The news is constantly bizarre. While still recovering from surgery, I have way too much time to think, doomscroll and write. Well, the writing’s good, and so is most of the thinking, but the doomscrolling is…sometimes not helpful.

From the US government approving the appointment of a known anti-vaxer as the head of health, to the denial of Russia as the aggressor in the Russia/Ukraine War, and then on to the bizarre ASMR video of deportations, and then the golden calf AI generated video of Gaza, it’s increasingly bizarre watching the US do whatever it’s doing.

Let’s start with the ASMR video. I won’t link to it, because it gives it more hits, but just mention it. I’ve seen it. It’s full of the sound of chains and restraints rattling. ASMR is considered to be a pleasurable response involving tingling sensations elicited by sounds, which may also elicit euphoria. (See this definition from Wikipedia.)

What concerns me about this, is the whole idea of people gaining pleasure from other people’s misery. This is not normal. Or right, or good, or kind. It’s just wrong. And it was released on social media by the Whitehouse. Why did anyone think that was a good idea? Or even a good representation of government? To be honest, it made me feel sick.

Then we move on to today’s utter bizarreness. Trump’s AI generated video of Gaza. It even includes a gold statue of himself, and a child holding a golden Trump-head balloon. And there’s music, bearded belly dancers, casinos, Elon Musk eating hummus, and Trump lounging on a beach with Netanyahu. It’s topped off by incredibly revolting music and lyrics, and the words ‘golden calf’ come immediately to mind. It was apparently released on Trump social by the man himself, so clearly he thinks it’s appropriate.

It really isn’t. It’s narcissistic, glory seeking, and an insult to those whose lives have just been destroyed. And it doesn’t matter what you think about the Gaza/Israel conflict, it’s just too bizarre for words.

And then we have the measles outbreak in Texas. Now, this is not actually a result of the current administration, but might be a foreshadowing of what is to come should the new HHS Secretary have his preferred anti-vaccine ways.

There are now over a hundred, primarily children, (mostly unvaccinated), with measles. There are 20 in hospital, admitted for respiratory distress. And there is now, incredibly sadly, one who has died. And it was brushed off today, by the new HHS head with the words ‘Oh we have measles outbreaks every year…” For perspective, measles was actually declared eradicated in the US in 2000. You can see the information here. It is entirely preventable with vaccination. The measles vaccine is extremely effective.

I know I rabbit on about this stuff, but it’s incredibly concerning, because as the US is a wealthy nation, and the third most populous nation in the world, so what happens there affects the rest of us, whether the inhabitants of the US realise it or not.

And seriously, does any normal government do this? I think not.

Anyway, I think that’s enough for today. I’m still feeling revolted by seeing someone put up an AI generated golden statue of themselves.