Monday Moaning: Numbers Game!

Monday Moaning: Numbers Game!

Roulette might be one of the famous number games but it is not what I’ll be talking about.

It is all about the numbers. More and more we rely on these crunched numbers. Though how real are they. Can they be trusted, because what if the numbers are simply used to come to an outcome that always benefits the one crunching.

The reason I am talking about this is because it isn’t always as fair as we like to believe. Second they are being used to deceive us.

First number and lately the best known number is our friends list on facebook or twitter. The number on that is used to see how important we are or can call ourselves. Is it that much of a boost up ones ass if they have more than a 1000 friends. (if one can call them that).

I be honest. I to have a account on Ranting Crow but not on a personal one. The thing I noticed is that when you add, let us say a school, you get notification if you know a person who went there as well. But they graduated 10 years earlier. To add them only makes me to have that school in common. I don’t know them. Same goes for music artists it is but one single connection.

Still the numbers somehow indicate how well you are doing and your status towards the rest of the world seem to be effected as well. The more friends you have the more people want to be friends? Now it might have some benefits as to find people who like the same thing but would they like you if you listen to Bach beside One Direction? It is weird to think that way but numbers count on there.

For example on twitter it is even crazier. Can we keep up if we have more than a 1000 people we follow. Can we keep up and read each and every tweet. It becomes easy to overlook one that might really have been one to read and meant something to you. Sure enough to promote it is a way good platform.

Blogging sites do the same. The 101 is meant to connect people help each other and connect with those who have a similar interest. Wait there is the same indication again. Similar interest. I am not a one side bird so I guess I fit in nothing or to much. Either way what do numbers tell us.

My mind always works and tries to come up with explanations. Numbers are no different. It is a no-brainer I do like Math.

This is where percentage comes in and WordPress has started to use that as well for you convenience. That being if one is a company or else it does not matter in my honest opinion. Numbers shown on the stats are only but a percentage. Twenty likes may only result in ten views. It is than up to you whether what number to go after. Would  it be more important to have lots of likes or have that one person comment and actually have read your post.

Showing when the most people show up and around what time is again more profitable for companies than an average joe like me.

And this is where it gets funny and weird. Soon as we name corporations or companies, numbers start to mean something completely different.

For them it is making money by the numbers.

It is here where numbers are not always what they seem to be and yet we believe them without a doubt.

The best examples given are those of research papers telling us something is healthy. While we look at these numbers and explanations there is another report that states the exact opposite. Now who to believe all numbers add up. Or that is how they suppose to look.

Let me elaborate by using two simple examples that are accruing more often then we like to admit.

First is election time. It is the best way to show numbers may add up but do not complete a picture. You must have heard of the blanc votes. Or that is how I call them. They usually are being evenly distributed among the winners.

They are the people who do not vote. They have thoughts like, It doesn’t matter anyway what I vote once they are seated they don’t care about me any more and do what they like. Breaking promises and stuff.

Clearly these votes could disrupt an outcome. If 60% of the people show up for vote it already means 40% didn’t. If by any change the wining team had a 60% of the votes out of an 1000 it still means only a 360. Leaving a 240 for the opposite team and the 400 none votes who might have given their vote to the 240. In this case it doesn’t seem that realistic or meaning full. Yet it does.

This principal of none voters or none complainers is also used at companies. A change in looks may be liked or disliked. But if no one says something these numbers will be used in the most profitable manner. Unlike an election this is where money is made.

Numbers become deceiving and used almost at random.

The looks and articles have changed of a webpage. 1000 people follow it. Now if only a hand full, let us say a 200, complain or say something. That same page might use the none complainers in the following manner.
Use them as agreeing people who do not mind. So the change is kept. It is to benefit the page because there might not be a roll back or this means more money in the pocket.
They could look at the 200 who said something if by any chance a 150 people complained they might see a figure of a 75% complaining. It should mean changing back but there is no way back so they change the changes in the hope not to lose costumers.

