Category Archives: Ideas

Poems about the world of ideas

The Economic Conundrum

The Economic Conundrum

Adam Smith author of The Wealth of Nations

Adam Smith author of
“The Wealth of Nations”

At one time called the Dismal Science yielding little joy
Economists for many years did their sharp minds employ
Their thoughts focused day by day on how to increase wealth
And thus enhance our lives by improving financial health

They spent many hours examining the ‘factors of production’
How each might promote growth thus avoiding all obstruction
There should be no obstacles in the way, no awkward inhibitions
The slogan and the rallying call was complete Free Competition

The use of Land, Labour and Capital comprised the magic potion
And Enterprise, the wizard, applied a stirring motion
And from the steaming vapours of this brew we all would gain
Thus economic growth became the Holy Grail

This all sounded plausible and few it would gainsay
But economic equations can often go astray
The problem seems to be that when humans are involved
The rules of other sciences, the economy just ignored

Some basic principles like demand, supply, and price
As a predictor of choice was quite a sound device
But on a global scale when estimating how people might behave
The errors that resulted were really rather grave

But despite the lack of any real precision
Economists have sought to influence decisions
Monetarists made money their very real fixation
While Fiscal gurus obsessed much on taxation

Then these experts ventured into many other spheres
Which no doubt offered to each and all a lucrative career
So interest rates, and foreign trade they found had much potential
And credit swaps and derivatives  somehow grew essential

Flotations and mergers and the Stock Exchange gyrations
No problem left unsolved what e’r the complications
Economists were waiting with a ready made solution
Right at the cutting edge of the knowledge revolution

So we celebrate the words of Adam Smith of old
How amidst the capitalists’ sweeping actions bold
Existed a force which Smith called an ‘invisible hand’
That self-regulating market force hidden in our land

So perhaps the conundrum of economic thought
From which all its various wondrous fruits were wrought
Is simply that its disciplines help to show the way
Nonetheless we alone decide how to live each day

Ken Fisher

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Life Re-Cycled

The Life Recycled

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I don’t really mean to be irreverent

But just the other day as I was putting out our bins

I noted how important the concept of re-cycling had become

We can no longer just chuck all our disposable material

Into one multi-function receptacle – and shout good riddance to it

 

No doubt most of you will have, as a minimum,

A bin for garden waste, a bin of paper waste,

A bin for glass, a bin for food waste

And a general purpose bin for all the rest

And woe-betide if you use the wrong one!

 

Of course the earnest intention of all of this

Is that as much of our unloved detritus

Will form the basis of some kind of new creation

Having been subjected to a non-religious process of ‘reincarnation’

The essence of the old contained in the new!

 

This train of thought led on to my consideration

Of the rather more serious issue of the re-cycling of life

Perhaps, you care to give little thought to this

Just as most of us do not agonise over the bin routine

Perhaps this one life is more than enough anyway

 

 

But throughout history many major world faiths and ideologies

Have stressed the centrality of the concept of reincarnation

Not least the Hindu religion and the Buddhist belief in rebirth

And don’t forget the importance of karma

Which may decide the progression of rebirth

 

Anyway, not to be too profound or philosophical

The 21st century homo sapiens

Is not dismissive of the notion of recycling

Within this one present life we can be sure of

Can we self-upgrade to a better model?

 

Indeed it seems to me that the whole self-improvement industry

Is predicated on the idea that we can start with what we’ve got

And by a process of development and enhancement

We can recycle into a much improved model

A shiny new mind in a shiny new body!

 

 

Of course the difference here from the dust-bin model

Is that we don’t throw anything away

We transform it by effort and determination

A century ago ‘Pelmanism’ showed the way ahead

Today we are awash with new nostrums

 

So from the ancient wisdom of Yoga and Tai Chi

To modern Pilates and Zumba

And not just strictly ballroom!

Psychological cognitive therapies and Mindfulness

The gym recycled as the temple for worship

 

So here we are – don’t forget the bins

[Perhaps they are the most important source of health!]

But don’t forget yourself

You must not simply vegetate – you owe it to yourself

Let that new life begin today – without delay!

 

 

 

Ken Fisher

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Theological Reflection?

Theological Reflection?

