STONE - TOWERING DELUSIONS
"When I stand before the ruined walls of a great medieval castle or palace I am aware that they represent the shattered dreams and aspirations of the ruling elites that built them. These buildings also represent the misery of the poor and subjugated people whose toil both built and payed for them in sweat, taxes and tithes. The elites that built these castles and palaces are not alive to see how futile their dreams of power and fame were but we are alive to bear witness to their delusions. Delusions that power is all important. Delusions that power is permanent. Delusions that immortality is guaranteed by building castles to impress and suppress those who toil and live in poverty and misery. Nothing demonstrates the futility of seeking power and wealth than the ruined deserted castles or palaces in my photographs.
The sad thing is people are still building castles in the air today and are still exploiting others to gain power and wealth. Today the top 5% wealthiest people in the world have the same wealth as the bottom 95%. This inequality has been the story of man since the first civilisations started in ancient Mesopotamia. Before these civilisations man lived for 40,000 years as communists, that is in communities or tribes working for the well being of all the community. When we look at the untouched tribes of the Amazon or New Guinea, people do not enslave other members of their tribes and glorify themselves at the expense of fellow tribal members. This is actually inconceivable in tribal communal life. Elders and leaders are not significantly wealthier that other members of the tribe. It is only since the first city states of Mesopotamia that elites has enslaved other men to enrich themselves. The ruined and empty castles and palaces in this photo series are testaments to the maxim that you can't take it with you as well as demonstrating power and wealth are empty aspirations. These shattered dreams are also a warning that is we don’t start reversing the inequalities of capitalism and imperialism and embrace socialism again that all our towers will come tumbling down. No man is an island. It is with this in mind that I offer you my photos of some Towering Delusions from the past. I hope you enjoy". Paul E Williams.
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