Reason enough to wait to see what numbers say and give them a twist to suit their needs. When that happens, what is the use of these numbers. Numbers should not be treated as a game. Neither as knowledge to achieve profits.

I know it is weird thinking when we don’t think in profits, but it might well be the only way to come to a true solution. If we hold so much meaning to the numbers should we not use them appropriately and honestly.

Stop associating status to numbers. Or use numbers to deceive.
Maybe life is more like roulette. A game of chance and not calculation.

Best Wishes
Ranting Crow

Monday Moaning: Silencing Censorship!

Monday Moaning: Silencing Censorship 

Though can we do that? Censorship means something is not said or shown so it already is a form of silencing. Should we silence it even more and create more secrecy or is it the opposite and scream ou we want to hear and see more.

I said it two weeks ago in a very global way we are all guilty of it. (By the way, sorry for disparaging. It is not all okay as of yet but I am here today.) Keeping things to ourselves which is our good right. It is for that reason we see that most on facebook are always happy. They do not share crap or the shit that is happening.

Which in its own way is still funny. It shows we select who we tell our things to. I mean people love sharing the good stuff and smile. Show how good they are doing or how well their life is. Showing of the things they bought or where they went on holiday. In a way censoring what you share creates a look at me attitude and how well I am doing. It may create jealousy, envy and even resentment in a long run. We all know life isn’t all fun and games.

In real life we might share our troubles with a close friend. So only a select few may know. In my opinion it shows who you think are real friends.

So the simplest form of censorship is with our own surroundings where we select who gets to know what. Keeping the crap close to home since the whole world does not need to know.

I does raise a new question. What about the one you told it to? Does he or she need to keep it silent. Would you censor them by give them the rule of not telling it to anyone. Or would one just assume they keep it to themselves.

Censorship comes in many forms though the word is wrong in so many way. Things kept from others are usually secrets and some are in simple term not yours to tell. Though who has been given the right to make something a secret or wrong. With that last thing who has the right to make something right or wrong. Why do we even censor things when most of us are all capable humans who can distinguish right from wrong. Is it not a parents duty to explain things like that to their children. Do we not all have some kind of sense in that manner.

Not saying we are all right or wrong. We got taught by different means and different standards. Yet we are capable of making a choice to change that aspect. What may have been right in our eyes one time may sound absurd these days.

To make an example. There was a time it was considered okay to force children into labour and enslave blacks. Now we can stand by those old teachings or change our way of thinking and therefor change our way of living. And thus now we think of child labour as wrong. We also say enslaving a black person is wrong.

As time change so do our ways of thinking and assessments of what could be right or wrong. Still there are those who think they know better. Making that choice for you. Censoring things just because they said so or think that you are not capable.

But is it not true we do not want responsibility. Is it not true we rather do than think.

How come we want to be like the sheep where one leads and we just follow. True enough it is a form of uniform thinking and living. One would think it is peaceful as we all do exactly the same.
Still! Would you jump of a cliff if your leader did. It s considered a cult if that happens.

It is interesting to see that the thing we want, said peaceful living where we are all the same in life and mind, is considered wrong.

The reason being that so man are in a government each with their own vice. Something to have us complain about it is a mess.

Seeking a middle way of doing things. Censor the nipple slip of a lady. It is inappropriate, or so it is said. Are we that much of a prude. Would one not consider it a bit far fetched or extreme. Like all the beeps in a radio or tv show. Since they consider themselves as good examples they feel the need to. Not to mention the absurd items they sometimes talk about.

I remember a show where A Jerry Springer had the KKK visiting. Now why would one respectable TV channel put that on. Who is responsible wen kids see that and who teaches them right from wrong. Second if we do show things like that where people are free to say what they think and feel. How is it  then that we forbid people from reading á book written by Hitler. Tv brings us so much information, not to mention the internet. The one has more censor on them than the other.

