Harmoniously

I have withdrawn from public life and created an ambitious reading plan, ranging from Croatian history and "Lord" Owen to Foucault writing on subjectivity, or Krleža—this time focusing on the intellectual and an authoritarian regime in Central Europe. My phone hasn't rung for four days now, as incoming calls are blocked unless the "system" wants something—but that doesn't necessarily mean a lack of freedom. It is incredible how much time you have in a day when you give up on the "news," as well as cafes and the fools! And soon, it will be beach season. When I was younger, I believed that wrong-headed policy—which undoubtedly exists, otherwise we wouldn't find ourselves in these minor troubles—should be ruthlessly overturned. Through dismissals, for example. However, exclusively. Even on this blog, I wrote that the tax administration should be reorganized by firing absolutely everyone, because bureaucracy has a life of its own. Although such a policy has predecessors—notably Hitler and Stalin in the twentieth century—it was exactly what Tuđman applied. And Milošević. Meanwhile, the Western world, most recently in the form of Trump, became infected by it through technology and a fifty-year struggle against the USSR. In general, that Tuđman would change "officials" as easily as socks. In the case of the HOS—who actually wanted an alliance with the Muslims and a fight all the way to the Drina River, while he only wanted Herzegovina—he even employed political assassinations. Former JNA "operatives" who had even crossed over to "his" side were left without pay for six months in cold blood, and so on. Like Milošević, he turned parliament into a machine that could no longer even explain to itself why it voted one way one day and the opposite the next—for instance, in the case of the Hague. But his successors essentially inherited the same thing; the consequence today is that they are more or less powerless against foreigners, yet they trumpet about "national interests." And whoever is against them is against the nation. Exclusively. Milošević also believed that whatever wasn't on the Evening News simply hadn't happened. A similar consequence of the "exclusivity" I’m talking about can be seen in the EU: the falsification of reality. The EU was apparently ready to organize a referendum on Ireland's entry indefinitely, until the voters confirmed what the "large-toothed cattle" had not already mapped out in their wisdom. In the case of Moldova, the media has completely failed, so, well, we are expected to believe that black is white. Certainly, we must seek the causes also in the stunning passivity of ninety percent of the population, as well as a certain stubbornness among intellectuals. On the other hand, there are those voices—I still remember them—who were against "revanchism" or who occasionally advocated for consensus. I fear I belong to them now. After I pursued a certain justice—primarily by driving the HDZ's own policies to their logical conclusions and proving that I am not what the system declared me to be, "mad"—in my old age, I have mellowed. I believe in a certain amount of listening and questioning, and that in politics one should not—must not—use the "rabid, aggressive, or primitive." Because this last war in the Balkans was, in large part, a re-encounter between the village and the city. People from the villages tore down cities, both literally and metaphorically; and with media like this, they are given the right of way, and the circle closes. In my ivory tower, I am reading The Banquet in Blitva.

