Brixton news, rumours and general chat - Aug 2013

[Gramsci]

yeah, that's what I thought you meant by 'ludicrous', as in estate agent-/Evening Standard-speak, 'professional' = 'middle class.'

Why this should be makes no sense to me, since it implies 'working class' = 'amateur' - and (in general) my experience of plumbers, electricians etc are that they are professional in terms of their knowledge, skills and aptitude. In fact a hell of lot more 'professional' than some lawyers or building society bods who I have had the misfortune to deal with

In the USA skilled trades would mean you get called middle class. As someone from US said to me recently nearly everyone in US is middle class. Even though its arguable. A lot of them are suffering now. I think its equivalent to "middle earners" here.

Its political in this country. Left over from the deferential society of the the first half of 20 C. Doctors, lawyers etc regarded themselves as a cut above the "hoi polloi". The earnings of these "professionals" put them in higher category than most people.

Thatcherism was clever in that it managed to get votes from the "middle" earners. Not the older professions but the skilled workers like you mention. Most famously sent up by "Loads of Money".

All depends on how class is defined. Its traditional to view society as in simple class terms. Middle / Working class. But advanced Capitalism makes it more difficult to clearly define. (Though this is debated).

This article from the Economist looks at the ways middle class has been defined in UK.

 

[Gramsci]

Seems to be a bloke and a girl of c 10 living in it.... it can't have showers or anything. All a bit odd.

Life in modern Britain. Does not surprise me. Maybe lost his home and his kid goes to school nearby.

People do live in cars/ vans in London. I have seen it.But they park up on the edge not in central London. Tends to attract attention of police after a while.

I have known people who join Rec to use the showers etc as they are basically homeless.

 

[scalyboy]

No it doesn't.

Thanks for your contribution

 

[scalyboy]

In the USA skilled trades would mean you get called middle class. As someone from US said to me recently nearly everyone in US is middle class. Even though its arguable. A lot of them are suffering now. I think its equivalent to "middle earners" here.

Its political in this country. Left over from the deferential society of the the first half of 20 C. Doctors, lawyers etc regarded themselves as a cut above the "hoi polloi". The earnings of these "professionals" put them in higher category than most people.

yeah, that's one reason why it's annoying, it's out-of-date-ness. The old professions who were looked up to and trusted to counter-sign a passport photo, doctors, vicars, teachers, lawyers, JPs...The other aspect of the use of 'professional' which grates (as far as I'm concerned) is its mealy-mouthed dishonesty...estate agents too embarrassed to say 'middle class' when that's what they mean, as that would show them to be blatantly class-ist. Not as annoying as 'creative' though

 

[kittyP]

Big thanks to Badgers for the delightful veggie fare he served up for us at the Albert today.

Ooooh what did you have?
Not mushroom risotto I take it?

 

[Manter]

maybe he thinks you turned the car over?

 

[Manter]

Planning application has been submitted for the development which will destroy part of the Mauleverer Road Mural.

Here is the reference number: 13/03322/FUL

http://planning.lambeth.gov.uk/online-applications/

If you are oppose to this mural being removed, please add your comments to the application. We really don't want to see this mural disappear.

says comments may not be submitted at this time

 

[leanderman]

All depends on how class is defined. Its traditional to view society as in simple class terms. Middle / Working class. But advanced Capitalism makes it more difficult to clearly define. (Though this is debated).

This article from the Economist looks at the ways middle class has been defined in UK.

Yep. Middle class has little meaning. Even more so with the 'hour-glass' economy, that the Economist dissects in a more recent article this week.

 

[boohoo]

says comments may not be submitted at this time

Someone has added a comment today.

 

[Frumious B.]

I have known people who join Rec to use the showers etc as they are basically homeless.

I did that for a while.

 

[Gramsci]

says comments may not be submitted at this time

Are you trying to comment online? You need "log in". You have to join the planning website to leave comments. Should be able to see log in near top. It will tell you how to join. Once u have joined ( email address plus a password) you can track and comment on any application.

 

[Gramsci]

Someone has added a comment today.

I have just done a public comment.

Manter

 

[Manter]

Are you trying to comment online? You need "log in". You have to join the planning website to leave comments. Should be able to see log in near top. It will tell you how to join. Once u have joined ( email address plus a password) you can track and comment on any application.

thx- done and commented.

 

[Gramsci]

says comments may not be submitted at this time

register to log in here

http://planning.lambeth.gov.uk/online-applications/registrationWizard.do?action=start

Edited to see you have just done that.

