Life in the era of end-stage Neoliberalism feels like a sci-fi script. While far right zealots gain ground with media clickbait frenzies promoting their disinformation and lies, the ‘nice people’ live in fear of being ‘non-compliant,’ so they do nothing, as the zombie-like aliens circle.

Joseph Heller would observe ‘It’s Catch 22 on steroids,’ as we watch madness take over the cockpit, while the passengers are all obediently remaining in their seats ‘until the seat belt sign is turned off.’

The US Election, Gaza, Julian Assange’s case, Australia’s ongoing mega-cruel treatment of Asylum Seekers, and the voracious appetite for red meat hysteria always being welcomed and magnified by our mainstream media. It’s bonkers.

So what’s going on to perpetuate this madness?

All sections of our lives have been wedged in by the neoliberal tool of compliance, in the name of accountability, risk management, protection from insurance liability, and the two buzz words of our era, Standards and Productivity. Plus the most effective tool to hold over everyone’s heads, Accreditation.

Truth is, nothing is more productive or massively improving in standards. It’s just important to keep using those words. It’s hard to improve Care when all your resources are dedicated to Reporting upwards.

Intelligent, informed, educated, ‘nice’ people all........

© Pearls and Irritations