Who decides what is wrong or right. Do we need that kind of censor ship that is a bit crooked. Since one blacked out more than others. We can speak freely abut sex but ot do not show a nipple.

Do we have any idea where it will end or do we even think there will one day be single rule or law.

Personally I think we could never reach that status.

Just think about how I started we are all different with different teachings. And each of us have to decide what is right or wrong. What we can show or not.

Danger lies in those who know crap about someone else.

My life s turned up side down due to many different issues within the family. Yeah I am doing my best to find time for me and smile. It is here where one decides what can be told. Not wanting to censor myself but keeping the other people in mind knowing full well it is not my story to tell.

Finding a way to describe what is going on, one needs to make choices. Can I be truthful with you all without compromising their life. This censor is just a filter.

Lots have been happening and keeping me from being fully focused. My head is jumping left and right and sinning in circles faster than I can keep up. And te thigs that happened have taken over most of my thinking. It is for that reason I have been and will not be blogging a lot.

Two weeks ago My nan fell and broke her hip. After surgery all is okay, but the biggest question that keeps all of us busy is for how long. Being at the age of 87 I think it was it comes down to us to settle things and take care of housing and everything else that comes with it. Moving from one location to another is in some ways troublesome.

On top of that we have some family dispute that are going to be taken to court. It involves children and it keeps most of us on our toes. One false move and it will explode and most certainly the children will be the victims.  Now more than that would be telling their story and it is not mine to tell. But it keeps me busy and worked up.

Now if you think this was it you are wrong. Closer to home I see things that bother me greatly and it scares me. To see how much a company has to say about a life and even children. Like they do not care if a father has to pick up his kids he needs to be at work period. Since I have the time t is I or my mom who will ick them up at school. But it is just something on top of everything else. Keeping you worked up and juggling time.

Last is my parents. Since my dad is in hospital I also took it upon myself to take care of my mom. She is running around like a maniac between her husband and mother and sometimes the children. We also took a bit scare form the hospital when a talk about whether or not to perform CPR again. It is like a bomb going off and the shock carried me to this day.

I am here today writing about why we still censor. We decide who or what to tell. But how true are we if we only show one side of ourselves, like on facebook? Are we keeping up a façade or are we simply lying to ourselves. I am feeing crap and I am happy that today I found my voice and saw people smile. You who write here as well.

Understand that not everything that is happening in our life is ours to tell, but we are wise enough to make a choice whether something is right or wrong. We have a responsibility to be responsible to others and respect their very own life they are living. Yet we like to give that away faster than a  speeding bullet. And have other decide what is best for us and others.

Hating to be looked down upon we have those who filter our world creating a world they want to see. And here we are, afraid to take responsibility for our actions and change the way we like to see the world.

Even if we do not see eye to eye on things, it does not mean I cannot respect your choices though would one respect mine?

A discussion that can go on for hours and might never silence censorship, but it is a start.

Best wishes
Ranting Crow

Ps. On a side note, I am looking to see if I may want to set up my blog somewhere else. It might be my own fault but being censored is not what I had in mind. Rest assured I will think it through thoroughly and be sure to let all of you know if I will be moving elsewhere.

Monday Moaning: Illusive Money!

Monday Moaning: Illusive Money !

In ancient times we had no money, we traded livestock or other crops if we wanted something. It was bright idea of someone to create what these days is called a bank. Giving a coin and getting a pice of paper back that stated you had one coin in the bank. And that piece of paper being used to pay a baker. And before we knew it paper money is born.

But where did and when did we decide to create money as money. Who started giving trinkets for a goat. Or even as we done in southern America to give marbles for gold. Just seeing these examples already creates unfair exchange and thus giving different value to the same thing.

When it is created out of thin air it is in the first place an illusion. Yet we put a great deal of faith in it. It has become important if not the most important thing to have these days. And if one would think it stops there, one is mistaken. Even today money is printed and created as if it always have existed. Out of thin air money is created so that bank stay upright and are able to spend money.

