We Are In The Age of Showy Capitalism

Reading through some posts it looks like the purpose of buying gifts is to create jealousy in your friends and neighbours, not to send a gift to someone you love. According to AI. Saving money, sowing beautiful things, buying flashy diamonds, and all other shopping, is to create jealousy in your loved ones. No pleasure, no need, no beauty ... just to make someone else rage with anger, jealousy and disapointment. Buy a car that costs thousands, a dress that makes you look like a beauty queen, a house that is more like a castle than a comfy home. This is how we destroy the world with jealousy, hatred and poverty. But then what would anyone expect from AI, the internet and the corporate world?

Dear Tony ...Last night we celebrated your birthday

We went to the pub and ordered supper ... Karen, Simon, Lucas, Gabriel and myself it was a lovely evening although something was missing you of course even though we knew you couldn't make it we missed the jokes the knowledge you had and shared about food, soccer and love of course you knew how to bring warmth to every meal every gathering knew how to play soccer how to cook eat and drink for maximum pleasure we missed you still miss and love you

When We Don't Feel Powerful?

"Yeah, this has been going on for decades and probably his first victim was my dad. And unfortunately, as I’ve also written, a lot of people mistake his cruelty for strength. There’s something just so cool and macho about causing harm to people over whom you have power. And he also enjoys humiliating people, as did my grandfather, but we’ve seen it in the way he talks so dismissively about service members who’ve died in his illegal war of choice, and not just illegal war of choice, but deeply, deeply misguided and criminal, in my view. We see it in the way he dismisse" Mary L Trump It's only cool and macho if you have no conscience. Sometimes when you join a group or movement you are asked to do something or several things you hadn't considered. Such as how humans survived, how did women become "witches" and were burned when we become supportive to man? How is it so easy to become a threat to the sysem within patriarchal values? This probably took hundreds of years to develop and began with the supremacy of ownership (land, corporations, beauty, talent). None of these things dominate in the long run but while they are used by other owners, lies, imagnination and hopes become sparkling gems in the imagination. It is the work of orginary people who can imagine. Who care about others.

A Solution?

Yes there are many solutions but for this time in North America it looks like going to war, the nazi's, the demagogue, all out war with humans, and praise for mindless power. So we, humanity need you to cast your mind back to the caves. No it's not the fault of women who love men, women who love women or women who love life or even the voice of women. And it does not matter who is to blame. We must realize we had so much going for us now although the past was rough. Hitler, Stalin, or the Roman Empire. We are to blame. We being people with brains and training to survive. People who may be religious or non religious, capitalist or non-capitalist. There are no solutions. We just need to love each other, love life and nurture it with gentle guidance. The first thing we need to do is love each other, love life more than we love our tricks, our degrees, our wealth and our best suits. We must see that life is not about us. It is about letting live all who dont want to hurt the world. Loving trees, grass, flowers, clouds, sun and moon.

The Comfort of Family

Scrolling through posts on the internet. I conclude my message needs to be heard again. So where do I go? Nowhere - stay home. Ask your children and grandchildren what they think about AI or media of the most well known kind. What do you think about immigrants? I think they are humans and deserve human support. They deserve to be seen and heard but in a capitalist society that focuses on entertainment not human rights. We as a society need to think about social justice. We need to make this known in our groups, church or religious organizations. It's only humanity who can see this, feel this and work towards this. Not by shouting or sending insults to those who dont agree but by organizing events that reveal a humanity in its presentation. What do you think? Here is space for you to write your thoughts: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Okay I lied

I didnt intend to lie but my carelessness trapped me, or I trapped it. Thanks to the Unitarian Fellowship of Nanaimo for the beautiful service today. And thanks to Lynda for picking me and my daughter up at home, driving us to the ferry and then to the Fellowship Hall. Thanks to Karen for connection with Rev. Ashley to offer this to my self, my daughter and the Fellowship. The service was beautiful, honest and celebratory. I was uplifted by all the caring and kindness. Thanks to Simon, and my Grandsons for their energy, honesty and care. This day was the opposite of what my mind was doing and proved my fears were wrong. Thanks to the people who keep the ferry going, to the members of the fellowship for creating the service, making sandwishes, cakes, coffee and tea, and Reverend Ashley for all the vital information that told me the Universe was not going to hell in a handbasket.

My Last Poem

Go ahead and share yours if you wish. Any words beyond this will be dark -- without hope. Why would I want to finish this story? to write a different one perhaps? it would be good to write a different story particularly since I dont have any way to predict the future mine or yours. I feel that the world of humans is disintergrating that we are overcome with different ideas and particularly love for our species of course this might be my vanity thinking my feelings represent everyone but then should I worry the world with my own dark thoughts? What is the purpose of sharing to let me dwell in self importance? to warn others of possible danger? to believe I have a special talent? I know I am not good at gathering news hard news. Things that have happened like WW 1 the commons or the takeover of power like Britain or Europe or Russia or the power of money over knowledge or the popularity of himself gating of the commons or the violence of misogyny racism capitalism the bank and emporers new clothes. Fame! Now that's another power! Media loves to hold up power as worthy of fame essential for news. Of course I could tell you whenever I feel good like winning the lottery or something! Something is better than nothing even in the spheer of public interest. Violence is newsworthy particularly if you are beautiful to look at. I know of people who are beautiful inside but this somehow doesnt get much air time. I understand why (of course) air time is given to what sells what the reader longs for and sadly the meaning of life died before television .................

