Gone Fishing

The air feels more like September. There’s a definite chill. My fingers feel stiff; arthritis tightening them up, as if they were bound by rubber bands. It’s still July. Fuck. It wouldn’t be so bad, but the rain belligerently insists on sticking around.

Happily, the last couple of days have been better for me. I’m tired, but I’ve managed to shake off the fog that’s messed with my head. I feel more focused. I was beginning to think I’d been caught in a zombie like trance. My tank was definitely running on empty.

I’ve taken a hiatus from Facebook. I find the endless stream of social maladies soul crushing. Post after relentless post about sexism, racism, and shaming of every demeanour was making me crazy. Given how I’ve been feeling of late, it was a logical exit.

I'm willing to admit, it’s difficult. I’m amazed how much of life is conducted there. It’s actually bizarre when you think about it. It’s also digital crack. Mark Zuckerberg is the world’s largest drug dealer. I get itchy just thinking about it.  

I was raised in a very open and inviting household. My home was a place of little to no judgment; tolerance was replaced with acceptance. People from every walk of life were welcome, and their differences were to be celebrated.

The people in my world worked to find common ground with everyone, and there was always another seat at the table. My parents worked hard to ensure I saw the world as an amazing place. This was the greatest gift I have ever received.

It is because of this, that I find the grist getting harder and harder to swallow. The tide wave of empty drama that mass media insists is entertainment has burned me out. The relentlessly stupid have been given the keys to the asylum, and everything is on fire. We on masse have glibly embraced the chaos. It’s the finest custard for the emperor in his new clothes.

Synthetic moral indignation, and notorious lifestyles have pounded me into a gooey submission. Frankly, I’m surprised there isn’t a reality based game show about cannibalism. I suppose you could make an argument that the Real Housewives of Orange County is close enough.  Given enough time, they will eat each other alive.

But I digress…

I am reclaiming my personhood from this infernal machine. I can’t cede to its bankruptcy any longer. I believe it’s starting to erode our humanity. Social media has opened Pandora’s box. All our dour proclivities and viciously delicious prejudices have sprung out unencumbered by the social contract of actual human contact. Facebook is full of idle hands, and their shitty idols too.

Some of my friends tried to take me to task for my hasty Facebook exit. “You’re a comedian… this is your jam” etc. Some don’t realize, I’m just not that kind of comic. I’m heading out on a new path. I think now, the fog of war has lifted.