Recently I re-read Fight Club – the debut novel by Chuck Palahniuk. It can be regarded, in part, as a commentary on the emptiness of a consumerist lifestyle, that the narrator is freed from after he loses his home and the branded possessions that he has unsuccessfully attempted to mould into a semblance of a personality.
Partway through reading the book, I rewatched David Fincher's film adaptation which elevates the story by leaning into the question of how much of what the protagonist experiences is real. How many of the people we meet are alternate personalities or figments of his imagination? How many of the increasingly wayward twists and turns actually occur? Is he the ultimate unreliable narrator, where practically nothing that we see unfold on the screen takes place?
One of the emerging themes of the 21st century is the wilful estrangement from reality as we retreat into increasingly complex augmented realities. This appears to be occurring both on an individual level (bolstered by social media) and on an institutional level.
I know people who work in the financial sector. In conversations about their jobs there is a disconnect where important information gets lost in translation. These are very clever individuals; I don't mean educated necessarily, but naturally smart. In their attempts at reconfiguring the complexities of their job in layman's terms, I sometimes get the impression that they either don't fully understand what they do, or that they are inwardly questioning whether what they are saying makes any kind of common sense outside of their professional circle.
On a base fundamental level, the systems that are used to acquire wealth are grounded in the idea that some of this money can be spent on things in the material world – physical objects, or experiences – or can be used to play around with the levers of power. The mechanisms that are being used to generate this wealth are becoming more and more abstracted from tangible reality, even as they continue to exert a tremendous influence on the world.
There is reality and overlaying it there are narratives (and some of the best storytellers in the world are bankers). Though they are symbiotic, with what happens in one affecting what happens in the other, they have never been more separate.
Fascinating. A life I can access through his book but still can’t imagine it is so far away from mine. You of all people Hanif know what is of value and what is not. And while we on the subject of that - I did try to become one of your paid up discounted minions but the system wouldn’t have it ! No! HSBC gladly confirmed payment and back I went and then round again like the wheel of fortune except it refused to stop on welcome to Hanif’s writings stop. But I am still here your free loader enjoying your dispatches. The weather is grim it’s Sunday and the snooker is on though —all good.couldn’t comment on your tales of a free spirited youthdom (freeloader)but it all made sense and you weren’t the only one flinging yourself about and landing anywhere. Except you landed on being a writer and being you - some people never attain the latter. Glad you are ok and achieving (shattered). Lots of care from Maddi in a very rain soaked village of nowhere North Yorkshire. Ps hope you are voting on Thursday xx
Thanks for sharing. I'm very curious to read this book.
*Growing up* is very interesting, isn't it? It rarely leads where one thinks it will. Reality morphs, and our perceptions change and adjust. Life lessons shape us, whether we recognize it or not.
Some of us are lucky enough to find another side...another life. A place we have arrived, using our reflective powers, with an ability to allow ourselves to live. To live a life more of our own choosing, with our eyes wide open. Rather than living in a dream...or a nightmare.
I stumbled on Gary's stuff a couple of years ago - ish. Very impressed from the get go...I studied public finance to post-grad level and I can safely say Osborne & Cameron started this 14 year palpable rotting of Britain on false economic premises. Lies really.
There are scumbags in every society but they have access to more resources than most in the Western world and, therefore, can do more damage. Fascinating insights. 💪👏😘❤️
What a great review! I want to read that book. I'm glad he at least had the Mormon underpinnings to highlight his predicament- so difficult to find his way out of. Will also check out his YouTube channel.
Love, love, love, love this review. Not just for observations such as this:
"The other characters that populate the office are an eccentric bunch of competitive posh boys, drunks, cokeheads and misfits with dead souls. What is striking about all these vividly drawn personalities is how little culture and self-consciousness they have, turning themselves into ciphers in order to earn vast amounts of money for the bank and themselves, which they will be unable to spend either productively or wisely. "
It also reminds us that there are people still in this world who, though hungry, can't be bribed so easily by corrupt but profitable compromises. Here in the United States -- post-Trump with the threat of his rotten soul upon us once again -- that's especially important.
Every writer will be uplifted by the idea that with a good story, and editor, a book can be written.
Recently I re-read Fight Club – the debut novel by Chuck Palahniuk. It can be regarded, in part, as a commentary on the emptiness of a consumerist lifestyle, that the narrator is freed from after he loses his home and the branded possessions that he has unsuccessfully attempted to mould into a semblance of a personality.
