Monday Moaning: Breaking News!

A TVN exclusive

Monday Moaning: Breaking News!

News is something we all talk about, but the real question would be what we are discussing with each other? The updates in the news and on news stations are very limited and show pretty much one sided views to the point where even anger is induced to make the news at that very moment more interesting.

In that last case we had something that truly did happen. Where journalists kind of asked people to come over and the result being a riot.

The case is about a girl incidently inviting hundreds of people to her birthday party through facebook. It was a mistake and she devastated it happened. Many news stations reported it was a mistake and not her intention, this was mostly orchestrated by the towns major. As to hope it would stay quiet.

The real problem started the moment news reporters came to the town and found only a hand full of people who showed up. It is what they said on TV that caused more people to show up and get out of hand. “It is quiet here but that may be because we are still early.”

In the background you seen young people, teenagers mostly dance around and enjoying themselves. Nothing wrong but the moment more people started showing up it became a dangerous situation that quickly resulted in broken windows. “More people than expected have come to the party and it might just escalate if more people would come over.”

That kind of statement is a killer for whoever is listening and watching it is pretty much an invitations to those who enjoy wrecking stuff. And it is precisely what happened. A party became a true wrecking ball.

At the same time this is an example of how we want the news to be told and brought to us. In real time but is that, taking this last case in mind a good thing?

My thought is that the real time news is always causing escalation and give ideas to those watching. We all know the saying, ‘spread like wildfire’. Things is through the internet and our way of making news it only spreads faster and wider. An idea that is pretty much devastating in every scenario. If it were a true fire we would be scared shitless.

Now that it is only violence we just shrug and move on as if it is nothing. Yet at the very same time that item spreads like a decease.

This weeks incident is one of many cases to come for sure. Cologne where people and it is said by police that there were any refugees involved, were raping, stealing and assaulting women with large groups. This weekend it also happened in US and we have to wonder where else.

Case being that life images and it is something I truly find disgusting and makes the shooter of such videos just as guilty to the crime. Okay the video is life and goes around the world in seconds only showing how they are getting away with it. Showing how easy it is to mob people and all we do is copy though disgusted we look away and move on with our lives never even thinking more of it.

Reason to this might well be the other side of the news these days. It has to be bloodier than anything else. The first shot is worth more money than the life of which they are filming.

Our addiction to real time news is causing a shift what we find important.

Where there was a time being a journalist meant always being to late on the scene, just like the police or firefighters who are to help people. It was okay we heard afterwards what had happened and we were shocked. But very little was repeated or retold in our newspapers. It was always fresh and something new.

Than we started watching the news on TV. First it was only on a couple of channels now we have exclusive news stations and channels who bring you the same news the entire day. And with every tiny update every hour or so had become the new way of keeping up with what was happening. Daring to say that it is the cause that we went deaf and blind to news as it was always the same. It came to us faster and was dusted of our shoulders and left behind as something mentioned in the recent past.

When there is less news to be told or more important news, of what ever that may be that very day that the bosses find to be top items, over shadow the news items that might matter. News may well have become the ultimate tool to introduce fear or at least the means to shock people by showing real time images of bleeding people who just been in a bombing accident. We want to see them running for their lives dodging bullets. This is one side of the spectrum that is shown to us as everything else is the happy-go-lucky-feel-good-happiness TV.

It is fucked up though that people rather hold their camera in their faces to shoot violence rather than step up and prevent it from happening. And even worst might be the copy-cats that shoot their own crimes and violence.

Can we call it news when we see a video of a guy throwing a kids in front of train?

Is it news where we see someone begging for help while a camera is pointed at his face?

Should the news be something so close to reality that we may say it going to far but it had become the talk of the town and all that is remembered of the news.

It brings us back to the beginning of this rant. How do we talk about the news, or how do we discuss it.

Does it just end with a talk and chat without really doing something different, just because it to talk about with friends.

Yes I am disgusted by the people who film violence. Even more so if you know that there are more hands used to shoot the moment than there are hands helping the victims.

How do you watch the news? And what sticks with you? Do you discuss the news?
What should or how should news be brought?

Best Wishes
Ranting Crow

Monday Moaning: House Rules!

Monday Moaning: House Rules!

It is a term we are all familiar with. We are talking about the rules we have to follow of the house we are visiting. Adept and respect the rules and customs even if they are not your own. And I was taught this very early when I visited friends and later I used this lesson to take with me when visiting other countries. I don’t think you would argue against me if I said that a country is like a home as well.

