opinion | Piss and Moan

Authenticity

Posted on October 15, 2020 by backuphill

Social media has a huge problem with authenticity and they actually keep making it worse.

Did you hear that one about Joe Biden and his son Hunter and perhaps some questionable behavior in the past when dealing with foreign governments?

No?

Weird. The article is from a major news outlet with huge readership and is well respected. Apparently a follow-up article is being censored too. Did you see that one?

Well, it is likely that the big tech companies (Twitter and Facebook and Google) are censoring information in order to protect a political candidate they favor. In their words, they justify such behavior out of a campaign to stop “misinformation” to have a chance to “fact check” the story. In doing so, they are actually meddling in the election and doing exactly the behavior they say they are trying to stop.

Double standard much?

There are lots of thoughts on this whole thing (here is a good article that lines it out well) but the thing that sticks out is that the policies these companies claim to use is used selectively. They use it for stories and information they don’t like, but don’t use it when it helps them or hurts someone they don’t like. Application is selective and that’s shady at best.

The best thing would let ALL INFORMATION flow and let the people figure it out for themselves. Censoring some and not others as it fits with your agenda is a bad look.

Neither of these stories showed up on the Google News Feed, except for stories that are commenting about the censorship of the original reporting. Strange? Nope. Google has as much at stake and has made MANY efforts to stem the flow of information on it’s multiple platforms and outlets.

“Houston, we have a problem.”

It will only get worse as their influence grows and they continue to control the flow of information? Remember when there was concern over that whole “net neutrality” and having ISPs and cable companies having control over the flow of traffic? Yeah, this is the same thing but at a different level. That issue involved throttling the actual data (all of it) and this is the throttling of content (all of it, or at least that which they don’t agree with).

Ever felt like your blog isn’t reaching everyone it should? I have often wondered if WordPress isn’t doing the same thing when it comes to posts that they don’t like or agree with. Could it be true? What do you think?

What do you think of the idea of censorship from tech?

Endorsement

Posted on October 13, 2020 by backuphill

These have got to stop because they really mean nothing. There is no credibility in giving an endorsement to a political candidate or issue, and what it really comes down to is that it is used as political manipulation of the populace.

Newspapers, news organizations, journalists, news anchors, media outlets, etc., are all at fault. Not a single one offers any legitimacy in their endorsement because it is an opinion. Opinions have no place in the news media. Period.

Sure, it is an “editorial board” that comes up with these endorsements and is in the “opinion” section of the paper (separate from the news) but that doesn’t really matter when it comes to the endorsement. The opinion is put out there for everyone to read and is readily seen as all the definitive answer about who a citizen should vote for. So, do we really expect that a media outlet that leans one way or the other is going to endorse something out line with their political leanings? In most cases, the media is liberal so their endorsements are going to support liberal candidates.

If you are an educated and informed voter, these endorsements should mean absolutely nothing to you. If you pay any attention to them and put any weight in them, well, quite frankly, you’re not as informed as you think you are. You’re just contributing to the reason why the media continues towards a ever quicker decline in credibility.

You should be seeing them as propaganda and nothing more.

When you see something like an endorsement come out for a political candidate or an issue, ignore it. They aren’t adding anything new to the debate. If you do read it, read it with a handful of salt.

Enthused?

Posted on October 9, 2020 by backuphill

Enthusiastic. Enthusiasm. Enthused.

Something that I am “less than” of.

OK, that last sentence is admittedly weird. But, maybe you got the point. There are things and people in my life that I am having a hard time getting enthused about or having any enthusiasm over. I am just feeling…blah…

Someone earlier in the week suggested meeting up. Nah. I’m fine. Didn’t feel any enthusiasm at the prospect.

Someone is visiting this weekend. Not all that enthused about it. I should be, since I haven’t seen the person since March and he’s my best friend in the world. But, I am just kind of…blah…

Is something wrong with me? Am I just going through a phase? Could it just be that I am so tired of people that relationships of any kind are just not worth the effort or excitement?

Anyone else experiencing this loss of enthusiasm over things they normally would feel enthused and energized by? If so, can you pin-point why you don’t feel the way you normally would?

If you need me, I’ll be over here the corner, not being enthusiastic about anything.

Blather

Posted on October 7, 2020 by backuphill

Drivel.

Drone.

Anyone else tired of it?

There seem to be a whole lot of people talking in circles and about nothing, blathering, droning, on and on and on about drivel.

I have co-workers who do it.

I have a governor who does it.

I have family members who do it.

Political candidates are experts at it. Politicians have made a living at it.

The media does it.

Hell, my kids do it.

Anyone else just frickin’ tired of people, life, everything?

I’m over it.

Fading

Posted on October 6, 2020 by backuphill

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

Seasons change in life, just like the seasons of the year. There are times of newness and excitement (Spring), times of security and comfort (Summer), times of change and passing (Fall), and then times of darkness and cold (Winter). Life has it’s ups and downs and these times fluctuate.

I think I am headed into a literal and figurative “fall season” in life. The weather is changing quickly and I am seeing changes in life too. It’s time to let some things and people go, to let them remain as they were in the past. We can fight the change in seasons, but there really is no stopping it. We can look back fondly on what was, but in the end change will still come.

