Mike Robbins's Blog - Posts Tagged "politics"
Brexit - why?
Why indeed? A tale of slacktivism, digital silos, post-factual politics and the English breakfast http://mikerobbinsnyc.blogspot.com/20...
Don't like anchovies? Don't bother voting, then
"It should not be argued that proportional voting would make the subversion of democracy impossible. That is clearly nonsense. Hitler came to power under a proportional system (albeit a party list system, which would not be my first choice). However, it should be noted that Hitler’s total – he won 33.09% of the votes cast in November 1932, on a turnout of about 80% - represented about 26.5% of the registered electorate. This was more than the Conservatives won in Britain in 2015, and would have carried him unchallenged into absolute power under the British system. In Germany, it at least required the (reluctant) consent of the President."
http://mikerobbinsnyc.blogspot.com/20...
http://mikerobbinsnyc.blogspot.com/20...
Giveaway: The Lost Baggage of Silvia Guzmán
I'm running a giveaway for my own favourite amongst my books, The Lost Baggage of Silvia Guzmán - a dark satire around the story of a refugee in fashionable liberal London. Do enter for a chance to win a copy. The giveaway is here:
https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...
Also available as an ebook of course, for $2.99/£2.16/EUR 3,09.
If you'd like to read more about this book and how it came to be written, the story's here:
http://mikerobbinsnyc.blogspot.com/20...
https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...
Also available as an ebook of course, for $2.99/£2.16/EUR 3,09.
If you'd like to read more about this book and how it came to be written, the story's here:
http://mikerobbinsnyc.blogspot.com/20...
Such Little Accident
What a year it's been. This is my response, I suppose.
Such Little Accident: British Democracy and its Enemies
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
This is the blurb:
“When the people shall have nothing more to eat,” said Rousseau, “they will eat the rich.” But the rich are rather good at getting the poor to eat each other instead. In this provocative novella-length essay, Mike Robbins looks at how the British electoral system, social media, bullying by business, and a growing gap between rich and poor have led to deep fissures in British society. These have been exploited by those with an agenda of their own. As a result, democracy is now fragile. To repair it, we must look hard at the way information cycles through our society, and how our opinions are formed.
E-book only for now but a paperback will be out in a couple of weeks.
If anyone wants to review it, please let me know and I'll send them a file. Likewise if you are not sure you'll do a review, but are just genuinely interested in the topic.
Such Little Accident: British Democracy and its Enemies
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
This is the blurb:
“When the people shall have nothing more to eat,” said Rousseau, “they will eat the rich.” But the rich are rather good at getting the poor to eat each other instead. In this provocative novella-length essay, Mike Robbins looks at how the British electoral system, social media, bullying by business, and a growing gap between rich and poor have led to deep fissures in British society. These have been exploited by those with an agenda of their own. As a result, democracy is now fragile. To repair it, we must look hard at the way information cycles through our society, and how our opinions are formed.
E-book only for now but a paperback will be out in a couple of weeks.
If anyone wants to review it, please let me know and I'll send them a file. Likewise if you are not sure you'll do a review, but are just genuinely interested in the topic.
Such Little Accident
Such Little Accident: British Democracy and Its Enemies
Sold well at first... but has now slowed down, and in any case the purpose of this essay was never to make money (the e-book's only 99p, anyway) but to stimulate debate about democracy in Britain. So if anyone wants to read this, please do let me know and I will send you an EPUB, MOBI or PDF. If you can review it on Goodreads/Amazon or post about it on Facebook, that will also be welcome, but I shan't expect you to; what I want is for this piece to make people think.
This is the blurb:
“When the people shall have nothing more to eat,” said Rousseau, “they will eat the rich.” But the rich are rather good at getting the poor to eat each other instead. In this provocative novella-length essay, Mike Robbins looks at how the British electoral system, social media, bullying by business, and a growing gap between rich and poor have led to deep fissures in British society. These have been exploited by those with an agenda of their own. As a result, democracy is now fragile. To repair it, we must look hard at the way information cycles through our society, and how our opinions are formed.
Sold well at first... but has now slowed down, and in any case the purpose of this essay was never to make money (the e-book's only 99p, anyway) but to stimulate debate about democracy in Britain. So if anyone wants to read this, please do let me know and I will send you an EPUB, MOBI or PDF. If you can review it on Goodreads/Amazon or post about it on Facebook, that will also be welcome, but I shan't expect you to; what I want is for this piece to make people think.
This is the blurb:
“When the people shall have nothing more to eat,” said Rousseau, “they will eat the rich.” But the rich are rather good at getting the poor to eat each other instead. In this provocative novella-length essay, Mike Robbins looks at how the British electoral system, social media, bullying by business, and a growing gap between rich and poor have led to deep fissures in British society. These have been exploited by those with an agenda of their own. As a result, democracy is now fragile. To repair it, we must look hard at the way information cycles through our society, and how our opinions are formed.
In these troubled times...
An election!
Now you need a book to help you make sense of what passes for democracy in the UK.
Such Little Accident: British Democracy and Its Enemies
In this novella-length essay, I argue that the free exchange of information is the lifeblood of democracy. I then look at the threats to that process in Britain. They are many; the way the electoral system distorts the agenda, the misunderstanding of science, the 'silo' effect of the Internet and a culture of bullying that replaces thought with rage.
