Being Thankful in the Age of Materialism

I saw this video and it was easy to feel thankful. On the flip side, I found the second video fairly dripping with irony.

Is Virginia Giuffre Speaking from the Grave?

Of course, this may very well be AI ...

But what if it isn't? H/T: Les Visible

EXCLUSIVE: Virginia Giuffre’s ‘Deadman’s Switch’ Released: “I Have Been Murdered - This is the REAL Epstein List”

🙄 pic.twitter.com/7Kl6PyyuOA

— Pastor Bob Joyce (@PastorBobJ11071) June 17, 2025

The Rules are Made Up, the System is Rigged, and Everyone is Faking It

From the Midlife Anti-Crisis channel:

Society Averts its Gaze

I'm guilty of this as well. I could be hammering on this, but I'm not. I'm trying to focus on what I *can* do, but people can be lulled into passivity or learned helplessness by just not thinking about it. So here's a reminder from Caitlin Johnstone. America is paying for this.

Society Averts Its Gaze From Gaza
May 10, 2025
The task shouldn’t be falling to university activists and obscure antiwar bloggers. Every news outlet in the world should be making this their entire focus.

Who is controlling our reality?

Video by Quazi Johir:

I quit the news and it saved my mental health

Video by Matt d'Avella:

The Secret Top 5 Triggers Clickbaiters Don't Tell You!

[I wasted a lot of time on-line. Whenever I catch myself scrolling these days, I stop and think ... isn't there something better I could be doing? We all kind of know when we're being clickbaited. I asked Grok for some specific examples. Plus I want to test this with a "clickbait" title ...]

Clickbait thrives on exploiting human psychology—curiosity, fear, greed, you name it. Here’s a rundown of the top 5 triggers that make people click like moths to a flame:

 

1. Curiosity Gap - Headlines that tease just enough to leave you hanging, like “You’ll Never Believe What Happens Next!” or “This One Weird Trick Changed Everything.” They promise answers but don’t spill the beans, so you’re itching to find out. It’s the digital equivalent of a cliffhanger.
2. Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) - Think “Last Chance to See This!” or “Everyone’s Talking About This—Are You In?” It plays on the anxiety that you’re out of the loop, pushing you to click before the opportunity vanishes. Scarcity and urgency are key here.
3. Shock and Awe - Outrageous or surprising claims grab attention fast: “He Did WHAT in Public?!” or “This Secret Will Leave You Speechless.” It’s all about hitting emotional extremes—whether it’s disbelief, anger, or amazement—to reel you in.
4. Promise of Easy Gains - Greed’s a hell of a motivator. “Millionaires Hate This Simple Trick!” or “Lose 10 Pounds in 2 Days!” dangles the carrot of effortless rewards, whether it’s money, looks, or status. People click hoping for a shortcut, even if their gut screams “scam.”
5. Relatability with a Twist - Titles like “Only 90s Kids Will Understand This!” or “If You’ve Ever Done This, You’re a Genius” tap into identity and validation. They make you feel seen, then add a layer of intrigue to seal the deal. It’s a sneaky way to make the click feel personal.

These triggers work because they hack into how our brains are wired—craving closure, fearing loss, chasing rewards. Next time you see a headline that gets your pulse up, you’ll know why. What’s the worst clickbait you’ve fallen for lately?