Territorial animals

This follows last week’s reflections on the patriotic predicament  to which a global dimension is also added that explains how the new ‘progressive’ British neo-nationalist discourse works. On the clip iconic folk singer Billy Bragg ‘repeats’ Gordon Brown. More next week.

Gentle perspectivism

The notion of gentle perspectivism refers most particularly to how scholarly work on ‘external’ phenomena should be approached by academics but blends in this argument below about the foreign gaze as well. As to the clip: just a gentle take on manners and this obsession with ties that British men accross the class divide display at every possible public occasion. 

Exiles (II)

Last week we ended by placing emphasis on the possibility of positive things happening from living in a state of exile and marginality. This week we explore the tension between the exile’s search for evasion within the different homes/worlds inhabited and the necessity of continuous self-assessment. Central to the clip below is a poem called The River by Basque exile Joseba Sarrionaindia. 

On Summer and travel –and III- Mask lovers, lobsters & polyglots

Last on the lazy summer series. Since the log is also about the language of migrants and exiles here below is a clip in memory of Edward Said.

On summer & travel (I): Nomad camels vs cosmo trendies

We are in August, so what a better time to discuss topics related to holidays, traveling etc. Here is the first of the series.  The clip is a melodic song by Camel called “stationary traveller”. Sunday tripper stuff. What do you expect?

On swans, spuds and ducks

Before reading the text pay attention no so much to Lacan’s theatrics but the last bit of the speech below: “to seek meaning through language is impossible” he says, more or less. 

Basque ethnic rhino goes Superlambananas too

I had planed to post something “on swans, spuds and ducks” but we’ll leave it for another time, hopefully next week. The thing is I have gone Superlambananas too and quickly put a miniclip together which I feel like I have to show you. Here it is. If you read below you may refrain from watching it so click first and, if anything, give up on the reading.

Ugly ogres: beware of beautiful voices talking on your behalf

We keep on with Jonathan Swift who in this piece is shortcircuited with Shrek 2. Find also a very short clip where Richard Rorty gives his opinion on the topic of Truth.

Postmo mongrels

It is not just that all this ‘ethnic’ thing does get to me, really; it is also that then, we still must play the multicultural postmo game to be somehow trendy and ‘right on’. No way! Check the clip. Ok: terrific fusion food but not my cup of tea. American kids in traditional Basque rustic cloths together with a pinch of authentic black radical Jamaican reggae salt is definitely not good grazing.

Watch the cow

This clip may serve to explain part of what all this ethnic rhino business is all about. A serious business. No dog dung. Stop looking at my tits …or else: watch the f…ing cow!!! (That’s how the end of the clip translates, kind of). Extended insight below.