Where did all the jokes go? Where did all the laughter go? Why are we sad all the time? Why are we all victims? When is the last time you called a friend and they didnt complain about something? The government, politics, climate change, covid, boosters, no boosters.

I spoke to a friend today with whom we instantly go into sarcasm and jokes and tease each other and it was so much fun. And it really hit me. Boy did I miss that.

So I got to thinking. What is going on here? Please be aware “No news is good news” But what is more significant is the corollary of that. News is only bad news. So everything you see hear and read is bad. Network news depends on negativity. But its gone to a whole new level. Controversy and “fighting” is actually more valuable to the news stations.

The new phenomena is called click bait. So its no longer enough to deliver bad news. The higher priority is to make you angry and antagonistic. In fact they need to get you so upset that you are motivated to click or write an email. In fact they want you to take an action that is literally money in their pocket. So surprise they must get us to fight with each other. Its not an accident that the news stations deliver polar opposite news.

My friend Tim told me whenever he needs more comments or engagement on his blog which is coaching and SEO he simply posts something political and that gets everyone crazy.

So we are all negative all the time. We are all victims all the time. Granted stuff happened, covid happened. But I would propose my parents born in 2018 went through more stuff. They went through world war 1 They went through the depression only 10 years later and then 15 years late world war 2. We have gone through nothing, relatively speaking.

But WHAT IS NEW IS THE pervasive nature of the devices we have in our pockets and are exposed to 24/7. What is new is that marketing has determined that everyone should be selling to your pain, and to your problems. So 24/7 people are talking to every possible pain point you might have. Do you have any aches or pains, do you have any blemishes on your body. Are you worried about the next power failure. The list is endless.

So what I am proposing is that you need to recognize all the BS all the advertising, all the negative news. All the blame game politics. Think as recently as even a few years ago before covid and remember there was more humor more lightness.

Stop complaining, Stop being a victim. Tell a joke, enjoy your life. You actually have to make a conscious effort, because today the ubiquity of the negativity is more than at any point in history.

The moment this technology became available everyone is using it to sell to you to control you to tell you who to vote for, to coerce you to watch a specific channel, to follow a particular influencer.

The only result is they are becoming billionaires. Even kids are becoming billionaires and YOU MY FRIEND are becoming miserable and unhappy.

So unchain yourself, untether yourself. Its time to enjoy your life have a laugh. And I would propose wherever you are on the spectrum even if you happy become happier. Is there a problem with being too happy? I dont think so. And for those of us who are lower on the totem pole of feelings, you really need to move up that ladder and allow yourself to be more happy.

You actually have a choice you can be the baby on the left or the baby on the right.

Re Video Sorry for the phone ringing at the end. Just being real. I dont need to be perfect. I just need to find a way to get you to understand to not waste the precious hours of your life worrying and complaining and being a victim.

OK quick edit. I texted Doug, who inspired me, told him I used his “name in vain” and thanked him for his with and he immediately wrote back you mean half wit. Hmm maybe he sets the tone for our conversations. That is probably something we should all think about. What tone are you setting in your conversations. Are you listening,, for real listening. Not “hi how are you, fine” I have actually heard do that without hearing “fine how are you” LOL Talk about being replaced by AI. I think this deserves another post. But Doug always sets the stage with humor and love of family. Thank You. I need to call him more often