An economic behaviouralist?

Now, as you know I'm not a big fan of thinking or talking about money. It's just not a priority for me. There always seems to be enough in the bank to do most things, I'm not a terribly extravagant person; unless I have pots of money like I did in Melbourne 2006 post-Glasgow flat sale, and you only have to look at my fabulous wardrobe to see what happened when I *did* have disposable income. So, it's kind of funny that this story caught my eye:-

Meet the economists who know why we buy what we buy

"One of the most exciting areas of research, behavioural economics could overturn many of the assumptions and assertions that shape modern policy-making."

I suppose it means I should really be studying psychology, but all the years of nonsense to get to the "pop" psychology would just drive me (more) nuts, so that ain't going to happen. It fits in quite well with my philosophy studies though, for all the experiments, theorising and calculating that the economists do, the irrationality of human behaviour wins through yet again. It's a silly old-school punk attitude to have, that we've stuck it to the man, but it does give me great pleasure to see individualism win out again.

I always used to think people could be sorted into little wee boxes of societies making, I've tried countless times to try and fit into this one or that one, or deliberately not fit into any (so I thought), yet it doesn't seem to matter anyway, as we're all completely irrational and individual.

Right, off to Uni to try and find myself a behavioural economist!

Should I take this advice?

So instead of reading all the flipping research I have done on the British (lack of) Constitution and Lord Hailsham's "elective dictatorship" claim, I find myself on the Guardian's website this afternoon, on the life&health section. Reading about lots of people's lives and secrets is probably the best form of procrastination one could enjoy and seeing as I have sworn off all gossip magazines etc - except for popbitch - it seemed like an innocent indulgence. And I came across this ...

Trying to work out if someone's interested.

May have to give it one last final proper shot. Whaddya reckon?

The wrong decision? A study in why I haven't had a boyfriend since I returned to Australia

If only that could be my thesis statement, I'm sure I could write 2500 words on that. Plus even. Oh for fucks sake, I've ever started making a mixtape, that's taking this all too fucking far. How black the melancholy can sink, nasty and yet inspiring that it is. D's words are ringing in my ears from Friday night - who says it's wrong, and what EMPIRICAL evidence do you have to prove their conclusions correct? Yes, indeed, I have none ... except that I cannot imagine anyone I know who would not raise an eyebrow were the words to be spoken. It took time then I found you. Bastard. Right, playlist completed, all is good with the world, I'm back in 2004, seemingly in NYC as well, strange that. Not really strange, kinda obvious I suppose. Too many links I could possibly make between now and then, then of mind and actuality. How am I going to remove this sense of unfulfilment (I have no idea how to spell that fucking word) and get back on track again? Study is hard, work is hard, mind is barren on both and seemingly fertile on other topics which aren't particularly much help right now. Nice to think about, daydream about, ponder upon whilst one is on the bus, yet no good whilst attempting flipping philosophical critique. I think I'd rather just read what Freud had to say instead of reading what others said about his writing. it's rather eloquent in parts, and if you can keep a reasoned head upon your shoulders, very logical in part as well. I'm feeling rather candid about the analysis of PA that will occur during tomorrow's tutorial discussion, I'm sure that will probably lead to crazy bag lady ponderings, but to remove the temptation would be quite helpful. Then I'd have to ponder on Freud himself I imagine, and I'm sure the resulting neuroses would be rather more constructive with regards to recovery than an experience which more than likely end in some form of disaster. I sense the danger, yet I still want to run towards it. But it's not a self-destructive notion, I think? Is it just because it's the only available (interesting) option? What's stopping me making noises in other directions, those that I think could be positive? Despite the distance, I truly thought I could be brave enough to put myself forward today, in that particular direction! Well, for all of about two seconds on the bus, I thought I could, I thought, "What's stopping me? What do I really have to lose?" Money and independence I suppose. Surely they'd be regained some other how. But why in that direction when I'm pretty sure there is another option at a similar distance that would more than likely bear fruit? Am I just trying to convince myself that as it could be possible it should be an option? There's none of the symptoms, but the symptoms are kinda misleading at times I suppose. Maybe a little more study as to what the point is would help? The notion of Human Nature. I know mine goes against the grain. I have decided once and for all that "theirs" is not my destiny. So fuck the rules then, if I believe I'm outside the box, then maybe my unorthodox traditions can continue? As long as there are no more collapses I suppose. Oh the highs and lows of typing! Euphoria and nophoria in a one minute span, surely that has to be a record! Should I burn the disc? Can I control my thoughts to not be so random? The only two options I've seen that I'm interested in here are both fraught with difficulty, one legal, one not-so-legal yet probably a far worse stigma attached to it. Unattainability, how can one be attracted solely by that? Surely that's not the answer either? I don't believe I have a death wish, a guiding self-destruct button. I'm drawn to what I'm drawn to, it's generally the same thing I've been drawn to for aeons, that mysteriously handsome creative spark. I should burn it. Except I really do have ulterior motives, and surely, despite the passing of far-too-many-to-count years, the "mixtape" still has certain connotations. Not just certain, actual bloody non-avoidable connotations and consequences. I'd be admitting to that by clicking burn, well, if it ever left my hands, I would be. And, it has songs on it that someone gave to me on a mixtape. In 2004 no less. How's about that for a neat summation?

