Meet The New Boss; Same As The Old Boss.

Whenever someone has an issue with a self-styled revolutionary, their 'movement' or any of their ardent followers, it's easy to paint them as at best a cynic, at worst a defender of the status quo. In my case, with regard to that charismatic world-changer-wannabe de nos jours Russell Brand, the latter is very much untrue; I'm not sure about the former, given that one person's cynic is another's realist. Of some things I am far more certain, and am prepared to be accused of fusty conservatism (small c) in order to set out my position.

Perhaps it is the case that as one gets older, one's political positions mellow and centralise. That said, my world view is no less critical, radical and non-conformist than that of my 19 year old University student self. What has altered is that I have come to see idealism for what it truly is: a belief in the positive mutability of people, their relationships and their social and political systems. Belief - the key word here. But one that, however far back into history one travels, is met by the unyielding weight of fact: empire building, growth and collapse; revolutionary change, consolidation and corruption; warfare and persecution. Cycles. Boom and bust, growth and recession - terms used to describe the machinations of late capitalism apply equally to human historical endeavour.

The political philosopher John Gray - probably a genuine misanthrope and cynic - writes brilliantly about what he calls The Myth of Progress. This can refer to a religious belief in enlightenment, a secular faith in the advancement of human knowledge (nowadays via science) or the inevitability of socio-political revolution. It strikes me that every generation - often when young, energetic and unaware of subtler shades of grey - believes itself to be the one which will change the world. The revolution (political, social, scientific, artistic, etc), like any longed-for destination, is always just over the next hill. Even within my microcosm of existence, so it was with the neo-Marxist political groupings of the 60s onwards, so it is now with various Occupy and 99% movements.

My belief (yes, we've all got 'em!) is that we are just passing through, strutting and fretting our hour upon the stage. To live as well as possible - to be kind, considerate, generous, loving, and to fight injustices where we can, to take stands where we can - is the best we can do. Because we belong to a species of animals which will not undergo sudden wholesale change, but will be subject to petty squabbles, ambition, greed, envy, territorialism, parochialism - I won't, but could, go on.

Accept all those things which humanise us and try to maximise the positive aspects while you still have breath. The rest is ego, hubris and selling tickets for your latest tour.