Sodor Lebensraum

my response to a marxist criticism of thomas the tank engine.

it is a great article... read it.


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This is a wonderful, well written piece of criticism. Many of the strangely angry responses seem to miss the joy of this article: that it states a possible interpretation without actually making a value judgment about its morality or message (beyond "liberal parents may feel uneasy").

That said, I would take issue with the notion that Thomas is "imperialist" or espouses "colonial" values. The other theme in the article touches on (albeit almost as a subtext) is the almost Confucian relationship between the working class (the trains) and the bourgeois (the fat controller et al): a patriarchal system where the Fat Controller assumes responsibility over the trains in return for which the trains give unwavering loyalty and labour. Thomas at times seems almost an allegory of Engels' The Condition of the Working Class in England. In fact tacit acceptance and reinforcement of traditional English class values seems to me to be a more dominant discourse in the Tank Engine books, than that of colonialism (or specifically racial prejudice, for that is what the author seems to imply). The racism of Thomas seems like the casual off hand prejudice common in men of Awdry's generation, utterly anachronistic and unforgivable now, but somehow cultural appropriate in mid century Britain, particularly in the COE loving Baden Powell appreciating upper middle class.

There is another reading that springs to mind, after Guy Debord: that the Fat Controller represents the Spectacle and the engines become people in its thrall, a group of near slaves burdened with pleasing a system that doesn’t truly reward them. In this reading, engines like Hiro and Diesel, and of course Cranky the Crane come to represent seeming alternatives presented to the other Engines by the Spectacle to simulate a notion of choice and opposition to the Spectacle itself. Sadly Awdry failed to write his planned final book which described the exact mechanism of a post-marxist revolution.
My two and half year old son is, unfortunately, obsessed with this Train With Eyes On. Images of Thomas adorn crisp packets, bookshop signs, lunchboxes etc. all over the English child’s world. He is as ubiquitous as Ben 10. Given the content of Ben 10, Thomas actually seems like a good option. I’ve taken advantage of his obsession and used Thomas to teach more positive messages. An obvious example is that even Engines’ without ears can communicate with one another, in which I try to explain that disability needn’t be a barrier (the social model of disability seems more appropriate for a child than the medical model). More complex are long and drawn adaptations of fairy stories which recast trains with eyes in roles normally reserved for princesses, kings and little boys. These stories have a wonderful effect of teaching more positive morality while at the same time dispelling the notion that Thomas should be an official piece of intellectual property, owned by a corporation rather than something which live and take on new forms in our imagination.

I do, however, worry about constantly teaching and reinforcing a message that in order to be happy, one has to be “useful”. This does indeed seem inappropriate for a young child. He has learned a lot from Thomas, and I positively refute various suggestions that this franchise is has no effect on development and that children don’t pick up on what’s going on and start to internalise its morality. The child’s mind is like a sponge, if you don’t think they’re learning from everything they do or watch, you underestimate your kids. The “useful” message has so far been great in getting the boy to tidy up after himself, but I am concerned about its long term influence: will he be racked by a sense of guilt which drives him into conformity and makes him a very susceptible subject to social control?
Anyway, I look forward to reading more. And, for an interesting next article, could I suggest a study of themes in the tiger that came to tea. I am convinced it is an unpleasant allegory about immigration to England from the subcontinent following partition in post-imperialist India. A tiger who turns up uninvited and eats all the food? It could almost be propaganda for the EDL.

drug dealing at rph

This is a message threa which appeared on the yahoo groups page which allows all the residents in the estate i live in (RPH) to communicate about the burning issues of the day. i've anonimised the responses except my own ("tom"). it starts at the bottom, with the last posts at the top.

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F, I don't see how it matters what class of drug is being dealt. It's all illegal. As you say, if they don't do it here they'll do it a few streets along so let's make this someone else's problem. This is hardly doing RPH's Trumpton image much good, Dusty Miller indeed...

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Subject: Re: [] Drug dealing

N you have painted quite a picture that clearly no one wants at RPH but just saying that my view is based on the evidence that has been described probably someone is dealing non-intravenous drugs that will never be used at RPH and the drug dealer would go somewhere else if they started getting any sort of attention.

