Monday

I’m busy shaking my fist at the universe today - or rather, shaking my fist in a rather half-hearted manner, because I feel pretty awful. After spending the last two weeks fighting a cold that wouldn’t go away, my head finally began to clear over the weekend - only for a completely different virus to launch itself at me. It already got my other half and caused her to sleep through much the weekend - yesterday afternoon it picked me out of the lineup.

I signed myself off work this morning - perhaps my second day off in a year - probably the second day off in several years. I’m a bit of a bugger for just keeping going regardless.

You know the worst part about sitting at home feeling sorry for yourself? You end up scrolling the internet, and just getting increasingly annoyed with everything and everybody.

Why is it that so few “content creators” actually create content? Why is it somehow allowed for people to rip off content created by others, cut it into something else, perhaps flip it on the X axis to avoid an immediate copyright strike, and/or add a voice-over or text?

It’s not just the obvious recycling of content either - movie scenes - TV scenes - it’s the car, plane, and bike crash compilations - or any of the “epic fails”. Are we really expected to believe that permission was sought for any of it?

Why is it that anything even vaguely popular on the major social media sites attracts an army of feedback where so many immediately try to be the funniest person in the room? Why do people do that? Why does everything have to be a joke?

Why is it that as soon as you develop any sort of following, the vultures appear - emailing you with all manner of “opportunities” ? I guess it’s the same for people that win lotteries - and suddenly gain friends.

People are shameless.

And then there’s the “it was better in my day” crowd. Or the elderly white right-wing fascists that the media seem so intent on giving a voice and platform. They seem to be the most myopic of any of the various prejudices we all find ourselves having to put up with - surrounding themselves with algorithmic timelines that re-enforce their hate. It’s easy to think everybody agrees with you when you only read stories you already agree with.

There’s a pretty good video on YouTube - a TED talk - that makes uncomfortable viewing for anybody intent on claiming the world was somehow better in their imagined or very selective past. The presentation demonstrates that every meaningful measure continues upwards across the decades, irrespective of nation, culture, colour, or sex.

Anyway.

I’ll stop the rant right here. Perhaps I’ll go make another cup of tea. And perhaps do as everybody keeps advising me - switch off the computer, and go rest.