Life on Mar's Britain

Life on Mar's Britain

BRITISHNESS, IDENTITY AND BELONGING

UK University Research Investment Fund

Project

A report on Mar's views of British

identity and belonging in post referendum UK

INVEST IN GREAT 

Life on Mar's Britain

GREAT BRITAIN is famous for many things - David Beckham, Fish and Chips, Big Ben, Red Buses, black cabs, Oasis, Blur, the Beatles, London and tea. England is famous for its long history. England is famous for its Royal Family. Windsor Castle is the oldest royal residence still in use.

As a Brit, intelligent, educated, having practical knowledge of several continents and more than a few countries, and having worked with 20+ nationalities, my immediate response is Yes. But then I am taking into account the whole of Britains influence throughout history. Our contribution to the moral and legal systems of many countries, our exploration and opening up of so much of the world, the Industrial Revolution, the ending of the slave trade, our extensive contributions to literature and the arts, science, technology, modern political systems, etc. Plus the fact that we are still a free and vibrant country, with good social policies which still has a world outlook and uses what influence it still has to improve things for all people.

One of the things that Britons can be most proud of is, perversely, the fact that they don't take an unseemly pride in being British. Unlike the Americans and the French, the British seem well aware that patriotism is largely an attempt to take credit for national achievements - a written constitution, haute cuisine, jazz, impressionism - which you have done nothing to foster, support, advance or preserve. Britons instead have a sliding and inclusive scale of belonging.

Does any other nation continue to float programmes such as Test Match Special, Gardener's Question Time and The Archers purely on an inexhaustible bubble of collective affection? Even if no one listened to them any more there would still be an outcry if you tried to cancel them.

In the 16th Century, Britain began to build its empire – spreading the country's rule and power beyond its borders through a process called 'imperialism'. This brought huge changes to societies, industries, cultures and the lives of people all around the world.

The arts, the sciences and the culture are celebrated all across Britain, and world-class places like The British Museum in London

Britain is Green rolling hills, quaint villages with cobbled streets and 

historic cottages with thatched roofs…and.. 

...All Tea You Can Drink!

This is Great Britain

FINAL WORD

In Great Britain advancing the international business and tackling the social challenges impacting our nation remain a priority. We Should actively engage our stakeholders, collaborating with partnerships to advocate for shared solutions to social challenges.

I believe in the power of people to connect the world & community

The New Connected Community - 

Neighbours All We Need in Life

- Togetherness in place; the positive alternative to separateness - 

Our real health, wealth and power are found together, in local places; not in rugged individualism and the consumer society. That means we, in our role as neighbors, are the critical actors and our neighborhoods are the bedrock on which an alternative future must be built. This book offers guideposts towards building that preferred future from the inside out; using what we have, to secure what we need.

The Connected Community-Discovering the Health, Wealth and Power of Neighborhoods to point out that institutions and technology play important roles in modern life. This is not a platform for older, privileged, guy to shake fist at the sky, bemoaning modernity. 

However, I do argue that communities have been dislocated from their central role in democracy and that getting back into the driving seat is essential to our shared planetary futures, and to better address the central issues of our time. To that end, we place institutions and technology in service of, and to, communities. Because we have learned from experience that when they work well it’s because they extend our community capacities; not harm or control them.

Institutions technology make great servants, but woeful masters.

We write this in order to honor and feature the everyday, faithful efforts of regular people. "The Salt of The Earth People in Life"

This will not tell you anything you don’t already know. It will, however, remind you and your neighbors what modern consumer culture banks on us all forgetting: we have much of what we need, if we remember to refresh the ways in which we connect what we have.

We acknowledge from the outset that technology and institutions can’t solve all our problems and move straight to the question of, “What can we uniquely do if we re-center ourselves as the key actors in our neighborhoods*; not passive consumerism?” What is the purpose of our being together in place? Surely it is more than to consume stuff in isolation from each other?

Our journey is towards what we can do together, neighbor-to-neighbor, as we re-connect and re-organize to become the primary producers of our health, wealth and loving power. This is a journey everyone can join; everyone’s gifts are needed. As well as building community power to contribute towards our preferred futures, we can strengthen our collective voice to ensure that outside actors supplement our efforts, not displace or replace them.

A secondary benefit will be more productive institutions and appropriate technology. Ensuring a reduction in burnout in the workplaces, and more energy for our homeplaces.

Back to Basics

We must use information to help our institutions to become more life-like, 

to ebb and flow, and to fine-tune methods of operating to enable deeper, 

more authentic connections to communities. 

Invest in Local Leaders & Community Groups

Capital

1 Human 2 Community 3 Business & 4 Government

All 4 are Interconnected

Interconnection & Interdependence

A DECLARATION OF INTERCONNECTION AND INTERDEPENDENCE

4th of July 

True "independence" is a misperception. The great exchange of breath and substance between plants, animals and all kingdoms of life reveals our deep interconnected relationship with all of the natural world. The challenge of our times is to adapt our habits and to protect this delicate balance.

I try beautifully articulate the heart of a Declaration of Interdependence 

"As I grew to understand the gifts of the earth, I couldn't understand how 'love of country' could omit recognition of the actual country itself. The only promise it requires is to a flag. What of the promises to each other and to the land?

What would it be like to be raised on gratitude, to speak to the natural world as a member of the democracy of the species, to raise a pledge of interdependence? No declarations of political loyalty are required, just a response to a repeated question:

'Can we agree to be grateful for all that is given?' "

Recognizing that all life plays a critical role in sustaining the web of existence leads to respect and gratitude. That in turn leads to actions and decisions based on honoring and sustaining life.

On this Independence Day, let's acknowledge the distance between where we are and where we need to be to achieve true equality for all, including rights for non-human Nature, and let's consider the great responsibility that's inherent to the idea of freedom.

Today and every day, let's celebrate our interconnection and interdependence with one another and the Earth.

THINK - What can you do today to cultivate gratitude and a deeper connection with nature and community, and to give back to this planet that sustains 

our Every Breath and Step.

Today is A New Beginning 

Beginnings are beautiful. Whether it be the first page of a new chapter, the beginning of a workout/diet program, the start of a new semester or job.

They can be different from what we are used to, and it can be hard to adapt, but there's just something so liberating, so freeing, and so beautiful about new beginnings.

You say goodbye to bad habits of your past, and hello to a healthier life. You move to a brand new city, full of endless possibilities and leave behind the one that made you feel small. 

You decide to meet new people who lift you up and motivate you,

A new beginning can mean freeing yourself of what cages you in, 

of what makes you feel less whole.

We don't get to decide when our lives is switching gears; 

all we can do is hold on tight for the ride. 

HOLD ON TIGHT & NEVER GIVE UP THE SHIP RULE BRITANNIA!

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This is Great Britain Scream Then if You Want to A Little Bit Faster

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Life On Mar's Britain

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