised' by explaining that he doesn't really know or care what women think. As he doesn't really speak to many women.

At which point he was forced to resign.

Being replaced by a woman. Seiko Hashimoto.

The week before the Opening Ceremony the composer, Cornelius (Keigo Oyamada) was forced to resign. After it emerged that he'd physically and sexually abused disabled classmates whilst at school.

Cornelius had actually admitted to that in a series of interviews given in 1994 and 1995. So you can see the mistake Japan made in appointing him.

Thinking he'd fit right in with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Who once looked at Adolf Hitler and thought;

"He seems like out sort of chap! Let's give him an Olympics."

Two days before the Opening Ceremony the director, Kentaro Kobayashi was forced to resign. 

After it was claimed that he'd made anti-Semitic jokes about the Nazi Holocaust. On his 1998 TV show.

That obviously further acknowledged Imperial Japan's role as a wartime ally of Nazi Germany. Providing active support to the Nazi Holocaust. While committing many horrific Crimes Against Humanity of its own.

It also though touched on the subtelties of the Japanese language.

The offending sketch saw him looking at a pile of discarded mannequins. Some people translate what he said next as; "Let's play Jews genocide game."

More fluent Japanese speakers translate it as; "That's from when we did a sketch about the Jews genocide game. Our editor was not happy about that(!)"

Making it less a joke about the Nazi Holocaust. More a joke about why jokes about the Nazi Holocaust aren't funny. 

Unless you're making jokes about an Israeli 2018 Eurovision Song Contest win. And know preciesely what you're doing.

It's very easy to draw a comparison. Between making jokes about the Nazi Holocaust and being a Japanese politician visiting the Yasukuni Shrine.

On the day of the Opening Ceremony it was engulfed in a racism scandal. 

After the Black Senegalese musician Latyr Sy, who has lived in Japan for over 20 years, claims his performance was cancelled. As they didn't want someone who was too African being part of the Opening Ceremony.

As the Opening Ceremony has been encouraging you to learn. Japan considers the most cherished era of its history to be the Edo Period.

During the Edo Period Japan was governed by the "Sakoku" (Locked State) policy. When Japan was almost entirely isolated from the outside world.

As a result the Japanese are still very distrustful of outsiders. Even other Asians.

Black people are really the easiest to identify, visually, as outsiders. 

The Closing Ceremony featured a Japanese lookalike of the White British actress Helen McCrory. To show how Europeans (Caucasians) can, just about, get away with looking like Japanese and vice versa. 

Also Japan has this very rigid polite, deferential and conformist culture. A hangover from the Tokugawa Class System. Adopted during the Edo Period.

There's this stereotype of the British being very buttoned up, polite and obsessed with manners. By Japanese standards the British are all oafs and loudmouths.

I really don't like talking in terms of; "Black Culture." It feels as stupid as referring to Africa as a country.

You'd have to be a member of Black Lives Matter, to do something that stupid.

However I think what dominates globally is American Black Culture. Like Caribbean Black Culture this has its roots in West Africa. Countries like Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal.

West African culture, particularly Nigerian culture. Seems to involve an awful lot of pushing, shoving and yelling.

So not only couldn't Black people look less like Japanese people. If they're of West African heritage their culture is also, really, the polar opposite of Japanese culture.

So really standing out from the crowd. Black visitors, and even natural born citizens. Do tend to bear the brunt of Japanese people's ingrained distrust of outsiders.

Although I suspect it matters little. If you're on the receiving end.

That strikes me as softer, less deeply held form of racism. Based more in national identity than skin colour specifically.

It certainly seems much milder than something like Adolf Hitler's theories of Aryan Supremacy.

You are certainly being invited though to join in a wider discussion. About what type of racism it is or if it is even racism at all?

Which inevitably would seem to involve a discussion about what is racism?

As always with these broad questions of societal attitudes. There's never going to be one correct answer.

Unless the exam's being carried out under Critical Race Theory.

In which case, like US ballot papers. It seems, no matter the question, there's only ever one correct answer;

"Vote Democrat."

To be continued in Part 10.

17:35 on 26/9/21 (UK date).

The 2020 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony Pt.8.

To be read as a direct continuation of Part 7; https://watchitdie.blogspot.com/2021/09/the-2020-summer-olympics-opening_14.html

The Athletes Parade. 

It is International Olympic Committee (IOC) protocol. That each Opening Ceremony features a parade by the athletes of the participating nations.

In many ways this is the most important part of the Opening Ceremony. It introduces us to the people who will make the games happen over the coming weeks.

It also gives those athletes their moment in the spotlight. Not every heat in every event will be televised globally. However the Opening Ceremony is.

So this allows all the athletes their moment to shine. 

To wave at their friends, families, former High School bullies on TV. Celebrating how much they've achieved simply by getting here.

Unfortunately it is just a long line of highly skilled athletes walking in a straight line. Without falling over.

Which leaves people like me with very little to talk about. 

Creating this strange situation where the most important part of the Opening Ceremony. Is also the part that receives the least coverage by me.

It also goes on for an extraordinarily long time.

That is despite not all athletes choosing to take part. 

If their event comes early in the games, such as at dawn the following morning. Then they chose to prepare for their event. Rather marching in the parade.

Due to pandemic restrictions, this year it was even more stripped back than usual.

Many the athletes whose events come towards the end of the games hadn't even arrived in Japan. Or were still in hotel quarantine. Having only just arrived.

Despite this the Athletes Parade still managed to last for some two hours. More than half of the four hour Opening Ceremony.

That's right. We're on Part 8. We're not even halfway through.

Due to pandemic restrictions the Olympic Laurel Award was not presented in person. Instead Muhammad Yunus accepted it in a pre-recorded video.

We segued from that section to this through another short video.

This began with a classical orchestra, particularly the string section, tuning up.

In reference to Quantum String Theory. 

That all matter is made up of these tiny, quantum particles. Each of those quantum particles are made of strings. Which resonate. Rather like the strings on a musical instrument.

It also referenced The BBC Proms which formed part of the "Rhythm of Tradition/Rose Of Allendale" sequence. Due to the BBC Proms being really the only cultural event in all of 2020.

It also served as a little play on the term; "Segue." 

Often mistaken for the term; "Segway" it has its origins in classical music. Meaning to move without stopping, from one piece of music to another.

Something which is difficult to do. If you have the IOC insisting your grand artistic vision has to keep stopping. To make space for pieces of protocol.

The video then showed all the Olympic venues. Standing empty in expectation.

It seemed to particularly focus on venues which featured centre circle. Such as a Basketball court, Hockey pitch, Football pitch, Rugby Sevens pitch etc.

Those centre circles resembled the numeral for; "Zero/0." A joke on the fact that technological superpower Japan. Had broken with tradition. Not starting the Opening Ceremony with a Countdown.

The video then showed footage of venues busy with athletes participating in their events. Taken from previous Olympics and World Championships.

To give the impression of; The athletes arriving. The games beginning.

The video seemed to focus on female athletes. Female Weightlifters in particular.

A protest against Laurel Hubbard. The middle-aged New Zealand man who finally realised he was terrible at Weightlifting. So is competing as a woman at these games. In the hope it will be easier for him to win.

It also served as a protest against the two other, slower nations. The US and Canada. 

Who, driven by their belief in nonsense concepts such as; "Gender Fluidity" and self-selecting gender pronouns. 

Still consider Trans athletes to be an ongoing discussion within the Olympic/Para-Olympic movement.

I do not know if it was the same classical orchestra featured in the video. However all the music during the Athletes Parade was provided by a classical orchestra.

Recordings were played of classical orchestral interpretations of famous music from video games. Such as Final Fantasy, Sonic the Hedgehog, Pro-Evolution Soccer and Soulcaliber.

This served to remind you. All those video games you spend so many hours playing. They're Japanese.

It was also something of an interesting musical experiment. Having tinny 8bit music from 1980's video games. Being performed in all the depth and complexity of a vast classical orchestra.

As I've said. One of the main, recurring themes of the Opening Ceremony. Was efforts to improve rights for women within Japanese society.

