Deborah Levy
If I ruled the world, all politicians, including presidents and prime ministers, would have to sign up for three years of rigorous psychoanalysis. In this way, the men and women who represented us would be better equipped to think more intelligently on behalf of others. Furthermore, the experience of struggling to find a more truthful language to articulate all the dimensions of anxiety, love, conflict, anger, disappointment— and indeed hope—would at last put an end to the bland language of insecure certainty. Examples: “It’s the right thing to do,” or “Brexit means Brexit.” Let’s admit that no one knows what Brexit means. Would leaving Europe mean that a torrent of cash would pour into our NHS? Under my rule, politicians would do most of the lying on their psychoanalyst’s couch.
If I ruled the world, magnificent heated outdoor swimming pools would be built in every city, town and village. It would be considered perfectly reasonable to dive in and swim lengths, or to frolic and chat in the steamy water. I think we would be happier, which might be connected to being healthier.