A Scientist, Chicken Little, a Journalist and a Government Official all walk into a Bar. . .

Except, you all listen to him like he’s credible. 

You need to stop listening to him. 

You need to stop worrying and fretting about the things you have zero control over and start focusing on being thankful for what you have.  In doing so your lives would be so much more peaceful. 

By the way, what good does worrying and fretting do?  How much more time can be added to your life from worrying and fretting?  (For those of you who don’t know the answer. . . it’s zero!)

But that’s another topic for another day.  Let me continue by writing about the most convenient and relevant topic that has you all petrified:  COVID-19.  (insert thunderous, ominous, scary music here with a video of dark grey clouds looming overhead)

It’s so very odd how all of you behave as if COVID is a type of incurable, flesh-eating bacteria. 

By the way. . . It isn’t a flesh-eating bacteria.  

However. . . and quite actually. . . I wish it were a flesh eating bacteria because then we all would have a valid reason to worry and fret. . . but we don’t.  It’s just a frickin’ coronavirus and that ‘family’ of viruses have been around for over 1000’s of years and according to science every strain seems to be worse than the last.

Sometimes I wonder if the the government is actually making up the stories about variants of COVID-19.  I only say this because when people start to lose interest and the masses are less worried, some doom-and-gloom scientist alerts us to a “new”, “more lethal” variant. 

Apparently, the newest variant of COVID-19 is labeled ‘Mu’, which I think is humorous and quite fitting since I think you’re all cattle.  So… “Mu” (moooo) is perfect because it’s the audible sound you all make as you’re being led to slaughter by your leaders of science and governmental fabrication.

But I digress.  

You know…if not COVID, you all worry about other stuff you have no control over, like, saaaay… oh…I don’t know…. off the top of my head and for a quick example… thunderstorms, fires and natural disasters.

And how you don’t see the irony is beyond me, because some of you pathetically precious conspiracy dumplings think the government controls the weather, but you doubt the government would ever make up the COVID-19 craziness.

Here’s a News Flash for ya!!! . . . Worldly governments have as much control over the weather as they do over space rocks zooming past our planet every couple hours! – (Again, for those of you who don’t know the answer . . . it’s zero control.)

But sadly, You mindless drones are compelled to listen to the stupid ignorance that spews forth from the mouths of the illogical and you believe their hypocrisy and stupidity.

Do you believe them because they said it would happen and that makes them correct?  Is it because they have a college degree in a specific field of study and their education makes them correct?  Is it because they used a computer made by human hands, human programming and human logic and that makes them more credible?  Is it all of the above?  

I only ask hypothetically of course because I know the reason why you believe what these doom-and-gloomers tell you.   

It’s because you’re all self-medicated and you think that no one would lie to you about such matters especially if those people claim to have proof.  After all, what they tell you sounds plausible, and since they have numbers to back up what they are saying, how could it be a lie?   

However, when their “proof” is based on uneducated guesses (hypothesis) based on years of past events, then processed through a computer program that was created to generate endless possibilities and outcomes, does that really make it valid proof?

Just like the millions who have fallen prey to the Nigerian Prince email scams, you all have fallen victim to the the “Chicken Little Scheme”.

Here’s how the “Chicken Little Scheme” works…

Please understand that the scientific community lives off of grant money.  To get as much grant funding for their research as possible the science community needs to create a situation that will be so fool-proof, even the greatest skeptic would believe it.  So, the scientific community creates huff-and-fluff data based on previous research to better work the system so they can get the much needed funding to further their new and current research. 

(I know…it sounds twisted, but this is the process…I know, because I used to write grant proposals for government agencies that wanted research funding.)

Okay…so not all of the huff-and-fluff is false…maybe 90% of it.  The other five or ten percent that’s factual is strategically placed within the report and highlighted for emphasis because the best way for the scientific community to spread their huff-and-fluff is to schmooze the politicians who will eventually pass it off to the journalists who will spread the semi-false information among the herd.

Since the politicians and journalists aren’t smarter than a fifth grader, the scientific community must begin their huff-and-fluff by creating a form of “proof” to help sway people into believing what they’re selling is valid; therefore, they come up with an uneducated guess based on observations (hypothesis) not really based on any previous testing of the subject matter (theory), and write up a paper explaining why they think the worst will happen. 

