Making your Mind Up

“A peace is of the nature of a conquest; for then both parties nobly are subdued, and neither party loser” - William Shakespeare

If you are like me, (a camp, frilly, Pop Queen) then Saturday you would have been watching The Eurovision Song Contest live in Moscow.

Now for some, this annual event is met with derision and the inevitable indignation towards every country that do not vote for us and places us dead last. I have before fell into the trap of conspiracy theories, block voting and general bitterness towards us and assumptions of jealousy.

Before we even started there was a campaign for us not to vote for Norway (eventual winners so did not work) because a referee from the aforementioned Norway decided to display the worst ever officiating performance that has ever graced a football match and left Chelsea lets say “Peeved” as the injustice and suggested bias towards Barcelona.

Now before you all wag your finger accusingly at me of being a Europhile and a sympathiser lets take a minute to possibly look at this from their point of view.

Firstly we have to accept one thing, and would like you to think about this. Just because one country likes something different, it does not make it wrong.

So let’s start with the title of the contest, The Eurovision song contest. The premise is that a song that is widely regarded as the most popular by a combination from every voting country wins. The conspiracy is that all Scandinavian, Balkan and Ex USSR countries all vote for each other and is known as block voting.

I think that after the fall of the Berlin wall, the break up of Yugoslavia and the USSR with all the countries fighting for their right to be recognised, and in some cases engage in civil war. That maybe not voting for your neighbour in the Eurovision song contest is not a catalyst for further military action. I do believe that Georgia voted for Russia.

They flipping invaded them last year, I do not believe that the military withdrew on a promise that they will use there vote wisely or air strikes will reign down upon them.
I think that the conspiracy theorists, which there are plenty of, need to probably let this go as laying all the blame at “the bloody foreigners” as we say is just not acceptable and actually racist and xenophobic at least.

I think that Eurovision is a beautiful thing and when a country enters with a traditional song, whilst wearing there national dress they do so to promote the beauty and arts of their homeland and open themselves up to the world.

We take this as beneath us and possible even sneer at them with a superiority complex, as we would not demean ourselves to this level.

I would love nothing more than at the next Olympics than to be represented by Pearly Kings and Queens and jingling Morris dancers, as this is us. Alas more disjointed street dancing free-styling with no substance it is to be : (

It is the sneering culture amongst us all, and it is not just the UK as there are elements all across Europe and it is in the guise of Racism, Homophobia and Religious intolerance.

I would like to take this back to the UK now, as it is my point of reference and would like to revisit the “Bloody Foreigners” attitude which seems to be prevalent and fuelled by the “British Jobs, for British People” political proviso and The Daily Express attack on every immigrant in the UK.

Let’s look at our attitude or one that is regularly portrayed, “Bloody foreigners, come over here and take our jobs!”

Now lets look at that statement and assume that he is referring to a job that he has held or not held and also lets assume that his paymasters or job centre have overlooked his output or potentiality and went with a foreign worker. Why do you think this happened?

Firstly we are in Europe and it is perfectly legal, the same opportunities are available elsewhere. Secondly possibly the job went to the best person due to attitude, reliability and experience.

Thirdly they were prepared to be 100% flexible.

Now I am not saying that all British people are like this, far from it. However the loudness of their voice is what political parties use as there background manifesto and newspapers push their propaganda and create a fear culture. We fear what is different; we produce a defence mechanism of being superior to all and sneer at everyone who is basically not us.

We live in an Island and we are very insular which maybe causes some people to display paranoia and to be defensive. The only connection to the outside world is via the media, whether it is Radio, Television, Internet or Newspapers all of them with one agenda and that is to create more readers, viewer ship and listeners so that it can earn revenues through advertising and other streams of income. The easiest way to do this is to run a commentary about the outside world which you need to be informed of the newest danger.

I like the idea of Europe, and was thinking about this blog and recalled a book by Plato, called Republic. Now I have made reference to Plato before and one idea that stuck with me was the idea of Utopia. A land that was governed by Philosophers and wise men and every person in the Republic had a place in society and every role was equally important. In the book Plato did explore other ideas and with some contrasts, but the idea itself is beautiful.

This of course could have inspired Karl Marx who had the same vision in communism, but the vision was corrupted. The thought was that we could live in a classless society does appeal on a base level. There was one flaw and that man is inherently selfish and would always crave more, it is just a primal desire!

So maybe sneering is a primal desire or it could be a defence mechanism, but whatever you feel it is we need to control it as one thing we must have towards our fellow man, and that is tolerance.

Tolerance is looking at something from another point of view, from the Eurovision entrant who wants to promote their country and culture and consider it an honour, to the migrant worker who has a desire to have better things for his family, and as the primal desire kicks in as a hunter and gatherer he will swallow the sneering as his circumstances will improve.

I do however love the stiff upper lipped, stoic, foppishly dressed, chinless English aristocrat and do not need to go any further than Noel Coward’s performance in “The Italian” job. This represented the English attitude and the audacity that an English team will drive into the heart of Turin, under the noses of the police, the army and the mafia and steals millions in gold bullion.

Ironically the only way that the situation turned, was down to the brazenness and celebratory arrogance by the English when they were clear and free. This of course alludes to the premise that only an Englishman can beat an Englishman.

We can win the Eurovision and there is a way to do it, firstly what music does Europe like? This is important as essentially it is a popularity contest and the clue is in the title. What is Popular?

Secondly when we carry out analysis and test the market, take feedback in an open and honest way and act upon it.

Thirdly, does it satisfy our home audience? This is imperative as a sense of association will only help but drive more interest.

Finally, appreciate other performances and be honest about what you like and don’t like. It is only your opinion and during each day we have around 20,000 thoughts. When the result comes down essentially they may not agree with 1 thought. All in all that is not a bad ratio.

I really liked Greece and Germany’s performances this year but they did not do so well, but that’s what Eurovision is and some acts in some cultures polarize opinion. I have seen some crazy things over the years and boy have I been surprised at some of the outcomes.

Thank you for reading and keep up with your feedback and see you again x

The quote in the start of the blog put simpler means, it is the taking part that counts. That all life is, that is all of society is and humankind just taking part is enough x

It is what it is xx