Thursday Jan 12th- day 6

Another not very productive day. Although I did attend a talk given by Jared Diamond, author of a boook called "Collapse" looking at how and why certain civilisations have disappeared over history. It was at the Seattle Town Hall, quite a grand building, and as with most book readings, the corwd seemed more mature, shall we say, and also pretty keen- pretty much a sell-out with maybe 500 people present. Diamond spoke for about an hour outlining his ideas and it was interesting stuff. He's an older guy with a Bostonian accent (bit like Lloyd "Through the keyhowl" Grossman) and he wears one of those beards without a moustache, and a Frank Bough combover.

His main point is that civilisations collapse when they don't manage their resources. He cits the example of Easter Island, miles out in the Pacific, where the huge statues are. When the island was discovered it was uninhabited and treeless. Archaeology suggests that the people chopped down all their trees (which they must have need to move the statues around, for firewood and to make canoes for fishing). And the tribes on the island began attacking one another and pulling down each others' statues. As soon as the trees had gone, the people soon died out.

He contrasted this with 16th Century Japan where under the Tokogawa shoguns, Japan realised that deforestation was becoming a problem and started plantations. Now Japan is 75% covered with forest, as well as being densely populated.

His most profound point, I thought, was to do with the elite. He said that civilisations only collapse when the ruling elite are sufficiently cosseted and protected from the everyday realities that they can turn a blind eye until it is too late. This is happening in the present day where rich people can ignore climate change because it is not their houses which get flooded (see New Orleans). And they can ignore the state of the education and health systems by going to private schools and taking out health insurance. He also cites Americs' isolationism as something which will have to change as globalisation continues- America can no longer avoid being involved with other countries until it is too late (and then send in the troops to clear up the mess).

I rode the bendy bus home from downtownnext to a young black guy who was listening to some futuristic r 'n' b on his "personal" stereo. He was nodding away to the clattering beat, totally lost in the groove. It made me think that it has been a long time since a record came close to being that important to me. I thought the Gorillaz from this year had its moments, but other than that, I am waiting to be inspired. The Arctic Monkeys (hailing from Sheffield) will make a good story for 2006, but we'll have to wait and see how much they really matter.

Back at the ranch, and I think Roger is just about ready. He really has come on a treat.



"Hello, my name is Roger. What was it you wanted to talk about today?"