The Purpose and Meaning of Life

By Dean McCleland in Inspirational, Other Opinion Pieces 1 Comment

Whenever there is the passing of a friend, an acquaintance or a family member this topic comes to mind. In this case it was learning of the death of a hiking acquaintance from 25 years ago: Dick Wassenaar.

What will the wider world remember of one’s own passing? Probably nothing unless one were a celebrity or famous in some way. At best, as in Dick’s case, it is one lonely paragraph on the Internet.

Main picture: These homemade and handheld ‘pistol fireworks’ are used at the Gion Matsuri festival at the Yoshida Shrine in Toyohashi City, Japan
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The Criminal Justice System: What the Hell is Going On?

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Opinion Pieces 1 Comment

The most concerning aspect of the current spate of corruption and incompetence scandals is that many relate to the Criminal Justice System. This structure is supposedly the bulwark against moral turpitude, malfeasance and corruption. Instead it is patently more venal and duplicitous than the supposed criminals.

Without a functioning and competent Criminal Justice System, a country is doomed to anarchy and mob justice. Its role is to serve an impartial role in the dispensing of justice in a fair and just manner without fear or favour.

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The Personality Cult of the Kim Dynasty of North Korea

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Opinion Pieces 0 Comment

Before becoming sanctimonious that as a Korean one would never be deceived into believing all of the improbable, inconceivable and implausible accomplishments of the so-called Great Leader, consider the milieu in which its inhabitants live. With strict censorship, anything is impossible. This is the deranged topsy-turvy world of North Korea today.

The usual path of dynastic succession unfolded in the case of the Kim Clan. Grandfather Kim Il Sung – the Great Leader – was the architect of the Democratic – read undemocratic – Republic of Korea. It was established in the mould of the dictatorial communist regimes in Eastern Europe where the concepts of free press, free elections and freedom of speech was banished to be substituted by a Party Press, one party elections and Party-Speak.

Main picture: Kim Jong-il, the Great Leader who relied upon his supposedly supermen capabilities to impress his opressed people.

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A Footnote to History: Boys as German Soldiers during WW2

By Dean McCleland in History, Military History 0 Comment

I have always been fascinated how a youngster would cope with the ardours of war. In the case of the indoctrinated youths of the Hitler Jugend perhaps that were able to endure it as they were supposedly the Herrenvolk, Master Race. Notwithstanding that, can the level of brainwashing overcome the trauma of war? This blog contrasts two such callow youths.

The best known example is a 15 year old lad by the name of Wilhelm “Willi” Hubner in March 1945. Hubner, short for his age, possessed the visage of a 10 year old and the vocal register or pitch of a young child. With a naivety belying the deadly job that he was performing, he fixed his gaze on Hitler as he approached the squad of German youths about to be rewarded for their acts of valour.

Main picture: Adolf Hitler congratulating Hitlerjugend boys including Wilhelm Hubner
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How could they ever have permitted adverts like this?

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Other Galleries 0 Comment

In this era, Political Correctness had clearly not been invented. Women were meant to occupy the kitchen and babies to drink copious quantities of Coke. What about smoking? Even the doctors were advised their clients to smoke.

What will our grandchildren berate us for? Advertising breads and pasta. Perhaps even hamburgers will a distant memory with the Golden Arches of a McDonalds only serving fatty foods and salads but no carbohydrates or starches. That is the excruciating difficulty in making predictions about the future as the future is synonymous with change but where will that change lead us to.

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What happens when the fatal disease called Aging is cured?

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Health 0 Comment

Last weeks’ Time Magazine has a series of articles on how science can retard the rate of aging and possibly even halt it completely. Of more significance to me – which was unstated – was what would the social & societal consequences of such a process be? Does this even bode well for humankind in terms of the quality of those additional years? For instance would one then be senile for fifty years instead of ten?

 Main picture: I bet that Bridgette Bardot has many regrets about her life but probably her main misgiving was about getting old and more importantly, looking decrepit. Continue reading

Eskom: Where Politics Trumps the Production of Electricity

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Opinion Pieces 0 Comment

The latest in a long succession of upheavals in the key parastatals relates to the suspension of the CEO of Eskom after being appointed only eight months previously in August 2014. Instead on their focus being the delivery of their services rather it is factional fights and other considerations that take precedence.

At the highest political levels in South Africa, there seems to be no understanding of the fundamental requirements for a sophisticated economy. Surely the ANC should realise that the requirement to provide power to South Africa supersedes parochial political considerations?

Clearly not!  Continue reading

Have we got the balance in life correct?

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Opinion Pieces 0 Comment

In this regard, I am referring not to the work / life balance over which most working people agonise especially working mothers but how we should handle the life portion of the equation. A number of issues crossed my mind over the past week or two which reminded me that either I am focusing on what is truly important due to wisdom – some would call that experience – or due to stage of life – some would call that age.

Main picture: This cat does not accept that a box in which he curled up as a kitten was now too small
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The Golden Age of Air Travel

By Dean McCleland in Historical, History 0 Comment
Cabin service on board an intercontinental Boeing 707 during a flight with the West German airline Lufthansa, April 1967

Cabin service on board an intercontinental Boeing 707 during a flight with the West German airline Lufthansa, April 1967

What is the first thought when contemplating flying somewhere: cramped conditions with stodgy unappetising meals? Business Class is completely different experience but who can afford a seat which can cost anywhere from 5 to 10 times that of an economy class seat.

This series of photographs will reveal the elegance of flying during the 1950s and 1960s. Women would be dressed up to the nines and for the men suits and ties were de rigeur. In effect the whole plane was in current terms First and Business Class. The prices reflected that fact too. The plebeians were not allowed to lower the tone. There was no need to discriminate against them overtly. The price ensured that they could not enter these hallowed cabins.

Main picture: Passengers enjoy a drink and a game of cards in the cabin of an Imperial Airways plane in 1936

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Scott’s Fatal Polar Expedition contrasted with a Modern One

By Dean McCleland in History, Other Galleries 0 Comment

The ways in which Scott and Shackleton explored the Polar Regions is moribund. Even the manner in which Randolph Fiennes manhandled all his kit across Antarctica need no longer be the modus operandi. Whilst even his odyssey to the South Pole is remarkable in terms of endurance and tenacity, it lacked the one ingredient that continues to make Scott’s and Shackleton’s attempts enduring: no Plan B. 

Robert Falcon Scott was to die on the 29th March 1912 in his heroic attempt to become the first person to reach the South Pole. Amundsen, using dog sleds instead of manhandling their equipment, had beaten them to it. The only solace and consolation was to return with their samples which was the ostensible reason for the trip. Reaching the Pole first was pure bravado, vanity and for the glory of the British Empire.

Main picture: Robert Falcon Scott in full Polar regalia

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