Radio 4 documentary about couriers

"alternative lifestyle"??? that's a joke innit? when I first became a courier at the age of 25 I considered it to be me "going straight" and getting a "normal job"

Didn't really know how to put it really - hopefully the 'TM' softened the blow a bit. I tend to go a bit 'pop sociological' when I post stuff like that. Maybe I should just move to Hammersmith and start joining literary discussion groups...

Becoming a knowing participant in the corporate machine, fetching and carrying for the foot-soldiers of capitalists, doing so willingly, under the control of a boss / company without ever showing dissent at the poor pay / conditions, paying rent / mortgage (squatters excepted), 9-5 ( or more like 8-6). Going to the same pub week in week out (much like postmen do) ...

yeah, really alternative,

Right, kids?

Maybe I should just move to Hammersmith and start joining literary discussion groups...

It's quite nice, really.

Becoming a knowing participant in the corporate machine, fetching and carrying for the foot-soldiers of capitalists, doing so willingly, under the control of a boss / company without ever showing dissent at the poor pay / conditions, paying rent / mortgage (squatters excepted), 9-5 ( or more like 8-6). Going to the same pub week in week out (much like postmen do) ...

yeah, really alternative,

I'm not saying it is alternative, just that many people clearly regard it as that. There are many things which people has misconceptions about or use flawed logic on.

Look at the problem of speed limits on congested motorways, both theoretical and empirical evidence shows that the variable speed limits actually increase the flow rate, and average speed, hence you get home quicker. Many people however will think that the speed limit is slowing them down. They are using flawed logic and misconceptions to get this opinion, it's wrong but it does not mean a lot of people do not hold that opinion.

I've said it before. People are stupid. I hate people.

Skully,

Lisa was a messenger with On Yer Bike (bufallo Bill's first company), then left and started creative with half of OYB's clients.
Doing this has made her very well off, and she doesn't really have the same connection to bikes that she used to have (or, dare I say, to riders. Although she is better than most).

43??

roger that, yes it is a misconception, I guess the image of "alternative lifestyle" rather than an actual alternative lifestyle is more important to most of us Westerners.

43??

I think we all find it hard to believe that that is your IQ even though you provide daily evidence. Oh well, you can only work with the material to hand.

Becoming a knowing participant in the corporate machine, fetching and carrying for the foot-soldiers of capitalists, doing so willingly, under the control of a boss / company without ever showing dissent at the poor pay / conditions, paying rent / mortgage (squatters excepted), 9-5 ( or more like 8-6). Going to the same pub week in week out (much like postmen do) ...

yeah, really alternative,

speak for yourself Winston; you don't speak for me.

yeah, loved the programme, listened to it twice infact, loved the riding bits, sounded authentically breezy, nice one.

Becoming a knowing participant in the corporate machine, fetching and carrying for the foot-soldiers of capitalists, doing so willingly, under the control of a boss / company without ever showing dissent at the poor pay / conditions, paying rent / mortgage (squatters excepted), 9-5 ( or more like 8-6). Going to the same pub week in week out (much like postmen do) ...

yeah, really alternative,

What's wrong with being a f*cking postman then?Did'nt you lot (rollapaluza)get paid by a corporate company to go around the universities?I dunno,maybe I'm wrong.
I agree with Will though,you dont speak for me.
waits for patronising response

I think we all find it hard to believe that that is your IQ even though you provide daily evidence. Oh well, you can only work with the material to hand.

Saucer of milk for Mr.Wigan?

It's a job, guys. Like every job, it has its upsides and downsides. Some people like doing it, others don't like doing it, and others still will be indifferent. Some people like doing it at first and no longer like doing it later, whereas it may grow on others. What makes it different from any other job?

yeah some people just like the 'image' of sucking corporate cock more...

What's wrong with being a f*cking postman then?Did'nt you lot (rollapaluza)get paid by a corporate company to go around the universities?I dunno,maybe I'm wrong.
I agree with Will though,you dont speak for me.
waits for patronising response

I didn't say there's anything wrong with being a postman, nor did I claim to speak for anyone else, just questioning whether being a cycle courier is an alternative lifestyle, I don't think it is, nor did I when I was one...it's just a job and pretty normal job if you look at the actualities of what it involves.....

Having been a courier and worked and lived with other couriers has formed who I am and I will be eternally grateful for the friendships, experiences and allegiances I made through the job....

I'm sure many people from other trades / professions feel the same (firemen / postmen) about their community of colleagues.....doesn't make it alternative though.

I didn't say there's anything wrong with being a postman, nor did I claim to speak for anyone else, just questioning whether being a cycle courier is an alternative lifestyle, I don't think it is, nor did I when I was one...it's just a job and pretty normal job if you look at the actualities of what it involves.....

Having been a courier and worked and lived with other couriers has formed who I am and I will be eternally grateful for the friendships, experiences and allegiances I made through the job....

I'm sure many people from other trades / professions feel the same (firemen / postmen) about their community of colleagues.....doesn't make it alternative though.

Roger,Winston.
kisses

if couriers are like postmen then I reckon this must be UberDrive

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/usermovies/74127.html

The extraordinary kindness of people on this forum has helped me through more bad times than they will ever know. Thanks.

A couple of lols and a few reps and you're a happy man. I suppose it's nice to find somewhere where pepole occasionally appreciate your rather peculiar humour.