I normally use the expression "c'est du pipo" for bullshit.

Very well put both of you about the rabbit in the headlights etc and the need for networking & organisation.

Looked up "bullshit" on Wiki, fascinating article including philosophers . The difference between a bullshitter and a liar is the former is totally uninterested even unaware of the truth, while the latter knows very well what the truth is.( I was looking for a one-word translation into french, but am sure there isn't one.)

One point for golem.
Love your articles but even with the Search things do disappear into the Archives.Too ephemeral.
Boring stuff, but I can't help, not a geek!

Seeya both, work !

I assume that you're last comment was a response to mine:

I think you've already started. I'm in!

You're right that it can be the refuge of the lazy and cynical to always carp about what is wrong but never be bothered to offer anything positive. All these can be easy options.

But what is not easy is bulding an effective and solid opposition. An opposition that has ideas and reasons and loyalty to itself. I think to build such an oposition, a real one – that is not just the kind of 'loyal oposition' we have now, which is nothing more than a harmless variation on the dominant and universally agreed themes – that is not easy.

I think you need to build an open arena where people can feel liberated to encounter and think the thoughts polite discussion won't hear of. People need to feel inspired and free. They need to feel that while there are good thoughts from other people for them to wrestle with and consider, there is no pressure for them to merely trade in one dominant opinion for another one.

I want to help create a seed bank of true opposition. Of radical opposotion. A confident and loyal one that cannot be hushed or frightened by those in power and authority.

I think that you are right – the politicians have been briefed to the effect that the alternative to what we are currently doing is some kind of Armageddon – a dark, uncertain future where all sorts of horrors could be unleashed (possibly true) – and like the proverbial rabbit they are frozen in the face of the on rushing doom – fear does that – it's all about fear.
And I certainly agree with what you say on the Limits of Growth and perhaps hints there of the need to break away from a monetary based society and perhaps towards a resources based economy where growth is no longer the axis around which we all spin and from which so much despair grows – we now live in a world where fear and stress and lack of security are the norm – we've been clinging to the side of a mountain for so long that we think we're horizontal – so yes, we need to break the cycle and the people need to be told. But I look at the politicians we have today – and I see, pretty much to a man, careerists, with no political vision other than the perks and status that they believe their job gives them (god help them) and these are not the people to stand up and be counted, to say that there are dangers ahead but we must have the courage and take control of our lives again. The kind of seismic change in perception required will perhaps come from outside parliament, I don't know, but I really don't think it will happen unless we demand that the fear is faced. It used to be that the market was part of LIFE – now LIFE is part of the market – and these politicians are the midwives to this new reality.

Fascinating old bloke. How to enjoy life while living frugally.

Well people being oppposed don't have a leg to stand on if they don't have some 'answers' ? All too easy to say "we've got to cut because we don't want to issue gilts at junk bond rates" etc TINA !

I found a nice interesting blog of refugees from CiF, but all too often they get angry and diverted from the basic problem.

Craig Murray had an interesting list of his cuts pre-Budget, and mine would have been much the same.

That's apart from the Financial Meltdown prob tho !