The Homeless Guy On The Liffey Quays

This week on The Larb, after a 2 week imposed hiatus, I return to reflect on the homeless guy I saw this week begging in traffic on the Liffey Quays. I'm asking myself is it appropriate for me to be opinionated with regard to his position in life?

Who or what makes me, or indeed you, qualified to make a call on what is right, wrong, good, bad, proper or not about any person who lives on the streets? Firstly, how do you and I know if the life they live is not for a specific purpose?

Why do we have sympathy and even a few spare coins if we're feeling generous, for some homeless people and not all? What makes us so certain about what should be done for the homeless, if indeed anything at all?

I feel we can discover a lot about ourselves through the lives of those who seem worse off than us. If, that is, we can stand back from our judgement of the situation, be that judgement negative or positive.

I watched a video, the audio for which I've included here from photographer Donal Maloney, and it seems to me, Martin Hart has given Donal Maloney and others, I included, something important.

This is so rather than the other way around. Full credits to the original creator in the article accompanying this podcast episode.

Links From The Show

Donal Maloney Photography

Donal Maloney on Facebook

Martin Hart Short Film

Martin on Vimeo

Notes From The Show

This encounter with the homeless bloke on the quays has made me think deeply on my own and the broader preconceptions we hold about homeless people.

In some cases we offer our pity and little else. In some cases we offer money, possibly for little other reason than to feel good about ourselves - A good enough reason in my opinion.

But I find that there is within us a deep conflict about worthiness when we choose to give to some and not to others.

Surely if someone is on the street begging for change and are obviously in a more challenging position to us then they deserve a couple of quid? Or maybe none of them do.

At least surely a hello or even a sandwich and a cup of coffee?

[Tweet "Listen to "The Homeless Guy" on The Larb, the podcast for creatives"]

But I walk past them all the time, and so do you. In some cases we adopt a holier than thou attitude to people who are obviously socially deprived.

Maybe they don't know what it means to engage with others in a respectful manner. Or maybe they will buy alcohol or drugs with the change they receive, but is that really any of our business?

I've been taking a look at this subject this week on The Daily Larb, recorded on Anchor and pushed out to Spreaker, iTunes and Google Play amongst other platforms

Here's a couple episodes which include other's opinions. Some of these people have been homeless and have seen it from both sides.

I think you'll agree they are in a vastly better position of understanding on this subject.

TDL036 The Homeless Bloke

TDL037 More On The Homeless

The Daily Larb

I recorded those above short episodes which include content from others who called into the station, with 

Joanna Jast On Motivation

This week on the podcast I'm chatting with writer and human nature expert Joanna Jast. In the show we're discussing her new book titled "Not Another F'king Motivation Book". In her book she attempts to debunk many of the myths about attaining and maintaining sufficient motivation for our work.

Joanna confesses to be a lazy person. This, over time has persuaded her to install certain processes into her daily routine that help her stay on track and remain motivated to do the necessary daily work. We also get talking about her creative process, one that has helped her complete her third book.

A Bit About Joanna

Joanna Jast is a writer, entrepreneur and self-appointed human nature expert. She dreams of inventing a direct brain-computer interface one day so she can update her behaviour software in seconds!

In the meantime she works on improving the existing ways of absorbing knowledge and adapting to change. She is refining laser-sharp focus strategies to help you improve your mental focus and concentration, boost your productivity and speed up your success.

She shares her learning, always evidence-based, but sometimes against the latest craze and definitely not 'fluffy' at www.shapeshiftersclub.com

* Joanna's Amazon Author Page

* Shapeshifter's Club

* Not Another F'king Motivation Book

* Createspace Indie Publishing

About The Book

A motivation book like no other - no hype, no purple prose, no preaching. Just the stuff that works (where all the typical motivational strategies have failed). Practical and easy-to-read. Are you tired of having to 'get motivated' time and time again yet failing to achieve your goals? Do you feel like motivational quotes, visualisation or inspirational stories have not really helped you? Do you think there must be something wrong with you because traditional motivational strategies don't work for you?

