People used to wear hats
People used to wear hats
A while back I was asked to write a news story from 2050 about climate change for a speculative project called OneDayin2050. I took this opportunity to explore a issue I have with current corporate and government proposals to tackle the climate emergency. This being the idea that we can solve this catastrophic problem by basically continuing our normal ways of life but with a few lil tweaks. We will eat more meat alternatives, add some solar panels, buy an electric car and that will do enough. Of course, I am being a little disingenuous but it seems like a key factor driving climate change is our (The Global North) lifestyle, our rampant consumption, our prioritisation of convenience and our separation from production. So it seems to me that we shouldn’t be using the tools of consumerism to solve the issues it has created, let alone fund companies, that have pushed this lifestyle and benefited from it, to try and help solve the problem. To me at least I think we need to think more radically, be more inventive and be more optimistic. I feel we need the kind of change in our world, that will make people in 30 years look back and not be able to comprehend how we used to live like that before. I also worry that we are terrified to make these meaningful changes in our lives and embrace an unknown that might make our immediate lives less convenient. I have no idea where I heard this but it always gives me hope that the world does and can change, everyone used to wear hats at football games and now they don’t.
Anyway, here is the fictional 2050 article I wrote. It’s in the format of a live concert review set in a world where there are no more planes, cars, boats or anything with an engine. I am not saying this is the future I want but I do think this is the kind of radical future we need.
-
B-STAY’S INTENSE LIVE PERFORMANCE WORTH ALL THE BLISTERS.
A review of B-stay’s Omari Residency
Like many people, I believed that when the EDO (Engine Deprecation Order) was brought into worldwide effect in 2035 it would be the death of live music. However, it’s 8PM at the Omiri in London, and I can barely move because of the number of people crammed into this now-famous venue. The regulars, mainly locals, keep flashing knowing and gleeful smiles at us tourists, like skydiving instructors knowing what the first timers are about to experience. As I sip my delightful English ale, something near impossible to find in Germany, I wonder if I am going to have the energy to join the mosh pit after the 8 weeks of motorway walking and converted truck hostel stays it took to get here (a story for another time).
This question is quickly answered as B-Stay hits the stage to rapturous applause and goes straight into ‘Stry’. The ringing guitars, raucous drums and raspy vocals, so reminiscent of the Post-Brexit music (BCNR, Dry Cleaning etc), are a perfect match for this intimate venue. Songs such as ‘Stroke’ and ‘By-By’ hit with an intensity that their world-famous livestreams will never be able to recreate. The set ends with their fitting breakout hit ‘AirBus’, a tongue-in-cheek eulogy to the age of aviation. It strikes me that most members of the band are probably too young to remember the dull rumble of engines, yet they so easily capture the delusional relationship we had with them.
All to say, if you ever find yourself in the Homerton, get yourself down to the Omiri and you will soon see why music fans make the long pilgrimage on foot, horseback and boat to dance to B-Stay’s joyous residency show.
Stay tuned for more concert reviews from my 2 month stay in the UK.
-
That’s all from me this month, I hope you have a good April and see you next month.
Fred
p.s. If you’re a teenager or know any, please do/forward them this 5 min survey for a project about about their data and social media.
-
My Website: https://www.fredwordie.com
My Book: https://www.bigdatagirl.com
My VC: https://ventually.xyz