They have a set rules called laws we would have to abide and though they are not our customs we respect their as such to follow them politely.

Each home and country has their own rules, not a single country is the same.

Can you guess where I am going with this? Pretty sure you can. You all heard about the refugees that run into Europe each from a different country, each with their own customs. I do get that much.

This is where my anger starts building up and I need to keep on breathing and calm down. Bad for the heart and stuff. Still in all honesty it is as if we are being looked down upon by those who fled to our country.

I am sure they did their homework on where to go as it is a given that the UK, Netherlands and Denmark and such pay slightly better when working. Than there is that social security system that te Dutch have that also helps wanting to be here. So they done their homework on their iPhones and should also know our laws, rules and customs.

Than the question is why they do not respect those? It is this kind of behaviour that has the people start riots and stand up to fight.

Mind you nationalism and even fascism is rising once again.

I am trying to be a good human being, and these people need help. But more and more I say help them there where they came from so they do not have to run away. Easier said than done, that much is also true.

Back to the disrespecting our laws. Looking down on us like we are a bunch of Nazi’s. Complaining about everything.

Some and I won’t say all as it is always that little fraction that causes problems, yet it is those who we do not need here.

As for one, I am not sure what the customs were in there country, but in most of the western countries there is a law about rape. It is not allowed. Yet stories keep popping up of men raping and abusing women in the camps. The biggest question is why?
Though if ISIS is selling girls as slaves one has to wonder what the hell is going on. It is not right. So why do they do it?

I know of some countries where slavery is still normal, if we can call it that. I get that, it is not my idea but hey their rules, their home I have to respect that, why can’t they in return?

Then there is the issue of the fact they are all running away from the same demon. A war. The cruelty against their humanity. One would think if there is a common enemy you stand together as one single front.
No you are wrong there, not here. Here you also fight amongst each other for having a different religion or skin colour. Yes refuges fighting refugees of such little things.

Clearly it does beg to question if the situation we are creating is the best one. As it is bringing the fight to our doorstep. No wonder people get scared and say no more. We have some tolerance, I say some as it is fading more and more. And there wasn’t a lot to begin with. But we respect someone’s religion. Why can’t they?

In our country the men and women who are part of the LGBT community are treated like you and me. We do not (most of us) disrespect or discriminate about their sexuality. And yet these days there have been more cases of fear amongst those people. So far it is just calling names.

Honestly speaking if they done their homework and do not like any of it why did they come here?

Last week a koi was stolen from a pond. The head was found on a BBQ of a couple of refugees. They are provided with food and a roof and still they have to steal a koi, because they thought it was okay. After all it is a custom in their country to eat such delicacy around Christmas.

Their customs are not ours. So why disrespect the house rules?

As stories keep piling up I feel more violated, disrespected and looked down upon by those who demand everything to go their way if not just do it their way.

Is it strange that is a cause for hatred?

This is just within the refugee camps. Not to mention they complain they do not have a home for themselves. See the fights above. In another Greece they at least had a tent for themselves. Sure here they have a roof over their head that can’t be blown away is heated but you sleep with 20 people in a large barrack.

Then there is the government with their great ideas that kick us in the shins. With hurrying up the intake and give those who are allowed to stay house and social security. The money they are already receiving, since everything is paid for they get enough to go shopping.

One issue with that last bit and again why people revolt is that the amount of rentals homes isn’t there to give away.

For example if I want to move to a new home there is a chance that I would have to wait around 2-3 years in most cases. In short that means I needed to have been registered for that time. If you have a kid who wants to leave home age 20 and isn’t registered yet there be a good change he has to wait 5 years.

Talk about unfair. And as mentioned since the social housing is already so limited we are brought in a pinch.

Let it be clear we want to help, but we do ask that our rules, laws and customs are being respected just as much as they would want us to respect theirs when we come to visit.

It isn’t to much to ask, now is it?

Best Wishes
Ranting Crow

PS there is a part of me who would say it is okay to have a war! More on that reason another time.

Monday Moaning: A Phone’s Life!

Monday Moaning: A Phone’s Life!

Did you miss me this weekend? Of course not we are to busy preparing for upcoming Christmas parties. I wasn’t doing that I was just out drinking to long to much and made sure some brain cells did not survive the weekend. So yes you had to miss out on a Sensual Sunday. Luckily I have a library full.

But it is Monday and it is Moan day and rant about things happening in life and in the world.

