First, and foremost at this moment in time, is that my Mom is doing well. She is still in hospital and improving day by day, up and about already! She is receiving excellent care! Mom sends me little messages, letting me know how she is doing.
I think it is time for the media to start presenting helpful news.
There isn’t much in the way of helpful news presented right now. Viewing and reacting to the vitriol emitting from the open mouths of bullies isn’t going to stop them from being bullies, and it isn’t going to enhance the chances of surviving the bullying. When their aim is outrage, I say don’t be outraged, be an agency for survival, your own and those you care about. I live in Canada, so after myself, friends, and loved ones, Canadians come next, then come all the other decent honest people on planet earth… which in reality is most people, the majority.
I’ve accepted that we are in for tough times, as a fact of life.
What to do!
I intend to do what Mom did, what Granny did, and what all my Grandmother’s before them did… I intend to get busy surviving.
I think there is lots we “little” people can do. I think there are a lot of “little” people already doing it. We don’t hear about them, they are busy doing things, not busy looking for attention.
My first step is to review my internet exposure.
News.
I will avoid looking at news media. Instead I will visit Prime Minister Mark Carney’s site, and Ontario Premier Douglas Ford’s site, to read what they are up to. Having said that, I am well aware of the degree to which some politicians are adept at self praise and diversion. I do not indulge in outrage about this, I simply accept that corruption exists, deplore it, then get on with things. The activities I indulge in are those that I feel promote a better world for all, which is beyond outrage, or screaming into the machine-controlled void.
This journal.
Well it goes without saying I love this, and will continue as along as I am able.
Facebook.
I have mixed feelings about Facebook.
I love to know how my friends are doing, and some of the groups I belong to are quite helpful and positive.
But the algorithms aggressively promote unhealthy values, as do the ads. Furthermore the constant analysis of my activity and subsequent manipulation of information available to me is nefarious. And then there are the thousands, probably millions, of hysterical people, bad actors, and bots. The negative aspects tend to dominate the Facebook experience.
So I will probably continue to visit occasionally for the positive aspects.
Other social media.
I don’t really do other social media. I tried, had accounts, lost interest very quickly.
Phone.
We have a VOIP telephone as a “land line”.
The cell phone we have is old, but so far it still works. I turn it on when we are travelling, to check road conditions. It is an emergency phone that is turned off unless we actually need to use it… that happens every so often, months pass.
Computers and iPads.
Attila reads the news on the iPad. I play solitaire on the iPad. I also use the iPad as a timer, an alarm, and a notification device.
We use a computer to watch streamed entertainment.
I use a computer to access the internet.
Our thermostat is smart, but it is offline at all times.
There are no other smart devices in our home.
No plans to purchase additional technology.
So really, as far as the digital world is concerned, the only significant change I will be undertaking is to stop looking at news media.
I doubt this much change will form an adequate strategy for surviving tough times. So I will be considering other kinds of measures in future.
I wonder what other people do to protect themselves from the ravages of the digital world?
World
Weather
21°C
Date: 11:00 AM EDT Wednesday 9 September 2026
Condition: Light Rainshower
Pressure: 101.7 kPa
Tendency: Falling
Temperature: 20.9°C
Dew point: 19.3°C
Humidity: 91%
Wind: SSW 26 gusts 42 km/h
Humidex: 28
Visibility: 8 km
Quote
“A harbor, even if it is a little harbor, is a good thing… It takes something from the world, and has something to give in return.”
Sarah Orne Jewett
1849 – 1909
I think it is a grand thing to be a harbor, by whatever means the universe sends you. Our lives are as similar and as different as snowflakes.
You are right to be wary of the current and future paths of technology. Both of our sons work in tech companies and are very worried about where things are going.I am gobsmacked (as the Brits say) at how mercilessly we are all being manipulated. I also am reducing most of my social media use to only Facebook and only forums that I find worthy. I do like to keep updated with family and friends though.
On an another note I find it beyond reason that you have been made to suffer such trauma to protect your life and safety in the cataract surgery fiasco. I would be inclined to write a comprehensive description of the whole sorry tale and send it to the hospital CEO copied to the Minister of Health for Ontario. It may not get you anywhere but would give you the satisfaction of having tried.
So happy to hear that your mom has had a successful surgery.
Sandra, gobsmacked is an apt response! My Granny, who lived through the first world war, the 1918 epidemic, the great depression and the second world war, would never allow television or radio, none at all. She knew the potential, and always put her energies into the cohesion of the community she lived in. Today, the sophistication of the media is complex and managed by forces that have little interest in humans or their communities.
Still, I have hope for us.
I am not really sure what went on with the cataract surgery, the whole situation beggared belief, it was bad from the first second I set foot in the surgeon’s office, and only got worse and worse. I wonder about the surgeon, as the conflicts were between the pharmacy and the surgeon, and the hospital and the surgeon, they were involved with all aspects of the fiasco. The surgeon pointed to the pharmacy as the problem, and then tried to shift all responsibility for medications to the hospital, who after talking to her cancelled the surgery. What actually went on behind the scenes is unclear.
I am not sure what my next step will be, but there will be a next step. One thing is certain, I do not want to deal with that surgeon, or that hospital ever again in this lifetime.
Mom sets the bar for her children, always looking at what is possible, what can be done.
I think you and Attila are well-positioned for survival. Looking at the physical side: You grow and preserve your own foods. I’m guessing you already save seeds. They do recommend having was clean water source. And you want to be able to make a fire if needed. Being near water but not big bodies of water would be smart (rising oceans and inland waters). A portable, crank radio is a good idea. You’re already thinking about psychological survival which is good. There’s so much propaganda out there. Yay! that your Mom is improving. She’s a survivor!! ((HUGS))
Sandy, adjusting to my anaphylaxis has led us to our present lifestyle, the garden, the food preservation etc. A silver lining to that cloud! The water is tougher, it takes up a lot of room when stored, not quite there yet. we had the wood stove installed and saved the wood from our dead trees for firewood. We are above the elevation predicted for the maximum sea level, but we are close to bodies of water. I think we have a crank radio too!
Thanks for your good wishes for Mom! ((HUGS))
Hi Maggie That Is a silver lining! Because you’re both self-sufficient, I’m guessing you are better prepared than a huge percentage of other Canadians. We have Lake Michigan here which seems like a small ocean sometimes. Sounds like we could both use a couple of good boats!
Sandy, boats! Now that is something I hadn’t thought about… you have we musing now!