As a member of the Group of 7 (G7) nations. Alongside the US, the UK, France, Italy, Canada and Germany. On the issue of rights for women Japan is significantly behind those peers.

However, with the Olympics being a truly global event. I would hesitate to say that Japan is extremely bad when it comes to women's rights. As I can quickly reel of a long list of nations that are worse.

Japan seemed to be trying to make the Athletes Parade into the reeling off of that long list of nations that are worse.

It is IOC protocol that each nation nominates one athlete to carry their national flag. To lead out their delegation at the Athletes Parade.

Japan requested that each nation nominate two flag-bearers. A gender-balanced pairing of one male athlete and one female athlete. In an effort to promote women's rights

Which served as another little dig at the slower nations. Who seem desperate to sacrifice rights for women at the altar of nonsense concepts like; "Gender Fluidity." Particularly in sport.

It though presented a particular problem for nations who are worse than Japan on women's rights.

Nations which don't allow women to participate in sport at all, let alone at the elite level. So don't actually have female athletes in their delegations to carry the flag.

Although not exclusively these nations do tend to be Muslim. With it being a particular issue for the Gulf Arab states, such as Saudi Arabia.

Of those Gulf Arab states the first to appear in the Athletes Parade was the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Who appear not to have understood Japan's request.

They did not provide two flag-bearers, one male and one female. However they did provide each athlete with two flags.

Which struck me as a neat little joke. Breaking the ice and taking the pressure of the nations that would follow who may also have problems meeting Japan's request.

It actually rather reminded me of Rihanna's infamous concert in the UAE, as part of her 2013 Diamonds World Tour. The year after I'd been forced to marry her at the Closing Ceremony of the 2012 Summer Para-Olympics.

As the most moderate of the group. The UAE seemed to be, once again, taking the hit for the entire team.

Although the US/UK-led NATO nations certainly didn't know it at the time. The Parade of Nations may prove to have served us with a sombre moment in history.

The last time that athletes from the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan were able to parade along with their national flag at an Olympics/Para-Olympics.

While it is significantly getting ahead of myself. I think we should take a moment to recognise the efforts of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons.

As the World was watching to horror of Kabul airport unfold on TV. 

Andrew Parsons was working, successfully, to get Afghan Para-Olympians onto flights, into countries that would offer them political asylum and onto the games.

All while trying to run the 2020 Summer Para-Olympic games.

I think he's definitely earned himself a few days off. 

At around 17:25 on 19/9/21 (UK date) I'll pick this up tomorrow.

Edited at around 18:40 on 21/9/21 (UK date) to copy & paste;

Olympic Oath.

It is IOC protocol. That each Opening Ceremony contains a section in which the Olympic Oath is taken. 

By a group of athletes and officials. Representing all the athletes and officials at the games.

This year saw the introduction of a new Olympic Oath. 

Adopted to signify inclusion, equality and tolerance. Through the adding of the words; "Diversity" and "Solidarity."

It is always quite amusing to watch the Olympics attempt to present itself as a champion of such values.

So far this Opening Ceremony has taken us through the history of European Colonialism. 

From John Locke through to the Bretton Woods conference. Via the various Black Ships that visited Japan.

The Olympics is very much a relic of European Colonialism.

Despite all this myth-making about Ancient Greece. The Olympics was invented by a French Aristocrat (Lord), Pierre de Coubertin. The first games were held in 1896.

This was the same year that the motor car, powered by an internal combustion engine, was invented. Although it would be at least another 20 years before their use would become widespread.

It was nearly two decades before anyone managed to put an internal combustion engine in an aircraft. Exactly who was first continues to be a point of contention. Between America and Japan's very good friend Brazil.

It was almost 30 years before powered flight had become advanced enough. That the first commercial flights became possible.

So in 1896 getting anywhere took absolutely ages. Your options were really walking, horse, horse-drawn cart or sailing ship.

We talk about the Black Ships opening up maritime routes that were much faster than the Silk Road. The journey from Western Europe to India still took something like three and a half years.

So of you wanted to gather the global Ruling Class together. To debate the big issues of the day. Then you'd need a really good excuse.

The Olympics is just that excuse.

From its inception one of the core "Olympic Ideals" that the athletes must be amateurs. 

To this day they're not allowed to be paid for participating in the Olympics. Or really profit in any way from their participation at the Olympics.

So the ethos of the Olympics is the Serfs being forced to entertain the Ruling Class. For free.

I can't say I've ever been particularly thrilled. To hear that an organisation which is based entirely on exploitation being expanded to include me.

Exploitation is something I'm more than happy to be excluded from. 

The new Olympic Oath was introduced in a short video presentation. Featuring the outgoing head of the Athletes Commission Kirsty Coventry. 

The Athletes Commission is essentially a liaison body between the athletes and the IOC. An attempt to make all the exploitation at least seem tolerable.

Kirsty Coventry is a Blonde, White Zimbabwean swimmer.

When I was much younger I used to be something of a promising swimmer. Before I developed an allergy to Chlorine. 

I have an older White, Blonde sister. Who also used to be something of a promising swimmer. Before choosing to focus on more Equestrian pursuits.

I don't want to give away too many of my sister's personal details. Particularly in this age of cybercrime and Identity Theft. However she is almost exactly the same age as the nation of Zimbabwe.

I remain utterly convinced. That is the only reason Bob Marley didn't perform at her birthday party. He was already booked to perform at Zimbabwe's birthday party.

Bob Marley is one of the World's most famous Jamaicans. A nation synonymous with Rastafarianism.

Rastafarianism is Messianic Cult. In the same way that Christianity is a Messianic Cult. Its followers believe that Haile Selassie is the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Rastafarianism is a result of the convergence. Between the Beta Israel strand of Judaism and the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian Church. 

Really the only two religious groups that recognise the apocalyptic "Book of Enoch."

Through, what seems like some serious drug abuse. In the US Rastafarianism has given rise to the; "Black Hebrew Israelites." 

The Black Hebrew Israelites are a viciously anti-Semitic Black Supremacist cult. Who believe that Black people are God's chosen people. So Jews should be exterminated as heretics.

Along with that other viciously anti-Semitic cult - the Nation of Islam (NoI). The Black Hebrew Israelites are really part of that pan-Africanist prank Muammar Qaddafi played on Black America in the 1960's and 1970's. 

Part of Soviet efforts to destroy America from within.

Although the Soviet Bloc has long since fallen. Qaddafi's prank lives on. With the Nation of Islam and the Black Hebrew Israelites making up the bulk of Black Lives Matter.

If you know what you're looking at. You can see the hatred of the Nation of Islam and the Black Hebrew Israelites in everything Black Lives Matter do.

However one of their most overt, recent attacks. Was the December 2019 stabbing attack in Monsey, New Jersey, US. During Hanukkah. 

That weird period in late 2019 where everything seemed to go a bit mad. And COVID-19 came into being.

I, myself, was very nearly born in Zimbabwe.

My father, who may or may not have been in Beijing, China on the day the Vietnam War ended. Was offered a job to work on Zimbabwe's railway system. Which would have involved moving the entire family there.

No doubt my paternal grandfather, he of the sketchy military career, would have visited on holiday. Just as how he happened to be visiting Grenada. On March 13th 1979. The day of The Grenada Revolution.

Although it seemed normal at the time. One of my, perhaps, stranger childhood memories was being told to visit my paternal grandmother. To introduce myself to; "Her Black friends she knows from up the road."

As the former Governor-General of Grenada. As in the British Queen's representative to Grenada. Informed me. They were indeed Black. However it had been something of a long, hard road.

The whole thing does really read like an episode of the TV show; "The Unit." Specifically Season 1, Episode 12; "Morale, Welfare and Recreation."

Although I think that family vacation was being used as a cover. To assassinate a Chinese spy. 

Then my mother became pregnant with me. The Zimbabwe job had to be turned down and we moved to the British city of Derby instead.

The first recorded references to what is now the nation of Zimbabwe come from the 11th Century. Records provided by Persian explorers and traders.

