Pandemic Prognostications

Life has always been a maze of unknowns, but from now on we will quit pretending that we have it all figured out, and admit that this is a much needed global humbling event.

“Disasters are an opportunity for the worst of humanity. And the best.”

- A. G. Riddle 

What happens when what we used to think of life as usual comes to a creaking halt? Where do we turn when what we think we know turns out to be wrong, or at least outdated?

We won't have to guess about questions like these, because all around us, day by painful day, we are finding out.

Looking a little farther down the line, here are are some of my thoughts on how this all might shake out. 


My Pandemic Prognostications


- introverts will have a better survival rate than extroverts (our culture selects for extroverts, but nature is selecting for introverts right now)

- anti-education, anti-specialist, anti-science proponents and areas will not fare well (see New York, the current COVID 10 epicentre, and Florida, where vectors are packing themselves on to beaches).

- people who have been living simply will prove to be better prepared to deal with this global forced simplification, which may turn out to be permanent.

- North Americans will abandon the handshake (I've never liked it, preferring a nod from a safe distance) after seeing that cultures with no-contact greetings/goodbyes have lower infection rates. 

- people will stop believing that our system is benign and beneficial to all when citizens are left to die by a structure that is incapable at protecting them at best, and is fanning the flames of a Darwinian dystopia at the worst.

- areas/cultures that celebrate individualism and "liberty" will have higher infection/death rates over those that recognize the value of balancing personal freedoms with responsibilities toward the needs of the collective.

- our dirty system is going to be exposed in all its decomposing glory, but some will still want to plant their gardens there.

- we will be forced to do away with useless things like cruise ships, flying for no reason other than one is bored or wants bragging rights with one's friends, personal vehicles, and any business that produces anything other than necessities.

- those who didn't realize it before, will come to see that billionaires, sports stars, and celebrities are expendable in this new world, while grocery check out clerks, front line health care workers, and regular working folks are the real heroes worthy of our worship and money.

- many will start to question the value of work, and the value of everything, then decide that staying at home and just living isn't as bad as they were told it would be.

- a decade from now people will still be trying to figure out where the virus originated, if bats were involved, and if it was really a bioweapon unleashed by the dark forces of the greedy elite.

- America's "China bad" propaganda will backfire, just like its Russiagate fiasco did.

- the simplification that the planet desperately needs will be hastened by this event, and we will see that simple is better


No one knows how this will end. No one. Anyone that says they do know is lying.

While it is interesting to watch and take a few wild guesses, like I have here, we will just have to wait and see. I don't know about you, but I am taking this one, one crazy day at a time.

Here is hoping that you and yours are fairing well, and even thriving, whatever that means in today's new world.

Love, peace, and good health to you all.

Now I am waving to you. And nodding, bowing, and giving you the Namaste hand gesture. 

Virtual hugs, too. 

But not the real kind. 

Ho, Ho, Hold On To Your Money This Holiday Season

Marketers unleashing Steroid Santa on already stuffed consumers.

Retailers warn us that although it is only the beginning of November, "the December holiday rush is just around the corner". 

It's even late - one of their surveys showed that "by September around 50% of consumers have already started looking for items on their friends’ and family’s wish lists".

The message is clear, "Hurry up and start buying shit already!!!"

The holiday season is important for merchants, some of which experience 30% of the year's sales during this annual frenzy. Each year they look forward to the start of the spending spree, and each year we oblige, usually by spending more per capita than the year previous. 

Retailers love that. So do banks, credit card companies, and advertising agencies. Especially advertisers, because retailers will spend billions on aggressive holiday arm twisting of consumers.

Here is one view of the feeding frenzy from the feeder's perspective:

"The critical mass experienced in the economy during the holiday season puts a ton of pressure on advertisers. 

As they attempt to reach distracted consumers with what they have to offer, they must complete with the nonstop seduction of storefronts and smartphones and every screen and speaker in-between. 

There’s no question that its a clamorous time of year, and consumers’ reactions run the gamut from eager to engage, to completely over it."

A "ton of pressure on advertisers"! If there is pressure on them, imagine the pressure they put on consumers. That is their job, after all. 

"Buy, buy, buy." Tis the season of over-the-top consumption in order to elevate one's status and appearance of success. Get with the program, folks, or we will cram it down your throats.

Where are you on the "gamut from eager to engage, to completely over it"?

For my family, it will be yet another joyous, restive, peaceful (and inexpensive) #BuyNothingChristmas, because we are so over it. We couldn't be more over it.

This year, like last, we will ho, ho, hold on to our money, and enjoy the season while remaining debt-free.

That is the best gift of all.

May peace be with you as you rise above it all during this potentially clamorous season. 

No Mischief Monday

Beware of predators wearing business suits