Totally life affirming and wonderful

Gordon's War Room

This is Gordon's new office set up. Why is this interesting? Well it shows that the bunker mentality of last year has been swept away, and the the approach is now very much open plan. This set up is called the 'horseshoe' and sits at Number 12 Downing St.

Gordon is much more accessible and advisers can shout across to each other, generate ideas and be a bit more nimble and creative. Tom Watson and Liam Byrne are there - chatting in the background. It's probably the most dynamic image of Gordon we've seen, because it shows that he has really made an effort to change his approach, and be much more inclusive with his team. Gives me great heart.

Labourlist

Derek Draper's promise to even up the Conservatives' domination of the blogosphere took a small step forward over the weekend with the quiet launch of the beta version of the Labourlist website, complete with an interesting post from Peter Mandelson, and a weird picture of his Second Life avatar.

The site is pitched in a different way to Labourhome which has a pretty much 'anything goes' policy on content. Labourlist instead focuses on generating debate and content from senior party figures. Which is probably why it has been totally mobbed by disruptive and negative comments from 'Tory trolls' as they are affectionately known. Who are these people?!

It's intended as a serious space for party activists and those with a genuine interest in positive debate, so worth checking in to see what some of the key party figures have to say.

Rule 5

Rule #5: Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is nonexistent. And don’t bother concealing your thievery—celebrate it if you feel like it. In any case, always remember what Jean-Luc Godard said: “It’s not where you take things from—it’s where you take them to.”

Jim Jarmusch.

Fine - I've nicked this quote.

Dvorak

Dvorak. New World Symphony. I wonder what it is about that piece of music? My Dad probably, because one thing he gave me was a really eclectic musical taste. I remember this being in the house when I was small. This and Sibelius and War of the Worlds. The chances of anything coming from Mars are a million to one they said.

But this one. There is a simplicity and purity to the New World Symphony. I almost see Dvorak, pouring over the manuscript and not quite able to believe what he's getting down. Almost as if it has to be - this music. Quite strange for him I think.

Also - Dvorak - great name for a Doctor Who villain.

This is what happens when there's work to be done. Radio 3 and tea. Come on!

New Year tactics

Scowls and frowns are the language of New Year. These few days in early January where the winter bites and we emerge blinking back into reality... Hard days.

I try to take some steps to soften the blow. The first is to avoid newspapers at all cost. Don't get me wrong; I love a Times or a Guardian, but there is a persistent miserabilism in the UK press these days which is bad for the spirit. Good job no-one believes much of anything they read there any more or we'd all be stringing ourselves up.

Second step, which I'm less good at, is to go into work with a plan and stick to it hard no matter what. Get something achieved because that makes you feel great.

Third step. Sort a treat for week one. I'm going for a floatation tank session here.

Us lot. We feel abandoned in new year. If we're lucky we've just had two weeks of warmth and looking after. The telly's been on, the desk a memory. Suddenly we're back to life. It's tough. So be nice to yourself.

-- Post From My iPhone

Let's engage the brain

Shamelessly cosying up to one of the UK's most energetic and interesting intellectual forces I might be, but if the RSA's Matthew Taylor comes up with this stuff when jogging out on Saddleworth moor, then imagine what he does when he's really applying himself.

These links will take you through to some thoughts he's been having on a new progressive agendafor the UK.

Intro is here

Part one - this bit is on one of Matthew's particular interests, the social brain - really fascinating.

Part two

Part three - on politics.