We hear stories of refugees raping women in there refugee shelters. All at the age of young adults. We see them filming with their iPhones in swimming pools around the lockers and dressing rooms. Is this kind of behaviour normal in any way. Why would they abuse our hospitality in such way. And what’s with us just placing them elsewhere instead of punishing them. How soft are towards those refugees?

The sound of teenagers up to the age of 30 shouting they belong to ISIS and will fight for them. I believe a  bit of neurotic conspiracy theorist said something like that a couple of weeks ago about those coming in the big stream of refugees.

Facing facts we know what they are doing isn’t right, this isn’t about religion any more. Though if we hear the refugees, ISIS is taking the word to the extreme and being old fashioned.

But back to the last weeks rant, where I said we can’t do crap alone or without our phone. That we are app addicted and that companies make use of that theory.

This week a big hamburger has got us download an app so we know what present is given away on what day. And pretty sure they will use any information gathered to improve costumer needs.
Maybe we know it will happen, we still want to have it on our phone.

Surely we will see products disappear from the menu as less people want them. Super markets are already doing so by using cash registration. Every quarter of the year products might change and even change places.

They do so to make sure we buy on impulse. And with the new app for your store you can make a personal route through your supermarket. Put down your shopping list and your phone will guide you where you need to go. On times passing a shelf and getting a discount product to seduce you. Having a second list that will say you might also like… what ever!

I am baffled as to know why we need these apps. How come we need something to think for us.

The best app is an alert app. It will give an alarm when you are in the destructive or contaminated area.So you are shopping, bomb goes of and while you are bleeding to death, your phone rings and tells you there is a dangerous situation in your area.

It is that kind of apps that tell you after the fact you are in the middle of destruction or contamination. Or simpler the weather app that says you are walking in the rain. Or shows you the sun is outside, while you are still hiding behind closed curtains.

We rely on these apps. A program programmed by companies to tell you what you need to see when you need to see it. Saying when the sun is out where, while looking up or out the window is just as simple. If not more so. Oh and for those who say that you use it for prediction whether you need to take your umbrella with you.

If we complain about weather forecasters who can’t make a prediction how come we rely on the same forecasters who make an app?

We have made stupidity ridiculous. Or are ridiculing people in general.

Many years ago I was one of the people who applauded new gadgets and loved them. But more and more I see we are being used in a global test to attempt a worldwide personalization of what we should like.

Just ranting about what we are becoming. What we are being forced to be using.

And that is something weird.

How come we can be forced to use something, or do something. In ancient times that was coming close to slavery. And maybe that is the way to look at things. Though I am sure many will think I am exaggerating it a bit and that we won’t let it come to that. And yet the apps above show we are already following them blind.

Whether it is a map showing us the way or show us a detour if there is a traffic jam We let a company control our movements. It is that simple.

And the only reason we do so because they tell us it is faster. It saves time. All the while we use more time to use apps it saves time somewhere or so we are told.

But enough about apps or smart phones who are as smart as the user themselves and their creator. Which is funny as no gadget will ever be smarter than us for now. They will have our mistakes small flaws we trust blindfolded.

Lets face it. We are to busy to notice life in  our self driving cars as we check our phones.

At the same time I am becoming what is considered a terrorist in many films. A person with no digital identity.

That said it makes you think though how terrorist in the future will operate. Will there be a state where people live who have nothing because they refuse to follow in the digital age. How will the digital age favour the poor or needy.

It already became apparent here that the medical world is becoming more corporate and thus need profits. That the insurance companies use the same apps to select your new service to deny certain coverage in cheap contracts. Making it more expensive if you want more.

Clearly you think I am exaggerating again, but did you know that if you chip a tooth by accident it isn’t covered here. If you want it covered it will cost an extra 4 bucks a month. Cheap?

Here is something funny. The more smaller packages you can add the faster you are paying more than the normal rate. It is just making it look like you can choose what you pay for. In the end you pay the same as you always did. Smart people use information in their own advantage to make more profit.

And here we are following them blindfolded trusting the information THEY provide.

Cheaper and safe time my arse. In the end we are shaken empty and end up on the low steps of the ladder running around like headless chicken in search of some time to rest.

Best Wishes
Ranting Crow

Thought of the day! November 23, 2015

Just to repeat the Monday Moan.

We hide the world inside personalized bubbles.

It is us filtering the world from things we do not want. They still happen but we do not care or not want it in our lives. If that is how we want it make it stop don’t hide and pop your bubble and see the world.

Monday Moaning: Popping Bubbles!

Monday Moaning:  Popping Bubbles!