You are not alone. I share your frustration with not being able to achieve the goals you want to achieve. There is nothing wrong with you, or your motivation. It’s just that you've been using the wrong strategies. In this book, you will learn: How motivation really works (and why that apparently effective strategy hasn't worked for you) How to discover what truly motivates you and plug into that potent source of power How to ensure that whatever goal you pursue is aligned with your motivation, so you always work towards it and not against yourself.

Discover how to ensure that your motivation tank is topped up without having to 'motivate yourself.' Which motivational strategies are likely to work for you in specific situations, so you don't waste your time and energy on trying things that are unlikely to work anymore. Ready to finally ditch those exhausting 'pump-yourself-up-and-fail-again' cycles and start using an approach that really works? Ready to achieve your goals and transform your life?

From amazon.com

Time & The Purposeful Accident

This week on The Larb I'm taking with Ray Heffernan about the purposeful accident, a concept that encourages us to create for the sake of creating. It is an idea that suggests that we go out on purpose to create our work for no other reason than to create, then see what happens.

In this article on The Creativity Post, I read first about the concept of The Purposeful Accident. It resonated with me because I've had the distinct experience that planning the shit out of things is actually counter productive. From that I thought about developing the idea of the plan of no plan. The purposeful accident is a better description of that idea.

Show Notes

Ray lives in a sleepy Italian village and takes his time about things. In this episode we get talking about creativity and how that fits in with the larger world. We discuss why it is that sometimes the greatest things seem to come about by no specific effort of our own.

Road are getting bigger, journeys are getting shorter but to what end? It seems that we may be sacrificing the benefit and experience of the journey for the sake of the end game. It's almost like we are rushing towards our end without really living a life.

Maybe we should be less focused on the outcome because that outcome doesn't last. There's no gratification in the outcome. Before we know it it's gone. Maybe we should take the long slow road, perhaps the joy of it all is in that instead?

Why Good Coffee Matters

Good coffee matters. But unfortunately, too many makers of coffee simply want to sell more coffee and too many people want instant gratification. The upshot of all of this is that good coffee is a rarity. Making something great takes time and effort and I'm not sure we really understand this.

Small businesses and one person operated establishments start with good intentions. The people behind them start because they love the technical work, they love the process. But there is a point at which there is a risk that the making of the thing will become sterile and soulless.

Mass production does this. It kills the spirit of the thing.

Show Notes

In a Storymaker article a little while ago I wrote about Granthams. It's a small coffee house on Aungier Street in Dublin that makes really great coffee. I really admire their attention to detail and obvious care for their craft.

Because coffee is a craft and very few businesses can take the core fundamental and do it at scale while maintaining its integrity.

Small scale crafts rarely if ever do well when mass produced and I actually believe that it's not possible. But they will try. Business will continue to attempt to reproduce things that are made by hand and pretend to keep the soul of the thing.

Sorry lads... it can't be done.

That's what this weeks podcast episode is about.

When Did Work Become A Curse?

When Did Work Become A Curse? Why is work such a drag for so many? Why is it that Sunday night is a dread in anticipation of Monday morning and why does Monday morning signal the start of another dreary week doing things we don't like doing? This week on The Larb I'm looking at how work became such a curse on so many people, entire societies in fact.

To say that work has become a curse is to imply that somewhere in the past it was a joy. Was it ever really a joy? Who knows. But what we do know now is that most people work at jobs they at best are unfulfilled doing and just about willing to endure, to downright despise. We need to sort that shit out.

Links From The Show

A History Of The Irish Working Class

Just So, Alan Watts

Notes From The Show

I am a regular reader and listener to the material from Alan Watts, the now deceased philosopher and writer. He created many books on eastern philosophy and the role of religion in the development of consciousness in human beings.

I don't always agree with his perspective however I must admit that it's difficult to argue against his ideas. In his recorded seminar in the early 70's I think, he approaches the flaw in the seriousness of how we work.