Partway through reading the book, I rewatched David Fincher's film adaptation which elevates the story by leaning into the question of how much of what the protagonist experiences is real. How many of the people we meet are alternate personalities or figments of his imagination? How many of the increasingly wayward twists and turns actually occur? Is he the ultimate unreliable narrator, where practically nothing that we see unfold on the screen takes place?
One of the emerging themes of the 21st century is the wilful estrangement from reality as we retreat into increasingly complex augmented realities. This appears to be occurring both on an individual level (bolstered by social media) and on an institutional level.
I know people who work in the financial sector. In conversations about their jobs there is a disconnect where important information gets lost in translation. These are very clever individuals; I don't mean educated necessarily, but naturally smart. In their attempts at reconfiguring the complexities of their job in layman's terms, I sometimes get the impression that they either don't fully understand what they do, or that they are inwardly questioning whether what they are saying makes any kind of common sense outside of their professional circle.
On a base fundamental level, the systems that are used to acquire wealth are grounded in the idea that some of this money can be spent on things in the material world – physical objects, or experiences – or can be used to play around with the levers of power. The mechanisms that are being used to generate this wealth are becoming more and more abstracted from tangible reality, even as they continue to exert a tremendous influence on the world.
There is reality and overlaying it there are narratives (and some of the best storytellers in the world are bankers). Though they are symbiotic, with what happens in one affecting what happens in the other, they have never been more separate.
Fascinating. A life I can access through his book but still can’t imagine it is so far away from mine. You of all people Hanif know what is of value and what is not. And while we on the subject of that - I did try to become one of your paid up discounted minions but the system wouldn’t have it ! No! HSBC gladly confirmed payment and back I went and then round again like the wheel of fortune except it refused to stop on welcome to Hanif’s writings stop. But I am still here your free loader enjoying your dispatches. The weather is grim it’s Sunday and the snooker is on though —all good.couldn’t comment on your tales of a free spirited youthdom (freeloader)but it all made sense and you weren’t the only one flinging yourself about and landing anywhere. Except you landed on being a writer and being you - some people never attain the latter. Glad you are ok and achieving (shattered). Lots of care from Maddi in a very rain soaked village of nowhere North Yorkshire. Ps hope you are voting on Thursday xx
Great review. Made me think of Kieran Goddard’s new novel: I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning
Thanks for sharing. I'm very curious to read this book.
*Growing up* is very interesting, isn't it? It rarely leads where one thinks it will. Reality morphs, and our perceptions change and adjust. Life lessons shape us, whether we recognize it or not.
Some of us are lucky enough to find another side...another life. A place we have arrived, using our reflective powers, with an ability to allow ourselves to live. To live a life more of our own choosing, with our eyes wide open. Rather than living in a dream...or a nightmare.
This piece led me to his interview on YouTube!—and to even greater indignation about economic inequality.
That sounds great. I know nothing about this world but his story seems fascinating.
I stumbled on Gary's stuff a couple of years ago - ish. Very impressed from the get go...I studied public finance to post-grad level and I can safely say Osborne & Cameron started this 14 year palpable rotting of Britain on false economic premises. Lies really.
There are scumbags in every society but they have access to more resources than most in the Western world and, therefore, can do more damage. Fascinating insights. 💪👏😘❤️
What a great review! I want to read that book. I'm glad he at least had the Mormon underpinnings to highlight his predicament- so difficult to find his way out of. Will also check out his YouTube channel.
Thanks for this, about to pick it up from he library
This makes me value the work of myself and others who through our writing tr
y to give a voice to the voiceless. Bad economics only adds to the widening gaps that pierce through our society. Trading people's lives for gain.
This was an excellent listen… https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/full-disclosure-with-james-obrien/id1454408831?i=1000647605303
Love, love, love, love this review. Not just for observations such as this:
"The other characters that populate the office are an eccentric bunch of competitive posh boys, drunks, cokeheads and misfits with dead souls. What is striking about all these vividly drawn personalities is how little culture and self-consciousness they have, turning themselves into ciphers in order to earn vast amounts of money for the bank and themselves, which they will be unable to spend either productively or wisely. "
It also reminds us that there are people still in this world who, though hungry, can't be bribed so easily by corrupt but profitable compromises. Here in the United States -- post-Trump with the threat of his rotten soul upon us once again -- that's especially important.
Every writer will be uplifted by the idea that with a good story, and editor, a book can be written.
Well done, gentlemen, you have sold me the book!
This sounds like a must read, illuminating account from a unique perspective.
Beautiful precis and character study of intriguing Gary. Will read his book, and fingers crossed a film is made( and yes to a Gary Oldman).
Great piece Hanif! I'll read the book now. See you soon. Love NIge