I actually find it quite handy. Means when you comment you do not have to give your details every time. Also its worth tracking applications you comment on to see how they are going.

 

[Gramsci]

Yep. Middle class has little meaning. Even more so with the 'hour-glass' economy, that the Economist dissects in a more recent article this week.

This one?

Other thing that article does not say is that its not just about skills. The example of the car plant closing so the workers at it end up in insecure low paid service jobs is not about skill. Its also about ( as some economist point out) a weakening of Unions over last 30 years. The economic crisis is being used to make labour even more "flexible". See Spain etc. As if the lack of "flexibility" was cause of the crisis.

Example I know of is a postie I know. Royal Mail now has to compete with deliveries also done by TNT
using zero hour contracts for same job. He has a family to support. Royal Mail is regular hours with overtime pay. Royal Mail cannot compete with TNT as they do not give there workers decent working conditions.

 

[Dexter Deadwood]

Royal Mail cannot compete with TNT as they do not give there workers decent working conditions.

TNT are also failing to deliver the post. Either that or A4e Brixton office are getting very nasty with me after they learnt my complaint about a violent incident in their office was passed to the Independent Case Examiner. Never received an appointment letter which has led to a doubt being raised on my entitlement to claim JSA. (around the same time TNT took over some of the deliveries to my block of flats,)

This is a spiv nation.

 

[Frumious B.]

I'm noticing an upsurge of large appliances on Lambeth Freecycle - washing machines, dishwashers and so on. Maybe this is a sign of more properties being renovated for our new overlords.

 

[nagapie]

I'm noticing an upsurge of large appliances on Lambeth Freecycle - washing machines, dishwashers and so on. Maybe this is a sign of more properties being renovated for our new overlords.

I've noticed that it's become quite hard to shift old slightly worn furniture, which used to be pretty easy. Maybe changing demographic, maybe there's more to get now that the council won't pick up stuff for free. Going to try shift some later but doubtful it will go.

 

[quimcunx]

I'm noticing an upsurge of large appliances on Lambeth Freecycle - washing machines, dishwashers and so on. Maybe this is a sign of more properties being renovated for our new overlords.

I'd also guess it's hoping they don't have to pay the council to take stuff away.

 

[shakespearegirl]

I'm noticing a big increase in the amount of furniture being dumped on the pavement. every day over the last few weeks I've noticed something in the immediate area

 

[buscador]

There's always loads of stuff being 'recycled' on our street. I left out an old chest of drawers and had two couples fighting over it. On the other hand we carried out a midnight raid on a skip (because I was too embarrassed to be seen skip diving in daylight) and came away with a wheelie bin full of kitchen surface which has made a lovely garden path.

 

[pissflaps]

i see our shit for brains neighbors have dismantled another bed and left the ensuing detritus on the fucking pavement again. YOU LIVE 100 YARDS AWAY FROM A MASSIVE RECYCLING DEPOT YOU FECKLESS CUNTS!

these are the same people who's double y-chromo son insists on tearing up and down the road on his sewing machine with a hole drilled in the exhaust most evenings.

hateful scum.

 

[Frumious B.]

son insists on tearing up and down the road on his sewing machine with a hole drilled in the exhaust most evenings.

It's an illegal exhaust. Take the registration and report it to the police.

 

[Manter]

the hellfire and damnation preacher outside Iceland today is enjoying some of his lines a bit too much- he keeps intoning 'you will die' and pausing to glare meaningfully at whoever catches his eye. Mostly small children....

 

[Mation]

Rushcroft Road drives young men to violent crime!

 

[Frumious B.]

That's my front door on the right. These pesky criminals. He's still standing there, waving his sword at a traffic warden.

 

[trabuquera]

In retail news: the new outlet of Creams (yankee-styled purveyor of diabetes 2-inducing sweet dishes like waffles / cake / vast sickly icecream sundaes - they've got branches further south which seem to be very popular with the youngers) has its new Brixton branch open and they looked to be doing loadsabusiness when I passed by yesterday.

 

[leanderman]

In retail news: the new outlet of Creams (yankee-styled purveyor of diabetes 2-inducing sweet dishes like waffles / cake / vast sickly icecream sundaes - they've got branches further south which seem to be very popular with the youngers) has its new Brixton branch open and they looked to be doing loadsabusiness when I passed by yesterday.

Had a glimpse today - looks horrific

 

[nagapie]

Had a glimpse today - looks horrific

Surely it's made for someone like you with the world's sweetest tooth.

 

[fortyplus]

he keeps intoning 'you will die'

On this point at least he is, however, entirely accurate.