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June 04, 2008
Freedom in plastic
Rules, rules , rules. They are invading our every waking hour, and most of our sleeping hours as well. Whether it's the 'for your own good' H&S rules to government advice on drinking, smoking, sex, driving, waking or sleeping we are inundated. I work with adults in a Sure Start Centre but always have to have a locked door between me and any children. I don't know what they are going to do to me but it can make moving from one room to another extremely difficult. Roads are clogged with warning signs, painted zones and concrete obstructions. In one village residents have even bought their own speed gun and regularly spend their free time taking the numbers of cars driving too fast and sending them to the police. Instead of writing to the offenders the police could better spend their time suggesting to the villages that they should get a life.
But despite the gloom caused by the news of a new government initiative to tackle something or other there is good news. A road near us has been cleared of signs, markings, even pavements and is now open to motorists and pedestrians alike. It seems to work well with motorists having to move slowly around pavement cafes, cyclists and pushchairs. The other great freedom has come about due to the plastic mug. I can now take a drink into the auditorium and enjoy a beer during a concert. No doubt I'll soon have to sign a disclaimer stating I know the dangers of alcohol and pass 3 posters warning me that I'm risking my life but still I can now do something that for many years I was prevented from doing. 'A small step for freedom a giant …' no not quite but still encouraging.
Posted by Andy Mason at June 4, 2008 10:30 AM