The Wealth of Friends and Family

I am currently sitting in the family living room. I trust my friends will not tell lies. They do not need to impress me. I am impressed with performances and my family and friends are beyond that. The people who live in my heart don't need to impress me. They are gathered in. They have come to my aid when I've needed it and I trust they see me not any show I might put on. I trust my ego is just something in me like teeth or blemishes. When I say I love you, its not about impression. It's about honesty.

Endless BAD news!

What does it achieve? Alienation from the group! Its easy to disengage from bad news than good news. It makes us feel we are not to blame. Blame! There's another reason we disengage. When it's so good there is nothing to be afraid of!. We can carry on believing we are okay and those who suffer brought it on themselves. This is how we create the space to think only how well we are doing. The world is working just fine because I am fine. More than anything we need to care for others not because we can congratulate ourselves on being fine but this whole project call the world is a mark of how and what we are doing. I know that if my neighbour is being battered its not my fault but fault is a means not an end. It lets me know how well I am doing and how distant I am towards the general public. We cannot press one button and change the world. We need to find ways to reach out and listen. We can't congratulate good fortune for ourselves. We can't blame ourselves either if we haven't done harm to others unless we did do something to hurt them. But we are not free to assume all is well if we are happy. This is a complex world. The killer reported on the news might not have done bad things and the good guy might not be good. Judging is useful for our own well being but it does not guarantee rightousness. I need to know what is happening even though it doesnt make me a good person. Good and bad. Oversimplifications. Only helps one to be smug and self satisfied. Those who have good education, nice homes, happy families did not necessarily deserve it. Winning awards, higher education, and good luck does not prove we deserved it, neither does bad luck means we deserve to suffer. Good and bad, rich and poor, right and wrong - are not indicators of our worth. Our minds and hearts are complex. What we feel and think is mostly about observation and opinion is about what we believe for our own satisfaction.

Who Are We?

 

Such a question is bound to receive contempt from many readers?

I know I am a woman in her seventies.

When I was younger I was pretty. vacuous and insecure. I would easily dissolve in tears. Because I watched my mother spend all her waking hours, cleaning, cooking and gardening. Sometimes she would sit down and light a cigarette. Her advice was short. But she was popular with men which was more of a hindrance than asset in the end.

In our family we were doers more than thinkers and so success or fame was out of reach. But we were practical people. I was happy to sit and draw, sing or act in plays. When I told my family I wanted to be a film star. They laughed.

Now I understand why.

Wealth, greed and beauty is a performance. Most of the advertised beliefs are directed toward the public to keep us in "the dream". I soon realized this was not happy-making. I even believed it was not necessary to be "a success". It was to keep the public occupied. 

We cannot be happy continuously trying to get ahead, feeling insecure whenever we hear of someone's success, trying to be top of the class.

Now I want everyone to be happy.

Shazam The Movie

 I watched this from beginning to end to try and find the meaning in the story.

All I can remember is the power displayed by the heroes. Becoming monsters, crushing ordinary people, and developing the power to blow them about, to become large, angry and scary.

Lots of loud sound, lots of rage, big monsters crushing ordinary people, then ordinary people rising above this with their own strength. It lasted for more than 2 hours, things blowing up, flying, falling down.

Big sound.

Antisemitism - We must stop it

 

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/anti-semitism-101/

I feel strongly that hatred of people who come from different histories, reveals hatred for humanity. And now that billionaires are blamed for ruling the world, we, humanity must find new ways to go forward.

Contempt for life itself is the cause of fear in our minds and hearts.

Happy Birthday Simon

Wishing you a lovely evening to finish off the beautiful day.

And may all your hopes come true.

much love Granny

I LOVE HEALTH CARE WORKERS

It can't be easy. Going to the homes of those who need your service, need to be bathed, need to ask questions about health when hospitals and doctors services are so difficult to find. Waiting lists are long for any public service and private services cost so much. Needs for people are everywhere and tv programs are mostly cartoonish struggles to win, cats and dogs with superhuman powers. Yes it can be entertaining but it has no real message for humanity in a time when it appears our world is taken over by a starving economy. Now more than ever we need compassion, social responsibility. People willing to visit sick and disabled people are not likely to be praised even though their service is saving lives.

Can We Survive the Monitization of "Truth"?

 

As I scroll through the emails waiting quietly on my mail, I wonder if they are worth the time?

First of all most of them have not been invited. Some are easily deleted and some are welcomed. But then I wonder who should I believe? Is it worth the wondering?

You Will Never Amount to Anything

 

they said.

It might have been a common response to any female child who had opinions.

Or any person who was an immigrant but not rich.

Or anyone they did not agree with or like.

This is what I heard from Aunts, Teachers and any adult who I annoyed.

