We all have a vested interest in survival, whatever age or stage in life. I suspect my family tend to see me as a friendly fossil, beached on the shoreline by the tide of time. Right now, it seems timely to focus on how we might deal with some present dangers to Britain - be it military or more subversive action. "Resistance" focuses on this by setting up a situation we can all relate to, both young and old. Can the young be mobilised to counter real threats to the country? Are the older generation merely passive spectators in such a scenario?
Both my submissions deal with different kinds of threats to the public. I also thought it would be interesting to look to the near future - the kind of world that may be on the horizon if biomedical science has its way. "Cold Spring" conjures up a brave new world; one where genetic enhancement and selection can apparently offer an improved human product. How might people react to the prospect and who could stop it?
Grandchildren tend to see their forebears as living relics so I hope to correct that presumption now I have acquired my own tribe of mini-beasts (four and counting). Ancient beings may see the young as snowflakes so it seems important to challenge that prejudice as well.
My career has been spent working across the age barrier in Further Education, including an Access Course for adult students returning to education. In my experience, older adults can be a cheerfully challenging sub-species. My academic area was a course called Literature, History and Politics, along with a module on Literary Appreciation. Subsequently, I climbed the greasy pole of management and sent out many a dazzling memo. As a single parent juggling work with a pair of small daughters it seemed then to require much the same set of skills and perseverance. Now let loose and free to enjoy the world, it appears to have got darker of late. My personal history seems to me somewhat incidental in the face of such real dangers to our collective wellbeing. However, not wanting to be too po-faced about the serious issues, I hope my writing is entertaining enough to pass muster.