At that time the territory was shared between the Mthwakazi Kingdom of the Ndebele people and the Rozvi Empire of the Shona people. Both the Ndebele and Shona are part of the Bantu Tribe.

I say; "Shared." The word; "Rozvi" comes from; "Kuroza." A Shona word meaning; "Plunder." Making it the; "Empire of Plundering."

As happened in Japan the first Europeans to arrive were Portuguese. Arriving in their Carracks painted black with pitch, in around the 14th Century. 

Again, as with Japan, the Portuguese Catholics were quickly followed by the Protestant Dutch.

In, roughly, 1870 a sickly British child named Cecil Rhodes arrived in what is now the nation of South Africa.

Beyond the Transvaal. Beyond all those crazy Trekboers. Rhodes discovered an area controlled by these strange Black skinned savages.

As they were clearly not Protestant Christians. They were not entitled to the natural resources that are the Christian God's gift to his people. 

They were certainly not turning that gift into property. Applying their labour to it.

So it was, apparently, just fine for Cecil Rhodes to come in and just take everything from them. Establishing the British South Africa Company, Colonial Company State in 1889.

In 1890 the British South Africa Company dispatched as private military force, The Pioneer Column. To march through the Ndebele territory into the Shona territory, massacring savages as they went.

Deep within Shona territory the British South Africa Company established; "Fort Salisbury." Which became the city of Salisbury. Now known as; "Harare."

In a spectacular act of vanity. Cecil Rhodes decided to name the territory controlled by his British South Africa Company after himself; "Rhodesia."

Europe's Africa colonies were really the first to collapse at the end of the First World War. As result of the little talked about East Africa Campaign (1914-1918).

In the 1920's the Company State of Rhodesia was divided into two. North-Rhodesia and South-Rhodesia. They became self-governing British Colonies or Protectorates.

In 1964 North-Rhodesia quietly became independent of Britain. Becoming the Republic of Zambia.

South-Rhodesia however went on a more complicated journey.

The regime of Ian Douglas Smith in Salisbury had become alarmed by calls for the end of White-Minority rule. A system similar to Apartheid in South Africa. 

So in 1964 unilaterally declared South-Rhodesia to be an independent nation. Renaming it simply; "Rhodesia."

This triggered a 15 year civil war. The Rhodesian Bush War (1965-1980). With various powers from each side of the Cold War backing armed groups to overthrow the Ian Smith regime.

The fighting finally ended with the Lancaster House Agreement. Named after Lancaster House, the Headquarters of Britain's Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

The Lancaster House Agreement saw Rhodesia become the independent nation, the Republic of Zimbabwe.

It saw the Ian Smith regime step down. Being replaced by the Black-Majority government of Prime Minister Robert Mugabe. It also saw the Republic of Zimbabwe become a member of the UK Commonwealth.

Britain thought of Prime Minister Mugabe as merely a way to placate the savages. 

A puppet who would allow Zimbabwe to be run in the same way that Rhodesia had been run by the British South Africa Company. Entirely for Britain's benefit.

Prime Minister Mugabe saw things differently. Wanting to run the country for the benefit of its citizens.

This prompted Britain to spend the next 30 years trying and failing to depose Robert Mugabe. 

Expelling it from the UK Commonwealth. Then really attempting the burn the nation to the ground in an effort to get to turn the population against Mugabe.

In November 2017 I teamed up with Zimbabwe and China. To assist then President Mugabe into retirement.

In the space of about a week. We achieved what Britain had spent the best part of four decades being unable to do.

Under President Emmerson Mnangagwa "The Crocodile" Zimbabwe has not returned to the UK Commonwealth. Instead choosing to ally itself with Japan's great regional rival, China.

Making Zimbabwe a very clear example. Of Chinese influence growing into the vacuum left by first Britain, then America's complete withdrawal from reality.

Excelling where Britain had spent nearly 40 years failing. Wasn't the only thing I did that week in November 2017.

I was also doing the ongoing war against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and associated groups. Along with the COP23 Climate Change Summit.

All while dealing with one of my mothers being rushed into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Salisbury Hospital. Suffering from an Acute Respiratory Syndrome which seems to have made her Patient Zero for COVID-19.

Not the Salisbury Hospital in Rhodesia, obviously. The Salisbury Hospital in the British city of Salisbury.

The one that became very famous in March 2018. When Britain caused a rash of Acute Respiratory Syndrome cases. By launching a Novichok Nerve Agent attack. Against the Bishops Mill pub and various other locations in the city.

During that gap between the 2018 Winter Olympics and the 2018 Winter Para-Olympics.

Which, really, shouldn't have come as a surprise to anyone.

At around 20:00 on 21/9/21 (UK date) I'll have to pick this up tomorrow. 

Edited at around 17:00 on 22/9/21 (UK date) to tidy up a bit and copy & paste;

The oaths themselves were taken by an all Japanese delegation of six. Two athletes, two judges and two officials. 

In keeping with the theme of gender equality. All pairings were gender balanced. One male and one female.

The sequence ended with a short video featuring Agnes Keleti. Who at the age of 100 is the oldest surviving Olympic Champion. 

Even away from her achievements as an Olympic gymnast Agnes Keleti has lived a pretty remarkable life. 

Born Agnes Klein in Budapest, Hungary in 1921 she saw, first hand, the rise of Nazism. 

Surely one of the most extreme examples of Totalitarianism that the World has ever seen. The inevitable result of John Maynard Keynes' failures of the Paris Peace Conference.

During World War Two Hungary allied itself with Nazi Germany. Leading to Agnes Keleti being expelled from her gymnastics club for being Jewish and, therefore, non-Aryan. In 1941.

Believing that the Nazis would not send married women to Concentration/Death Camps. Then Agnes Klein promptly married Istvan Sarkany. A fellow gymnast.

It soon became apparent that being married was not enough for a Jew to escape the Nazi Holocaust. 

So Agnes Keleti brought the identity documents of a Christian woman. Assuming the identity to go into hiding in a small, rural village.

Her mother and sister were among those rescued by Raoul Wallenberg. A Swedish diplomat who, like Oscar Schindler, worked to save something like 100,000 Jews from the Nazi Holocaust.

Agnes Keleti's father was not so fortunate. Being gassed to death at the Auschwitz Death Camp.

In 1944 the Soviet Union and Romania invaded Hungary. As part of the World War Two Allies effort to liberate Europe from Nazism. 

They laid siege to the Hungarian capital Budapest.

Trapped in Budapest during this three month siege. Agnes Keleti would begin her day by gathering up the bodies of the killed and transporting them to a mass grave for burial.

After World War Two Agnes Keleti took up the Cello professionally and resumed her training as a gymnast. Unfortunately missing out on the 1948 Summer Olympics due to injury.

In 1952 Agnes Keleti was finally able to compete in her first Olympics. At the age of 31. 

At the 1952 Summer Olympics, held in Helsinki, Finland. She won two Bronze, one Silver and one Gold medals.

Agnes Keleti also competed at the 1956 Summer Olympics, held in Melbourne, Australia. Winning two Silver and four Gold medals.

The 1956 Summer Olympics have got be one of the most bad tempered games there have ever been. 

They took place just as the Cold War was beginning to intensify. During the Cold War the Olympics was one of only a handful of events when First World nations (NATO) and Second World (Soviet Bloc) nations would meet face-to-face.

During the 1956 Summer games the Soviet Union invaded Hungary. To crush the Hungarian Uprising/Revolution. 

The Totalitarianism that was made inevitable by the failures of Marxist interventionism. 

Amid protests and calls to boycott at the games. Actual fights nearly broke out between the competing nations.

Along with 44 other Hungarian athletes Agnes Keleti simply refused to return to Hungary. Claiming political asylum in Australia before being able to move to Israel in 1957.

She eventually returned to Hungary in 2015.

Agnes Keleti's remarkable life really speaks for itself.

However, alongside Kirsty Coventry, she also seems to serve as something of a metaphor for my own paternal grandmother. Who has equally been a witness to some of the key moments history. 

Such as Nazi Germany's Blitzkrieg of Britain during the Second World War. The 1979 Grenada Revolution and the 1999 warning about Islamist terror groups in Afghanistan. To name but a few.