So I attempted to be something.

My mother's family came from France in the second World war.

Expressing my opinion was easy for me. I was the kind of child who started singing when I thought my kin were asleep. It showed me up for being conceited and uncaring about others. This was when I was afraid of my father.

I didn't have academic ability and would drift off during class. I was driven by my own opinions, thoughts and needs.

When arriving in Canada at 16 I believed I would be special because I came from England. I entered the Miss Canada Pageant, eager to make friends. Becoming famous was the goal although I didn't attach any skills. However a man at the office where I worked said I have nice apples and so I was noticed.

I believed as long as I feel safe all was well. At that time the beauty contests were reasonably clean and they protected the contestants from scheming men when they could. I mentioned to them I was getting scared because the man who drove me had planned to take me to a place he was to visit after the pageant and that conversation in the car was about sexuality - sort of like grooming. When I told the pageant staff they arranged for me to get a plane from Toronto back to Montreal. It was a lucky day for this new Canadian.

I wanted to be famous, it was an ego need for someone who couldn't seem to do anything well, had a high opinion of myself. Although I didn't have fame or money.

But what did it mean that I would never amount to anything. What kind of fame was I after. I was ignorant and vain but that didn't show up on my inner opinion of myself. It was my ego who was determined not my real self, my cloak of self deception. Oh and the modern advertising to get people to care only about how they look to the outside world. I swallowed it all.

Eventually I found love, got married and had three children. Then I had to think seriously about them. 

Would the mother who would never amount to anything be a source of wisdom and kindness? Allowing them to find fame and wealth? 

My naïveté was not dangerous in the sixties. My opinions and the readiness to share them. Helped although there was the time a man who had a high position wanted to see me. The hierarchy was tight and women, young women, would try to please any man who has power. I was taken to his office where he fondled my breasts. Sighed and let me go. Then I was demoted although I never told anyone about it. I thought a different person tried to protect me. 

Naomi Klein is a hero

"To be clear, calm is not a replacement "

 "To be clear, calm is not a replacement for righteous rage or fury at injustice, both of which are powerful drivers for necessary change. But calm is the precondition for focus, for the capacity to prioritize and act strategically. Which may well be the reason so many powerful people seem determined to deprive us of our ability to find that focused state – whether it’s Donald Trump bombarding us with a non-stop barrage of shocks, outrages and baseless conspiracies, or Sam Altman telling us that “intelligence” is a “utility” we will soon be purchasing like electricity or water. In other words: Don’t bother making sense of reality yourself – outsource all that bothersome cognitive labour to the algorithm, and it’ll do it for you" Naomi Klein

two problems with the future of humanity

 1. That a group of people have been taught that power over others makes them superior.

2. That people who have power don't want to know how those without are treated.

3. If power is the only thing we value, it's easy to let those who suffer continue believing you are only guilty if you hurt others.

4. You are not guilty of knowing injustice is done to others.

5. Innocent or guilty is not the issue. The issue is being engaged in the politics of your people, is also your responsibility too.

6. How humanity deals with injustice is how our children survive or perish.

What is stupid is controlling minds of humanity

 https://alisav.substack.com/p/are-americans-just-stupid

We have lived through scary movies which say we are destined to die in terrible pain. We are warned that money is something we must have. People will not look after you when you're poor. 

I believe we can prioritize life over things.

Also we must love ourselves enough to not harm others unless it comes to survival. If someone uses a gun they are afraid.

Humanity has been filled with fears coming from capitalism, religion, war and traditions that diminish life beneath power.

tonys celebration of life

He left last night 

not knowing (I like to think) 

It was not his choice 

it was decided for him I tell myself. 

He stopped breathing 

and the machine was taken from him. 

It's not that he looked comfortable

or happy or proud 

in fact the machinery with all its attachments 

with all its needles 

he was not happy 

he struggled to breathe to move 

in fact he couldnt move. 

I lost him before then in the diagnosis

his eyes looking up 

as if he made his way to heaven. 

How I love the sentiments we invent 

the creation of a heaven 

waiting to welcome the ones we depend on for love. 

No way around it 

we don't want you to leave 

even if it makes you comfortable. 

You were never a sentimentalist 

creating a heaven in your mind 

where you could look down on all who loved you as I did. 

It was not my choice to share you with others 

but now you have moved 

from being the warm arms 

I fell into 

the advice to comfort 

the face to kiss 

the knowledge 

rules and connection 

like light returning 

every morning

 

the breakfast in bed 

supper in the evening 

and television shows 

now I understand 

how much you meant to everyone 

you cared for 

after supper

poem

"love is not love which alteration finds

or bends with the remover to remove

oh no

it is an ever fixed mark" Shakespeare

I Wear Your Sweaters

Old, stained, well worn bring comfort
when I’m inside

their out of style frumpish gape around my body

say my looks
don’t matter
but the way I wear you

covers my skin intervenes between me and the outside world

an undeniable belonging attachment to a common algorythm

as I shrink into
obscurity beyond economy radical attention knowing

I am loved by you
and wild birds who lend me their wings temporarily

moving across my window in sunlight.