Au Cochonnet Marin

Credited as the inventor of the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell spoke in 1915 to his inventing partner, Thomas A. Watson, over a line that stretched 3,400 miles from NYC to San Francisco.”

Today, more than a century later, many people are still asking the same question—this time while fumbling with their smartphones. These devices have become so sophisticated that many users find themselves struggling to tame them.

Packed with an overwhelming array of commands and subcommands, the smartphone today offers far too many options to be easily mastered. This complexity often leads to frustration, as users sift through endless settings and features just to complete simple tasks.

Do we really need to carry such heavy digital baggage in our pockets?

Kids seem to fare better than adults. They’ve grown up with the beast, often sleeping with it by their side from a very young age. Today, smartphones are commonly used as baby-soothing tools to deal with a restless child. And there’s no need to teach them anything; they absorb everything by osmose… like picking up a new language. Many are experienced with this communication device before they can even walk.

What do you expect from people with absolutely no digital education?

But there’s a danger in letting an apprentice sorcerer bite off more than he can chew. He can become erratic, unpredictable, and even likely to set the house on fire… just like the new transients in the White House today.

So, what do I want? A friendly, efficient device speaking only 4 or 5 foreign languages, and especially not smarter than me, and if possible, my wife.

Is it really asking too much?

Alain

Yesterday was for me a rollercoaster of emotions. Early on, I felt depressed by the American public’s apparent apathy towards Donald Trump’s mad, outrageous policies.

It seemed to me that the American public was accepting the new Führer’s directives like a flock of sheep, because as a French saying goes, “Qui ne refuse pas, accepts.” “Who doesn’t refuse, accepts”. You ought to remember that in 1933, only three short months after Hitler became Germany’s chancellor, democracy ceased to exist. As a result, an estimated 70 to 85 million people died during World War II.

However, as the day progressed, a glimmer of hope emerged. In the afternoon, as I was at the pétanque court, socializing with friends, I suddenly heard the voices of thousands of demonstrators marching by the Marin Civic Center.

A large crowd had gathered, united in protest. Holding signs, chanting, and beating drums, this sea of determined faces reignited my faith. It reaffirmed my beliefs that true power doesn’t belong to a few money-grabbing zealots, but to the popular masses in the street.

Yesterday, the sight of all the demonstrations across America was a testament to the power of unity and the importance of standing up against tyranny. It was a fine example of democracy in action, where every individual’s voice contributes to a demand for justice.

At that moment, my gloom dissipated and was replaced by a sense of exhilaration. The people’s apparent apathy that had once seemed so pervasive was overshadowed by the energy and passion of the demonstrators.

The demonstrations at the Marin Civic Center were not just a protest against absurd policies; they were a celebration of democratic engagement, a call to action, and a beacon of hope for those who believe in the power of collective action.

They reaffirmed my belief in the potential for positive change and reminded us that, even in the face of adversity, there is always hope when people come together to stand for what is right.

No pasarán!

Alain

 

Television series often depict emergency services as highly coordinated, with competent and compassionate responders. This is a sugar-coated fairytale.

Real-life experiences can involve long wait times and responders who seem to be pretty cavalier about your welfare. This discrepancy leads to huge frustration during actual emergencies.

Emergencies are stressful and demanding, often requiring immediate and efficient response from first responders. However, the reality of emergency services can sometimes be starkly different from what is often portrayed on television.

I always thought that the responder’s first duty was to control the pain and then seek a solution to the problem. But I was wrong. They don’t seem to care about the pain. Evenings, especially Friday nights, can be particularly challenging for emergency services. The working staff disappears fairly quickly, and the care of patients is left to new or inexperienced people. This means that not all emergencies receive the prompt attention they deserve.

There are instances where first responders seem ill-prepared or unaware of the best course of action during emergencies. This lack of knowledge can lead to inefficiencies and potentially exacerbate the distress of those in need.

One of the most disheartening experiences during an emergency is encountering first responders who appear to be indifferent or even laugh during the rescue effort. Such insensitive behavior is not only unprofessional but is deeply hurtful to those who are suffering.

While many first responders are dedicated and skilled professionals, the system is far from being faultless. The challenges faced on busy nights, lack of preparedness, and occasional insensitive behavior highlight the need for improvements in training and resource allocation.

To improve the first attendants’ skills and manners, it might be a novel idea to temporarily hire television actors to teach them some acting skills. When you are in physical pain, compassionate words and actions are a must.

Bridging the gap between the dramatized portrayal of emergency services on television and the real-life experience is essential to ensure that those in need receive the timely and compassionate care they deserve.

Alain