This is also my paternal grandmother that Britain systematically tortured and killed. In an effort to force a fire sale of her home while conducting a medical experiment into the diseases of aging. Such as Dementia.

A Crime Against Humanity. That Britain committed in contravention of the Nuremberg Code of Medical Ethics, used to prosecute crimes of the Nazi Holocaust. As adopted in Article 7.1(k) of the 2002 the Rome Statute.

I wonder how many times nations will have to bring that up at truly global events. Before Britain realises. Not only did they not succeed. They certainly did not get away with it.

Agnes Keleti's remarkable life also helps to further acknowledge Imperial Japan's own role in World War Two. 

Allied with Nazi Germany it certainly supported the Nazi Holocaust. While committing many horrific Crimes Against Humanity of its own.

It also helps to reference Japan, and particularly, Tokyo's rather unfortunate track record when it comes to Summer Olympics.

Tokyo was scheduled to host Japan's first Olympics in 1940. 

However they withdrew following the start of the Second Sino-Japanese Way (1937-1945). Which would become the Second World War.

The 1940 Summer Olympics were then moved to Helsinki, Finland. Then cancelled entirely.

So of the three occasions where Tokyo has been awarded the Summer Olympics. It has only gone to plan once. In 1964.

I don't think Tokyo will be bidding again in a hurry.

The video showed Agnes Keleti watching film footage from all the Olympics she has lived through. Or, at least, the ones for which footage exists.

This created something of a game for serious Olympic fans. Guess the athlete. Guess the year.

Clearly identifiable amongst those shown was Jesse Owens. The Black American Track & Field star who won four Gold medals at the 1936 Summer Olympics. 

Casual Olympic fans probably think of Jesse Owens as just a sprinter. However serious Olympic fans will know that he also won Gold in the men's Long Jump.

Although it didn't ruin the game by naming him. The voiceover did point out that he was the grandson of slaves. 

A reminder of just how recently the US Civil War actually was. Almost still living history.

The video also gave particular attention to Fanny Blanker-Koen. The Dutch Track & Field star.

Born Francina Koen in Lage Vuursche in The Netherlands in 1918. Fanny Blanker-Koen competed at the 1936 Summer Olympics. 

Like Agnes Keleti she had been expecting to compete at the 1940 Summer Olympics. First in Japan, then in Finland but was stopped by the Second World War. 

Instead Fanny Blanker-Koen used the summer of 1940 to get married.

People assumed this would mean the end of her sporting career. 

At the time it really wasn't seen as the done thing for women to participate in sport at all. It was certainly not a pursuit for a married woman.

Even her husband, sports writer Jan Blanker, thought women shouldn't be allowed to participate in sport.

Fanny Blanker-Koen defied him and convention. Continuing her sporting career. As well as she could with The Netherlands being under Nazi Occupation.

In 1942 Fanny Blanker-Koen gave birth to her first child. Everyone assumed that would definitely be the end of her career. As she had a proper job now. Looking after her husband and child.

Fanny Blanker-Koen though went straight back to sport.

In 1945 Fanny Blanker-Koen gave birth to her second child. 

Due to wartime food shortages this happened during what the Dutch call; "Hongerwinter" (Hunger Winter). So as a new mother Fanny Blanker- Koen did give up sport.

But only for about seven months.

Fanny Blanker-Koen was one of the stars of the 1948 Summer Olympics. Held in London, UK. Winning four Gold medals in the equivalents of 100m, 200m, 100m hurdles and 4x100m.

This earned her the nickname; "The Flying Housewife."

At the time people were so stunned that a woman could be a wife and mother. Yet still win Gold medals in one, let alone multiple events.

That though was just Fanny Blanker-Koen competing in about half of her usual events.

Across her career she set World Records in; 100m, 200m, 80m hurdles, Long Jump, High Jump and Pentathlon.

Fanny Blanker-Koen's inclusion here. Also contributes to that recurring theme of the Opening Ceremony.

Efforts to improve rights for women within Japanese society.

At around 17:20 on 22/9/21 (UK date) I'll have to pick this up tomorrow. 

Edited at around 17:00 on 23/9/21 (UK date) to copy & paste;

The video also gave prominence to Abebe Bikila. The first Olympian to successfully defend the Men's Marathon title.

Having won Gold at the 1960 Summer Games, held in Rome, Italy. Then winning Gold again at the 1964 Summer Games, held in Tokyo, Japan. On both occasions he set a new World Record.

Shambel Abebe Bikila was born in 1932 in Ethiopia.

This Opening Ceremony has made much of the history of European Colonialism. This Olympic Oaths section has specifically looked at the European Colonisation of Africa.

Ethiopia is the only African country to never have been Colonised by Europeans. Being recognised as an independent Kingdom, then Empire, then Nation since 14th Century B.C.

The Italian Empire did try and fail to Colonise Ethiopia. Twice. In the First Italo-Ethiopian War (1885-1886) and the Second Italo-Ethiopian War (1887-1889).

Ethiopia was Occupied by Fascist Italy between 1936 and 1944. However that was more a part of the Second World War. In the same way we don't talk about France being Colonised by Nazi Germany.

Making it all the more dramatic. For Abebe Bikila to become Ethiopia's first Olympic Gold medallist. In the heart of Rome, Italy's capital.

The history of Ethiopia during the European Colonial era also serves as a rebuke to Black Lives Matter. Particularly the way Critical Race Theory attempts to teach the history of the era.

Critical Race Theory attempts to portray European Colonisers arriving in Africa and then enslaving Africans. Before shipping the off to the Americas.

Europeans certainly did ship slaves from Africa to the Americas. However they did not introduce slavery to Africa. Slavery was well established in Africa long before their arrival.

It was actually a big part of the reason Europeans thought it was okay to enslave Africans.

African Tribal leaders telling them it was okay to enslave Africans. While showing them all the Africans they kepts as slaves.

It is probably the only good thing you can say about Fascist Italy's occupation of Ethiopia. It finally forced the Ethiopian Empire to end slavery. In 1937.

The Emperor of Ethiopia between 1916 and 1974 was Haile Selassie. Abebe Bikila actually served as part of Haile Selassie's Imperial Guard. The Zebenya.

Rastafarians believe Haile Selassie to be their Messiah. The second coming of Jesus Christ.

Through the Black Supremacist hate group the Black Hebrew Israelites. Rastafarianism influences Black Lives Matter.

It certainly undercuts their supposed anti-slavery stance. Their Messiah continuing to keep Africans as slaves. Almost a hundred years after even US Democrats were forced to put an end to the practice.

In 1969 Abebe Bikila lost the use of his legs in a car accident. Ending his Olympic career.

However he went onto compete in the Para-Olympics. Giving another place to the Para-Olympics in the Olympic Opening Ceremony.

In 1970 the Para-Olympics were known as the Stoke Mandeville Games. Having been founded by Dr Ludwig Guttmann. At the Stoke Mandeville Hospital which specialised in spinal injuries.

Stoke Mandeville Hospital continues to in the British town of Stoke Mandeville. Named after the Aristocratic French de Mandeville family.

Bernard de Mandeville. Who laid one of the cornerstones of European Colonialism with his; "Fable of the Bees." Is also, obviously from a de Mandeville family.

However I cannot tell if it is the same de Mandeville family. It though seems close enough to be covered by artistic license.

When he won Gold in Rome in 1960. Abebe Bikila did so while running without shoes. Leading him to be dubbed; "The Barefoot Runner."

When he won Gold in Tokyo in 1964. Abebe Bikila did so wearing Puma running shoes. 

The result of a bidding war between Puma and Japanese sportswear brand Ontisuka Tiger. To sign him up to a commercial endorsement deal.

Despite such commercial endorsement deals being against Olympic rules.

Part of the Olympic ethos of the Serfs being forced to entertain the Ruling Class. For free.

Abebe Bikila did normally run with shoes. However on the morning of that 1960 race he'd developed blisters. So chose to run without shoes.

However an image was built up around him. Of this poor African from one of the former Colonies. Succeeding despite being too poor to afford running shoes. 

