stephen-turner.net

I’ve been thinking recently. Most of the world is not in the 21st century yet. Hell, I know that most of the world is lucky if it’s even in the 20th century yet, but what I’m talking about applies mainly to the western world. We’re in a society that for the most part is actively trying to go backwards.

I figure that part of me is in the 21st century, while part of me is still stranded in the 20th. Everytime I get pissed off at mainstream bullshit, or hate what the politicians of the world are doing, or struggle with 9-5 day job shit, that’s the 20th century. While online friends, freelancing online and intelligent political discourse with worldwide thinkers is me in the 21st century. Knowing what is wrong with the world, but then actively being affected by some of it, is the mark of this 20th/21st century dichotomy.

Of course, most people still don’t know have this. Most people are still resolutely 20th century: they believe the mainstream media, they believe politicians, they lap up nothing but corporate entertainment (and love it unconditionally.) They just don’t question the world they live in today, or look for the better tomorrow. And even worse, if they believe the discourse of scum like John Howard or George W Bush, they are actively seeking to maintain this status quo. They’re afraid of the future.

The whole anti-intellectual thing is part of it, certainly. As is the overt and often extreme nationalism. Forces designed to separate us locally and internationally. Things designed to keep us insular and xenophobic - afraid of the outside world.

But the good news for me is that I’m half way to the 21st century anyway because I recognise this. If you can see and recognise the better future, then you’re half way there already. Sadly (well a little, anyway), I know that getting the whole way there also involves getting away from those who show know signs of even seeing what awaits the world. Start to associate with people already there.

This doesn’t mean I ignore the world, it means that I take into account what really matters in it. Care about the big issues, but know what the real things are to make a change, and associate with the people already doing this. This is mostly online of course, but not entirely.

I see people that fit into this already. Warren Ellis - despite his occassional dip into “fad of the moment” tendencies when it comes to new stuff, definitely is in the new world. Neil Gaiman is as well, and I think any Internet savvy pro author could be said to be there. Or maybe it’s just that they’re leading the kind of life that I know would suit me…

That’s really all I can say right now. Is this a manifesto? Hell, I can only hope…

So much to do, plenty of time really. I really know that things are picking up now. Read an article about “How to sell your book with your blogger”. Simultaneously annoying and fascinating. Great to see people getting their worthy creativity out there, but annoying when it’s gimmicky shit or “books about blogging” which are nothing but self important shit. Gives me some ideas of my own, will have to look into them.

Continuing with the novel, though with Christmas and the rampant packing, it’s no surprise that I haven’t done a lot. This will change drastically in early January after we’re settled in, especially since I’m taking a week or two holiday. Work hard and I’ll finish it by Feb/March. The on to the Newtown police thriller.

Want to look at “Artful Chaos” again. Graphic novels and history - I keep thinking it can work, but I always strike upon the funding needed and my lack of, and the question of whether there’s any real interest in comics in Australia at all. Need to work out a multi-year plan and really get the organisation going - before I actually write anything. But it has a some serious potential, I know it. And I need to get the script for Hunting Ground finally done, even though I know it’s hard as hell to get the story right (it isn’t just laziness that’s stopped me from doing it this year!) I do this before I start another novel.

All kinds of stuff happening, and more to happen. And I need to keep this blog more up to date… it’s not like there isn’t enough to put here

Christmas has just come and gone, and once again I realise that I don’t update this as often as I might. The new website is working nicely for me, but I suppose I haven’t told that many people about it, so it’s not surprising that the hits aren’t through the roof. But I like it, which is most important for now. Think it will get more of an outing when I put MEENA online in January.

Nice quiet, basically uneventful Christmas. Went up to Sydney with Sallie to spend Christmas with the family. Got lots of clothes mostly, and a DVD of Irish rock history from the brother. Will get something from Sallie when she’s more cashed up in the next few weeks Nice couple of days to relax, since all other times outside of it are hardly relaxing at all (see below.) Playing some Playstation stuff again, a little of the newer PS2 Tony Hawk 4 on Wayne’s machine, so I came home tonight and played some of the original game that I own - first time in several years. Oddly familiar already, both entertaining and annoying…

But at least we’re finally moving. There. It’s happening. Going back to Sydney, already found a nice enough house in Newtown. Not an enormous distance from where we used to live there, but a definite improvement. There’s some dispute over when I will start, but I appear to definitely have a transfer to the Sydney office for my current job, which is a good thing. Never had that much of a problem with the job, just hated where I lived. It will be a little odd to be back in town but still doing basically the same job, but it’s so totally what I want. It will also be an odd feeling to suddenly have all the Sydney options available to me again, with all the inherit fun. Can’t wait…

And we will be finding a roommate. $120 a week. Top floor private room. Good part of Newtown. Close to everything. Anyone interested