It tied into many of the ideas that I hold about work and so I thought I'd use this as a place to jump off of in this episode of The Larb.

Watts talks about how work has become a curse on humanity. We have become too serious about the roles we play and the work we do and as such we have sterilised the very thing that we are supposed to achieve joy from.

To say work has become a curse implies that at some point work was a joy. Now, I'm not too sure about that. It seems that this idea is a little idealistic.

Work In A Pre Industrial World

Before the industrial revolution and the eventual commoditization of almost everything, people worked the land. Instead of being what I describe as pawns for the machine, people worked for their basic needs.

Maybe they produced enough to trade locally but that was as far as it went, at least for the majority.

Businesses were small, cottage type enterprises where most people's work contributed directly to the upkeep and sustainability of the local community.

That's not to say all of this was utopic, there are always challenges no matter what scale we operate at. So there were bound to be people who worked in jobs they didn't like.

It's my guess that this has always been the case. Only in this modern age I reckon it's a little more pronounced and acute or even chronic.

Long story short I believe that our widespread problem with work is our attitude and approach to work. What it has become is a means to an end, a vehicle to get us to a better future.

This in itself is a flawed position.

Over the last few weeks I've been thinking about the nature of my reality. In particular, I was considering what it means to transition through what is termed in psychology as the existential crisis and how the outside world relates to that experience. This podcast episode is about that.

There is the world of people and society and things, a surface reality you might say, where everybody lives. Beneath this, there is something else, something that we have the opportunity to see if we have the courage to open the door. Often, the ones on the outside perceive a completely different, often flawed view of the what is actually going on.

Keeping Your Art Real With Harry Hoban

In this weeks episode of The Larb I'm chatting to songwriter and musician Kevin Harry Hoban about art, songwriting, music, life, freedom and the realisation that when you're doing what you want, for no other reason that you love it, anything is possible.

Harry tells how finding his granny's old Buddy Holly records in his parent's house when he was about 10 years old, got him started in what is now, a deep and obsessive need to create through songwriting.

Harry is a dude that fits right into the model of hardcorejunkie, and is someone who certainly deserves to wear the hardcorejunkie badge.

Check out the interview.

Links From The Show

YouTube - Harry Hoban & The Brothers Kane

YouTube - Harry Hoban Music

Facebook - Harry Hoban & The Brothers Kane

Facebook - Harry Hoban Music

Notes From The Show

Where are you from?

Ballinteer, Co. Dublin

Why did you get into music?

It wasn't an option, it was more of a happening. I was drawn to it from an early age, and from the highs of listening to incredible artists expressing their unstoppable emotions through song. It couldn't be matched, I wanted in. I was probably searching for free emotional therapy accidentally and music was where I found it .

How would you describe your music style?

It's impossible to say as I have written and recorded in every form of music I have come to know. I have music out there under pseudonyms that is drastically different and experimental compared to what I produce under my own name. When you are writing and completing songs on a regular basis for over 20 years that tends to be the case.

What inspires you?

In life - Humans, who truly believe in themselves and have little or no care of what society or other humans around them say or think about them. In music - Artistic integrity and originality (mainly lyrically) within songs .

What's the meaning of life?

The journey. Having your own journey. Not worrying about what lies ahead. Just doing what you love right now. So, I suppose happiness on a regular basis.

What's the one thing you want to do before you die?

I've already achieved the one thing. It's to write songs that I am proud of personally. My obsession has remained alive and well for a couple of decades and is showing zero signs of slowing up. So if it's on the moro that my clogs were to pop, well so be it, my personal musical legacy will be there for anyone that cares to sift through and explore. I already have it sorted for close friends to release all of my private musical writing endeavours at my time of death.

Where do you gig regularly, where can people go see you?

I gig all around Dublin at Open Mic nights. Presently I'm trying to improve my performances and gain more live experience. My band 'Harry Hoban and The Brothers Kane' have a couple gigs coming up soon and details are available on our Facebook Page

Why The Standard Working Model Is Broken

The Standard Working Model is a term I use to describe how we work and how we educate ourselves and our children. Not only is it the predominant means by which we exchange goods and services, what we call work is how most people spend the majority of their lives.