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What do we hope to find by looking in this clouded glass
Inspiration and light from beyond ourselves?
Or do we secretly own that what we sense and feel
Is really all that we can ever know

Do we think that we can catch the essence of belief
And through the microscope discern its substance
Or is this such a beast defying all taxonomy
No simple categorization, no box to tick

And yet theology has been a jewel in the crown
Of ancient seats of learning o’er the land
As in humble pulpits and cathedrals great
The faithful glimpse the treasures it enfolds

Theology brings our focus on to God and all things Godly
Thus we wrestle with the faith, salvation and the trinity
Stretching from creation to paradise or hell
Aided by the Church, its worship and its sacraments

But each and all of these not without great contention
The people drawn together in oppression
Only to be set at odds by schisms and division
Historic blood shed, nations cast asunder

And theological standpoints have prompted zealots to their mission
Demanded colours be nailed to the mast
From ancient crusade and modern wars claimed ‘just’
Sown seeds of revolt and of reformation

Yet theology has fuelled the rise of many a worthy cause
Of missionary fervour, thus lives reformed under its saving power
So in its glorious vanguard it gave the genesis that makes life rich
Without its prompting, souls lost, lives unregenerate

Under its sway theology embraces, or so it’s claimed
The arts, the sciences, and every sphere
Where humankind has placed its imprint
A cornucopia of all endeavour, of every earnest quest

While we sit cozily debating the finer points of doctrine
The history of commitment and dissent
Can we ever really do justice to this project
How can we on such splendour e’er reflect?

And so we seek to steer a course amidst the overwhelming tide
Of all that is the majesty of theology, the nature of our God,
the systematic study of religion and the impact of its doctrine
How in life’s experience we may find reflections of these truths made clear

Thus in the mirror where we seek His face
God’s transcendence through all time and space
The immanence of God found near at hand
Only revealed as we accept His grace

Ken Fisher

 

 

 

 

At The Threshold of the Year

AT THE THRESHOLD OF THE YEAR

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Time is sometimes called the Fourth Dimension
Length, breadth and height the other three
But time can fill our hearts with apprehension
No wonder that it’s often said to flee

‘Tempus fugit ‘ we plead as ready-made excuse
When everyday concerns and never-ending cares
A sense of guilt and failure doth induce
Our quest for peace and freedom thus impaired

But time cannot be stalled; its steady progress will not falter
It’s march like Roman legions moving ever onward
Along straight roads, their fixed direction does not alter
The army moves in steps that take them ever forward

And so it is that in these dark fading days of late December
As we approach the threshold of yet another year
Thoughts filled with joy and sorrow as we remember
Hopefulness for days ahead but not without our hidden fear

What lies ahead beyond the gate of this New Year?
We’ve been warned: ‘the past no guide to future performance’
Would life be simpler if the way ahead was clear?
Why do we ever have to seek for reassurance

And so as we peer into the void beyond this New Year’s Day
We simply must accept that unlike length or breadth or height
The realm of time brings with it ‘come what may’
Our prayer remains that faith and hope will bring us light

And so my friend step onward with a steady pace
Give thanks for many blessings in the past
Let love for life and all mankind your heart embrace
And to God’s providence our trust remain steadfast

Ken Fisher

 

The End of Christian Britain?

The End of Christian Britain?

[Following the Report of the Commission on Religion and Belief in Public Life]

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The Commission on Religion and Belief

May cause our Church leaders so much grief

As it’s now claimed half our adult population

Are non-religious in this once pious nation

 

This Commission of illustrious grandees

Are unlikely the church’s clerics to much please

As ecclesiastical power they endeavour to diminish

And ancient privilege they certainly would finish

 

The influence of Bishops in the Lords

Is one thing they really do abhor

Being centre stage in national events

Another honour they’re determined to prevent

 

These reformers would cast their nets far and wide

And old traditions from them will not hide

Faith schools and religious education

Also seem to cause them great vexation

 

But it is claimed they do have positive views

Knowing faith issues feature highly in the news

Recognising what our people are today

Owes much to the Church’s loving sway

 

 

Ken Fisher

 

 

 

The Proclaimers

The Proclaimers [Inspired by hearing Craig and Charlie Reid perform (with others) at the Royal Concert Hall Glasgow on 2 Dec 2015]

The Proclaimers - Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

The Proclaimers – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

Just as this feisty duo belted out their perennial favourites

To an eagerly attentive audience at a recent rock concert

These now evergreen ‘lads’ certainly still know how to ‘proclaim’

The boys from Auchtermuchty still spread sunshine, not only on Leith

 

It set me wondering if our life performance shows that we have

Something to proclaim, something that we too would like to belt out?

