down in the basement of the computermibob i found a copy of confuseds manifesto 2010. i still think every one of these things is an great idle mad idea;





Manifesto 2010

Every 3 years every single person over the age of 21 must spend 3 months on the frontline of the service industry, on £5 per hour. Unless they already work in the service industry in which case they can have 3 months off on £500 per week.

All children and adults will be required learn basic manners, such as saying please and thank you, not burping in other peoples faces and how to use a knife and fork at mealtimes.

A national monorail system to replace cars. All monorail stations obliged to play the monorail song from ‘the Simpsons’ every morning at 10.30.
Locally, cars to be replaced by electric scooters. Thus no road traffic can ever go faster than 35 miles per hour.
Trains can remain for freight
Airships will provide international travel. Tea and cake must be served promptly at 4pm daily when on board.

TV only to be broadcast between 7pm and 11pm in summer. It may begin at 6pm in winter. Only wildlife, nature, science and history documentaries may be shown. They must only be presented by someone from the subject field. Preferably a crusty academic with egg down her shirt. Other programmes can include fantasy dramas, period adventure, films and ‘ooglies’ off cbbc. News is a ten minute bulletin at 9pm.

Local traditions such as ‘cheese rolling’ and ‘pooh sticks’ must become county holidays. In these counties everything must shut for the day except these events.

Everyone required to take 1 year paid leave every 6 years. If not working at the time, each person can receive a rate equal to the wage of their most recent job.

People will be required to undertake a ‘virtual power cut’ day once a year. Lights and heating may be permitted but no use of anything electronic or power using.

Tutti frutti ice cream will be brought back

VOTE CONFUSED!

confused wrote:


I came up with one of my own at the time Mark Thomas was forming a people's manifesto from fans' suggestions but can't remember what I wrote down.



Or they could lay down pipe or work for the Council's waste department either in the recycling centre or out emptying the wheelie bins.



Plus putting back things where you found them when you use or borrow them and the jobs not finished until you've cleared up.




My mother told me that was TV like back in the 1950's when mass broadcasting started in Britain so the evening meal or high tea was not interrupted and it gave housewives a chance to clear the table and do the washing up without missing the important first broadcast of the evening, the news where the newscaster would speak in a clipped accent and wear a dinner suit unlike today with two newsreaders; male and female or in the 1980's with the newsroom staff bustling about in the background behind a window. With the On Demand service and I-Player no need for daytime television as you can catch up when you want. I often forget to watch television in the evenings as I'm on-line or reading and then watch what I miss as soon as I get up.



More bank holidays are definitely needed. We only get six. Most other European countries get more. I saw a table of them but it was confusing as there was no differentiation between bank holidays and annual leave for some countries. The year long sabbatical is a good idea as it gives you a chance to put some perspective on your job or career.



I loved the power cuts in the 1970's as you knew when they were scheduled for and planned for them accordingly by getting candles in and making sure you had your evening meal by then. It was the only time then when my mother would have proper conversations with us because at other times she was busy doing housework in the morning, reading in the afternoon and watching television in the evenings.

Lemsip wrote:


no. its my manifesto, my mad idea, I make the rules

people can do your stuff as well if they like but everyone must take their turn on the tills or in the call centres. otherwise how will they learn to show respect and patience and manners and behave in a civilised way towards people 'serving' them? its not about making people do demeaning work, its about respect.

besides, i want some time off for airship travel

ok i've found the rest of my original manifesto;



except that they all sound perfectly sane and sensible and not at all mad

Lazy Daisy wrote:


Seconded - VOTE CONFUSED!

With an additional idea I've had: that the UK become a neutral country so that we can divert vast funds from the defence budget to nice things, which people will vote for (such as reduced taxes for non-millionaires, increased taxes for multi-millionaires, and free taxis for everyone between the hours of 2am and 4am.

Tutti Frutti ice cream??!!!! I'm voting CONFUSED.

Can we have this as a separate topic? It could be a biggie...

Harpo wrote:

Absolutely!

confused wrote:


I like this. At least you would have the basics of heating and lighting but in late spring, summer and early autumn you wouldn't need heating.

In family homes and shared houses no television, computers on, music (other from i-Pods and personal CD players though batteries wouldn't last long) or radio (other from battery powered radios) would mean that the inhabitants would have to engage with each other but there would be enough light to read by. Local facilities would not be open as they would require electricity to run. You could always do your ironing or wash your hair another day.

What about cooking? Well you could eat raw but juicing takes electricity unless you have a hand cranked juicer. Have sandwiches instead with cheese, salad, pre cooked chicken, ham or tinned fish. Drink water instead of hot drinks. Time to get out those camping stoves and barbecues and cook in the garden instead.

Fridges and freezers will be turned off so use the time to defrost both and eat up what's in them. Put food in cool bags for the day.