Twas The Rant Before Christmas: Absent Friends and Being Absent as a Friend

Discovering the ideas, traditions and practices associated with open learning from around the world was singularly the most generative discovery of my life.  More than anything it has improved my health, happiness, and ability to think and act in the world in ways which are constructive.  This journey is one which cannot be measured but can be felt; that is experienced emotionally in such a way that connects the body beyond the reduction to facts and figures, and to people. Read more…

From Notes About The Findings of Abraham Maslow and Manfred Max Neef on Needs by David Seagrave

These eminent psychologists analyses the needs of people worldwide their findings concur with those of Erich Fromm which he has set out in his magnum opus To Have,or to Be…

I may be exceptional in the way I have evolved a mental discipline which orcherstates my behaviour by means of an imaginary device called the scrutiny box It is opened whenever I have a bath and on my Sunday hikes or strolls In the bath I review what I have done since my previous bath and think about what I shall be doing until the next bath. Every Sunday I plan ahead till the next Sunday I RESTRAIN MYSELF FROM RASH OR IMPUSLIVE BEHAVIOUR by this means If in doubt about any expenditures below £1. Read more…

Truly The Substance of Contentment by David Seagrave

Devereux was a self reliant bachelor who had retired from his position with Durcaster Borough Council. He lived in a charming period cottage with a huge garden built long before Miriamsfield was swallowed up in Greater Durcaster. He awoke to Phantom Limb Pain and recalled that it was the 40th anniversary of an accident when as a young man he had set off from Durcaster to Swineherdsford on a frosty February night and been hit bya drunken motorist. He had a hot bath and the pain abated He had to see about his broken kitchen window which faced the local primary school Read more…

A Vigorous Renaissance of Social Value by David Seagrave

Paul Kingsnorth, who emulated William Cobbett on journeys around Britain has described the erosion of social value. By that he means the quality of life derived from people developing all their abilities and bringing to bear an active orientation to life. In that idea of social value he loudly echoes the findings of Erich Fromm in his influential book TO HAVE OR TO BE.
Kingsnorth visited the towns of Middle England and found how they are now almost clones of one another but for a few historic buildings. A recent visit to Arbroath underscored this idea Beyond the harbour,the high street is just like any other in Britain with its  shops encouraging people to live beyond their means. Read more…

A Dynamic Asperger Arts Project by David Seagrave

I have written the texts of 2 pamphlets HANDLING ELEMENTARY CAMERAS and TROSSACHS PHOTOHIKES These require illustrations I can provide MONOCHROME enlargements taken with different types of elementary cameras for the first booklet and also monochrome enlargements to illustrate most of the Hikes in “Trossachs Photohikes “
Somewhere in my document mines I have factsheets explaining monochrome development , enlarging photographic optics the effects of filters operation of roll film cameras semi adjustable cameras fully adjustable German all metal cameras and the Zenith single lens reflex cameras Read more…

Asperger Lifelong Learning by David Seagrave

In the light of my own experience I declare that lifelong learning is the only path we Aspies can take to lead us to any kind of uneasy coexistence with neurotypicals.  From available evidence my self-taught German brought about a change of state in my brain which led to taking up difficult hobby related challenges for the intrinsic joy of mastering anything difficult.
The more I practiced these techniques, the more, the exercise brought it s own reward. The fruits of my labours became almost incidental yet at the same time these models, photographs and literary works are SACRED OBJECTS. I have coined the word ENDEOFACT to denote any consequence of dedicated effort whether it be something one can handle or  a piece of music played, and supremely, loyal service, freely given.  Read more…