Money that was never there in the first place.

Why do we put so much faith in something that isn’t real. Created from thin air. And polluting minds as it is. Because everywhere around us we hear and see its use. You have to have it. ANd the more you have the more you can do and the more power one has.

Though those with the most money are the ones sitting on it and causing the national banks to create more. So that the smaller man can invest and use it till it reaches the same old fart sitting on his money again. It is becoming a vicious circle that leads to some kind of doom scenario. Yeah I know it is thinking the worst of things. But the latest recession was real. Caused by banks that used money that was not there in the first place. Just some smart book keeping.

he same as when we print new money and divide it among banks.

But back to the ones sitting on money. Those with the most of money like to spend little as possible. While those with no money like to have some to spend and buy to become like those with money.

It is clear that money has become a symbol of status.

Now why would I even write all this about money? Well it has become clear that we the normal people have become nothing more than what money used to be.

It is said we live in a corporate and market society. That the market that is build on money with money only to make money. That would suggest that we as individuals are good for only one thing. Being to spend money. We have become the livestock to be traded between markets.

Commercials used to introduce us to new things to buy. And like sheep walk behind what is the trend.

It is harsh to even see myself as some kind of dumb as sheep. But the truth being that if I do no follow I am being left behind like some crazy ass cow.

So what does this economy make us out to be? Are we truly consumers or are we just ding as what the markets wants us to be. It is eerie to think we are guided like a donkey following a carrot. Except for us it is a dollar bill.

We look up and see the wealthy and want to be like them. And yet the market gets more expensive costing us more money so we never end up with enough to even come close to what we aspire. I know some do and are able to crawl from the pits. but what does become of them when they do. they are like the market. creating opportunities to make even more money.

As a company grows they need more money to exist in the first place. So in terms they want more and more just like the big guns.

How is that we created a vicious circle from nothing.

Now I am not much of an economic student, nor have I studied any. And I get the fact that economics should not be like a pyramid but more like a circle But what I see is that the situation is like a pyramid or multiple ones. And it rains money once in a while when it is decided o print some more. Use a smart bookkeeping trick to make it work in the books and send the money to the bottom of the pyramid only to end up top again.

The saying is that money must rock and roll and be used but that also means by the bigger guns. But they have so much they only spend a small portion. Never enough to make all the money flow and keep on flowing.

It is the illusion we call money. A means to a certain end we never thought through. As the end is a pit where the money is stuck. So print some more out of thin air.

I do not have an answer, I am just stomped. Knowing full well that if by any change we take away the money we have nothing left and everything will collapse. We will be lost with it. Lost without a piece of paper or plastic. Lost without the air it is made of. That is how much importance the market society has made it. That is how much we are addicted to what we created.

Are these crazy ass conspiracy theories? Maybe but how crazy were we to think this up how smart was one of us to come up with this idea. How was it possible for land owners who just claimed it was theirs to begin with ask rent for something that wasn’t theirs to begin with. Theories made by a an who just likes to think. create ideas and possibilities. Not saying I am right, but who would say I am wrong.

Time has blurred away the truth behind all this and all we are left with is what we have today. And to most that is money. Money being the only truth they see, know and can touch.

And last question. What if money only become digital? How much is a bit worth? How much would we make it worth when we can’t touch it anymore. Returning it to the illusion it was to begin with.

Monday Moaning: Money Manipulation

Monday Moaning: Money Manipulation 

The title is simple and pretty much on the mark. As the last two Mondays have been about free will or maybe we were just doing as told. In what way are we being manipulated to do as pleased. The debate is whether we are or aren’t and I am pretty sure we all have an opinion on that. Surely we like to think we do have free will why else would there be good and bad in the world. Why were morals invented or would that just be a rule set to follow.