A charity case, if you will.

The earlier Olympic Laurel section looked at debt being used as a Neo-Colonial mechanism of dependency.

Aid or charity is another Neo-Colonialism mechanism of dependency. 

If First World Nations give Third World Nations aid it either destroys their domestic capacity. Or prevents that domestic capacity being built in the first place.

Imagine you're a farmer trying to sell rice at market in a Third World country. You're not going to get very far if the next stall is run by a First World country which is just giving the rice away for free.

Pretty soon you're going to go out of business. Being left to queue for the free rice which the First World nation can take away whenever it likes.

Between 1983 and 1985 Ethiopia was hit by its worst famine in a century. Some 8 million people experienced famine conditions, 2.5 million were internally displaced and 1.2 million people starved to death.

This prompted a group of First World musicians and comedians to establish the Band Aid Trust. Which staged the Live Aid network of concerts across 9 countries. To raise money for Ethiopia.

Although I don't think anyone quite knew it at the time. In itself this was an act of Neo-Liberal resistance against Neo-Colonialism.

It was really the first time that private citizens and institutions had gotten involved in International Development. Prior to that it was entirely the preserve of nation states.

With the First World and the Second World using the Third World as a Cold War chessboard. It was actually a pretty risky area to be sticking your nose into.

Having involved themselves in International Development for the first time. Making plenty of mistakes of their own. 

The Band Aid Trust quickly saw how Debt and Aid were being used as mechanisms of Neo-Colonial dependency.

So when they staged the Live 8 concerts in 2005. Their objective was not to raise money. Worsening Neo-Colonial dependency.

It was to establish the IMF's Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. To remove the debt mechanism of Neo-Colonial dependency.

The Ethiopian Empire was overthrown in 1974 by a military junta known as the; "Derg" from the predominately Oromo ethnic group. "Dergil" being an Oromo word meaning; "Committee."

This sparked a 17 year civil war. Which evolved into a war with Ethiopia's neighbour Eritrea. Which lasted until the year 2000.

Some people have claimed that the 1983-1985 famine was a deliberate tactic of the Oromo Derg. 

Against the rebels of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). From the predominately Tigrayan ethnic group.

So it is very easy to move from a discussion about Live Aid/Live 8. Into a discussion about the most recent fighting between the Ethiopian government and the TPLF. 

"Famine" continues to be a very politically loaded term in Ethiopia.

At around 17:15 on 23/9/21 (UK date) I'll try and finish this after dinner.

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The IOC obviously wanted these milestones for equality included in the video. In an effort to portray itself as somehow being responsible.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

One of the most vocal opponents of women participating in sport was Pierre de Coubertin. The founder of the Olympics.

In launching his new idea he famously said;

"An Olympiad with females would impractical, uninteresting, unaesthetic and improper."

With women being banned from the inaugural 1896 Summer Olympics.

However a Greek woman, Stamati Revithi, entered the Marathon event anyway. When officials stopped her. She ran the course on her own, the following day. In protest.

Her protest was supported by those who dubbed her; "Melpomene." The Ancient Greek muse who heralds tragedy. A highly auspicious title.

The backlash led to a partial lifting of the ban. With women being allowed to compete in the dignified pursuits of Golf and Tennis at the 1900 Summer Olympics.

The IOC being forced to back down in response to outside pressure. Has always been the story of the advancement of women's sport.

The IOC didn't introduce equality between men and women into its rules until 1996. 

It took until the 2008 Summer Olympics, held in Beijing, China. For there actually be an equal number of mens and womens events.

Likewise. Jesse Owens success at the 1936 Summer Olympics, held in Berlin, Germany. Most certainly did not smash Adolf Hitler's belief in Aryan or White Supremacy. 

As World War Two and the whole Nazi Holocaust thing more than prove.

In fact it says rather a lot about the IOC's value system.

That they looked at Adolf Hitler and thought;

"He seems like our sort of chap! Let's give him an Olympics."

Just as they looked at Imperial Japan and thought;

"They seem like our sort of people! Let's give them an Olympics too."

I also get the distinct impression that it was the buzz around Live 8. Which saw the IOC pay out an absolute fortune to, almost literally, come round my house in the summer of 2012.

Not the other way around.

Perhaps in collaboration with the Japanese hosts. The video did end with a bit of sting in its tail.

As it moved to the modern era it seemed to focus particularly on weightlifters. It ended with a shot of Sky Brown. A symbol of youth and the Olympics to come.

As has been discussed, at quite some length, in this ceremony. Some of the slower nations still consider the inclusion of Transgender athletes to be an ongoing topic of discussion within the Olympic/Para-Olympic movement.

New Zealand have sent the weightlifter Laurel Hubbard. A man who takes drugs to suppress his male hormones such as Testosterone. To keep them at the upper level of what would be typical for a woman. 

However waiting until to middle-age to do this has left him with all the physiological advantages of being a man. Such as greater muscle and bone density. Allowing him to lift much heavier weights.

This has actually been a long-running issue within gymnastic events. It will certainly become one within Skateboarding, now it has been included as an Olympic event. 

Human bones don't reach their full density, and therefore weight, until a person is in their mid twenties. 

This is why gymnasts must be at least 16 years old to compete at the Olympics. Younger than that and their lighter, underdeveloped bones give them an unfair advantage.

It must seem curious to Olympians of Agnes Keleti's era and discipline. That skateboarding doesn't have a similar rule.

Preventing 12 year olds like Sky Brown from competing.

The video also served to show how fast modern life has become. The speed at which society now changes.

The Freemasons first challenged Feudalism back in 13th Century Europe. It took a further 400 years for John Locke to publish his Labour Theory of Property.

That ushered in the start of the era of European Colonialism. Which lasted for some 250 years.

In the less than 50 years since. 

We've seen the birth of Communism and Neo-Colonialism. The start and end of the Cold War. The birth of the globalised Neo-Liberal order.

It makes you wonder where will be in 50 years time. 

 

To be continued in Part 9.

19:50 on 23/9/21 (UK date).

The 2020 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony Pt.7.

To be read as a direct continuation of Part 6; https://watchitdie.blogspot.com/2021/09/the-2020-summer-olympics-opening.html

The Corona of Serfdom.

This section of the Opening Ceremony saw the awarding of the Olympic Laurel Award. Introduced in 2016 this is given to people who have;  

"Made significant achievements in education, culture, development and peace through sport."

This year it was awarded to the Economist Muhammad Yunus. Winner of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize for his development of Microcredit. 

Something which, since 2006, he has been using to work with Olympic athletes to build business after they retire from sport. 

Other sections of the Opening Ceremony introduced us to another famous figure from the world of Economics.    

John Locke. Who through his work; "Of Property" laid much of the foundation for Economics as we know it. 

The ceremony also introduced us to the Freemasons.

Freemasonry came into being in Medieval Europe in the 13th Century. A period which heavily influenced the famous TV show; "Game of Thrones."

However a more accurate portrayal of the era is probably found in the TV show; "The Pillars of the Earth." 

Which is loosely inspired by efforts to build a Cathedral in the English city of Salisbury. Amid a historical period known as; "The Anarchy."

The TV show that Britain was attempting to reference. 

Through its Chemical Weapons attack on the Bishops Mill pub and other locations in Salisbury. In that gap between the 2018 Winter Olympics and the 2018 Winter Para-Olympics.

The social and economic system which existed at the time was Feudalism.

It was believed that there was a small group of people, Monarchs, who had been anointed by the Christian God to rule over everything. All the land, all the water. All the people living on that land.

They were able to anoint another group of people, Lords. To rule over parts of their Kingdoms.

Very often the Christian God would show his anointment of these people by giving them victory in battle. Making Monarchs very dependent on their War Lords.

Everybody else were Peasants or Serfs. Their role was to work to enrich the Lord. Who, in turn, would work to enrich the Monarch.

The Freemasons objected to this system. They decided they would work for whoever paid them the most. Using their labour to enrich themselves.

This triggered some 400 years of debate. Over what is property and who owned it.

At the time debate, like everything else, was a very slow process. If you wanted to debate with someone you had to speak to them in person.