Setting

„We“ in Croatia often debate violence. As, I guess, do „you“ in the States, but most often this comes down to the state having „the monopoly,“ ideological appeals to „civic and historical norms,“ what not, but it's worth reminding this country had a revolution mere 70 years ago, and a civil war 30. Of course, than we debate some more „wicked communist state that killed,“ only to be remined from abroad the CIA still does the very same thing, as do the Russians, „and they say they don't.“ During the last batch of posts I tried explaining I do not perceive school shootings in USA as an aberration, but a symptom of society which surfaces, and I do not agree at all with WaPo violence is unjustified, unfortunatly, for than our issue would but quite simple: there aren't that many truly mad individuals around and some of them also have trouble walking. No, violence is a response to poverty, psychological violence which includes propaganda and, worst of all – struggle for power. Do remind yourself of anthrax attacks. A revolution is easy to explain: the goal, expressly so, is to eliminate any vestige of the previous regime. Civil war is different, but Tuđman is on footage saying there would have been no war had he given up on the idea of independent Croatia i.e. being a part (albeit possibly even totalitarian) Yugoslavia. Like men in the West I dubbed „diabolical“ (Their student body is wickedly called Skulls and Bones.), he managed both those who wanted Yugoslavia but also right wing extremists by skillfully employing money, or lack thereof, and an occasional murder. This is the monopoly. What else is the Floyd case? And why should anybody be surprised if some other faction employed the same „cure“ against a pharma corporation or if somebody just flips and has his or her say in an uncoordinated fashion? This might come as a big surprise to some, but the same is visible in the Trumpian takeover. Layoffs, different kind of ideology and – a parody of all American problems: president not being omnipotent but a person who requires nominations in the FED board, claims against Dominion machines, anti NATO rhetoric that some still dream of but for which the US does not have enough greenback. This too might be a shock – but to poor students of history. True, the sole penalty in the realm political is incarceration for corruption or breaking of the laws and the Constitution. In reality, however, from Roman emperors executed by their Praetorians, through Kennedy and Tuđman and Milošević all the way to Prigožin and possibly Zelenski – the penalty for wrong kind of politics is – still – death.

Aggregation

I think I might be a communist. Not that rigid that I'd go on a rampage, but I do sincerely believe the world is money crazed, produces misery and unhappiness.

I get the origins of Dutch capitalism: a few guys got together to finance „a venture,“ but that too was basically based on plunder, and moreover produced today's mastodonts that are, as we speak, ruining democracy, distorting news and even the world of books, and causing wars. Sure, they try to lure the small „investor“ with the promises of untold riches of „togetherness,“ but it's all basically a Ponzi scheme – or betting, in good ol' plain speak. Not to mention the mentioned world of politics and information proves the good old boys never intended to share anything. 

The way I see it, there are two kinds of Les Miserables in Croatia. The first kind work hard indeed, and one would expect them to be content with their lot, in contrast to my opt out misery, but, no, they but dream of more money, so that they would not have to work any more, work they have seen through as prostitution. The second type hinder any and all reforms by not daring to say aloud and accept the system has surpassed them, has no need for people like them any longer at all.

I had a brief exchange yesterday on the topic of inheritance tax, and I argued, basing this on my fifty years' experience of both socialism and capitalism, and first hand vision of the accumulation of wealth, the haves should pay and finance pensions and healthcare. „But this is irrelevant as we will never face the situation of deciding this in any parliament; they would rather drag us into intrasocietal strife and wars with neighbours.“

As for being a communist, I think the world needs some kind of new socialist economy, but am no economist. However, does anyone feed me, other than my parents? Do you clothe me? Choose your own path freely, I'll be ready to smirk at your stumbling, doing the finer things.

Private Theatre

If I have largely been able to see ahead, it's now winter in Dubrovnik, like „it's coming“ much around the globe, and today I decided to treat myself to a cinema screening: it’s quite a super strange experience since we, on account of utter state failure, have a socialised version of it for €2. Still, it is bizarre, you watch a movie with five other people inside. The hall was modernised some fifteen years ago so the place isn’t a dump though the latrine soon enough reminds one he is deep within the Balkans.

The flick was Brazilian, it is called the Secret Agent, and was nominated for four Oscars. The tale revolves around a university professor who gets killed by an “entrepreneur” within the then regime for refusing to hand over research results and patents to such private sector. It is somewhat arty, very slow moving (And lasts for two and a half hours.), and, as a friend commented – even the colours are washed out: “They were really like that forty years ago!”

Forty years ago, the world was full indeed with dictatorships, ranging from Greece, “through Spain and Portugal,” straight to Brazil, and it is from this time that the image of “free USA” comes from. The Secret Agent explicitly opens the topic of collective memory and forgetfulness, placing an emphasis on the young who even aren't that much at all interested in what had occurred before their time. 

If only it were that easy! As I once joked, “we” may not remember wars but there are always those around us with handy knowledge ready to instruct. Do check all you like, the “new” age, as it was laying the internet cables, was already laying ground for brand new dictatorships, and brand new conflicts.

