The Kafkaesque nightmare spectrum. Freely flowing information and the human need for autonomy

Delving into the importance of having a feeling of being informed to help optimise our autonomy, a necessary component of being motivated at work and in any personal endeavour.

The Kafkaesque nightmare

Franz Kafka was a philosophical novelist whose name has become eponymously connected with a genre of writing which captures a feeling we have all experienced when struggling against a bureaucratic system where we have no empowerment, filling out a poorly designed government form, or that hopeless situation where we’re expected to do something, but lack the information, authority, or autonomy to act. The term ‘Kafkaesque’ refers to that nauseous and belittling sinking feeling that leaves us diminished, lost and hopeless when dealing with an unseen malevolent bureaucracy.

We have all felt this to some degree. Being left out of gossip circles; discovering that you’ve deliberately been left out when a decision has been made which will have an impact on you; Trying to make sense of a world where lies, cover-ups, and bullshit are the norm — just look out at our current political environment and the lack of trust in democracy…

The opposite of the Kafkaesque nightmare is freely flowing information and the absence of interrogations and blame.

From a Pensioner.

In 2024, Age UK’s Chief Economist’s report highlighted the significant economic contributions of older people, with a focus on employment, informal caring, childcare, and volunteering, totalling £61 billion. With addition contributions to offspring, Chancellor of the exchequer and charity contributions approx. £25 billion gives a total £86 billion.

There are now more than 10 million people in the UK aged 65 and over, with a growing number of them working.

Knowledge, Skill, and Energy: Older people bring a great deal of knowledge, skill, and energy to the workforce and as volunteers.

Government spending on the state pension in 2024-25 is forecast to total £220 billion.

In 2024, pensioners contributed significantly to the British economy through spending and investments, with the total value of taxable payments withdrawn flexibly from pensions exceeding £87.6 billion since 2015.

At the start of 2025, the market value of private sector defined benefit and hybrid (DBH) pension schemes was £1.178 trillion. (Yes, a thousand billion is a trillion). Two and half of this amount would take Britian with a National Debt estimated to be £2.79 trillion out of debt for the first time since 1890. All down to pensioners and their thrift and diligence in handling money.

1961 Suicide Act. The rule of law whereby it is a crime for a person to commit suicide is hereby abrogated ‘it is no longer a crime to attempt suicide.

1987 survey of 301 GPs, which suggested that, if the law was to be changed along the lines of the ADTI Bill, 53% would not carry out euthanasia on a patient, 35% would consider doing so and 10%

might consider doing so.

1993 survey of 312 GPs and hospital consultants on attitudes of doctors to requests for euthanasia. 46% of those questioned (51% of GPs and 40% of consultants) would be prepared to consider practising euthanasia if asked by a competent patient. 32% would not.1993/4 there should be no change in the law on intentional killing, which is the cornerstone of law and social relationships,

1995 Survey of 2150 doctors, in which 44% supported legal reform while 53% rejected it. 43%—slightly more GPs than hospital doctors—would consider practising euthanasia if legal.

1996 BMA News Review survey of 750 GPs, in which 46% of GPs

supported and 44% rejected legal reform.

1998 Survey of 322 United Kingdom psychiatrists, 38% of whom believed that euthanasia should be legalised and 35% were willing to assess the psychological suitability of applicants for euthanasia.

1999 survey of 333 geriatricians (45% of all UK. doctors in this speciality), 80% of whom felt that euthanasia could never be justified, though 23% felt that it should be legal in some circumstances.

2003 The Liverpool Care Pathway for the Dying Patient (‘LCP’) was an integrated care pathway (ICP) recommended by successive governments in England and Wales to improve end-of-life care. It was discontinued in 2014 following mounting criticism and a national review. 

2003 Lord Joffe introduced into Parliament his Patient (Assisted Dying) Bill

2004 qualitative research carried out by Help the Hospices, which concluded that the introduction of euthanasia legislation was seen within the hospice movement as capable of changing the ethos of hospice care for the worse and of eroding the relationship of trust physicians, carers and patients.

2014 New ‘approach’ to end of life care replaces axed Liverpool pathway.

2024 AND NOW A new way to die still under discussion.  

Davos 18 July 23

Klaus Schwab Founder and Chairman World Economic Forum.

Harvard Student, mentor Henry Kissinger, mater David Rockefeller.

b.1938 Upper middle class. Father’s firm Escher Wyss, slave labour used 1938 to 1945 making ammunitions and heavy industrial components including development equipment for nuclear weapons.

KS. Quote; No one will own property by 2030 but will be happy.

Bank account should be monitored for subversive individuals, jab refusers, non-conformists to religious doctrine and any rebels made non-persons (reflections of Germany in the 1930s).

Guests at this year’s conference (£19,000 a seat by invite only) Sir Keith Starmer and Rachel Reeves plus other UK middle and upper class influencers.

Tony Blair’s company (Tony also guest at the conference)

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Talk about Brain Fog it sound all Tsunami Fog

Those of us 80yr olds need reminding of Christopher Lee in the ‘AVENGERS ‘ 1967 Never Never Say Die. Same hype just another day.