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Subject: Re: [] Drug dealing

Thanks for this, N. I totally agree. I moved from a block in Walworth where there were regularly intravenous drug users on my stairwell: it was horrible. I haven't seen the dealers around RPH, thank goodness, but I'm upset to hear that this is happening. If anyone does see anything untoward going on, why not call the police...? Am I naive in thinking that's a normal, responsible and civilised reaction to the situation?

C

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Subject: Re: [] Drug dealing

I can't understand the amount of tolerance RPH is exhibiting regarding this drugs issue. as someone who moved here from Brixton because of the number of syringes on my doorstep I certainly don't want it here. Where drugs are, crime follows. Having seen drug deals turn nasty I wouldn't wish this on any of my neighbours. The shouting's bad enough when this happens, but next comes the violence. The reason people aren't doing this on the streets is because it is ILLEGAL.

I'm not suggesting we send Elsie [ed: an elderly neighbour] wandering the estate with a baseball bat, but I'm sickened to think that RPH will become in anyway sullied by this behaviour.

And let's not wait until someone gets a needlestick injury and gets Hep C or worse.

And I'm not some anti drug evangelist, what people get upto in the safety of there flats is fine, but as someone who has worked in the drugs field for over a decade, believe me it ain't pretty.

OK, we haven't got any hard evidence, but how long do we wait..... until we have our first toddle with Hep C from a found syringe?

If you think I'm over the top about this, try living in an area where drug deals happen on your doorstep....

N

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On 19 May 2011, at 22:21, F wrote:

Personally I agree with Tom. Provided they aren’t actively milling about which I seriously doubt they are... I wouldn’t say I’m happy they are doing it from RPH but I don’t see that it is a serious issue. If they aren’t doing it here they’ll do it a few streets along.

F

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Subject: RE: [] Drug dealing

Come off it Tom, the one thing which drug dealers have in common, whether they are high class or low class, is that they are all venal scum. We as a community need to deal with this issue promptly and I trust the committee will discuss it at their next meeting.

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Subject: RE: [] Drug dealing

i was excited yesterday to join the ranks of RPHers who have seen drug dealers.... a man and a woman drive in to the cul de sac of garages behind block C, the woman clocks me, speeds away, the guy (on his mobile) makes a big point of stopping, checking his tyres and then politely approaches me to ask about parking the area before driving off. Clearly a ruse, but he was a charming young man. I do like to think that RPH attracts a slightly better class of drug dealer than the heart of Camberwell.

it's testament to the seclusion and quiet of RPH that these drug dealers choose our manor as their place of business.

I am not especially bothered by people meeting in cars to conduct transactions, so long as they don't drive recklessly on the estate. the fact that what they're doing is illegal doesnt in fact make it any more or less antiscoial than people lookign for a place to park on the estate or using it as a place to turn. in retrospect i would perhaps have mentioned to the guy that the neighbourhood watch were keeping an eye out for dealers on the estate, which would probably be enough to scare him off and more effective than contacting the local police who i have always found to be unresponsive and useless.

If there were drug dealers actively milling about, using and selling from the estate, that would be a very different matter. Richard, how obviously were they drug dealing? had they gone as far as laying out the bags and cracking open the works a la Pulp Fiction?

Tom

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Subject: RE: [] Drug dealing

Would it be useful/possible to get brighter lighting, or some other deterrant - prickly bushes ? - in useful dealing etc places ? Perhaps a bit unlikely that police would be close enough to pounce on a 15 min job even if alerted ?

M

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Subject: RE: [] Drug dealing

Thanks R. I wonder if the person has moved from behind near block C, as I watch a male and female go into a dark corner of the car garages behind block C and below car park next to block C about 2 months ago (was about 8:30pm). I only made sure they where aware of being watched from the ground. Took about 15 min to do their 'transaction'; what ever it was. I have been watching for them since to call the police.

C

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Subject: Re: [rphruskin] Drug dealing

That's awful!