In most cases they have computers that will provide different scenarios based on random “fake… I pulled it out of my butt” data that they plugged into a computer program. 

They use this information in their huff-and-fluff reports and grant proposals, and quite unfortunately, the cattle in charge (politicians who are severely under-educated) only hear the worst-case scenario of scientific guessing, and do their best to create fear and worry among the masses by spreading false narratives that these outright improbabilities might actually happen.

Then the town criers (journalists, who are the lowest form of life on earth) report to the masses what spewed forth from the cattle in charge (politicians) and interview people in the scientific community who support the same stance and who are also subject to gain large amounts of grant funding for their research as well. 

These interviews from “credible” sources help to sway or change public opinion on the subject matter which helps to influence the cattle in charge (politicians) to dump more money into the coffers of the scientific community.  

All the while…the scientific community continues to be as divided on their uneducated guesses (hypotheses) and testing (theories) as a communist debating a fascist.  But this is to their advantage because the scientific community knows how to work the system to keep the cash cow from drying up. 

This is where the beating of a dead horse comes into play and phrases like: 

• “This is the most lethal variant, and we project hundreds of millions of deaths world wide!” …or
• “This year the storms will be worse than they were last year”… or
• “This will be the most destructive storm season on record”… or
• “This year will be hotter, colder, drier, wetter than any of the previous years combined!”

Do you see the pattern?  

It’s a clanging gong or cymbal that resonates an ever-annoying dissonance. (Yes, dissonance.  Look it up.) 

These scientists, politicians and journalists continue to spout the same rhetoric year after year.  I’m sure one of these days they will also throw in some of these outlandish threats:  dismemberment, horrible nightmares, hernias, diarrhea, stomach ulcers, widespread leprosy, massive swarms of killer bees, atmosphere worse than Mars and Jupiter combined, birth defects, children will sprout weird growths, and worst of all… alien abductions which may or may not lead to anal probing.

Of course I jest, but as the herd starts to become immune to the empty threats; the scientists, politicians and journalists will need to resort to using extreme fear tactics in their huff-and-fluff to get the world to worry and fret so they don’t lose their funding.

After all, trillions of dollars are spent building research facilities, launching satellites into space, training the next crop of scientists and for what? 

This technology is supposed to measure more things and “help” humanity by providing hope along with doing what no human has ever been able to do . . .  Predict the future. 

However, they are no closer to predicting the future.  All they have done is created a more frantic and worrisome species who is starting to lash out more often due to the extreme pressures placed on them by the pathetic stupidity and ignorance of the Chicken Little scheme they introduced to the world.  

Ironically, these same ideologues who shoot junk into space also tout and praise how solar and wind power will make life on the planet so much better; yet, they keep using materials that are mined from earth to help further their research. 

Let that sink in for a minute.

They sound off on how a new wave of science will “fix” the climate and how everyone needs to buy electric cars, electric fences, electric phones, electric tablets, electric toilets, electric rooftops, electric clothing, and electric socks.   

but then… Just as another year comes to a close and the seasons pass … spring to summer |  summer to autumn | autumn to winter | winter to spring … we find that life on Earth continues just as it did the previous year…and the year before that…and the year before that…and the year before that.    

Many of us soon discover that people are born, and people die and that we’re all living on a revolving door that never stops spinning. 

And so it goes, yet again, most of us survived another revolution around that big ball of fire in the sky.

Sadly, too few also discover that the preachers of science, governmental oversite and journalistic ignorance are the same bovine doing their best to mislead the rest of the herd with empty threats, bullying and inconsistencies that only provide constant worry and meaningless distress.

It’s pathetic how a person who yells ‘fire’ in a crowded theater when there is no fire can be prosecuted for causing a riot and mass hysteria, but the scientific community, governmental officials and the media are free to do the exact same thing with no backlash or repercussions. 

It’s pathetic how many cattle fall prey to the Chicken Little scheme.  

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(mis)-Management

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Last month I informed you all that I quit my job after six years of agonizing frustrations. 

However, what I didn’t tell you was that the “team” (and I use that term very loosely) was only four people — three employees and one supervisor — and that out of the four, I did the majority of the work. 