We seek self-definition in our work, it becomes who we are. Work has become a means to an end. No longer is it something we derive gratification and happiness from, it is rather a toil. It is scunder on our free time.

We appear to occupy an eternal mode of dissatisfaction wishing we didn't have to do it but we are compelled to do it.

We work less than gratifying jobs just to pay bills. Our lives and ultimate happiness is put on hold for the odd weekend away or two weeks in the summer. The system is broken. We need a fix.

Notes From The Show

This week on the podcast I'm discussing The Standard Working Model.

It seems to me we're living in a vicious cycle of self imposed discomfort and anxiety where we endure careers that somewhere along the line we were convinced we needed to fulfill.

Be it in school or employment, we seem to be forever getting somewhere and never arriving. Success and happiness seem to be dangling on a string on the end of a stick that we just can't reach.

It's like one giant pyramid scheme with dopy punters like you and me picking up the tab.

Now I'll accept that this is not the same for everyone. For some there is the fortune of realising true joy in their work at an early age. With forward looking parents they can realise the dream.

But for most of us it doesn't go that way.

We're born into a world that tells us there's only one way. Do well in school and pursue a career and everything will be honky dory.

Trouble is that once we hit 40 we begin to question everything we have been led to believe is true about work.

What About The Ones That Don't Fit In?

The education system we've got is good insofar as it has helped progress us as a society on to better things.

However, it's not perfect. It's not even close to perfect. It doesn't cater for everyone and those who don't fit in or are at odds with traditional education fall by the wayside.

How we measure intelligence appears to be purely focused on students' academic ability. They do not for the large part take into account emotional intelligences for example.

Things are changing but they are changing too slowly.

We humans are habitual beings tending to stick to the way things have always been done. Therefore, not until we have a significant reason to change things do we begin to change our behaviour.

If we continue to train our children to live and work the same way we have for generations then we'll never change this place for the better.

In this episode I explore the flawed concept that lies behind the The Standard Working Model.

Ray Heffernan is a Dublin singer-songwriter probably best known for writing Robbie Williams’ big chart hit "Angels". He is originally from Glasnevin and now resides in Italy on the shores of lake Orta with his wife and children. Ray and I hooked up for chats a while back and probably spent about 90 mins talking about life and work and what it means to create something meaningful.

The Artist's Manifesto Episode

This week on The Larb, listen in to The Artist's Manifesto Episode where Larry gets into the core of The Artist's Manifesto. Find out why he wrote it and what it means for artists everywhere.

It is a call to arms to creative people like you to hold true to your creative integrity.

It is a call to artists everywhere return to making art that matters, to follow our hearts, to create for the sake of it instead of following popular opinion.

You see, there is a strong and powerful draw from the world to conform, to row in, to be a part of the machine. It says to be worthy you must be successful. In order to be successful, you’ve got to follow the rules.

You’ve got to go to school, do science, engineering or maths. Get a job, pay tax, vote, don’t break the law and be a good member of society

I say no way, and I want you to join me.

Notes From The Show

Hello and welcome to this weeks episode of The Larb. In this episode I'm breaking down The Artist's Manifesto and sharing with you why I wrote it and what it's all about.

I get into a little detail on each section of the book and explain what I see are the most important aspects of making anything worthwhile.

The Artist's Manifesto

1.1 What Is The Artist’s Manifesto?

1.2 Who Is An Artist?

1.3 The Artist’s Challenge

1.4 Creative Integrity

1.5 The Creative Process

1.6 Embracing Solitude

1.7 The Artist’s Duty

1.8 The Work

1.9 Spirituality

1.10 Exchanging Art For Dollars

The Artist's Manifesto

The Artist's Manifesto is a short book about staying true to our art. It is a call to Artists and Creatives like you to create from the heart with passion and integrity, disregarding the need for applause and recognition. It's available from 13th May 2017.

Grab your FREE copy here.