If you part of the very small group of people who could read and write. 

Then you could handwrite your argument in a letter. If you could find someone prepared to travel to take that letter to the person you were arguing with.

Debate was sped up in the 15th Century with the invention of the printing press. 

Rather than having to handwrite an argument for every person you wished to debate with. You could make many copies of your argument and send it to lots of people.

This also had the advantage of making the written word much more widely available. Massively increasing the number of people who could read and write.

It still though took another 200 years for the debate of what is property and who owned it to be settled. Through John Locke's 1690 essay; "Of Property."

This led to the acceptance that the natural environment was not the Christian God's gift to a small group of people. It was the Christian God's gift to all people.

The only way any person could turn that gift into their property. Was through applying their labour to it. 

Although the practice began long before Locke's theory. This notion that the people who produced the property owned the property gave rise to markets. 

Markets in which people were able to sell their labour and property to whomever they liked. Instead of just having to give it to the Lord and Monarch.

As more and better roads were built. These markets became bigger. As people were able to quickly travel over much larger distances to find the best price for their labour and property.

Earlier in the Opening Ceremony we were introduced to probably the most famous trade road of all. The Silk Road. Which stretched from Japan in the East, through Asia and Europe to the West and down to Sub-Saharan Africa in the South. 

Curiously during this time Japanese society went in a completely different direction.

They too had their Game of Thrones era. The "Sengoku" or; "Warring States" Period.

You can quite easily draw comparisons. Between Medieval, Feudal Europe or Japan's Sengoku Period and modern Afghanistan.

Japan emerged from its Sengoku Period into the Edo Period. However unlike in Europe this saw a tightening of social restrictions. The Tokugawa Class System.

This saw society divided into two groups. The Ruling Class (Aristocracy) and the General Population. Each of those two groups were themselves divided into four classes (Shinokosho).

For the Aristocracy there was;

1. The Emperor. Essentially the anointed Monarch. However unlike European Monarchs the Japanese Emperor wielded very little power.

2. The Kuge. Essentially the Royal Court of the Emperor. Although extremely wealthy and influential they also wielded very little real power.

3. The Shogun. The War Lords. It was these military generals who wielded the real power at the time.

4. The Daimyo. Lower ranking military officers. Rather like European Lords they controlled specific local areas. Answering to their superior Shogun.

For the General Population there was;

1. The Samurai. The highly trained rank and file of the armies of the Shogun and Daimyo. 

2. The Peasants. Farmers, essentially. They were actually held in quite high regard due to the importance of the food they produced.

3. The Artisans. Such as the Daiku carpenters we were introduced in the previous section. They were considered less important than Peasants because what they produced was not seen as essential.

4. The Merchants. They were actually considered the lowest of the General Population. As they did not produce anything themselves. Merely trading what others produced.

Beneath the Ruling Class and the General Population you had the Untouchables, the "Burakumin (literally; "Village People")." 

The Burakumin were outcasts due to their work in professions that were seen as tainted with death. The executioners, the undertakers, the butchers, the tanners. 

All of these 9 social classes were hereditary and strictly enforced. 

So if you father was a Peasant you would become a Peasant. You didn't have the option of training as an Artisan or a Samurai.

The Tokugawa Class System remained in place until 1868. 

When the military humiliation of Commodore Perry's Black Ships. Along series of devastating Earthquakes. Saw the collapse of the Shogun's reputation. 

Emperor Meiji was returned to full power and the Imperial system was restored. The Meiji Restoration.

Throughout the Edo Period Japanese society was dominated by the Sakoku (Locked State) Policy. Essentially isolating the nation from the rest of the World.

The rest of the World however was becoming increasingly interconnected. 

Forging new transportation links. Such as ever faster maritime routes which made the Silk Road suddenly seem painfully slow.

As travel became quicker and easier the markets on which people could trade their labour and property got even bigger. 

As they got bigger the markets became more irrational and unstable. Prone to devastating and unpredictable collapses.

One of the most famous examples was the "Tulip Mania." That gripped The Netherlands in the 17th Century. 

This pretty and nice smelling flower, the Tulip, suddenly became very fashionable within European high society. 

As demand increased the price increased. Meaning that the profits for those who sold them increased.

Everyone assumed that this popularity and price increase would go on for ever. 

So started buying Tulip bulbs, or "Tulip Futures" for increasingly higher prices. 

Thinking that by the time the Tulips had matured into flowers the sale price would be even higher than the cost of the bulb.

However like the flowers themselves the popularity of Tulips suffered from mono no aware. Their beauty was fleeting and shortlived. 

The market crashed and fortunes were lost.

This inherent volatility of markets has driven calls for them to be centrally controlled. To remove irrationality and create stability.

Not only did John Locke's Labour Theory of Property create property, and therefore markets of which property can be bought and sold. It also laid part of the ideological basis for European Colonialism.

The natural environment is the Christian God's gift to all. It is only through the application of their labour that someone could take ownership of that gift. Turning it into property.

So if someone isn't a Christian and therefore ineligable for the gift. Or is not applying labour turning it into property. 

As the indigenous populations of Africa, the Americas, the "Indies" (East Asia) tended not to be.

Then it doesn't belong to them. Meaning European Christians can come in and take ownership of it, by applying their labour.

Another key ideological cornerstone of European Colonialism was laid by Bernard Mandeville. Who argued that Christian Protestant greed created good within society.

An argument he put forward in a rambling 400+ page poem; "The Fable of the Bees." In case you thought I was bad.

The main mechanisms of European Colonialism were the; "Company States." Such as the British East India Company, the Royal Africa Company and the Dutch East India Company. 

These Company States have got to be the ultimate examples of controlled markets. 

They would operate almost as national governments. Passing laws, enforcing them with police and Courts. Along with building infrastructure such as roads. 

However this was done not for the good of the people who lived under their rule. 

It was done to maximise the profit for the company. By controlling the supply and therefore price of raw materials and export goods.

If a rival Company State was undercutting their profits by offering the same goods at a cheaper price. They would simply go to war with them. Often cutting their supply chains by sinking their ships.

At around 18:50 on 14/9/21 (UK date) I'm going to have to pick this up tomorrow.

Edited at around 16:30 on 15/9/21 (UK date) to copy & paste;

However European economists didn't see Company States as being part of the market.

So much as examples of European labour being used. To civilise the savages and turn unused natural resources into property to be brought to market.

By the time that property was brought to market. European economists were very opposed to any form of central control of those markets.

Adam Smith is generally considered to be the founding father of Liberal Economics. Which is not to be confused with the US political doctrine of; "Liberalism."

Adam Smith felt that there was no need for central control of markets. As markets were controlled by the inherent rationality of the people who participated in them. The; "Hidden Hand."

Essentially. If someone is selling their property at to high a price. Then everyone will just buy from the competitor selling at the lower price. 

Likewise if someone isn't paying enough for labour. Then everyone will just go and work for the competitor who is paying more.

European Colonialism was really brought to an end by the First World War and the Second World War.

The Russian Empire collapsed in 1917. Brought down by a revolution driven by the political ideology of; "Communism."

The work of Karl Marx Communism isn't, strictly speaking, an economic model. 

So much as a belief that economics and markets are inherently evil. So must be replaced by a system where everything is centrally planned for the good of society.

Russia adopting Communism and becoming the Soviet Union created a New World Order.

The nations - western Europe, North America - which didn't reject economics became known as; "The First World."

Nations which adopted Communism became; "The Second World."

All the poor nations, the former colonies of the collapsing Empires, became known as; "The Third World."

While the Second World was adopting Communism the First World went through a series of economic shocks. 

Each, individually, being far more dramatic then the Tulip Mania of The Netherlands in the 17th Century.

Ruined by the reparations imposed at the Paris Peace Conference (1919-1920) the economy of the German Empire imploded. Hyper-inflation took hold and money become worthless.

The British Empire attempted to re-adopt the Gold Standard. Linking a nation's currency directly to the price of Gold. 

They had abandoned the Gold Standard as a way to fund their wartime spending. Attempting to re-adopt it triggered massive inflation.