Things are fading and I am content in that. I know there is a season of darkness and cold not yet come, but I’ll deal with that when it’s here. For now, the cool mornings and falling leaves of life are in this chapter.

Fading.

Saying “Hello” to change and passing on to another time.

Slide

Posted on October 5, 2020 by backuphill

When you know a double standard exists, at what point do you just let is slide?

Conversations have gone round and round and one side believes there is no double standard, or that the double standard issue lies with you. While you can admit that sometimes you may have a double standard in certain areas the other person refuses to admit or acknowledge the existence of a double standard on their part.

At some point, the double standard becomes so blatantly obvious that only a blind person could miss it, what do you do?

Sometimes I just don’t know what to do as the rules only seem to apply to me, but not to others.

Doom

Posted on October 2, 2020 by backuphill

Doom everywhere.

“Doom to you.”

“Doom to you as well, good sir.”

Doom to the President.

Doom to the other political party.

Doom to blacks.

Doom to whites.

Doom to athletes.

Doom to your neighbor.

Doom to government.

Doom to the police.

Doom to & from the media.

Doom to the climate and environment.

Doom doom doom.

Doom from Covid.

Doom for or not for wearing a mask and social distancing.

Doom during the day.

Doom during the night.

Doom to the United States.

Doom to other countries.

Doom everywhere.

Doom backwards is MOOD.

The mood around here is always doom.

Doom you!

Doom me!

Have you had your doom today?

If not, have a great doom today!

Disc disc

Posted on October 1, 2020 by backuphill

OK, I am about to complain about something I am still learning and haven’t a lot of knowledge on, but that’s what this blog is for – complaining, or pissing and moaning.

What is the topic of the day? Disc Golf.

Over the last several months I have had the chance to play disc golf with a buddy. He was looking for someone to go with him and I had done it a couple times while in college and I knew there were a few places here locally to go and play, so I said yes.

And I had a lot of fun!

Of course, there is a learning curve with this sport and I am a little short on technique (as well as just being short) but I had fun nonetheless. So much so, that I bought my own set of beginner discs. There is skill in trying to throw a disc accurately and for distance. Something I am gonna have to spend time learning to do.

Anyway, my buddy took me to a local course that is relatively open. I guess in the disc golf circles, this would be considered a good “beginner’s course.” Yes, there are some trees and other obstacles on the course, but not in a way that would make it overly challenging or accessible.

Now the complaint…yesterday, my buddy took me to a course across the river. He said it was a more difficult course. And it was! It was full of trees. Everywhere! The best example for how many trees there were, think of playing frisbee in a cemetery, where every 7th headstone was a tree. Yeah, that’s a lot of obstacle to play around. No good sight lines. No straight shots.

Anyway, I fared alright considering it was my first time there but I still lost (yes, I am competitive). I got to looking last night at the stats for the two course: both are a par 54 course with a total difference in distance of 121 feet (5193 to 5072). My complaint here is the par for the course.

How can a course with very few straight shots and trees over the entire course still be a par 54, the same as a course with much fewer trees? Who rates these things and decides the par? Obviously, trees add to the challenge but that should also increase the par, shouldn’t it?

Again, I am learning this sport. I don’t know how these things work. I just kinda felt like I played the course better than my score would reflect. Truth is, though I complain, I still had fun! That’s important right?

Well, and winning too. But fun is most important…or so I have been told…

Very little

Posted on September 30, 2020 by backuphill

I’ve been sentenced to death and I have to choose the manner of death via capital punishment. Do I choose the noose, the chair, an injection, the chamber, or the wall (yes, firing squad is still legal in the US)? It’s a tough choice because ultimately the result is death, but which one will hurt me least?

Choosing a political candidate in the US is kind of a similar choice these days. Did you watch the debate last night? My point exactly.

There has been lots of talk about the presidential debate last night. What a disaster that was! I have heard it called lots of things today: dumpster fire, hot mess, train wreck, kindergarten playground, sh*t show, etc. Honestly, it was all of that!

We learned very little last night. The only thing we learned last night is exactly what we all fear will happen every election.

Choose between the lesser of two evils.

If both are evil, then our choice is screwed either way. Which future do I fear worse? Which one will hurt me least?

For a nation that values choice, we don’t have any. We don’t even have the freedom to not choose. So, that leaves us with no good choice, except to choose a choice we don’t like.

I am tired of this.

Is there any place on earth I to go to be away from people, have freedom to live free, and have access to technology when needed?

Asking for a friend.

Drop-in

Posted on September 29, 2020 by backuphill

I highly dislike people showing up at the front door to visit. HIGHLY.

Call me anti-social. Call me a grump. Call me whatever.

I think it is rude to show up at someone’s front door unannounced. I don’t care if you are friend, family, or other. The least you can do is text or call and let someone know you are gonna stop by. It isn’t a tough thing to do.

I mean, how do they know if it’s a good time or not? For someone working from home right now – NEVER is a good time. But really, that applies to all the time for me. I just don’t want you to come visit unless I have invited you.

What do you think? Do you like surprise or unannounced visitors?

Do you show up randomly at other people’s doors? Are you one of “those people”?