I'd report to both (as well as our neighbourhood watch)

N

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

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Subject:] Drug dealing

I disturbed 3 guys who were obviously drug dealing yesterday. It was in the first doorway of block A behind the rubbish chute coming off Champion Hill. Despite my normal timid nature I went up and pretended to use the door just to disturb them. Should I report this to the community police officer or is it something that Mr. Foster should do? Just makes us all aware of how vigilant we need to be.

R

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Subject: Re: [rphruskin] The kids drawing with chalk

Hi

I am not so worried about the drawings now it has been cleaned up. It concerns me more that residents are made to feel guilty about highlighting something that affects the appearance of the estate. After all we do all pay service charges, and all want to enjoy the garden..

One thing that does concern me however is the increase of drug dealing in the car park on fox on the hill, I think the increased licensing hours has not helped this. If you see it, and want to report it the officers name is Ian Turnbull, Camberwell community policing.

C

culture kitchen

i came across this American start up, culture kitchen, based in SF. Great idea, but horrible way of describing it with some really weird, paternalistic (or matriarchal...) discourses going on. I just can't work out whether "my" cuisine is "ethnic" or not...

anyway, i wrote them and thought I'd share. an abridged version (slightly harsher than what i actually sent) is below.

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hey guys

i just stumbled across your site (recommended on the pinterest weekly email).

First, what a brilliant idea. It makes perfect sense to learn to cook specific dished from people used to cooking those dishes. If i was based in SF, i'd totally sign up for some of your courses. As it is, I’m just going to try making your flan recipe. I really wish you the best of luck.

You’ve clearly got a lot of bright people working on your site and have really thought about your business model. but... someone has to say it your site looks like no one has taken a step back and read it with fresh eyes. the way you've described some of the stuff, "immigrant women", "ethnic" in fact general use of the words "immigrant" and “ethnic” is just weird. Aren’t American people ethnic too? Isn’t any food an ethnic cuisine? Is it divisive to single people from different backgrounds as “immigrants”?

Some of it looks like a joke and not a real site at all. I know that race politics is very different in the US from how it is in the UK, but looking at it with English eyes some of the site looks almost like a parody:

“Know an immigrant woman who cooks her ethnic cuisine better than anyone else you know?”

“With a background in jewelery, metalsmithing and geography, Jennifer is not a typical designer. Born of two immigrant parents, Jennifer has been exposed to many cultures and traditions, and so much of culture and tradition is about the sharing of food.”

“ethnic recipe”

“We are so fortunate to have such diverse chefs with distinct personalities and cultures.”

I’m really not trying to be mean, I just wonder whether because the idea is such a lovely one, and it is really positive and… well…. good, that none of your friends have dared to say “hold on guys… don’t you think some of this is a bit ... err... offensive?”.

Kind regards

Tom

kibera- battlefield for the west's conscience

i stumbled on this blog post the other day (i say stumble, my colleague Jamal sent it to me). it chimed with conversations we had had about Kibera after visiting, so i replied... copied below

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My first visit to subsaharan africa involved a visit to Kibera. Kibera seemed bizarre. while obviously there are real people living there, and it is really obviously disadvantaged, teeming, insanitary etc. on some level it also felt like a slum theme park. you almost couldn't turn without seeing a group of American missionaries or an sustainability project being run by a well meaning NGO.

we were always in one of the "less bad" bits apparently, although these ranged from gated developments abutted by shanties to "proper" slums with roads constituted of 2m. deep of rubbish with sewers trickling down ravines gouged from the mess. The people we met would talk about the nastier parts of kibera, as though destitution was a goal to be strived

for, or as though Kibera is designated to make an impact; what i was being shown should be enough to shock, but if not dark whisperings of nastier corners should do the trick.

I felt that i hadn't really seen a slum. I felt that Kibera has become (and i say this without meaning to dismiss the plights of people who live there- it is a grim place, and the facts of the post election violence a few years ago are incontrovertible) the front line in the west's battle with it's own conscience, where we conspicuously play out our good works on the feckless African poor, where paternalism rebrands itself as inclusion and sustainable development and colonialism exports not diamonds or rubber but smug moral justification like papal indulgences.

