Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot…

There is a movie and a couple of documentaries that have been playing in my head since last night. The movie you might have guessed, yes it is “V for Vendetta.” The documentaries that I am alluding to are by Adam Curtis, some of them, in fact all of those that are coming to my mind right now have aired over BBC between 2002 and 2007. I am sure not how many have had the displeasure of watching his documentaries but I am sure the number cannot be very large. I call them a displeasure because they cover subjects that are rather unsavory and don’t have happy endings, but, they are quite informative and I think rather pertinent to the current state of affairs, particularly in Ol Blighty and generally to the world that we live in today.

The Governments Reaction

The Telegraph: London riots: David Cameron approves water cannon

David Cameron has given the green light for water cannon to be used on the British mainland for the first time and condemned pockets of society as “sick.”

Times Of India: Fightback has begun against rioters: British PM

“We will not allow a culture of fear to exist on our streets,” Cameron said.

This is the kind of thing that makes mi think of:

The Power Of Nightmares by Adam Curtis ~ Wiki

The films compare the rise of the Neo-Conservative movement in the United States and the radical Islamist movement, making comparisons on their origins and claiming similarities between the two. More controversially, it argues that the threat of radical Islamism as a massive, sinister organised force of destruction, specifically in the form of al-Qaeda, is a myth perpetrated by politicians in many countries—and particularly American Neo-Conservatives—in an attempt to unite and inspire their people following the failure of earlier, more utopian ideologies.

These are early days and I hope that nothing of the nature of what is described in the documentaries happens going forward. But you know what, I am kinda getting the heebeegeebees about this and moreover when the prime minister gets on TV and says that pockets of society are “sick” and that “We will not allow a culture of fear to exist on our streets,” my heebeegeebees don’t get assuaged in any manner.

The Telegraph: London riots: Boris Johnson calls for police cuts rethink

Boris Johnson today called on the Government to reconsider its plans to reduce police numbers following widespread rioting across the country.

This quote from the movie gives a part of the motive that drives “V” to execute his Vendetta:

V: [Disguised as William Rookwood, meeting with Inspector Finch] Our story begins, as these stories often do, with a young up-and-coming politician. He’s a deeply religious man and a member of the conservative party. He is completely single-minded convictions and has no regard for the political process. Eventually, his party launches a special project in the name of ‘national security’. At first, it is believed to be a search for biological weapons and it is pursued regardless of its cost. However, the true goal of the project is power, complete and total hegemonic domination. The project, however, ends violently… but the efforts of those involved are not in vain, for a new ability to wage war is born from the blood of one of their victims. Imagine a virus – the most terrifying virus you can, and then imagine that you and you alone have the cure. But if your ultimate goal is power, how best to use such a weapon? It is at this point in our story that along comes a spider. He is a man seemingly without a conscience; for whom the ends always justify the means and it is he who suggests that their target should not be an enemy of the country but rather the country itself. Three targets are chosen to maximize the effect of the attack: a school, a tube station, and a water-treatment plant. Several hundred die within the first few weeks. Until at last the true goal comes into view. Before the St. Mary’s crisis, no one would have predicted the outcome of the elections. No one. But after the election, lo and behold, a miracle. Some believed that it was the work of God himself, but it was a pharmaceutical company controlled by certain party members made them all obscenely rich. But the true genius of the plan was the fear. A year later, several extremists are tried, found guilty, and executed while a memorial is built to canonize their victims. Fear became the ultimate tool of this government. And through it our politician was ultimately appointed to the newly created position of High Chancellor. The rest, as they say, is history.

But, has nobody noticed that these are teens and young adults looting stores and venting anger!

The Prime Minister calling pockets of society “sick” is kind of true because they are sick but their disease is not what the Prime Minister eludes to, it is a little more deep rooted I think and that is precisely why I feel that what is happening in Ol Blighty today might see a lot of replays in the times to come.

The important question here is, why young adults and teens? of both sexes might I add and why so much anger and looting? The following documentaries give you the idea and you know what they say about ideas don’t you…

[after a hail of gunfire doesn't stop V]
Creedy: Die! Die! Why won’t you die?… Why won’t you die?
V: Beneath this mask there is more than flesh. Beneath this mask there is an idea, Mr. Creedy, and ideas are bulletproof.

The Century Of Self by Adam Curtis ~ Wiki

Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, changed the perception of the human mind and its workings. His influence on the twentieth century is generally considered profound. The series describes the ways public relations and politicians have utilized Freud’s theories during the last 100 years for the “engineering of consent”.

Freud himself and his nephew Edward Bernays, who was the first to use psychological techniques in public relations, are discussed. Freud’s daughter Anna Freud, a pioneer of child psychology, is mentioned in the second part, as is one of the main opponents of Freud’s theories, Wilhelm Reich, in the third part.

Along these general themes, The Century of the Self asks deeper questions about the roots and methods of modern consumerism, representative democracy, commodification and its implications. It also questions the modern way we see ourselves, the attitudes to fashion and superficiality.

The Trap by Adam Curtis ~ Wiki

The series consists of three one-hour programmes which explore the concept and definition of freedom, specifically, “how a simplistic model of human beings as self-seeking, almost robotic, creatures led to today’s idea of freedom.”

The Blame
It would be unfair on my part to leave out the people who are at the receiving end of this event and to get their perspective on it I will request you to see/read their thoughts and feel their emotions:

Live Coverage on Reuters ~ London Riots Live @ Reuters
Live Coverage on The Telegraph ~ London Riots Live @ The Telegraph

As usual there is a lot of blame going around. Now, put to perspective the last two sets of documentaries (“The Century Of Self” and “The Trap”) and you will perhaps acknowledge that there is good reason for the blame and it is coming from a very different place. It just that the people don’t really realize that they have been played the way they have been played and to what extent.

Put the movie (V for Vendetta) and the first set of documentaries (The Power Of Nightmares) into perspective and you get a feel of where this has the potential of ending up.

NOTE
If you feel that this event is done and you don’t need to look at these depressing documentaries and one rather entertaining movie, I can assure you that the show is coming to a street near you, sooner or later. It would perhaps be in your interest to do a little research. Be warned though, if and when you do put all of these things into perspective you might not like what you see.

V: But again, truth be told, if you’re looking for the guilty you need only look into a mirror.

These are my personal opinions, to form your own, do your own analysis and reach your own conclusions or don’t

REFERENCES

Adam Curtis ~ Wiki ~ Blog

Adam Curtis (born 1955) is an award-winning British documentarian and writer. He has also worked as a television producer, director and narrator. He works for BBC Current Affairs. His programmes express a clear, albeit sometimes controversial, opinion about their subject.

V for Vendetta ~ Wiki ~ IMDB ~ Official

V for Vendetta ~ Quotes ~ WikiQuote ~ IMDB Quotes

P.S. I can merely show you the red pill beyond that you’re on your own mates. Best of luck.