Other People’s Money

While we may display genuine and heartfelt  compassion for those in need of it, ultimately we all have a compassion fatigue point at which our self interest – be it physical or spiritual – ultimately triumphs. While that may sound like the writing of a consummate cynic, any such ethos is open to interpretation. From the view of  Oscar Wilde  that a cynic is ‘A man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing”  to George Bernard Shaw  saying that “The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it”.  I find myself becoming increasingly cynical about the role that economic theory plays in the ‘creation of money’ and the role played by politicians,  either ‘in’ or ‘out of’ government,’ in the manipulation of ‘economic theory’.  When economist, politicians and ultimately governments introduce fiscal measures it always involves other people’s money.  

Moonglow

I posted Music and Lyrics as a tribute to the lyricist, rarely given credit for the words that make a melody most memorable. I have a number memorable scenic moments from films, with perhaps one of the most memorable being that of Kim Novak stepping toward William Holden to the music of Moonglow, which was being played by an off scene orchestra.  This was the theme music to the film Picnic and while I should probably file the film, along with many others, in my category of films ‘Enjoyed the film, but didn’t get any subliminal messages‘, I did fall in love at this moment with Kim Novak and the musical theme Moonglow.

Sherlock Holmes (the never-ending story)

During the war when I used to go to Saturday morning pictures - three pence to get in and no refund if it was bombed while you were inside.  Incidentally threepence in say 1944  becomes around £4.50 today – so it was considerably more expensive to go to the Saturday cinema in 1944.

Dinner for One (Euro-style)

A German reworking of a 1960s British comedy sketch has become an internet hit.