Tuesday, 28 May 2024

SEX AND THE CITY - PARIS-STYLE

28 May 2024
1. Introduction to the Belle Époque and Impressionism

The Belle Époque, a period of cultural and artistic flourishing in Paris, saw the rise of the Impressionist movement. The Musée d’Orsay's new exhibition showcases works from this era, highlighting its influence on modern art and Parisian life.

2. Cézanne's 'A Modern Olympia'


This painting, featuring a voyeuristic scene, epitomizes the *male gaze*. It is part of an exhibition marking the beginnings of Impressionism, featuring artists like Degas, Monet, and Renoir, who displayed their work outside the traditional art establishment.

3. Transformation of Paris


During the Belle Époque, Paris underwent significant changes with Haussmann's new boulevards, the end of the Franco-Prussian War, and a booming economy. This period saw the rise of social and cultural activities, such as visits to the Bois de Boulogne, seaside trips, and evenings at cafés and theatres.

4. Impressionist Contributions

Over the next 40 years, Impressionists captured Paris's vibrant life. Despite its charm, the period also had a seedy side, with thriving brothels and the Moulin Rouge. However, women began gaining freedoms, with artists like Berthe Morisot and Mary Cassatt emerging.

5. Lasting Belle Époque Influence


The Belle Époque's aesthetic still dominates Paris, evident in its Art Nouveau architecture and landmarks like the Eiffel Tower. Modern intrusions are minimal, preserving the period's charm.


6. Exploring Impressionist Paris

- *Musée d’Orsay*: The anniversary exhibition runs until July 14, exhibiting works from the 1874 exhibition and beyond.
- *Musée de l’Orangerie*: Home to Monet's Water Lilies murals and an extensive collection of Impressionist art.

- *Musée Marmottan Monet*: Features a collection of Monet's works, including "Impression, Soleil Levant."
- *Le Petit Palais*: Offers free admission and significant Impressionist works.
- *Musée de Montmartre*: Renoir's former home with collections and recreated studios.

7. Belle Époque Evenings

- *Opera Garnier*: A must-visit for its historical and artistic significance.
- *Maxim’s*: An Art Nouveau restaurant offering a glimpse into the period's dining culture.
- *Le Train Bleu*: A grand dining experience at Gare de Lyon, reflecting Belle Époque elegance.

8. Travel and Accommodation

- *Le Meurice*: A luxury hotel with historical significance and a Monet walking tour.
- *Eurostar*: Offers convenient travel from London to Paris, with early bookings recommended, avoid the Olympics.

Glossary of Terms

- *Belle Époque*: A period of cultural flourishing in late 19th and early 20th century Paris.
- *Impressionism*: An art movement characterized by loose brushwork and an emphasis on light and color.
- *Male gaze*: The depiction of women from a masculine, heterosexual perspective.

Further Reading

Wednesday, 22 May 2024

WHO IS THE GLOBAL ELITE

2 May 2024

SUMMARY

*Is there an elite?*
The evidence is overwhelming that there is a global elite or elites, numbering a few thousand.

*What do they do?*
They take global decisions on peace & security, economic devt, environmental sustainability,  human rights, technological advance, decisions affecting our health, and our physical social and mental wellbeing.

*Who are they?*
Politicians, more or less legitimate, from where come the ideologies & priorities; businessmen; media moguls; and academic and technical experts.
A PhD student ought to be able to name the top six thousand.

*How are they organised?*
There must be an informal global network, with recrutement procedures, like the old British Masons, with a guiding charter and agendas however informal, that meets wherever. Eg WEF at Davos. Youtube is full of explanations - maybe Ryan Chapman will do one.

*What about daily operations?*
It's the people who run an Order, sitting in their Institutions, making up the rules and agendas.

*Any special pts of interest?*
Yes, interesting to profile this group for ethnicity, religion etc....what proportion are ... American?

*Any worries?*
How does this fit with a multipolar world? Will there be global war?

*The future?*
Nowadays there are  multiple elites, each elite consisting of the in group, the wannabe-ins and the opposants like Trump - reformers and radicals if you prefer. It's a game of musical chairs Here's the dialectic of change.

*Is it really as chaotic and dangerous as the mess the world is in today?*

Yes it is and is best understood as "The crocodile is chasing Captain Hook, Captain Hook is chasing Peter Pan, Peter Pan is chasing the Lost Boys, and the Lost Boys are chasing Wendy." Tic toc tic toc....it is like the Queen of Hearts' croquet game using flamingos as mallets and hedgehogs as balls, or the chaotic tea party with the Mad Hatter and March Hare....you can see it in Ukraine and Gaza, "off with their heads"



The global ruling elite
, whose very existence and goals are subject to speculation - the 1984 Group you might call it - is probably a group of about 6,000 people, according to I think it was James Roth who wrote a book about this decades ago called The Managerial Class. In it, he describes but does not count the membership of this group... others have done that though. 