Doubtless our message would not reach the deafening decibels

pulsing forth from their mega speakers – rather more hushed or muted

 

Yet perhaps we too might have the thought of what ‘I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)’

Or we have some still unfulfilled ambition or a yet incomplete journey

we wish to take. Maybe we had an aborted start and it’s ‘Over and Done With’ and it’s ‘Bye Bye Love’.

And ‘Let’s Get Married, is not going to happen . I wonder “What Makes You Cry?’

 

Or we want to go somewhere but we have ‘No Particular Place to Go’

We are not yet ‘King of the Road’ and we’re still ‘Spinning Around in Air’

But perhaps in the end we really believe ‘Love Can Move Mountains’

And we wait for our ‘Letter from America’ to all who listen in Methil, or Bathgate or wherever.

 

Anyway as the music comes to its ineluctable crescendo and finally

a palpable silence follows and our ears still ring as they seek relief

We are left in no doubt that the Proclaimers do proclaim, loud and clear

Our heightened senses wrestle with what our message would proclaim

Ken Fisher

 

 

 

Saving the Planet

SAVING THE PLANET [comment on current international discussions – Dec 2015]

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It seems to me among the threats from which there’s no relief

is warming of the global kind which parches earth and leaf

A menace strong as solid granite

which promises a deadly blow to life throughout the planet

 

At first we simply turned away, pretending all was well,

but gradually increased the noise from nature’s warning bell

Awareness of this mounting vice

shown clearly in the rising tides and gently melting ice

 

Why worry at impending doom

this threat, if real, unlikely to be soon

Technology must have some appliance

Let’s get on and check the science

 

 All warnings dire of petrol fumes or dangerous emissions

are set aside by one and all as ignorant suspicions

We claim clean engines now, which never have been better

all problems solved forevermore by catalytic converter

 

Health experts seem overwrought on dangers of pollution

but others think it can’t be hard to find a good solution

Technocrats are sure to help and even us to save

by harnessing the power of wind, if need be, the waves

 

 We, in the West, too fond of having plenty

Club members of the great G20,

The good and great within its ranks

the chiefs of mighty Central Banks

 

 With power like that we can ensure

the pleadings of the needy poor

do not upset our life of ease

demanding we be kind to trees!

 

Or temper use of fossil fuels

Or other kinds of nature’s jewels

Resources of those poorer lands

grabbed by our great colonial hands

 

 After all, this is our life

achieved through years of work and strife

At all costs we must keep our gain

To do other, means much pain

 

 But all the nations rich or poor

must work together, seek a cure

And rich may need to learn to suffer

their ease may prove it all the tougher

 

And when it comes to issues global

problems become highly mobile

No nation stands completely safe

from tempest’s winds or ocean’s waves

 

 The rising tide and searing sun

challenge life for everyone

Disease and famine knock each door

No-one immune – the rich or poor

 

 Perhaps there is a glint of hope,

the need to find a way to cope

Each year is dawning somewhat clearer

as melt-down time seems ever nearer

 

 The leaders seem at last to grasp

before our breath becomes a gasp

That time is short if we’re to save

our children from an early grave

 

 On carbon footprints let’s step light

Gas guzzlers out – get on your bike!

On grow your own, why not be keen?

Your favourite colour should be green

 

 Recycle anything you can

Cut out all waste must be our plan

Turn off the power when not in use

Recycle glass if you must booze!

 

 And so in many little ways

Collective effort stems future blaze

Which global warming has in store

A fate we simply can’t ignore

 

 If citizens will do their bit

Our leaders then might well see fit

To echo modest aspirations

Giving a lead to all our nations

 

 This cannot be the final word

To say that would be quite absurd

The God who made this world at first

remains the One in whom we trust.

 

 Ken Fisher

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Words

Words

 [Our use of words is part of our humanity]

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Words in all their glory

Words to tell a story

Words filled with great emotion

Words to convey a notion

Words to calm the mind

Words freeing those confined

Words to congratulate

Words that warmly celebrate

Words that show contempt

Words may great things attempt

Words used to apologise

Words to show we can be wise

Words that help educate

Words that do berate

Words that make us fret

Words we much regret

Words we should have said

Words whispered while in bed

Words not used by the shy

Words that make us sigh

Words of anger said in haste

Words that reputation did debase

Words that we anticipate

Words that came too late

Words that rebuild relations

Words to unite the nation

Words sent as from above

Words expressing our true love

Let’s not be LOST FOR WORDS!