I next plan to see La Grazia, an Italian film about a guy who pretends to be president and these two nicely portray what has happened “to me” during my “absence” from this blog. Theatre indeed, a very private one smack in between of a very visited place in “the middle” of the world.

Davor Juričić: "Kako ste ušli, tako izađite."

G. Davor Juričić je na godišnjem odmoru na neodređeno vrijeme, te piše na zaštićenom blogu.

#Retrospektiva

IMATE LI PROBLEMA S PARKIRANJEM?

"Jednom se jedan frend uvukao (pametno) u dvorište pošte preko puta Sezama (zapravo nacionalizirana vila; usko dvorište), i nikako nije mogao van.

Kada je napokon izmanevrisao, moja xxx mu je rekla:

Bože, da sam ja tu ušla, nikada ne bi izašla!

Eto, da netko ne kaže da je do spola, može li se to kako popraviti, za one kojima ne iđe?"

Veselko Tenžera: Why I Like TV, 1988

I was once told never to write like Tenžera. A sound advice - nobody can, this not in a conceited sense. As one TV lady said: "I cannot clone myself and there is really no need. There must be a change of generations, and style, if you will."

Here's his criticism of socialist TV. Nota bene, this was later published; he actually had a column in Studio, merely commenting TV.


For a good couple of years, every day, TV Zagreb points out examples of succesful companies that agreed upon, concluded, enabled, constructed, envisioned, exported.. with unavoidable dollar amounts at the close, instantly to be realised. Purely using calculus, this makes about one thousand companies annually (the rest of the successful ones is from the third newsreel bit), five thousand in five years. Just imagine the every-day evening triumph of our economy in the newsreel and all those optimistic layers of smug that these triumphs sediment in the spirit of each spectator! There were days when, carried away by cosmoplitan sentiment, I pitied Japan and Sweden, about whose difficulties our correspondents dilligently reported.

The alarming inventory of Croatian economy, prepared in front of my alarm by a man so informed as the president of the executive council of the parliament initially prompted me to phone the TV, and I would have done it if this were only a phone-in show. I would have asked: WELL, WHAT ON EARTH HAPPENED TO ALL THOSE COMPANIES FROM THE NEWSREEL? I would have implored the editors of the newsreel to divulge their addresses to comrade president. Merely one hundred addresses would have sufficed for one decent stabilisation, while they can safeguard the rest for the rainy day, when we are in more trouble.


This is real art. We have meanwhile advanced a bit - there is an increasing number of commercials that none trust.

For real, Veselko Tenžera is reported to have been drinking rakija from the big glass, and water from the small one. As one of my friends commented on Hemingway: "Anyone intelligent would have found escape in alcohol."

As for politics, the SM (small-medium, whatever that is) business sector is said to be most dynamic. Why? You don't rely on people. The downside is that the average lifespan of a company is (really) about five years.

Perhaps we can change this if we talk sense. I had a conversation with an economist who explained no theory at the moment was valid. I honestly still do not understand economics but I did ask one silly question:

What if I don't need an item?

"Difficult Question," circa 1880

The question is: "who does the hat belong to?"

The Tally

This is my 285th post, and I started posting on 10 Feb 2011.

Since the whole blog was about a creative exercise of writing each and every day, this would mean I am some 80 posts behind..

I must say I's rather enjoying myself though it felt somewhat dumb without any echo, which actually reminds me of a great Slav joke - we actually call Germans - 'those unable to speak.'

So, I will do my best not to see, hear or speak evil. Should you come to Dubrovnik, a couple of things you should know:

Crazies: A Sketch

Since I love music even more than my fellow beings (I have actually summarised the joy of living in a phrase 'to sing back vocals as if your life depended on it'), I have had this crazy idea of high profile musicians performing ad-hoc in the Rolling Stones or U2 style - on a truck or improvised stage - with a twist, however.