Now within the plan at work I would have to say we have room to choose and follow our own mind. Though that is also meaning we react on decisions made by others. We act upon the reaction of what is not our own choice. It is what we base our choices on. Within the learning curve life has presented us.

Clearly we are not the best of students as humans have proven to keep making the same mistake over and over. And instead of improving ourselves we try to improve our surroundings. This is interesting as it gave opportunity to make money.

Where am I going with this? Well the title does give a hint.

If we have free will we have choice. But what if the choices are still made for us or the choices are manipulated, let us say by commercials. The choosing is still up to us but by smart use of visual and enticing words. it helps people over to choose that product. It does make you wonder how free our choices have become, when we are being directed. in this case by fellow humans who want to make money.

A perspective that suggests that money has corrupted free will and thus our way of living. It digs deep in our hearts and controls our directions.

Funny  to even have it come to this point. Money never existed in the first place. But it has become a great manipulative asset in making choices.

Simply said, if we do not have enough money we buy cheaper, if we have enough we like to spend a little more even. It shows how money makes some of our decisions. It gives those who have money more choices and more directions to follow and even in worst cases buy a direction if it did not go their way.

This kind of hierarchy is based on what used to be the strongest now is the richest. Where the strongest still had to do all the work to become at the top, these days those with money can buy their way t the top and do pretty much nothing. In this respect choices are becoming again obsolete as they are made for us or we let our ears and heart lean to the money that is offered.

Clearly in some way our free will is suffering. Yes we can still choose right from wrong, but one who has no money will choose money. Should we than expect poor people to steal or choose money. No!

Taking it even further on the money making choices. It even made choices as to create a commercialized Easter or Christmas. Mother’s day, Father’s day and even better Valentine’s day. Each and every one of them have become money making days that build on your insecurity and forgetting. Commercial after commercial telling you what to buy what to do, manipulating your choice

Yes even the Christian or Catholic Easter has been reduced to money making holidays. And the choice is pure and simple, money.

So now none believers have a reason to party and spend money. Yet some of the believers join in, though in the background of what is really is about. So in what way has money even changed choices with in a church/religion. With some good and smart use of commercials and thus spending money you can have people choose your products.

In music we see the same trend, where money and a good PR can make even more money. Movies have the same idea. It shows that spending money can have you buy peoples choices to watch or listen to your product.

Does money manipulate our choices? Is our choice bought? Does money change a belief or even change what used to be important?

Now I might be stretching it a little, but how much of it had become true. I can’t tell you that as that might manipulate your choices. Still this very opinion I am writing can change your future directions.

I guess that is where free will is shown the most. That we can change what we think and do in a near by future. It might still be influenced by money but it will be a choice of one’s self. Do we build it upon morals, the right and wrongs we have been taught or learned.

That is our freedom, to adept to choices that are not our own and make the best choice for that moment. Are we being manipulated within that freedom, sure we are. Constantly people push an opinion or choice upon you, try to buy their way. In the end it is your choice.

From the day we are born, not our choice, to the day we die, whenever that may be. Our choice or not. In between we are free to go left and right. Only moving forward and never able to go back. There in lies our choices. only but a few. Limiting us but giving just about enough sense of free will and freedom.

However we came to be. Whatever made us have what we perceive as a life. Morals are and were created by men with power. It is again a manipulation of ancient times and maybe another story all together.. I might come back next week about my ideas and opinions on something like that.

Share your thoughts and ideas. who knows, you might change my choices.

Best Wishes
Ranting Crow

Monday Moaning: Food Menace!

Monday Moaning Food Menace.

All around me I hear people saying food is bad for you. Especially the meats and things like that. They are throwing around food studies as if they are facts. And forget to mention they are all very recent. Now research should be done here in order to claim what I say to be right. Never done that, won’t do that now either. The reason I moan is to just give another side to a story.

