Theory of Negativity

The level of negativity in today's society worries me tremendously. It seems that everywhere you look there is a sign of depression and anxiety in the modern world. The news is riddled with tales of recession, war and poverty. TV provides nothing more than a medium to broadcast some of the most unthinkable drama's, most of which you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. And we call this entertainment!

I have actually struggled recently to find anything positive to watch on TV. If it doesn't involve death, adultery, addiction or violence it is apparently not worth watching.

Even reality TV relies on negativity to produce suspense and provoke emotion. If it's not Big Brother forcing it's "guinea pigs" into situation's where they are likely to react dramatically, it's the pop factor (or some other rubbish) focusing on the deprived up-bringing of it's unfortunate contestants in an attempt to gain the pity of a nation that is amongst the wealthiest in the world. And by wealth I don't mean money, I mean standard of life.

Is this truly reality. I think the more this negativity is imposed on us the more we begin to believe that it is. And thus, my theory of negativity is born.

"Mathematics is the language of nature... Everything around us can be represented and understood through numbers... If you graph these numbers, patterns emerge. Therefore : there are patterns everywhere in nature." ~ Pi

If you have not seen the film Pi, I highly recommend it. It will make you see life differently. My reason for the reference is because my theory of negativity can be explained simply using basic mathematics. Mathematics is the language of nature.

So, a simple maths lesson:

A positive number + Another positive number = A positive number
A positive number + A negative number = A lesser number than the initial number
A negative number + A negative number = A negative number
A negative number + A positive number = A higher number than the initial number

Therefore, a positive state of mind can be improved through positivity. Yet, a positive state of mind can also be depressed by a level of negativity. That which we appear to endure day by day as a result of society.

What's more, a negative state of mind can be further depreciated when combined with societies adversity.

When looking to relieve negativity, positivity is key. In fact it is more than key, it is fundamental.

Negativity cannot exist without negativity. And it cannot be reduced without positivity. So why does society insist on dictating this antagonistic state of mind as reality. It is after all only a state of mind.

Positivity can often appear to provide no immediate benefit or achievement and thus seem aimless. Positivity is taken for granted and is often belittled by societies discomfort with recognition and acclamation of a positive achievement.

However, negativity grows exponentially, in that a level of negativity will double through adversity. The resulting state of mind will again double following further antagonism and so on.

"Sometimes when you do good things it doesn't seem like it makes a difference. That doesn't mean you should stop doing good things."

If you have anything positive to share to help all of us, be it a positive TV show you watch, article you've read or just your own thoughts please leave a comment

The Leisure Society Launch Their New Album "Sleeper" at Luminaire in Kilburn

Something else that I can't get out of my head, so have decided to deposit here...

I have spent most of my day troubled by an unexplained feeling of regret, disappointment and emptiness.

Until now I had no idea why I was feeling this way. Granted the repercussions of a "few" too many beverages last night has slightly hindered my usual feeling of general well being but, I have no real reason to feel down. In fact if anything I should still be on a high from the fantastic gig that I went to last night.

The Leisure Society absolutely blew away the full capacity luminaire in Kilburn as they launched their recently released album "Sleeper", which incidentally is now available to buy on iTunes... plug over.

I have known one of the many Leisure Society members, Sebastian Hankins for many years now and have always enjoyed watching him gracefully produce some of the most intricate and sophisticated drumming I have ever seen.

But last night really was something else. As I stood behind Sebastian's older brother, I realised that he seemed to be uncontrollably repeating the word "unbelievable". And unbelievable it was.

It is very rare to see a group with so many extremely talented individual musicians all playing as one perfectly orchestrated ensemble, producing what can only be described as something special.

So special in fact that I can safely say last night's epic performance was the best gig I have ever been to. Now that is quite something to say bearing in mind I have been to quite a few gigs in my time... Razorlight at the Royal Albert Hall joined by Roger Daltrey for an encore all in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust, Hot Chip at a festival on the Beach near Valencia, Victor Wooten at a Jazz festival in New York, to name but a few.

But there is something to be said for the feeling you get watching a band producing something as intimate and extraordinary as was produced last night at the Luminaire in Kilburn. A true moment in history that will be remembered by every single person who listened on with smiles on faces and hairs stood to attention on the back of their necks.

So, if I enjoyed the gig that much, why do I have this feeling of emptiness deep in the pit of my stomach. This contemplation has hampered me all morning. Why?...

Last night is certainly the best gig I have ever been to but, it may also have been the best gig I will ever go to. And it's over. Ever is a long time.

The Leisure Society
Willkommen Records

Memoires of Contemplation... Opus 1

Often I find that my mind is filled with contemplation. What to do? What to learn? What is the next step? What to think? and most importantly... why?

More often than not my life is brought to a complete stand still by what can only be described as conscious gridlock that can only be relieved by unconsciousness...

Stream of consciousness refers to the flow of thoughts in the conscious mind. The full range of thoughts that one can be aware of can form the content of this stream, not just verbal thoughts. Commonly used experimental techniques, including self-reporting, gives easier access to verbal thoughts than to thoughts more closely connected to senses other than hearing and activities other than speaking and writing.

I find that the inner walls of my skull can act in a similar way to that of a hall of mirrors, constantly bounding ideas back and forth with slight variation but very rarely any true resolution.

I have come to the conclusion that a need for closure is desperately over due if I am to continue with my life and achieve... well... anything!

Need for closure is a phrase used to describe an individual’s desire for a firm solution as opposed to enduring ambiguity.

And that's where you come in... Memoires of contemplation that is. A sounding board if you like, perhaps a scrap book or a shoe box kept under the bed. A place to safely store and reference some of my more challenging observations... you know, the one's that just won't let you get on with every day life until the perfect cadence has been satisfied...

... I like that... "Memoires of Contemplation; My Perfect Cadence"

And it's working already; it must be a good two years now that blogging has been "on my mind". Now it isn't... it's on the internet instead!