We are pestered with dull words, spoken by inadequate politicians, who simply list problems to us instead of resolving them with legislative measures
by Francesco Michienzi
Endless boredom penetrates my state of mind when listening to politicians taking part in staged television debates. I hear words that are not dictated by an interest in our well-being, in providing for citizens who have been sadly lacking in leaders with a real interest in the state of the nation. Listening to them triggers a total absence of emotions and a profound apathy in me. Instead of solutions, we are presented with a list of problems, like a broken record going round and round, which other people should have resolved. They spend weeks at a time talking about the fate of a bear, wombs for rent, same-sex adoptions or a hard prison regime. A way of throwing the ball into the stands, as they say in football speak. It goes without saying that these matters are worthy of discussion, but it would be much more interesting to find out what Italian politicians think about the country. Where they are expecting to take us over the coming decades. Incompetence and hostile words, steeped in animosity, and prevailing nastiness seem to be the hallmark of the political struggle. These elements insinuate themselves in the population, which subconsciously absorbs a culture of permanent conflict.
IT WOULD BE MUCH MORE INTERESTING TO FIND OUT WHAT ITALIAN POLITICIANS THINK ABOUT THE COUNTRY.
In our small way, we cover issues linked to leisure and the most enjoyable aspects of life, but also industry and everything associated with boatbuilding, including economic aspects and the employment of thousands of workers. We also cover marinas and maritime tourism. Perhaps I’ve missed them, but I haven’t seen any tangible plans for the development of these areas. It is much easier to attend the openings of trade fairs that attract a large audience, where the speeches I hear talk about defending Italian production and focusing on the beauty that our entrepreneurs build and export worldwide. Dull words are always the same, repeated mechanically without real responses to the problems affecting the various sectors. Sectors that are growing and developing under their own steam, and that if they were supported by adequate legislative measures, would provide a solid guarantee for the wellbeing of future generations. Also in reference to boredom, I thought of Milan Design Week, where I observed a certain uniformity in the range of products covering every aspect of living. It seemed to me that the designers all had a common mindset, probably dictated by the fear of not complying with market tastes.
I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO MEET ALL TEN OWNERS OF THOSE VERY DIFFERENT BOATS TO ASK THEM ABOUT THE REASONS BEHIND
THEIR CHOICES.
In yachting, this tendency for conformity and standardisation is, fortunately, less marked, if not completely absent. I recently stopped to look at a dozen boats moored in a harbour, one next to the other, and what really made me reflect was that, despite all serving the same purpose, they were all different. They were all boats built over the last decade. Some were more streamlined and elegant, others ungainly and stocky, coloured or white, displacement or planning, slow or fast. I would have liked to meet all ten owners of those boats to ask them about the reasons behind their choices. They were boats that I know very well, the majority of which I have also had the opportunity to try, and seeing them all together aroused in me a feeling that was the complete opposite of boredom. I felt privileged to be able to work in a world that is particularly rich in stimuli and different situations.
As has already been discussed, the subject of sustainability also generates particular boredom. It is an obsession that is sucking everyone in and making them forget that 80% of the world’s pollution failures are the result of the activities of the top one hundred multinationals. The theme of the green economy is instrumentalised by those who are responsible for the environmental damage. The reality is very different from the picture constantly being painted by the media, which places the blame firmly on you and me. You cause pollution by going to work in your car, you’re guilty of deforestation because you eat steaks, you’re guilty because you destroy the marine ecosystem by sailing. It’s only right that we all play our small part in working towards the common good, conducting ourselves properly, but the legislators are the ones who need to act with intelligence.
(What a bore! – Barchemagazine.com – June 2023)
