#677

Merry Fucking Christmas.

Yup. Humbug.

Just enjoyed a nice evening walk. 37f / 2.7c Glass of Bulleit in my hand. I was literally laughing at the novelty of an inflatable Santa standing next to a Frostie of the same stature, when, all off a sudden, the lights faded. Santa fell to his nylon knees while Frostie melted like a sail dropped of the wind. That's what it's become.

Novelty.

People fighting and trampling for shiny shit. Crap made on the other side of the world by people who don't give a fuck about you. They don't hate you, but they care for you as much as the stoner droppin' empanadas at the local Taco Bell. Just your average everyday complete and total indifference.

Fuckin' Air Jordans. Hey Mike, you cool with that? Puttin' your NAME on something people punch and kick and bleed for? You are either truly sad and disappointed, or you are a dick. I don't know. Honestly, I carry an average everyday complete and total indifference when it comes to you. No offense, I guess. If you find it offensive, I don't care.

Yeah, people knocking a door off the hinges for patten leather basketball shoes that are technologically obsolete, yet cost more than current high performance footwear.

Just stupid. Santa Claus is dead and nobody really remembers Jesus.

I say we start a new holiday. Merry What-Ever-You-Wanna-Celebrate Day. Let's make it the first weekend after New Years. Find or start a party. Don't come to mine. That way, there's always a weekend party for those years when X-Mass and New Years fall on Wednesday's. Nobody really wants to throw down on a Wednesday. Gatta have that weekend slot.

There, done. Start planning.

I am beginning to see more and more people do nice things, but it is still so far in its infancy. From assembled volunteers all the way to the random high five from a stranger that lifts the spirits of a lonely soul, there is more now than there used to be... but it still ain't enough.

It's not revolution that is needed. No, its evolution. I still remember getting happy about the extra long coiled phone cord for the kitchen (which is where the only phone in the house was). Then, remember when you could turn off the phone so it wouldn't interrupt your modem? I have an iPhone. With it, I can - right now - call a random international number and speak with someone anywhere in the world that has a cell phone, or land line for that matter. Then we can exchange images in real time, and Skype shortly after.

We are on the cusp of the technological revolution. As soon as humans began to smelt, the industrial revolution began. Now, look how far we've come in such a short time, and it's only getting faster. Airplanes didn't exist at all when you grandmother's grandmother was a teenager.

-side note-

Oil and coal still keep us there, simple because we haven't built an array of turbines/solar/hydro/new tech/etc, that can handle what we currently consume.

well... that will change shortly.

Whether we run out of oil or kill a shit ton of ourselves with war, the the current volume dependency will wain one way or another.

I digress.

This is a time where I could shoot video right now, and have it up for the entire world to see in a matter of minutes. Technology is becoming the accountability tool of the masses, and not just against governments. People video so many things, we've no choice but to be honest with ourselves and tolerant with others. The world is going to force everyone to be cool about it whether we like it or not.

...and that is evolution.

A fifteen year old is more connected with the world right now than ever. That child is learning about accountability. They are seeing how others are doing wrong. They understand oppression, for what it is in all of its forms. They see it. They hear it. They are growing up experiencing first hand, not learning from a book compiled from story's of those who journal the events. When there was unrest, riots, mobs, and revolutions, it was days before the world knew what was going on. Never mind the fact that the information was coming from just s few sources. Now, you get to watch the youtube video of the girl in the blue bra within an hour of it happening. There is no editing, filtering, time. You might as well be standing right there, powerless to do anything to help her.

The images of pepper spray. The videos of police assaulting protesters. The videos of the Black Block attacking police. It's there. You get a certain feeling when you see those.

That feeling is called empathy.

Empathy is the slayer of tyranny.