In 1929 American stock markets crashed. Causing mass panic.

In this panic US banks started calling their loans to European nations. Who were really in no position to repay them. Leading to defaults and further losses.

These shocks all combined to create The Great Depression (1929-1939).

This lead to deafening calls for markets to be centrally controlled. To remove irrationality and create stability.

Looking for solutions the First World then turned to the man who'd caused most of the problems. John Maynard Keynes.

Amid all this talk of Asian Animist religions, such as Buddhism. 

You could almost describe John Maynard Keynes as the reincarnation of Karl Marx. He was actually born on the day that Karl Marx died.

John Maynard Keynes spent much of his early career working as an administrator for the British East India Company. The Company State the British Empire used to exploit its India Colony.

John Maynard Keynes then went onto be an adviser at the Paris Peace Conference. Making him really one of the main architects of The Great Depression.

Having being raised in the Colonial Company State system, the ultimate Controlled Market. John Maynard Keynes advocated massive government control over markets. 

Essentially John Maynard Keynes believed in two different classes. The all knowing, self-appointed, Ruling Class and the inferior General Population.

It was the duty of the Ruling Class to take on the role of Adam Smith's "Hidden Hand." Controlling markets to protect the inferior General Population from itself.

John Maynard Keynes was particularly focused on controlling markets through the money supply.

Essentially. If too much demand is causing inflation then governments will raise interest rates. Removing money from the market. Literally leaving it sitting in the vaults of Central Banks.

If there is not enough demand governments will spend money. Employing people in huge public works programs. If governments didn't have that money they would simply borrow it.

John Maynard Keynes ideas were particularly popular with Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR). 

The pro-racist lynching Democrat US President who established the New Deal Program.  The person Joe Biden models himself on.

As the Second World War ended. FDR set about establishing John Maynard Keynes' ideas as the economic model for the entire First World. 

This was done at the Bretton Woods conference. 

Which established two new international bodies. The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Created to allow national governments to borrow money to fund interventionist spending.

The Bretton Woods conference also established the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (GATT). To consolidate control of international markets. GATT led to the creation of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The First World War and the Second World War did away with Colonialism. However FDR and John Maynard Keynes created a new colonialism. "Neo-Colonialism."

Third World nations were told that to become rich they needed to spend money to stimulate demand. 

Money that they should borrow from the World Bank, the IMF or First World nations directly.

The objective though was not for the Third World nations to become rich. 

It was to keep them poor. Trapping them into debts they could never repay. 

Allowing the World Bank, the IMF and the First World nations to plunder their natural resources. Simply to service the debt repayments. 

Under Colonialism what became the First World nations simply went into what would become the Third World nations. Declaring that they were not using their fields, so did not own them. 

Meaning the First World nations could simply take ownership of them. To plant Cash Crops such as tobacco or sugar cane.

Under Neo-Colonialism the First World nations would declare that Third World nations owned them huge amounts in debt repayments. 

So should give control of their fields over to the First World. To plant Cash Crops such as tobacco and sugar cane. 

If want to do something crazy. Like having food to feed their populations. Then they'll have to borrow more money in order to import it.

If Third World nations weren't stupid enough to take out the loans in the first place. Then the First World nations would find a way to force them to.

Normally by gifting two religious or ethnic groups a first dose of weapons with which to fight each other. 

Then, once the fighting has started, lending both groups money to buy more weapons.

Loans which must be paid for through the (often illegal) sale of valuable natural resources. At far below the market price.

Did I mention? How easy it is to compare modern, resources rich, Afghanistan with Japan's Sengoku (Warring States) Period.  

Much of the First World was dazzled by the brilliance of FDR and John Maynard Keynes. Dropping to their knees in worship of their new saviours.

However there were a small group of people who were not fooled. The Austria School.

They argued that markets are nothing more than the result of hundreds of, often irrational, decisions. Taken by billions of individuals each and every day.

Central control of markets, be it Marxist or Keynesian, involves replacing all of those individual decisions with one central decision.  Doing so would require Social Control, Coercion and Violence.

Also no single individual, government committee or other ruling class would ever be able to understand all of those individual decisions. 

So would lack the information needed to correctly replace them.

That would inevitably lead to failure. 

Requiring ever more social control, coercion and violence in an attempt to correct or cover up the failure.

A vicious cycle of failure and violence. That inevitably leads to Totalitairianism.

At around 16:45 on 14/9/21 (UK date) I'll have to pick this up later. 

Edited at around 19:10 on 16/9/21 (UK date) to copy & paste;

As the Olympic Cauldron will eventually reveal. Japan is very big into robotics. 

Which also means they are very heavily involved in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Teaching robots to think like humans.

As a result Japan leads the World in research into Slime Mold. Particularly through the work of Toshiyuki Nakagaki at Hokkaido University.

Slime Mold is an extremely simple, single-celled organism. 

However these single cells can come together to form a collective intelligence. Making decisions about how best to obtain food and avoid danger. 

Arguably human intelligence is just a network of simple, single-celled organisms (braincells). Working together to form a collective intelligence. 

Therefore you can almost think of Covid cells. As humans operating within an economic market.

They're gifted a natural resource. The Proteins in other human cells. Which they use their labour to refine into a product, more Covid cells. 

They're dedicated to expansion. Always looking to spread out to expand into new markets. Other humans.

If the market conditions change to pose a threat to them. They adapt. 

So if there is a scarcity of resources.Such as too many people becoming immune. 

They mutate to become more infectious. In order to better seek out the remaining resources. Those who lack immunity. 

If vaccines cause a shortage in the labour supply. Neutralising the Protein spike used to manufacture more Covid cells. Then they adapt, or re-train the workforce. To avoid the labour shortage.

Thinking in that way. The response of governments to the pandemic. Very much proves the Austria School's point.

Governments and the 'experts' advising them. Very clearly do not understand COVID-19. All the individual decisions being made by an incomprehensibly, almost infinite number of individual Covid cells.

However that did not stop governments from intervening to control the market.

Firstly with a very minor piece of social control. The quarantining of arrivals from a small group of countries.

When that, inevitably, failed. Governments responded with even more intrusive social control. Mandating the use of masks and social distancing.

When that, inevitably, failed. Governments responded with Lockdowns. Probably the most severe form of social control ever seen. 

Obviously Totalitarian Fascist and Communist regimes killed tens of millions of people. However they never went so far as to make it illegal for all ordinary citizens to leave their homes. 

When Lockdowns, inevitably, failed. Governments responded by introducing even tighter social control. Vaccine passports. Creating a centralised record of everyone's health status. 

Again, the Nazis and Communists only made people prove their identity. Their name, address and date of birth. They didn't literally look at every drop of blood.

Now vaccine passports have, inevitably, failed. On top of every other piece of social control. Governments are now mandating that people take vaccines.

Suddenly the natural environment is now longer a gift to all. Humans no longer own their own bodies. They are simply the property of their governments.

A position so Totalitarian. It makes the Medieval concept of "Jus Prima Noctis (Right to the First Night)" where all women's virginities belong to the Feudal Lord. Seem positively moderate in comparison.

The vaccine booster doses are the Neo-Colonial debt we must keep paying to service. After we were given the first batch of weapons for free.

To avoid the inevitable tyranny of Keynes and Marx. The Austria School devised a new economic model; "Neo-Liberalism."

While this sees a role for governments of the people, for the people in regulating wider society. It opposes government intervention in economic markets.

By the 1970's people beyond the Austria School could see that Keynes' ideas were failing. And that increasing coercion and violence was being needed to cover-up those failures.

By the late 1980's the argument was over. When the Soviet Union and its allied Communist states collapsed.

China, along with its regional allies such as Vietnam. Was only able to survive by adopting economic market principles.

In China you have companies competing against each other. In what, on the surface looks like a free market. However all of those companies are owned by the government - State Owned Enterprises (SOE's).

One news site I read daily is China's Xinhua. Occasionally they will mess up. A link will take you straight to the article of a supposedly 'rival' Chinese news agency.