A silly title for a week that has been all about ISIS. Now for sure I should not spend any more time on what now is considered to be a cult. It will only add gasoline on an already burning fire. Right?

But what the hell is wrong with us though. I get that people died and we show some respect by having a minute of silence. We stop living for that moment and remember the horrible truth that got them killed. It was a bomber. Or a gun man. They died unnecessary deaths. I do get all that.

I do.

But will you also stop you life for a minute of silence for the deaths in Jordan and Israel? Or maybe Egypt. How about the unnecessary deaths in your own country every single day.

If we are honest we don’t and just move on living even after France. We calculate the distance and live on. Was it close by we have a little more fear and see all those newspaper tales about new arrests and upcoming conflict.

Forgetting to read the small prints or notice your neighbour being beaten by hr husband. We pull ourselves back.

What makes us do what we do? Seriously would you not want an answer that makes sense on why does something. And that one person was doing it doesn’t mean everyone who Is from that place has that colour or believes does the same.

With this kind of news going on we can see Nationalism growing with in the population of a country. Which might turn to fascism and even turn radical. Or was it the other way around. I didn’t study for this. It is just that you see more people claim that OUR born own countrymen come first.

Can this be an answer to the terror. It isn’t, but it is happening. And it happened to the French who in Europe are called very nationalistic. But that is making ungrounded assumptions.

Other than that if we look closer to home we see things starting to happen that are just weird to even consider. These days in our country we are going to automated pharmacies. Ooh yes get you prescription found and brought to you by a robot. And if you think that will add anything to your life wait till you hear the follow up.

Now to produce cheaper meds or pretty much have an insurance company cutting costs this idea was made. But here is the kicker. The information that usually was on a piece of paper in the box of meds is now costing you seven and a half euro. In Dollars that would be 8 or something. So a pharmacist will tell you how to take these meds how many times etcetera and have you pay money for the information. And if that isn’t enough you get a copy of the leaflet.

True it is something small but it is happening and not only here. We are starting to pay for information That used to be free. Tiny little things and all like gun control or how we can keep people from killing each other while everything is getting more expensive, like those insurances as more people come in who do need help as well.

It is cause to rise up and start shouting. True we do shout we have a housing problem as many can’t get a home and we see refugees put in a home. Yes it makes people anger who have been waiting for a home for three years. It could well be the cause of more conflict.

Now not every issue happening here happens somewhere else but we do not see the little things. We are after all hiding in our own little bubble. The seize of the room or not even that. We read newspapers online and for that information we are paying just like we did with newspapers. And since it is live we pay a little more as more information streams our way and we indulge ourselves in it.

If we want some fun we just click to entertaining news like a movie star breaking a foot in someone’s ass since they were arguing about a joke that he done with his mistress. It is like we are turning in ostriches and hide our heads in the sand. An might just be one of them as well and is trying to change.

So as the countries are losing identity we struggle to keep our own uniqueness. Personalizing our world no matter how digital. Our own private bubble with only information we ourselves find interesting or worth mentioning. Filter the bad from the fun.

Paying for our own little bubble, a identity that can’t be harmed. Yet soon as someone makes a remark on that single bubble or a facet of it we blow up. It is that moment we want to alter that person’s bubble to match your own.

It is okay to live in a personalized bubble, after al it is all in your phone these days. But don’t freak out if some one else thinks differently. It is after al okay to be different or have different beliefs as long as you are not hurting anyone else.

This world of contradictions is happening in front of us. I live in my bubble and we feel hurt by another person. We live in a bubble and we want our country to become our own again. Or better yet we want to personalize it.

We like to think that as long as we are in this bubble we can alter everything around us. Make it personal.

Time to pop that bubble. Time to expand our bubble to fit around the world knowing we are all different and it is okay as long as we do not use our beliefs to hurt others. And it doesn’t hurt listening either. No need to get into a angry state just because someone is gay. Why would you get offended if he beliefs in Allah or God and wants to get married.

It is these things that sting and happen every day right next to those who do hurt in name of a belief. We know it is wrong but our own beliefs we also like to see on others the only difference we don’t hurt or I should say we do not kill because we do hurt.

Well maybe I am just ranting and trying to look out side my own bubble and invite any one in who wants to. Being able to express with out hurting. Or it is me wanting to blow it up big enough to have a country with different cultures mixed and still able to have your very own identity that can be shared.

Best Wishing
Ranting Crow.

Somehow this is also related to a dream like state of ‘Bubble Brain’ a poem I once written.