PROFILE

This "world governance class" is said to include top business leaders, high-ranking political figures, influential media moguls, and elites in academia and other fields, who have substantial control over global economic, political, and cultural systems. These good folk might include billionaires, heads of state, top executives of multinational corporations, and others with significant influence over planetary policies and economies. 

GLOBAL MEETINGS

We even might know who they are by name. They can be found at high-profile international gatherings, such as the World Economic Forum WEF in Davos. These gatherings might attract anywhere from hundreds to a few thousand of our key global players. 

GOALS OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES

The goals, objectives, and strategies of a hypothetical world governance group, often conceptualised as a "global elite" or "world government," would likely by definition focus on identifying and managing global issues of concern for the survival of the species and the planet. Only through centralised governance can we be saved. These goals and strategies could encompass:

1. Global Stability and Security

   - *Goal:* Ensure global peace and security to prevent conflicts and wars.
   - *Strategy:* Strengthen international law, enhance global surveillance and intelligence sharing, and maintain robust peacekeeping forces.

2. Economic Integration and Development

   - *Goal:* Foster global economic growth and stability.
   - *Strategy:* bind nation states together in unbreakable global financial policies, free trade agreements; encourage dependence on the World Council by supporting economic development in underdeveloped regions through aid and investment.

3. Environmental Sustainability

   - *Goal:* Combat climate change and protect the environment.
   - *Strategy:* Establish and enforce global environmental standards and regulations, invest in sustainable technologies, and promote green energy solutions everywhere.

4. Human Rights and Equality

   - *Goal:* Enhance human rights protections and reduce inequalities.
   - *Strategy:* Establish and enforce international human rights laws, and promote social welfare programs globally.

5. Discovery, Technological Regulation and Innovation

   - *Goal:* Promote science and scientific discovery, harness and regulate technology for global benefit.
   - *Strategy:* Develop global policies on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence AI and biotechnology, ensuring they are of course used ethically and equitably before any power or economic advantage they might offer.

6. Health and Wellbeing

   - *Goal:* Improve global health standards and pandemic preparedness, why not?
   - *Strategy:* Strengthen the World Health Organization WHO, coordinate global health initiatives, and invest in health infrastructure worldwide.

These objectives would be pursued with the aim of fostering a more integrated, equitable, and sustainable global order, though risk analysis suggests that our band of Robin Hoods would likely face significant challenges related to sovereignty, cultural diversity, and political resistance.

AN AUTHORITARIAN REGIME

                         The big goal is to save 
             mankind and the planet from itself:
          Overcome greed and fear
          Promote cooperation
          Stub out conflict

Forcing changes upon nation states might involve a complex mix of diplomacy, policy, economic incentives, and judicious use of coercive measures. Never mind, here’s how goals may be broken down into objectives, and operating (maintenance) functions, based on best strategic use of resources ... with the support of the diplomatic, economic and military force as necessary:

1. Diplomatic Negotiations and Treaties

   - *Implement:* 

Promote broad consensus through international diplomacy and multilateral negotiations, resulting in treaties that require but insist on national ratification.

   - *Maintain:* 

Ongoing diplomatic engagement to monitor and enforce compliance and address issues as they arise, supported by international law and the threat of sanctions, loss of privileges or military action in cases of non-compliance.

2. Economic Incentives and Sanctions

   - *Implement:* 

Use financial tools such as grants, loans, tariffs & quotas, access to international markets, as incentives for countries to adopt prescribed policies. Conversely, employ sanctions or restrict access to international funding and markets as punitive measures, with invasion by the Global Army in extreme cases of disobedience.

   - *Maintain:*

Regularly review and adjust economic incentives to ensure they align with evolving objectives and programs, ensuring that compliance is more economically beneficial to Charlie (placeholder for nation state) than non-compliance.

3. Capacity Building and Technical Support:

   - *Implement:* 

Assist countries in developing the institutional and technical capability and capacity to implement and maintain compliance with new policies. This could involve training and re-education bootcamps, expert consultations and advice, as well as infrastructure investments.

   - *Maintain:* 

Provide ongoing support and upgrades to ensure systems remain effective and can evolve with technological advances and changing circumstances.

4. Supranational Governance Council

   - *Implementation:*

Establish international agencies or bodies with the power to enforce regulations directly, bypassing or working in tandem with national governments.

   - *Maintain:* 

These bodies would continuously oversee, audit, and enforce compliance, adapting to new challenges and feedback from member states.

5. Public Engagement and Education

   - *Implement:* 

Launch global public awareness campaigns to educate the public on the benefits of the changes, send seedling missionaries and NGOs to build ideological and practical support for Colour Revolutions and Informer Networks, at the grassroots level.

   - *Maintain:* 

Sustain educational reformatting initiatives and public attention measures to keep the global population informed, involved, and 

MEMBERSHIP ROLLS

So while, as above, it's impossible to count the membership precisely, and the global elite operates within networks that might extend their influence beyond their immediate official capacities, many people think it may be as few as 6,000, with an add-on intelligence agency that includes of course armies of Big Brother guards, all dressed in jeans and trainers just like us.