Oh, the nostalgia!

Still waiting for the London mayoral result, 4.16pm their time and it's still not confirmed that Blondie Boofhead is the new mayor, but it seems to be horrifically leaning that way. Maybe I won't move back to London until there's a new mayor in town ...

Anyway - sorry, Catherine Tate Show is on in the background, seem to be tempted by its awfulness - the Sinister list archives are back and I've been tempted to have a wee delve. Yes, it's horridly narcissistic, but searching for ones early posts is something I'm unable to resist.

As I'm flicking through, I remember the trips off Sinister on to Bowlie and then ILM/ILX at various times as well, all the things said that will just stay out there in the ether for ever it seems. My first post from "our" account. My first post from Jeepster. My first post "as" Jeepster. Then from Glasgow as the shop, as Banchory, as me, as management, as press officer as the band. All the posts that are now lost that were written before Sinister existed. All the fun (and evil) things on Bowlie that will disappear at some point in August. All the people I've been in contact with through these lists, through this band. All my different sig files. My "no capitals" phase. The very officious posts. The overfriendly lovey dovey ones. The crap attempts at being "the" source of information. Finding people years later on Friendster, Myspace and now Facebook. Massive part of my life, I think I could spend hours following the threads and people, but I should really be reading Freud or something else. Anyway, this has to be my favourite personal discovery so far. I'm sure I'll find more some other time, but this amuses me greatly for now.

Bootlegging Tigermilk

no idea

I'm trying to avoid getting too depressed at the English&Welsh council election results, and I can't stop laughing at this:-

Animal Pharm

My fave has to be the Moo-tang Clan, just brilliant.

What happens if Boris really does beat Ken? I don't know why everyone is so anti-Livingstone now - need to brush up on my recent Londinium history - but BoJo? REALLY? Come on people, surely whatever Red Ken has done isn't worth that?

And all anyone in Perth can be bothered with - politically I mean - is a frickin' seat-sniffing numpty ... there are more important things in the world, and surely they can see that? No, of course not, all the media here is so f*cking insular as well. I think this has been my worst "I despise Perth" week since I got back. Maybe that has something to do with the factthat it will be the 1 year anniversary next week and the thought of having to be here for another two and a half years is just far too much to bear in light of recent events?

How am I going to get out of this mess???

Oh, off to the shrink today, maybe I'll see if he has any answers ...

Lastly, I got my first lot of essays back this week. Did OK in Politics, good in European Studies (wish it was better) but outstanding in Philosophy, so that's encouraging. Here's hoping I can pass the Latin test on Monday though. Speaking of, best go do some study.