For Kibera to play this role, there must be a common accepted discourse around the horror and the scale of the slum. NGOs, missionaries, journalists working in the slum or returning from a visit there need to be able to allude to "the biggest" "the oldest" "the most violent" "the poorest" "the slumiest" to make sense of their work to others, to reinforce the importance and value of what they do and to win the war for their own consciences.

maps, warcraft and cycling

A few years ago i had the pleasure of working on a project looking at World of Warcraft, trying to understand why users were so obsessed with the game, and how a specific video games publisher could develop a successful competitor title.

i found the project itself fascinating. it opened up a new world to me. online gamers were forming guilds which seemed to play a similar role to social clubs or 5 aside football teams. member were even starting to meet up in real life and forging friendships which went beyond the mindless duals of alternate clicking that make up the actual game.

before long, i realised that in order to understand people's obsession with the game i needed to play a little bit by myself, or at least that was the excuse i gave to my wife. to cut a long story short, after a couple of nights of playing and some help leveling up from a few friends i found myself unable to pull myself away from it. it was compounded by my wife going to Cambodia for a fortnight and leaving me without a voice of reason telling me i was wasting my time.

I finished that last paragraph with a bit of a value judgment about videogames. I don't subscribe to the extreme Folk Devils and Moral Panics view of video games, that they are ruining young people and that they are morally detrimental to society (as wonderfully, Brass Eye'ly depicted in this BBC documentary.... do watch it, it is very funny). i did, however, quickly find myself lost in the spectacle of World of Warcraft, playing obsessively and not really understanding what benefit i was getting from it. i'd finish playing at 2 in the morning and feel... kind of hollow. there was no great joy in playing, beyond the transient satisfaction of leveling up every few hours of play, the occasional feeling of camaraderie or act of virtual kindness shared with another player. Compared to other video games which involve beautiful worlds to explore, speedy reaction, comedy or beauty, eerie and emotive landscapes or anything really, World of Warcraft seemed to have very little except for a series of reward systems internal to the game and yet sucked people in for way longer than other more genuinely entertaining, challenging, brain taxing games. oh and a hugely complex element of strategy but that i found too bizarre and removed from anything and was wasted on me (listen to the leroy jenkins team chat and ask yourself: what are they talking about? please Jesus, what are they talking about?).

The time it really hit me was when i'd spent a couple of hours improving my fishing skills. grinding: repeating the same action just to get points. Eventually i achieved my goal and after the momentary sense of joy that i'd got to where i wanted to be in the world of virtual fishing i realised I'd lost two hours of my life pretending to learn a skill in a video game with little application within the game, no joy in acquiring the "skill", nothing learned which would then have application in the non game world. Having reached level 30 or so with my gnome wizard (homunculus magician… dwarf fairy… whatever.. i cant honestly remember, the character was called Argonspleen tho) i cancelled my account.

It comes back to the Guitar Hero dilemma of video games: why invest so much in learning a skill in the digital world when you could spend the same amount of time/ effort doing something good? while part of the joy of video games is that they are unproductive, silly and indulgent, it seems with Warcraft the relationship was all wrong: of intrinsic enjoyment (low), payoff outside the game (none) and addiction (crazily high).

So why not take the horribly addictive elements of world of warcraft and apply them in the real world? the idea would be to identify good goals and behaviours which can take place in the game environment of a real person's life and then work out reward structures that make those behaviours "sticky".

Presumably with a bit of creativity any behaviour which you want to encourage could be tackled through this gamitisation model. There are examples out there now: all the track run and publish to facebook apps feel very game-y, similarly things like the Nike Run events seem specifically designed to run like games. I've even come across examples of apps which are designed to make young offenders sticking to curfew feel like they are playing a game (I can’t find the link right now, but will post as soon as i do).

In advance of a suite of iPhone apps which turn life into a game (or more specifically take the goals you have in your life and make achieving each of those goals feel like a game), I've been thinking about what i can do to help making certain positive behaviours as addictive as Warcraft.
- target: be a nicer person. interact with and help a stranger every day. log the interaction/ exchange on paper. Assign a percentage score for the complexity/ kindness of the interaction. Watch over time and see whether you become more moral
- target: improve your French. listen to a proportion of Michel Thomas' introduction to French everyday. log percentage listened on a fund raising type giant thermometer hanging in your living room

-target: have more original thoughts. Everytime you have an original thought scribble a lightbulb onto your forearm with a marker pen, providing yourself with a constant reminder of how well you have done on a given day
- etc.

