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(Format as
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TITLE
A return to social stability through development of psychological
awareness in children via television and humour.
BACKGROUND
This proposal concerns the application of an established body of
fundamental wisdom (in the field of human behaviour) to the problem of
declining individual competence with associated social disintegration.
I refer to the discoveries of Eric Berne MD in the 1950/60s which
labour under the stultifying title of “Transactional Analysis” (TA).
TA, from it inception, had three fertile areas in which to take root:
(1) As (yet) another elite school of psychotherapy. This has been the
main thrust but with the usual tendency to count angels on pins; too
expensive for “the masses”; winning battles but losing the war.
(2) In print. This has given us books such as: “Games people play”, I’m
OK you’re OK”, and “Staying OK”. These offer help to those sufficiently
educated and analytical to persevere. They “turn-off” those most in
need.
(3) On television as cartoon humour; a direct line to the “remainder”
of society. This has not been addressed. Television is where young
minds (of all ages) are drawn be they happy and outgoing or, more to
the point, negative, neglected and worse. Children are also drawn to
cartoon humour. Humour is the ideal vehicle for illuminating human
behaviour.
I discovered TA in the Early 80s when our two boys were 8 and 5 years.
Although I had behind me the advantage of five years 1:1 Jungian
psychotherapy, it was TA (from books) that gave me the parenting skills
I lacked. (Badly needed in our particualr circumstances.) However, I
found few who knew of it.
Only by chance did I discover the Institute of Transactional Analysis
(ITA). I joined the ITA as a lay member, taking their magazine and
attending a weekend conference. I expected to find a body with a social
stance and a voice but discovered that, while the practitioners are
dedicated, the body exists only to consolidate their activities in the
field of curing; they have no preventative role on the scale required.
Having come to this conclusion, I ceased trying to work through the
ITA, though remaining a member, and began a policy of writing to any
relevant public figure as and when they might come to my attention. So
it was that when I heard David Utting on Radio 4 (23.2.95) I made
contact with your organisation.
I have also joined Channel 4 “Talking Heads Club” which, while not yet
providing any really useful connections shows some promise. Indeed,
Channel 4 has shown itself open to this kind of venture in screening,
twice to my knowledge, a multi-part cartoon exposition of human
physiological function and malfunction, aimed at children and entitled:
“Once Upon a Time - Life”. This series was made by Procidis (Paris) and
funded by a group of European TV/radio companies. I suggest that the
foregoing speaks volumes for the viability of my proposal. I can supply
a tape of the series.
AIMS
To turn the Idiot Box, with its deserved reputation for damaging
output,
into a magic Box and even a Box of Delights. To offer thereby to
children, just as soon as they can absorb it, a gentle understanding of
self and others, wrapped in fun, so that they might break the mould and
grow to mature adults and parents. Further, to ensure that this initial
generation of social literates is not only followed by others, but also
that they are offered higher degrees of understanding as they grow.
POLICY RELEVANCE
I believe that the “Developed World” suffers from a serious and
progressive imbalance, which we have exported to all parts of the
globe. Our view of what is worthwhile and the ways in which we measure
success and value, have destroyed what tenuous stability there was and
the sum-total of competence (particularly parenting) declines with each
birth. This is now an epidemic out of control. The ratio of potential
patients to healers, rules out conventional curative treatment. We must
immunise. Immunisation is a process which modifies the standard
reaction of the organism when threatened, such that the chain of
infection is broken. There is a number-threshold to be reached if the
immunisation is to “take” in the whole community. Television can reach
such numbers. Children can be prevented from contracting our dis-ease.
METHODS
Successful outcome will rely on the combination of the following:
(1) A TV commissioning editor or program maker.
I have been offered contacts in this direction by talking heads.
(2) A TA practitioner who is not to puritanical.
I believe I can make such a connection.
(3) A cartoonist with a proven ability in video and TA knowledge.
This connection already made.
(4) A writer with a proven feel for the humour in the human condition
and TA knowledge. This connection already made.
This group would produce a short test/demonstration tape for trials
with children. A successful outcome would pave the way to a trial
series on TV.
TIMETABLE
In my darkest moments I fear it may already be too late. Time is
certainly short. I would anticipate a pilot tape could be ready by the
end of the year.
STAFFING
As described above there would be no requirement for staff as this
would be a marrying of existing skills residing in established
professional practices.
DISSEMINATION
See above.
OTHER SUPPORT
None.
BUDGET
The best information I can obtain is £10-20,000 to produce a
pilot tape. However, we have a chicken and egg situation. As all the
contributors are professionals, busy keeping the wolf from the door,
they would need to know that money was potentially available before
expending time on accurate quotes or, indeed, in the case of a
production company coming on board at all. I am hopeful that you will
be sufficiently drawn to this work to suggest to such people that
funding might be available.
Posted 3.5.06
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©
2006 Barrie Singleton. All
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