For example, from January 2017 through July 2021 I completed or contributed almost 85% of the overall workload.  That means only 15% of the remaining work needed to be split up between the other two people on our staff because the supervisor doesn’t know how to do anything. 

Therefore, during that stretch from 2017 through 2021 I was tasked with more than my fair share of responsibilities, and in my opinion it was a lot more than I should have been tasked with.  Unfortunately, when you work for someone who can’t manage the work or lead people, this tends to happen.  

Speaking of the supervisor. . .

A week before I left that job I had a one-on-one with the supervisor.  During that conversation he informed me that a second co-worker was also looking for another job (no surprise), and he made it very clear that since the “team” is only four persons, if that second co-worker were to leave, that would put a major dent on how the “team” is able to get work completed.

His exact words were:  

“Well, if the second co-worker leaves, I guess there won’t be any computer or software purchases being done.” 

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Let that sink in and marinade for a second. . . .

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Some might say it was almost a backhanded compliment directed at me and the other co-worker, but it was more of a self-directed insult about his own lack of leadership and management capabilities.

I mean, in that one statement he’s essentially saying that since he’s losing his two best employees, the one remaining employee along with himself are not able to complete the work.  He’s totally redefined the mathematical problem of 4 minus 2, because according to his calculations the answer isn’t 2. . .it’s Zero! 

Pathetically, he’s also admitting to the fact that he put almost 100% of the workload on two people and let the third guy coast for all these years! 

This supervisor has been with the company and supervised this same team of Information Technology procurement employees for over 15 years.  However, during the past 7 years alone, three different employees have walked away, including myself, and they all walked away for the same reasons.

• His lack of leadership and the lack of leadership above him.
• His inability to discipline one guy on the team who doesn’t do a damn thing (by the way, that’s the only guy remaining who can’t get anything done).
• His inability to listen to his employees when they make suggestions that will benefit the team.
• His inability to manage work and tasks among the three employees under his charge.
• His inability to cross-train employees.
• His inability to have regular one-on-one sessions with his employees.
• His inability to recognize or reward those employees who go above the call of duty. 
• His inability to recognize and clean up a toxic environment. 

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It’s only been a couple of weeks since I quit my job, but I’ve remained in contact with a few people who I built friendships with who still work there.  It’s only a couple people, but these are people in the know and hold influential positions within the company.

These people have informed me that since I left, no orders are being filled.  The consensus among the upper management is confusion as to how one person leaving a “team” can lead to a complete inability to get anything done.

In all honesty, this actually made me feel good, but it also made me realize just how pathetic the others on that team really were. 

Consequently,  I do not regret my decision to leave that place, and after having some time away I’ve realized that my leaving the company was the best thing for everyone.  Especially for me because I’m getting some much needed rest and that’s helping me to heal both mentally and emotionally. 

I don’t know how things will turn out, nor do I know what the future holds; but I really hope in time that this entire situation will bring positive changes to that company.  Mostly, I hope these events will help my three previous co-workers realize their inabilities and hopefully they can grow and become better employees and better people from this experience. 

Yeah, I’m not holding my breath either.  

As I’ve said before, pathetic is as pathetic does. 

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Hey Big Ten or Pac-12! – Live on the Edge and Do the Unthinkable!

Anywhooo. . .The only reason I’m writing this post is because I want to get it out of my head and on to the internets so someone out there can read it and think about how ignorant of an idea this would be. – No really… that’s the only reason I’m writing this. – Honest.

So, the other day I was reading some pathetic opinion piece from a so-called “professional”.  The article was about the ever-changing world of college football conference realignment. 

As I read the article, I thought to myself…

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(Imagine a “thought bubble” magically appears with this statement:) 

The Big 12 currently, as it stands, has 10 universities.  Of those universities Oklahoma and Texas have requested to be added to the Southeastern Conference (SEC), which was approved by the SEC today; however, it won’t take affect until 2025 or 2026.  So, that leaves eight remaining universities in the defunct Big 12:  Baylor, Texas Tech, TCU, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas St., Oklahoma St. and West Virginia.

