At the best of times Russell Brand is an annoyance, but sometimes he's hazardously influential mischief
Brand recognition
I'm sure it doesn't happen often, but here is a political issue I agree with my friend Kevin Broughton on outright.
He pointed me to this blog: Russell Brand: not only daft but dangerous.
Indeed so.
I'm no great fan of Russell Brand at the best of times, but he is a clever man who uses his personality as a - gettit? - brand to earn him shed-loads. He seems sincere, but in truth he is something of a hypocrite. Fine, for one man. Some of the things he says sometimes do shine a light on the problems we face in our world, but nothing he says ever offers a solution. His outlooks, whilst superficially appealing, are not helpful to the country or the public. He says he explores alternatives, and yet he never has any to offer.
If the democratic system we have is unrepresentative - and again, I point the finger at the public who chose to keep the "first past the post" in the referendum - it is not going to become any more representative by refusing to participate is it? The only way to exert ANY influence is to participate, and to lobby, and to be outspoken.
To withdraw is to abrogate responsibility, and that is not an act of rebellion, it is an act of laziness. Faced with a challenge, do you stand up to it or turn your back, walk away, and say "I give up"? It is not a question of do you comply or do you rebel, it is a question of do you stand or do you buckle.
Stand for something. Don't be afraid to disagree. Challenge people - your friends included - and don't be afraid for them to challenge you. Test your views; think about the world; take responsibility. STAND FOR SOMETHING!