This would almost have to be an act of penance - for superstar status, state of the world, you name it. An act of proving oneself again before humble and uninformed audience etc. Without any huge media involvement even. To see how a tune can transform us.

Imagine, to play a single song just for the heck of it. I need to work on this one yet.

PERFECT SONG

as found in Solomon Burke:


I wish there'd be a song that would
Stop the hunger and pain
Stop the poverty and strain
For once and for all time
Could there be a song that would
Make the soldiers drop their guns
Make the sun shine for the ones
Hurt by violence and crime

I wish there'd be a song that would
Soothe the souls of those who suffer
From their lives just getting tougher
Until all hatred's gone astray

And if there'd be a song that could
Fertilize the desert
Neutralize all hazard
I would write one right away

Once I wrote it we would sing it
And it would be a perfect song
Perfect verses
Perfect chorus
But I'm afraid I'd get it slightly wrong

I wish there'd be a song that would
Perform God's miracles
Make the lame stand up and walk
Give sight back to the blind
And if there'd be a song that could
Bring love and peace on earth
Tear down every crooked church
I'd write a dozen of the kind

Once I wrote it we would sing it
And it would be a perfect song
Perfect verses
Perfect chorus
But I'm afraid I'd get it slightly wrong

Once I wrote it we could sing it
And it would be a perfect song
Perfect verses
Perfect chorus
But I'm afraid I'd get it slightly wrong
Perfect verses
Perfect chorus
But I'm afraid it can't be done

Twice on History

When I was quite young, I was taken along by my journalist sis, to act as the interpreter during an interview with Mr Noel Malcom, who had just written his history of Bosnia.

Naturally, I was still quite shocked by what had happened in Dubrovnik and related a few incidents to the renowned historian.

The answer was somewhat surprising but actually speaks well of just how insignificant each one of us is: "Are the archives safe?"

On History

There's a great rendering of Dubrovnik's history in Dubrovnik: A History by Robin Harris. Two young nobles meet in the dead of night, one saying to another:
- Why are you staring at me?
- I'm looking at you because God gave me eyes to look at another on equal terms.
And the guy punches him in the face. Of course, what's really funny is that brawls in Dubrovnik begin for the same reason almost 400 years later.

As for taste, a painter is described wanting to introduce a more daring, artistically, style in conservative Ragusa. And he failed. But the brilliant Mr Harris comments:
"I'm glad this did not put the old master down, for he was arrested 20 years later for singing lewd tunes."

Liberty

It's St Blaise Day tomorrow - the day of the patron saint of Dubrovnik or Ragusa.

As I once said, I can literally imagine no thing more meaningful than a white flag with a single word on it: Liberty. True, the backdrop is somewhat overcast and gloomy - but thinking of it - this is quite the usual prospect.

Freedom is one of the things we are Sisyphus like after: or truth or you name it. Caught both by historical processes and each other, man is literally in the middle of the Middle Age war between good and bad. As Gadamer aptly says, such insights are what gave birth to Greek tragedy.

Well, at least we still do them, albeit mechanically. We also have this 1,000 year old procession tradition. Don't be a summer simpleton - come join us sometime.

Hitchcock

All I can say is the Man Who Knew Too Much - minutes 56 through 1:07

Hitchcock - master of suspense and comic relief!

The swordfish and the jammed hand in taxidermist's tiger are brilliant. Simply brilliant.

Ah, good old times when films had to be watched and the radio listened to.

What Goes On

Apparently, what's true of text is also true of speech. Yes, I was taught writing is far more orderly - it is in fact beneficial to listen to yourself talking. You get all the unconnections and stammering as well.

But, just as in own yesteryear's diaries, what's really the same is that two weeks later, you have absolutely no idea what your speech looked like and can but pray you are less of a fool.

I once read a darling advice for young writers: write, and then afterwards read what you have written. Next, throw away any bits you particularly - like.

