The idea that civilization ends while we’re alive seems to be an ego-centric view of one’s life experience and “we’re living in the end of times” is a thing that every generation probably believes because being the last humans alive gives your life more purpose than just being a blip on the human timeline.
I think humans are too self preserving to end civilization.
The people in power don’t want to give up civilization because then they lose their power and the people without power want to destroy the current infrastructure so they can then gain more power etc. — no end. Just changing of hands.
I think only thing that’ll end us will be AI — and I do believe that one is real, that it’d be an accident, and that it could happen while we’re all still alive.
I guess maybe I am more like the barista, but just a different shade.
Mortimer is adorable. You're thoughtful, funny, and I enjoy reading what you write. Hire this man! I'm now going to find your book online. You're the kind of writer I enjoy. I love people who make me think and can find humor.
About this barista. I was this guy, for a moment in time. Then I realized I was only adding more misery into the world. I remembered I'm not some reactive blob. I can focus on creating a life I enjoy.
That was all going great until my husband nearly died from a stroke in 2020.
I've had to do a lot of emotional and mental work to get back to the ungloomy space I made. But now, more than ever, I appreciate the simple things in life: a day without rushing to the hospital; a new artichoke growing in my garden; not chasing my husband down the street because the medications a doctor prescribed caused my usually funny and calm husband to go berserk...
I think barista man needs some introspection and life experience. Sure, life can be f***ing dark. We don't have to look into the cavernous depths of what we can't control. We can turn toward what is in our control.
Good thing you're a writer. You took his gloom and made it into a thoughtful piece. But another customer may have walked away with more weight on their already bogged down shoulders--spreading his misery like a virus.
Growing up with a volatile, control freak father, I learned that early in life I didn't have control of what I ate, where I lived, my father's dark moods--but I always have control of my mind, what I think about, where I focus, and what I dream of being.
Now you have me wanting to see Mad Max again. Not to ponder anything deep... only because that's when Mel was hot.
Last cookie I ate was a TJ's mini chocolate heart. OK, but TJ's best cookie is the seasonal mini Gingerbread People cookies with white fudge icing. Plan to buy about a dozen boxes next December.
2. I actually ate a vegan GF chocolate chip cookie yesterday with a friend at a coffee house. Barista was too busy to talk about the state of the world.
With the king of rampant consumerism Bezos and the architects of social chaos Zuckerberg and Musk each either currently building doomsday bunkers on islands or trying to escape to Mars, I'd say it sure *feels* like there's an ill wind a-blowing our way...
I'm going to make cookies today! I have a lingering bag of those Hershey peppermint bark kisses and I'm going to put them on chocolate crinkles like an alternate universe peanut butter blossom.
Oh, man, I feel this barista. It's not politics or sports or any specific thing. It's just...doom. Like, really, this is the best we could do? Because everyone seems either pretty fucking miserable or working their asses off in order to not be pretty fucking miserable and having only mild success.
1. “Doomed” undersells the chaos of the moment, and history in general. There are good paths open. And many, many alternatives.
2. I almost bought a “protein cookie,” remembered I’m a human being, and got a white chocolate chip dose of sanity.
3. Bangers are in the headphones of the beholder.
4. I suppose it’s a split between people that never saw it, people that paid half attention, and powerfully motivated drinkers.
5. Perfectly put. I’ll just add that the performance makes me smile every time.
I have nothing insightful to offer except that I, too, fight doom by ensconcing myself in pillows. Mortimer is my new leader.
This was fun.
I don’t totally agree with the barista.
The idea that civilization ends while we’re alive seems to be an ego-centric view of one’s life experience and “we’re living in the end of times” is a thing that every generation probably believes because being the last humans alive gives your life more purpose than just being a blip on the human timeline.
I think humans are too self preserving to end civilization.
The people in power don’t want to give up civilization because then they lose their power and the people without power want to destroy the current infrastructure so they can then gain more power etc. — no end. Just changing of hands.
I think only thing that’ll end us will be AI — and I do believe that one is real, that it’d be an accident, and that it could happen while we’re all still alive.
I guess maybe I am more like the barista, but just a different shade.
I kinda think DOOM is the new normal. That barista has it about right.
And he deserves an awesome tip!
Mortimer is adorable. You're thoughtful, funny, and I enjoy reading what you write. Hire this man! I'm now going to find your book online. You're the kind of writer I enjoy. I love people who make me think and can find humor.
About this barista. I was this guy, for a moment in time. Then I realized I was only adding more misery into the world. I remembered I'm not some reactive blob. I can focus on creating a life I enjoy.
That was all going great until my husband nearly died from a stroke in 2020.
I've had to do a lot of emotional and mental work to get back to the ungloomy space I made. But now, more than ever, I appreciate the simple things in life: a day without rushing to the hospital; a new artichoke growing in my garden; not chasing my husband down the street because the medications a doctor prescribed caused my usually funny and calm husband to go berserk...
I think barista man needs some introspection and life experience. Sure, life can be f***ing dark. We don't have to look into the cavernous depths of what we can't control. We can turn toward what is in our control.
Good thing you're a writer. You took his gloom and made it into a thoughtful piece. But another customer may have walked away with more weight on their already bogged down shoulders--spreading his misery like a virus.
Growing up with a volatile, control freak father, I learned that early in life I didn't have control of what I ate, where I lived, my father's dark moods--but I always have control of my mind, what I think about, where I focus, and what I dream of being.
Now you have me wanting to see Mad Max again. Not to ponder anything deep... only because that's when Mel was hot.
It was a chewy and delicious Meyer lemon cookie my wife made! I feel very un-doomed eating them.
I usually answer your questions first, but I’m stuck on you being a Raiders fan. Really? What gang are you in?
Further comments to follow.
Fogerty totally rocks.
Last cookie I ate was a TJ's mini chocolate heart. OK, but TJ's best cookie is the seasonal mini Gingerbread People cookies with white fudge icing. Plan to buy about a dozen boxes next December.
I think the whole problem is revealed in line 7 of this piece where the barista says, “I haven't had any coffee in months.”
1. If we’re doomed it’s because of AI.
2. I actually ate a vegan GF chocolate chip cookie yesterday with a friend at a coffee house. Barista was too busy to talk about the state of the world.
3. -5. Above my pay grade.
Go Niners. 😊
With the king of rampant consumerism Bezos and the architects of social chaos Zuckerberg and Musk each either currently building doomsday bunkers on islands or trying to escape to Mars, I'd say it sure *feels* like there's an ill wind a-blowing our way...
I'm going to make cookies today! I have a lingering bag of those Hershey peppermint bark kisses and I'm going to put them on chocolate crinkles like an alternate universe peanut butter blossom.
Raider Nation, huh? I guess I'll keep reading you...😝😝😝
Oh, man, I feel this barista. It's not politics or sports or any specific thing. It's just...doom. Like, really, this is the best we could do? Because everyone seems either pretty fucking miserable or working their asses off in order to not be pretty fucking miserable and having only mild success.
Going to have a cookie now.
Hi Michael,
I just finished reading 'Not Safe for Work' and just wanted to tell you that I really enjoyed it! Thank you!