Because we have gone so lazy, just assuming those studies are right. Now not saying all are unhealthy as some might be making a point. It is just that we need to use common sense. It seems we are forgetting a very basic and even fundamental principal here. I will get there later.

If we can believe history books we have had a balanced diet for centuries. Depending on the continent and country we lived in. But everywhere the basic thought was the same. Never to kill more than you can eat, a very simple and basic rule to remember. An Eskimo would kill a whale for blubber and meat and bones. Even in middle of Africa an animal would be killed, if only because they had a celebration. Nothing got wasted. But none was eaten in excess. Cannot be that bad than. At least we didn’t get fat in those days. But let’s go back to the present.

Then there is the food industry, the one we invented. It was minced meat and lots of it. But not before we learned to kill more than we could chew. The fast food industry where we eat and feel the need to eat some more after half an hour because of the lack of nutrition does that. The body would still ask for it. (Listen to your body). Now this is something we all know. The salt in French fries or chips will make you thirsty. Instead of water we grab soft drinks, soda pop or what you want to call them. Sweet bubbly drinks, which again make you thirsty. Making you go full circle again and again. Increasing your sugar intake. Guess what makes us so big.

It than comes to show the fast food industry is a self-containing industry. They sell food that makes you come back for another snack or drink and since they are pretty much on every corner of a block they even provide easy excess.

And now we are flooded with diet commercials, or studies about changing our food habit. Stop eating fatty meats. So the food industry makes sure the animals are leaner.

As a butcher that hurts me. Because whether one likes it or not a good steak needs a little fat while preparing. It keeps the meat juicy and no need to eat it. But than us cheapskates say we do not want to pay for fat.

I smiled at the latest trend in the US where they found kale. Making kale shakes and god knows what. It was healthy. If this is a trend one has to wonder what normal healthy eating would involve. The regular home cooking. Or me kale is something I eat every winter months for at least once every two weeks. Why only winter months? It is the season for it and not from a greenhouse.

So studies say we need more seeds. Come on can we not tell ourselves we need a bit of it all. More veggies, less salt and less meat, all studies telling you what to eat according to today’s standards.

Meat is no good because of deceases; no fish is great with polluted waters. Fish grown in tanks is good. Seriously that is how we think nowadays. Ignoring all we learned. Are we seriously changing our food habits because we want to live a healthy life?

I think we are over doing it. we are over thinking it too much. We are blaming foods as the cause of things. While we are the ones to blame. Changing how food grows to meet demand because of some case study. But we keep changing. And a simple example is the eggs. For decades we thought eating more than 2 eggs a week is bad for you. A recent study said that eating egg whites is a necessity. And it is okay to have more than 2 or 4. Now did you read that egg whites are good?

So we are over thinking things. We can think for ourselves. If only we use common sense, but even that has gotten lost somewhere. Grandma knows, but are we willing to listen.

And then there is the fundamental principal I mentioned. Now if you noticed I said that the studies are based on today’s standards. Today’s standard is sitting on your ass while working. Compared to years ago where physical labour was pretty much the norm, just to show how WE got sloppy and lazy.

And we rather stay lazy and eat according to new studies, than get up and burn the excess intake.
It is not so much we change our food habits, we have seriously gave up on thinking for ourselves and moving. Blaming food for making us sick or fat, while it is us who do nothing other than eat sleep and work. Sitting on our ass all day. Change your lifestyle not just the food habits. It is a package deal. Do not think that changing one you change everything.

Diets work the same way. It isn’t just eating differently or healthier. It takes some sweat as well.
Seriously thin we need to take a look at ourselves and the way we live before even addressing everything else according to some study. A bit of common sense gets you a long way.

Best Wishes
Ranting Crow

Ps Why this moan. Because I am sick of people/companies/governments telling me what I should or cannot eat anymore. I can still think for myself. Hell those studies and concerned mums (did they learn how to cook) even got the government involved. That they even think we need guidance from above and laws to keep us healthy. They don’t think much of us, now do they?