I’ve plumped for one specific game for now. I'm training for a cycle event later this year and I’m looking for a way to motivate myself and make sure that cycling doesn’t just become a chore. I have always found the map element of video games motivating. i love the way that a player starts (often) as a Cartesian point on a blank map and then, as they explore and unlock more of the world the map changes, showing more detail and changing from a blank slate into a rich depiction of the world. in games it can act as a quick infographic showing progress through the game, a visual showing how much you've discovered and how much more there is left to go. It makes the game more addictive by simultaneously rewarding and gently chastising: you have unlocked this much map, but you have more work to do.

My plan is to replicate this videogame experience in the real world: i want to gamitise my training and make sticky. I've bought a map of central London (like this) and plan to spend the next few weeks populating it. Everyday i will log where I’ve ridden by scribbling over the roads with a Sharpie. my plan is to take a photo every time i add to the map so eventually I’ll be able to produce a time-lapse of my exploration of London streets.

I've decided to do it this way rather than digitally because it's more tactile, there's more ceremony and ritual around it than just pressing a switch on a Smartphone, it gives a BIG pictorial representation of what I’m doing (rather than a piddly 4" google map) and... and... because i want to do it like this... I'm old fashioned, alright?

My goal is to have cycled down every road on the central London a-z by November. as i have no idea how many miles that is or when i am going to be inspired to actually go to Walthamstow, i don’t know if this is achievable, but i do so want to find out. watch this space.

moodscope

My first response to moodscope was one of intense scepticism. One of my colleagues mentioned it to me. on the basis of her elevator pitch ("it's a site which let's you track and share your mood") i didn't get it. i didn't see the point. it sounded like mood ring mixed with facebook mixed with a hearty dose of ill conceived confessional self help nonsense. who would want to share their mood with friends so directly? it sounded like one of the depression stories from interviews with hideous men, the beautiful collection of stories by David Foster Wallace, a kind of "look at me, look at my mood, what do you think of me? do you like me? do you...? WELL DO YOU??"

Watching videos of John Cousins (moodscope's creator... here's one), i realised that there was a lot more to it. John (who i have now had the pleasure of meeting at a Quantified Self meet up) is a lovely, sincere and caring person, irrespective of whether Moodscope would work, or would have much of an impact on users, certainly the intention behind it is lovely, sincere and caring. So i decided to give it a go. I don't think of myself as a depressed person, sleep deprived, frowzy when i don't exercise enough, occasionally inexplicably hostile but not depressed, so i approached it with more of a self experimentation mindset. i wanted to know how my mood fluctuated over time, not in a diagnostic sense or with a specific intention to improve my mood (or myself or similar), just out of idle curiosity.

So far I've had a few realisations:
- even though i don't feel depressed, i am depressed. my score is incredibly, repeatedly low. I wonder whether the test they use is actually measuring cynicism or the degree to which someone is an "hater" ( i am a hater, but in the words of Daniel Clowes, haters make better lovers)
-my score varies more dependent on time of day than anything else. i have discovered i start the day full of optimism and confidence and that it only takes a couple of negative interactions to wind me up. this is a bit of a surprise as i always thought i was quite level headed
- the symptoms of having small children are the same as the symptoms of depression
- moodscope works to encourage self reflection. it makes you meditate on yourself and your mental state in a fairly soft and seemingly healthy way. i feel it makes me more self aware without making me self obsessed. this may change. watch this space for utter egomaniac tom.

I'm not sure what i will do with Moodscope next but my intention is to keep tracking. there are a few directions I'm thinking of taking with it. i want to start sharing with my wife, but so far she's ignored my requests. I want to find a way of correlating mood with other things. for me the obvious things would be exercise, diet and alcohol consumption. i'd love to know how my lifestyle impacts on my mood and Moodscope looks like a good tool for doing this.