Collecting “money” like it’s a form of competition where they track “score”

reed is bad. Greed is a form of mental illness, more so when it exceeds some rational, logical levels (e.g. people trying to hoard more capital than they conceivably and meaningfully spend in their remaining lifetime).

Stuff has gotten more expensive and companies try to make us believe or compel us to accept that we need “apps” or fake “modernity” that does not enrich life in any meaningful way.

“When I buy something,” as ploum.net put it the other day, “from a small kitchen appliance to a car, I’m now forced to get formal confirmation by the seller that I will be able to use it without installing one, two or three different apps. I kept the count: in the last year alone, I had to argue against the installation of 18 smartphone apps. Just in my toilet, I’m supposed to have an app for the seat, an app for the flush and one for the ventilation.”

We already reached “peak s–t” decades ago, there’s not much left to enhance in a toilet seat. We don’t need “apps” there.

Then again, never underestimate the power of aggressive marketing. Or an employer or hotel manager or “landlord” (landlady also) who puts “smart” things everywhere.

I was recently reminded of the Mancunian band protesting for freedom and also against greed and hoarding (back in the 1970s and 80s). They’re all still alive, doing well, and well into their 80s.

They did “art for art’s sake” and enjoyed the art. “Money for God’s sake…”

Does “God” take your bank balance when your life ends?

It’s a choice

et up and do activism. The world needs it more than ever, as our downward trend towards oppression is very apparent and visible not just in the digital domain.

When I grew up I never knew and never planned to do activism. It just sort of happened.

Reading about (or from) other activists, it seems apparent they too had no such plans and activism was somewhat outlandish to them.

Saying stuff like “well, I’m not an activist” is a shoddy excuse. Did you even try?

rowing up in the 2000s, having been born in the 90s or later, seems very hard to me. I have a sister like that. To the generation that needs to work for another ~50 years before retirement it seems like “the future” is full of uncertainties. Those born in the early 90s at least have some more experience, sometimes savings.

The story of capitalism or “Western Capitalism” is losing its grip on youths and, to a lesser degree, on an older generation alike.

How do you explain to your child that it’s normal to do “gig work” or constantly chase 3-month contracts while trying to somehow buy a home? Or that it’s unreasonable to truly own a car (not with some “payment plan”, i.e. ‘mortgage’ for cars)?

Materialism is not everything, but when people own nothing at all, there’s no safety either.

he thing you want to do to women is put them in cages (even your own wife!)
You insist women are not women and then argue about nature, replacing science with ideology
You naturally come to realise women keep a distance from you (they probably explain to one another why)
You cheat on women casually
You assume what’s theirs is actually men’s (like you)
You antagonise women except those who flatter you

HIS year I heard the term “emotional vulture” many times and wrongly assumed it might be similar to “crocodile tears” (a fake emotion(al) crocodile that cries for the people or animals it devours). As it turns out, emotional vulture is one who preys on the emotionally vulnerable – i.e. it is something different altogether. It’s said to refer to a manipulative dating trend that targets people going through a breakup (or similar ordeal). I remember a Norwegian girl showing interest in me when her Danish boyfriend was not treating her well; I wasn’t preying on her, it felt like she was using me to try to get him (the boyfriend) jealous or not to take her for granted.

Anyway, today I saw a Crocodile or Rhino shedding off tears. It was some angry lawyer who operates under the false impression that while labouring as a hired gun with death threats, threats to decapitate sites, and threats to put a family in prison he is somehow a poor victim. Are these people as drunk as their clients?

Seriously, how can such pathetic and aggressive people seriously portray themselves as the victims? Someone who explains their behaviour is doing a public service, nothing else.

he insensitive behaviour of Brett Wilson LLP last year [1, 2, 3] was a self-inflicted wound, as it was not the first time, far from it, but this time it was more blatant and likely intentional (they like to attack people during holidays, they effectively weaponise religion). In this particular case it was a mistake as they know that in this sector being seen as antisemitic is career suicide and, to make matters worse, their biggest client is alleged to be profoundly antisemitic. Freedom fighters don’t massacre dogs and civilians.

2026-08-10 How to staycation better

T is not the first time I stay in Town during summer. We’ll travel around for a bit, but not go far as there’s no point. Staycations are good for people who like being where they are, vacations away (or abroad) tend to be for people who escape the job, the home, the routine, the culture, and maybe the local weather.

Thankfully for Rianne’s birthday the weather will be almost perfect. Sunny, not too hot, and exactly one week before Bank Holiday.