modern society

The People We Left Behind

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The world has changed and that change has been for the better. People who were hidden are now seen. Inclusion is the way forward and we embrace all.

But some have been forgotten. Worse they have been labelled the instigators of the old ways, the bad ways. So they have been left behind – tarred with the brush of a small, powerful group of oppressors.

This collection partly examines this issue. It is not a complaint, not a wish for the old ways to return, but a way to start the conversation about what it means in the modern world to be white, male and middle-aged and how we need to come together with the rest of society again.

On another level, “The Well of Sunken Dreams” is a look at the betrayal of dreams that everyone of all creeds, sexes and colours feels these days. It asks what happened to the dreams we were promised? 

Pick up a copy – join the conversation no one is having.

The Well of Sunken Dreams
Read and Question Now

This collection of poems is a reflection of my thoughts about this and other darker aspects of modern life. In my other collections I like to balance this side of my ruminations with more optimistic explorations. This did not seem appropriate here. This is my equivalent of a grunge phase.

It also contains largely previously unpublished works that have not appeared anywhere else.

So, stick on those goth tunes and wallow in the well of sunken dreams.

Peter, Paul and Joe.

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By Scott Bailey © 2024

Peter:

So I had this idea. Let’s end the scum off! Send them to the hellish places of our darkest memories and guilt.

Paul:

Well, you know I am going to have to fight you on that one! Can’t turn away from that!

Peter:

It will cost hundreds of millions to stop us!

Paul:

That’s OK, Joe will pay.

Later

Paul:

So, I think you have reached the end. We fought for a long time but your time is over, the end of what you can do has been reached.

Peter:

So it seems. So your promise?

Paul:

Of course! You drove billions into our pockets. Come and join us  – time to have your cut!

A proverb of modern times or the completely efficient transfer of wealth to them

from me and you

In plain view

What’s to do?

What’s to do?

A Dark Future Vision – Or is it Already Here

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This book shows the how society could evolve if capitalism were allowed to follow through to its extremes. It’s a dark shadow of this world. Or is it? Is this the world that we already live in?

Enter a world of pressure and release – rebellion and doubt and the rediscovery of a simple Secret the rulers of the world would rather you not know.

Mankind Limited

Mankind Limited

Marc trudged on with life, marching in line with his fellow workers. Weighed down by the everyday burdens of life, the pressure to conform, to succeed or face destitution.

Yet he knew, in his heart that it was all wrong, the questions squirmed like fiery dragons in the pit of his heart, beneath his deepest darkest doubts.

Until they grew and burst his sanity, set him on a path of defiance and rebellion. A path that would cross three others – all like him seeking answers.

A path of danger and adventure that would see him marked as a terrorist and fleeing for his life. It would see him find love and heartbreak, hope and despair, Most of all, it would open his eye to the possibility of an ancient and powerful secret that might answer all his doubts and fears.

If he survived.

Trapped. In a world where everything is measured and control pervades every area of life, four people begin to break down. Instead, they break through the walls of deceit and propaganda and into a world of revolution.

Each, in their way, vows to overthrow the established order. They embark on a journey against the forces arraigned against them, forces of state and self-doubt.

Ultimately their paths converge on a dangerous road and the discovery of an ancient secret.

One one level this is a story about how different people react the ever growing and relentless pressure of everyday oppression. It explores their journeys as they are broken and rebuilt and investigates their modes and motivations for rebelling.

At another level, it is a critique on the darker side of capitalism and free markets and how that has driven us further and further away from the evolutionary advantage that gave us supremacy in the first place. It questions whether the human race has doomed itself or whether we still have the capacity to wrench ourselves from the track we have so tightly committed our society upon.

Meet the Characters – William

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William

William considers himself the only true revolutionary there has been. Living a life of utter destitution below the city, he leads a community of people the rest of the world sees as outcasts and losers.

His is the long game. He know’s the aim, he knows what he is fighting for.

He also knows that he will probably never see the results in his lifetime.

So when the chance to act, the chance to make a difference presents itself will he forget his principles and give up his long-term plan, or stay resolute to his goal?

Available as

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Meet the Characters – Richard

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Mankind Limited

Richard

Richard burns. He burns with a fury that is too bright for him to look at. He fights the system in whatever inventive ways he can concoct.

He never asks why he fights or what his ultimate goal is. He just needs the fight.

So defeat almost crushes him, forces him to ask himself questions he has been afraid to ask all his life.

Can he survive the answers?

Meet the Characters – Jane

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Mankind Limited

Jane

Jane is a rebel. Of sorts. She engages in rebellious activity and she is good at it. If anyone had tracked her exploits they might say she was a genius. Because that was correct no one had ever tracked her.

But the truth was that so far in her life she had been a follower, not a rebel. She had followed her brother into rebellion and lent her genius to his to fight whatever foe he chose next.

She knew nothing else. It had been her life. And she did not realise that her heart was not in it. Not until the right catalyst lights up her passion and her anger. Then her genius is given the chance to really shine.

Yet will she rise to the challenge?

Meet the Characters – Marc

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Mankind Limited

Marc

Marc is a model citizen, devoted to the ideals of modern society. Moderately successful in his career, climbing the ladder with a beautiful partner by his side.

So why is he plagued by nightmares? Why is he so disaffected? What is the truth that he can feel trying to poke its way through the noise of his everyday thoughts?

And where will it lead if he finally listens to that truth?

Guest Poem – Mankind Limited

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I was surprised to get a message from a friend and colleague – a rap poem – inspired by my novel Mankind Limited.

I thought I would share it here;

Also, check out their music on their own site https://urbanhippies.bandcamp.com/.

Here is the poem.

 

Mankind Ltd

By J McKay

Where the kindness of man is limited
Capitalist cooperation that will see your dreams diminished

I see humans but no humanity
Just vanity
Losing my sanity
People escaping to virtual reality
Because reality
Is is now a dark place
Lives taken because of their race
Deals done with a cash filled suitcase
Suit and tie
Led by
The pied piper
on a never ending Rat race

Mankind LTD
Where the kindness of man is limited
Capitalist cooperation that will see your dreams diminished

Whats wrong with the world Mumma?
Rehiring the war drummer
Reigniting feuds with a different Color
Future hasn’t looked glummer
Worlds heating up like an Indian summer
Enough money to fight, nothing done about world hunger
So I wonder
Is the war drummer
Just An opportunity to showcase the chopper gunner
To damage infrastructure,
To take lives from a culture
Take fathers from youngsters
Circling above like vultures
Targets are hidden deep under
bombs are nothing but a stain on a water color

Mankind LTD
Where the kindness of man is limited
Capitalist cooperation that will see your dreams diminished

Sensationalised snippets
Bunch of hypocrites
With a hidden agenda to make your opinions fit
Emotional counterfeit
Drink down the whole truth, don’t just sip it
Don’t read a headline and then just skip it
Hounding hashtags like a whippet
Tweet tweet
But you ain’t no pipit
Reference to a bird incase you didn’t get it
Daily disposable media, how you gonna fill it?
Click bait
To get those click through rates
Hooked on a headline
Served up on a plate

Mankind LTD
Where the kindness of man is limited
Capitalist cooperation that will see your dreams diminished

At war with Nature
Where is this the legislator
It’s not out governments, there just a manipulator
Facilitators
For the rape of our lands by dictators
Hard to be inhalators
Of these demonstrators
Because trees are our main respirators
Think there an accelerator
For improving nature
But there blinded by a broken alternator

Mankind LTD
Where the kindness of man is limited
Capitalist cooperation that will see your dreams diminished