KEEP OFF THE GRASS!! conformity, apathy or blind faith?

I sometimes feel that we British folks are an 'awfy hodden doon' people who tolerate mediocity. By contrast I have met with some people who appear to have mighty axe's to grind - live a life of activism - as my grandmother would describe them they are 'born fechters'. I often wonder what makes a person a 'warrior'. Maybe its set in early childhood - a life that starts badly and never catches up.

I'm reading a novel called 'Never let me go' by Kazuo Ishiguro - but it has upset me - so I've put it aside. It gradually becomes apparent in the story that the main characters are human clones - in every way like us -except they are bred solely to provide vital organs for others - and are thereby condemned to an early death. What I found most annoying is the failure of the clones to rebel - their passive acceptance of their fate. Maybe its my interpretation of it but, Ishiguro seems to be saying that all our lives are in some way stunted and unfulfilled - that we can only make the best of what we've got. This is too compliant for me.

I know that individual lives break down, but i think history shows the human spirit to be beautiful and invincible. (i distinguish that from human nature - which is shitty, farty and self obsessed). I don't believe that any form of oppression can ultimately prevail against human reason. Without the element of resistance this novel slips into poor psychology - is not true to life. Or is it??

Whilst at University t'day I stood over hearing a group of Britains young hopefuls (those who will decide my fate when I become to old and infacile to do it for myself) and as I listened I couldn't help but hatch a little plan to put their claims to never take things at face value to the test.

I arrived early at a workshop venue and stood outside the door, having watched the tutor enter the room as I came down the corridor. Now to put my plan into action. I stood against the wall beside the door and as the first of the 20 other students arrived I explained that the door was locked.

So we waited.... I didnt have to repeat my lie as those who I'd told were all too happy to relay the information on for me. I grinned like a loon to the furtive glances of the growing throng - but no one questioned the situation. We stood for in excess of 10 minutes and I suspect that would've been longer had the tutor not popped her head around the door in obvious concern.

The faces of my fellow students was a picture! My reply to the rows of questioning glares?... "now that's faith and social conformity in a nutshell!!" - grinned broadly before ducking past the confused tutor into the room.

I think i'm gonna love philosophy!!