Is it okay to spend resources on things that aren't necesarry?

A lot of resources are used to solve problems that really aren't that urgent. A recent example is the development of a vaccum/grabber to pick up lost earbuds from in between train rails. In Tokyo alone some 300 people a month lose their statement: 'I just want everyone to know I can spend a lot of money on something I'm sure I will lose within a few months after purchase and I want to look cool and not to be laughed at anymore because kids used to tease me in grade school.'

If you look around you in the room you are in now, how many items can you see that you don't really need? The cost and time of development and the production of, let's say, the Rubik's Cube, could have been spent on helping an orphanage in Mozambique with sanatation. And still have money left to satisfy Elon Musk's ego for an entire day.

Trillions of dollars have been and are spent on vehicles of war and bombs that will - hopefully - never be dropped, I have more books in my book case than I could ever hope to read and you probably have clothing items you won't wear but once bought because 'it was on sale' or 'looked so pretty'.

I don't really know where I'm going with this but what I think I'm trying to say is: perhaps we should start thinking about what's really important and start focussing our resources (money, time, skills, thoughts) on that.

What are your thoughts on this?

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Want to read (more of) my short stories? My author page: Terrence Weijnschenk at Amazon

Cognitive bias dyslexia

The other day I shared this meme, created by a friend. Other people shared it too, creating dozens, maybe even a hundred responses about wether or not the government should and could force us to take an anti-Corona vaccin:

Did you just feel the need to share your opinion on mandatory vaccinations? If yes, you suffer - like many others - from cognitive bias dyslexia, a term coined by one of the responders, another (Facebook-) friend of mine.

Now, take a deep breath, let go of your thoughts on mandatory vaccins and read the text in the picture again. See what happened? There's hope for you yet! Didn't see what happened? Do not worry: it's not hopeless yet. You can still recover. But you will have to take your meds.

In other words: let go of your biases, clear your mind. Read the text again but now from the perspective of someone who hasn't formed an opinion before the question is asked. Try again.

Did you see it this time around? Congratulations! You are on the path to be fully healed. 

You may now enjoy this video of the original poster and subscribe to his Youtube channel:

(everyone else: skip to the text under the video. You are not worthy)

Still have difficulties getting over your bias? I'm sorry, you are doomed. If we are friends on social media, please unfriend me and good luck!

Want to read (more of) my short stories? My author page: Terrence Weijnschenk at Amazon

Trump didn't start an actual war. But not because of a lack of trying.

Parler, the 'Twitter for covidiots and neo-nazis' so you will, has an interesting history, as you can see in this 'thread'. Two of the details: it's hosted on a Russian site and the American founder is married to a Russian spy.

So let’s talk about Parler. Where did it come from? Founder John Matze met his now wife, Alina Mukhutdinova, in May 15, 2016 in Las Vegas. Alina is from Kazan, Russia. She was on a two week road trip “vacation” across the USA with a friend.

— Dave Troy (@davetroy) November 13, 2020

Social media (with Parler leading sinds roughly two years) is one of the causes of how Trump-supporters radicalized so quickly. There are more. Like the recently hacked Gab of which the private data of thousands of scared 'anonymous' users are about to be made public.

In a conversation I called mister Donald Trump:

'A paranoid narcissist with early Alzheimer's and an ego you can actually send mail to because it has its own zip code.' That last bit is not a joke: The other day he started an agency: 'The Office of the Former President.'

Everything he said in his inaugural speech has proven to be false. His still loyal (Why? The man has seized being president. Lick your wounds and move on. Try helping rebuild America.) fans only have one talking point left: 'Yeah, that all may be true, but at least he didn't start a war!'

If 'not doing something' like 'For four years he didn't start a war!' is an accomplishment, my alcoholic neighbour would make a far better president than mister Trump: my neighbour is really, really good in not doing a lot of things: waking up before noon, paying back borrowed money, applying for jobs, starting wars, doing the dishes...the list goes on and on. He even managed to not give his favourite daughter and his present from Epstein  third wife new 'kidneys'! 

How's thát for an accomplishment? 

By the way: has anyone seen Ivanka or Melania recently? Perhaps we should ask Justin Trudeau.

(I was also thinking of: 'When he shows his boyfriend pictures of you from before daddy gave you a new nose, boobs, chin, job, hair dye and cheekbones')

He will build a wall and make Mexico pay for it!

He will install a better healthcare system than Obamacare!

He will drain the swamp and end corruption!

He will put Hillary in jail!

He will never play more golf than Obama did!

He will revive the economy!

He will cut taxes for all!

He will show us his Tax papers!

He will never favour his sponsors or kids because he hates nepotism!

He will never lie!

He will make America great again!

Well, if you don't call insurrection a war, if you don't call several armed conflicts 'war',

yes, I suppose that's true. But it wasn't for lack of trying.

Want to read (more of) my short stories? My author page: Terrence Weijnschenk at Amazon