Each of these remaining conferences would need to add some teams and are most likely looking at pilfering from the eight remaining programs left in the defunct Big 12.  In all honesty, I really can’t see the ACC going after any of the remaining programs, except for maybe West Virginia because of location and the rivalry with Virginia and Pittsburgh who are currently members of the ACC.  That would be the only team that would make sense for the ACC. 

Consequently, I can see the benefits for the Pac 12 and the Big Ten conferences to add some of the remaining Big 12 programs, and here’s where I think the Big Ten or Pac-12 should do the outrageously ingenious, diabolical makeover of college conference realignment by adding enough programs from the Big12 to create a mega-conference of 20 programs.

That’s correct.  20 team, mega-conference!  

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Crazy?  –  Yep! 

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Insane? – indeed!!  

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Ingenious?  –  Uh…maybe?  

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Personally, I think the Pac-12 would benefit the most and here are my arguments for the Pac-12 to add all eight remaining schools from the Big 12:

• Pac-20 Conference with two, ten-team divisions (East and West).
  • East division:  USC, UCLA, Washington, Washington St., Oregon, Oregon St., California, Stanford, Colorado, Utah
  • West division:  Kansas, Kansas St., Baylor, Texas Tech, TCU, West Virginia, Iowa St., Oklahoma St., Arizona, Arizona St
• They would have television markets covering every time zone in the USA: Eastern, Central, Mountain and Pacific. 
• They add eight programs with different pedigrees in both men’s and women’s athletics.
• Recruiting mecca with 20 programs spread over 11 states from coast to coast (West Virginia in the east, thru Texas and the Pacific West Coast) 
• Revenue increases for all programs across the board. 
• Travel expenses for football and other sports are not as costly due to a 9-game football division schedule within the specific divisions and one or two cross-division games rotating teams every year.  Other sports can travel as needed.
• Division winners would make it to Conference Championship game.  
• Possibly more exposure for playoffs and bowl games. 

These are just a few reasons…but I think it would work and it would give the Pac-12 some exposure across the nation.  One of the biggest gripes from the Pac-12 recently, has been how little exposure they have across the nation, but this would change that in a big way.

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Now, I know the Big Ten is a different beast.  That conference is all about education and the somewhat prestigious AAU . . .but . . . The Big Ten is also in a competition with the ACC and SEC for athletics prowess on the East Coast, so what better way to slap the SEC and ACC in the face if the Big Ten adds six more programs and in so doing, takes a bite out of Texas recruiting?

My pathetically personal opinion is that it would behoove the Big Ten to add the following programs to their otherwise prestigious conference to create a mega-conference for athletics: Kansas, Iowa State, Baylor, TCU, West Virginia and Oklahoma State.  –  (I can see Texas Tech and Kansas State moving to the Mountain West or Pac 12.  No offense to either program, but I just don’t see either one as a good fit in the Big Ten.)  

So, here are my arguments for these additions to the Big Ten…

• Big Ten rebrands to the Big XX.
• Big XX creates two, ten-team divisions that cover the central part of the nation as well as the east coast.
  • East Division:  Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan St., Indiana, Illinois, Purdue, Maryland, Rutgers, Penn State, West Virginia
  • Central Division: Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma St., TCU, Baylor, Kansas, Iowa State, Northwestern
• The added six programs bring various pedigrees in both men’s and women’s athletics. 
• Recruiting becomes more regional. 
• Regional rivalries can be continued, created or renewed.
• Revenue increases for all programs within the conference. – A mega-conference could lead to mega-deals for streaming or television rights.
• Travel expenses are not as costly due to a 9-game division schedule and one or two cross-division games rotating every year.
• Division winners would play in Conference Championship game. 
• Possibly more exposure for playoffs and bowl games.

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Now, granted, there are serious downsides to either of these scenarios.  One possibility is that the ACC and SEC decide they don’t have enough teams and they both merge with another conference to create multi-mega-conferences which would really make college athletics even more of a royal mess than it already is.  

I miss the days of the old conferences when things weren’t so muddled and pathetic.  

Oh well, be that as it may, as I stated in my opening paragraph, I only wanted to post my thoughts on conference realignment to the internets with the hope that someone in the electronic world of pathetic stupidity and ignorance might read it and find it to be as pathetic of an idea as there ever was.

Pathetic ideas is what makes this blog so great!

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