And then - publication. Your writing is bound to change under the feel you get when being watched. Just like physics, my favourite simile. But in case of radio - it's your personality that is at stake.

Hello, Diary

Spent a sleepless night charting out the general thread of all 10 shows and am happy to say I am done. To those who have experience creating I simply nod my head in recognition of mutual joy; to those who have none: you also cry a little.

A little gem is the final one which discusses the role of the intellectual in such difficult times as war. I present this almost mechanically, simply reading four letters exchanged between two writers from Croatia and Serbia in '92, seasoned with quite famous tunes by Balašević.

"Writing is somewhat of an escape from freedom. I remeber Đilas saying in long ago 70s: Prison would do me good. I feel like writing prose."

If this turns out well, I am sorry to say this simply cannot be translated for it would obviously need to be - reenacted.

Cultural Expansion

Well, I've been busy creating. My fifth show is based on hilarious admission I have actually not read the book being presented.

Of course, it's an ancient trick. It really aims at exposing what Sartre mocked through a character reading books alphabetically - that far, the guy reached the letter D. The whole goal of any education has always been development of the ability to differentiate what's good and what's bad.

I also offered the show to other student radios within Croatia. When the new Gvmnt in Croatia was elected, one of commentaries ran as follows:

"True, the new government with their Twitter profile seems a brand new movie in HD, compared to the old one. But then again, the standard was so low it is not much of an achievement."

Rules to This Game

Well, I did try to be gentle: the radio shows include everything from gentle beckoning to philosophy to investigating the limits of the discussion.

However, the third episode on small towns inevitably "forces a mirror to community's face" and it is no true mirror. It is somewhat distorted to drive the message across. So I'm left wondering what the response will be: well, at least in my mind's eye, anything is possible - this ranging from cancellation of the whole show to furious reactions, especially if they cannot do philosophy but continue with everyday rabid politics - since the book author is Serbian. However, I still wager on good old apathy and silence.

But I have decided not to react myself to any possible comments in any way - I will air them as-is. My whole point can be summarised in something like: "People, we have 4 radio stations - let's use them." In the fifth episode I shall incidentally explain what public debate looks like in France.

However, one thing needs to be addressed too. During my music radio show days, there were always those friends who would change something. These I jocularly teased they obviously needed own radio shows. So, one additional reason is that I am overrepresented as it is.

Working Title

First Day

Dear All,

As you might know, last year I've had a music show at a local student radio station:  http://www.zvuchi-drugachije.com.hr/ 

This Sunday, and Sundays to follow, my second volunteer season is beginning, this time with a talk show on books and ideas:  http://www.egotrip.com.hr/ 

However, things started going a bit and the Ragusa radio offered me a future original programme show (this time for cash). So far I've got nothing, but I wouldn't enjoy a repeat of a kind. What follows is just an initial idea.

I was thinking about a contact show but radio shows are a bit like novels: it is no chatter - but must be significantly structured beforehand, with an element of improvisation.

Therefore, to cut the story short, I was considering an idea for a show with actual friends, some of who are real experts in their fields. The subjects, just like in previous shows would be quite different (I think you will all see where you belong): 

- experience from university

- experience from a large company

- journalist experience

- a story on tourist board

- health of society

- books, publishing or libraries

- music in HR

- thoughts of a veteran

- church in England (foreign experience)

- entrepreneurship (in DU) or state institutions

- high schools 

- foreign gaze on DU

- sport in HR

The show would, as the initial idea as I said, comprise of a part which presents my take done in actual cooperation with true journalists and a phone conversation. Naturally, none would expect that you say anything you would not be comfortable with in any way. Of course, you would have to prepare a little i.e. make a plan of what you would like to say and answer questions you would not be informed of beforehand so an actual conversation is staged. It would not go live so changes are possible. 

Would any of you be willing to do something like this - at all? Just to stress, your name would be mentioned.

So, do let me know - and please do not be cross if you think the idea - plain crazy.