Here's what some readers have said about Such Little Accident:
"This essay is written by someone who knows what they’re talking about. It’s engaging, easy to understand for the layman, and it has a great balance of facts alongside some personal anecdotes from the author. It also has a necessary pinch of humour too."
"This is an extremely important read which covers a lot of ground. All of the strands intertwine and present us with a summary of the nightmare we face on today's world stage."
"[He] has drawn information from a great deal of sources, and has eloquently stuck to facts rather than rhetoric."
"A nourishing essay dealing with the predominant points of interest brought forth by recent trends, focusing here mainly on the UK but branching out to pertinent reflections on events stateside also."
"A good, short read which will make you reconsider your Friends list on Facebook and (one hopes) more determined to seek out opinions contrary to your own. "
If you want to understand where we're going, and why we shouldn't, Such Little Accident is essential reading.
Available for e-reader and as a paperback.
Now you need a book to help you make sense of what passes for democracy in the UK.
Such Little Accident: British Democracy and Its Enemies
In this novella-length essay, I argue that the free exchange of information is the lifeblood of democracy. I then look at the threats to that process in Britain. They are many; the way the electoral system distorts the agenda, the misunderstanding of science, the 'silo' effect of the Internet and a culture of bullying that replaces thought with rage.
Here's what some readers have said about Such Little Accident:
"This essay is written by someone who knows what they’re talking about. It’s engaging, easy to understand for the layman, and it has a great balance of facts alongside some personal anecdotes from the author. It also has a necessary pinch of humour too."
"This is an extremely important read which covers a lot of ground. All of the strands intertwine and present us with a summary of the nightmare we face on today's world stage."
"[He] has drawn information from a great deal of sources, and has eloquently stuck to facts rather than rhetoric."
"A nourishing essay dealing with the predominant points of interest brought forth by recent trends, focusing here mainly on the UK but branching out to pertinent reflections on events stateside also."
"A good, short read which will make you reconsider your Friends list on Facebook and (one hopes) more determined to seek out opinions contrary to your own. "
If you want to understand where we're going, and why we shouldn't, Such Little Accident is essential reading.
Available for e-reader and as a paperback.
Free download of Such Little Accident
I've decided to make Such Little Accident: British Democracy and Its Enemies available as a free download. Not sure for how long, but the UK election means that the issues discussed are now very urgent, and I am anxious for as many people to read this as possible. Download from here (choice of formats): https://www.instafreebie.com/free/4XcCH
Here is the blurb:
“When the people shall have nothing more to eat,” said Rousseau, “they will eat the rich.” But the rich are rather good at getting the poor to eat each other instead. In this provocative novella-length essay, Mike Robbins looks at how the British electoral system, social media, bullying by business, and a growing gap between rich and poor have led to deep fissures in British society. These have been exploited by those with an agenda of their own. As a result, democracy is now fragile. To repair it, we must look hard at the way information cycles through our society, and how our opinions are formed.
Here is the blurb:
“When the people shall have nothing more to eat,” said Rousseau, “they will eat the rich.” But the rich are rather good at getting the poor to eat each other instead. In this provocative novella-length essay, Mike Robbins looks at how the British electoral system, social media, bullying by business, and a growing gap between rich and poor have led to deep fissures in British society. These have been exploited by those with an agenda of their own. As a result, democracy is now fragile. To repair it, we must look hard at the way information cycles through our society, and how our opinions are formed.
Download free until June 8
I am keeping Such Little Accident: British Democracy and Its Enemies available as a free download until the British election on June 8. There is a choice of formats, here: https://www.instafreebie.com/free/4XcCH
Cover and blurb:
“When the people shall have nothing more to eat,” said Rousseau, “they will eat the rich.” But the rich are rather good at getting the poor to eat each other instead. In this provocative novella-length essay, Mike Robbins looks at how the British electoral system, social media, bullying by business, and a growing gap between rich and poor have led to deep fissures in British society. These have been exploited by those with an agenda of their own. As a result, democracy is now fragile. To repair it, we must look hard at the way information cycles through our society, and how our opinions are formed.
Cover and blurb:
“When the people shall have nothing more to eat,” said Rousseau, “they will eat the rich.” But the rich are rather good at getting the poor to eat each other instead. In this provocative novella-length essay, Mike Robbins looks at how the British electoral system, social media, bullying by business, and a growing gap between rich and poor have led to deep fissures in British society. These have been exploited by those with an agenda of their own. As a result, democracy is now fragile. To repair it, we must look hard at the way information cycles through our society, and how our opinions are formed.
Margaret Thatcher, five years on
Margaret Thatcher died five years ago today. What is her legacy? Did she transform Britain as she wished, or did she fail completely? Thoughts, written in a hurry at the time. http://mikerobbinsnyc.blogspot.com/20...
Inequality and democracy
Can inequality destroy democracy? And if it does, what will the endgame be?
Thoughts after reading Robert Reich on inequality, Joseph Tainter on the collapse of complex societies - and A.L. Rowse on Elizabethan England. Three books that appear to have nothing in common, but just may point to our near future.
http://mikerobbinsnyc.blogspot.com/20...
Thoughts after reading Robert Reich on inequality, Joseph Tainter on the collapse of complex societies - and A.L. Rowse on Elizabethan England. Three books that appear to have nothing in common, but just may point to our near future.
http://mikerobbinsnyc.blogspot.com/20...