China uses the information it gathers from these SOE's to centrally control its economy. Along with massive amounts of social control, coercion and violence.

It was Neo-Liberalism principles which drove the "Jubliee 2000" debt relief campaign. It sought to end Neo-Colonialism by cancelling Third World debt. 

Ending a system where Third World governments would borrow money from First World governments. Along with institutions like the World Bank/IMF. 

Replacing it with a system where private citizens and institutions were free to do business with other private citizens and institutions anywhere in the world.

The Jubliee 2000 campaign culminated in the 2005 G8 Summit, made famous by the Live 8 concerts. The one just after Britain was awarded the 2012 Summer Olympics and all those bombs were going off.

The 2005 G8 Summit agreed that the IMF would establish the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. Initially to cancel some US$40bn of Neo-Colonial debt held by the IMF.

What Muhammad Yunus has done is apply the Neo-Liberal approach to economic development at the smallest, most basic level.

His Grameen Bank (Village Bank) makes loans/credit directly available to private individuals in the Third World. People who are so extremely poor that no commercial bank will touch them. 

This "Microcredit" bypasses the system of Third World governments borrowing from First World governments.

The amounts of money are absolutely tiny. 

The type of customers Grameen Bank serves is someone like a subsistance farmer's wife who makes some extra money selling clothes. It will lend her something like US$15 to buy a sewing machine.

Even at market interest rates the return on a loan that size is far too small to be profitable. Grameen Bank often charges below the market rate. 

Its objective is not to profit from its loans but simply to cover its costs.

Rather than just simply providing loans Grameen Bank also provides advice and support to its customers. 

In order to help them make their business a success. Not only able to repay the loan but deliver a profit.

Grameen Bank then helps its customers to use those profits to access other financial instruments to improve their lives. Initially things like savings accounts and onto insurance schemes.

Its ethos is really summed by it; "16 Decisions." Which its customers are expected (but not forced) to sign up to.

Interestingly Muhammad Yunus is a Muslim. His main focus continues to be in very Muslim Bangladesh. His home country where he established Grameen Bank in 1983.

There has long been a stigma within the Islamic world over money lending and credit. Due to the Qu'ran forbidding; "Riba" or; "Usury."

Obviously this is an issue best addressed by a Muslim, like Muhammad Yunus. Rather than myself.

However there seems to be a general agreement that Islam doesn't forbid the lending of or borrowing of money. Nor does it forbid the charging of interest.

What it forbids is predatory or exploitative lending. The Neo-Colonialism of the World Bank/IMF. 

It is actually supportive of the ethical lending of Grameen Bank. Lending that improves the lives of individuals and society as a whole.

By tackling Muslim stigma towards money lending and credit. Muhammad Yunus has also gone some way to tacking Muslim stigma towards insurance. Which some Muslims view as a form of gambling and therefore forbidden.

Micro-Insurance schemes are an important tool in adapting to Climate Change. 

Allowing small scale farmers, in very vulnerable areas, to absorb some losses from extreme weather events. Without being completely wiped out.

Proving though that there is often a world of difference. Between theory and practice. 

The success of Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank led to something of a Microcredit boom. In the mid-2000's. The UN declared 2005 to be; "The Year of Microcredit."

That boom saw widespread deregulation of Microcredit markets. Giving in rise to predatory Payday lenders. Exactly the sort of loansharks Grameen Bank was trying to put out of business.

Companies like; "Wonga" in the UK. Who would happily lend you US$15. But charge you 2000% above market interest. 

To ensure you're caught in a Micro Neo-Colonial trap. Having to pay them interest every day until you die.

Under the British Empire Bangladesh was part of the Colony marked; "India." Controlled by the British East India Company, Company State.

Certainly prior to the pandemic India was gripped by Farmers Protests. At the heart of that issue is the struggle between Marxist/Keynesian market control and Neo-Liberal market freedom.

This parade of the history of western economics. From the Freemasons to Muhammad Yunus. 

Also serves as a stern rebuke to Black Lives Matter. Particularly the "Critical Race Theory (CRT)" they keep trying to impose.

Critical Race Theory actually first emerged in the 1970's. 

When everyone was starting to see the inevitable failure of Marxist/Keynesian thought. Along with the increasing social control, coercion and violence that was needed to cover-up those failings.

This was particularly alarming to one group; 

The self-appointed, all knowing Ruling Class. The "Progressive" politicians who saw it as their duty to take on the role of Adam Smith's Hidden Hand.

The collapse of their Marxist/Keynesian ideology proved that they are simply not needed. Wholly surplus to requirements.

So had to set about inventing new ways to justify their existence.

Critical Race Theory attempts to re-write history. To explain American history as racist system designed to disempower and oppress minorities. 

The list of minorities seems to grow as fast as the old "LGTB" acronym. Which I believe is now slightly longer than the English alphabet.

The founding principles of America are, largely, the principles laid out by John Locke. In "Of Property" and his wider Treatise of Government.

If you take even a brief glance at the historical context in which John Locke reached his conclusions. The ones that actually happened.

It's obvious to see that it was not an attempt to create a system of oppression of disempowerment. It was an attempt to empower people by overthrowing a system of oppression. Feudalism.

The problem is not with John Locke's system. It is that, for various reasons, non-White and non-Protestant Christians were not seen as human at the time. So John Locke's system wasn't extended to them.

Under the Edo Period Japan operated its own strict Feudal system. The Tokugawa Class System.

When the Meiji Restoration brought the Edo Period to an end. Emperor Meiji wanted the Tokugawa Class System to continue. 

What prevented it was the import of John Locke's Theories of Property. Carried aboard Perry's Black Ships. That drove massive land reforms with tenant farmers demanding fair rents from the Daimyo.

So in 1868 there was absolutely no problem applying John Locke's system to people who were non-White and non-Protestant.

Just as how in 1861 the US Republican Party had no problem expanding John Locke's system to people who were non-White and non-Protestant. 

Other than the four year war they had to fight against the US Democrat Party, who resisted.

The purpose of Critical Race Theory is to create the myth that people are the victims of a system.

So they need a self-appointed, all knowing Ruling Class to control that system to protect them. 

Not the Hidden Hand of Adam Smith but the Clunking Fist of Progressivism.

It's simple to say that Progressives, both the US Democrats and beyond, want to create a Totalitarian system similar to China's. Where the State owns the Corporation.

The truth is I think they want to create a system much worse than China's.

There have long being complaints about corporate control over politics. 

Companies able to pay lobbyists to get elected representatives to listen to them. When they should be listening to the people who elect them.

This has actually worsened under Neo-Liberalism. Taken beyond removing Keynesian intervention it has seen private companies taking over traditional government roles. Such as refuse collection, Courts and Prisons etc.

These multi-national service companies - Veolia, Mitie, G4S, etc - provide services to many national governments. So are much larger than any one national government. Potentially giving them more influence over elected governments than the electorate.

The 2020 US Election though gave us probably the most blatant example yet. Of Government by the Corporation, for the Corporation.

By any recognisable legal definition President Trump won the 2020 Election. Securing a second four year term as US President.

However a small group of corporations, led by Big Tech companies simply changed the result. Attempting to pass Joe Biden off as America's President.

Presumably thinking that as a, clearly, senile old man. He would be the easiest puppet for them to control. 

That creates a situation where the Corporation owns the State.

A return to the Company States. The main mechanism for European Colonialism. 

With a business model built around "Ecosystems." That through the pandemic has monetized our emotions and human interaction. 

Along with their support for vaccines and the notion that humans no longer own the bodies they inhabit.

You get the feeling that the Company States of Amazon, Facebook and Twitter. Will be so much worse than the Royal Africa Company or the Dutch East India Company.

Overlapping with the previous "Rhythm of Tradition" sequence. This long parade through the history of western economics introduced us to a number of financial instruments.

Carbon Markets, Microcredit. Micro-Insurance. Which can be used to combat Climate Change.

If only we were able to get rid of those embarrassing old relics.

Like the Paris Agreement. 

Joe Biden. 

That Green New Deal he keeps threatening people with.

 

To be continued in Part 8.

20:10 on 16/9/21 (UK date)