Ken Fisher

NIHIL SINE LABORE [Nothing Without Work]

Nihil Sine Labore

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For those of us of a certain age
Persuaded by a long accepted work ethic
This ancient motto strikes a chord
Which still reverberates within

 

Years of conditioning inured our thoughts
Our bodies bent, our minds attuned
to work, the main purpose of our life
No other way worthy or acceptable

 

So we have perhaps become an automaton
The pattern of the days, the weeks the years
Established by the demands of our labour
Rooted in the need for unremitting toil

 

Thus we had thought nothing e’er achieved
Unless it was the fruit of effort
To be valued, our brow
must glow with sweat

 

But all of that may now be overtaken
For most, the need for ‘heavy lifting’
Now long gone, the finger’s click
upon the mouse our muscles’ greatest feat!

 

And routine tasks overtaken by ‘the system’
Endless drudgery snatched from human hands
Our minds freed to think creatively
To do what humans claim they’re best to do

 

So does this mean that we have abandoned
That former all-consuming ideology?
Is it no longer true that there can be
Nothing Without Work

 

No, in this modern world, perhaps
we have realised that work is not everything
And conversely, that everything is not work
And at last we can be truly human

 

Where the balance of life and work
does really matter

 

Ken Fisher

 

 

A World That’s Black and White

A World That’s Black & White

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Sometimes I yearn for a world that’s black and white

No shades of grey, of course no colours bright

There would be a right answer to anything you ask

One correct way to deal with every issue, every task

 

When asked a question we would not need to hesitate

A clear cut answer, no time required to prevaricate

Because all solutions would be either wrong or right

In that monochrome world of only black or white

 

But sadly life is rarely quite so simply organized

Its diversity and choices are not always harmonized

So only black or white will quickly disappear

And faced with such variety, sometimes we may fear

 

But we should cast aside our doubts and happily rejoice

Our world offers to each one of us a multiplicity of choice

With all the colours of the spectrum to delight our eyes

And infinite alternatives bringing sparkle to our lives

 

Ken Fisher

 

A Wider Prospect

A Wider Prospect

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If we could own the power of flight

From lofty heights our greater sight

Would surely teach us to step back

And realise we little lack

 

‘Cause when we view from up on high

Soaring in the vaulted sky

We then, if we would only think

How mighty problems surely shrink

 

For every issue viewed up close

Fear in our heart is oft imposed

Reduced in scale, seen from afar

No longer will our peace be marred

 

Watching the birds soaring high

Let’s not simply give a sigh

But rather let our minds take wing

And thus our hearts will also sing

 

KEN FISHER

Make A Difference

Make A Difference

Looking out at this enormous world so vast

Seven point two billion bodies and rising by the hour

Problems facing every nation and each single soul

Economic challenge, climate change and poverty unbound

Pollution, epidemics, religious wars and internecine strife

Discrimination, corruption, flood, famine and disease

Is there no end to this long litany of woes?

And much of this distress caused by our own ungracious hearts

Our selfishness and greed shouts down all pleadings

Of those who find themselves on the wrong side

Of the health and prosperity divide that cleaves our world

The rich nations determined to secure their gain

Turn an eye that’s blind an ear that’s deaf

To that which they refuse to recognize

So what’s the point, can one benighted soul

Make any difference in the face of such distress?

Better simply to bury one’s head and conclude that

Amidst such overwhelming angst

The safer course, all simply to ignore

Maintain one’s own composure

and let the rest go hang!

But some inner voice, perhaps an echo of the past

Cannot let us rest content without response

Surely one tiny candle can help dispel the dark

If we cannot cure the world’s great ills

Perhaps a loving act, a kindly word

Might bring relief to those around

A blessing to our kin and to our neighbour

And just as the mustard seed can burgeon

If cultivated and garnered by creative hands

So too might each of us become the catalyst

In the alchemy of re-creation

Which in due time might yield regeneration

Beyond all our modest yearnings and our hopes

So what is needed is simply the determination

To take that first step along the road of hope

And by our own unswerving resolution

To become the force that initiates new life

And as we fix our eyes on the horizon

Our puny efforts might yet gain momentum

That difference surely in due time thus manifest

Ken Fisher