Il Duce ha sempre ragione

The leader is always right!

But seriously, can anybody always be right? It sounds a little far-fetched to me, but it seems that some special people possess this uncanny ability. In the Thirties for instance, Benito Mussolini (Il Duce ha sempre ragione) was one of those. He was always right… so said his supporters.

“A basic slogan in Fascist Italy proclaimed that Mussolini was “always right” (Il Duce ha sempre ragione). Endless publicity revolved about Mussolini with newspapers being instructed on exactly what to report about him.” Wikipedia

Always being right is a tough job, but it seems that somebody will always be willing to sacrifice him/herself for the good of the nation. The new messiah usually surrounds himself with ardent devotees who like a Greek chorus repeat and praise all his actions Ad Infinitum.

In the eyes of his supporters, the leader is always right… regardless of how outrageous his declarations can be. Because a devotee doesn’t judge; he only endorses. That is what faith can do. It also requires his adherents to wear blinders, so that they wouldn’t be tempted to stray away from the righteous path.

Selling books, even Bibles also helps a great deal. Because If it is written in a book, it must be true, isn’t it?

Of course, embellishing the facts is also part of the game. In any crusade, some exaggeration is permitted, even condoned. Sticking strictly to the facts is considered naïve and even dangerous. Fibbing is regarded as a “poetic license” and is part of this catechism.

Hyperbole is also accepted and even admired:

“Let us have a dagger between our teeth, a bomb in our hands, and an infinite scorn in our hearts.” Benito Mussolini

 “There has never been anything like it, this great movement of ours. Never been anything like it, and perhaps there will never be anything like it again.”???

 “We are going to make our country great again!”

 It sounds good, doesn’t it? But will democracy be an inherent part of this glorious package? Before committing, read the fine print very carefully!

Alain

How well do you know your smartphone?

It goes without saying that in the civilized world, almost everybody carries, or even sleeps with a smartphone. But how well do you know your bedmate?  Probably not well enough.

“A new survey out says 64 percent of Americans own a smartphone. This is interesting because, in a related survey, 100 percent of smartphones say they own an American.” ~ Jimmy Fallon

Contrary to what some old fogies are thinking, a smartphone is not just a fancy cell phone. It is a powerful little device that can do (almost) anything… providing that you know how to do it. Regrettably, many middle-aged individuals are limited to basic functions such as calling, texting, or watching videos.

“Smartphones can relay patients’ data to hospital computers in a continuous stream. Doctors can alter treatment regimens remotely, instead of making patients come in for a visit.” ~ Charles C. Mann

If you want to know more about your smartphone, ask your grandkids. They graduated in “Phonomics” as early as the Second Grade and can instruct you on all the things that you didn’t know or were afraid to ask.

Despite their sometimes limited grasp of traditional skills like writing or arithmetic, children exhibit remarkable proficiency when handling a smartphone. I also believe that future generations will evolve with elongated thumbs, the primary digits used for smartphone interactions.

Inspired by this notion, I’ve entertained the idea of launching a special venture. By pairing tech-savvy youngsters with smartphone innocents, we could facilitate private tutoring sessions aimed at enlightening uninformed citizens. For a modest fee, adults could benefit from personalized instruction, while children would contribute to a mutually enriching experience.

So, keep the little tykes away from mischief and put them to work to earn their keep.

Alain

“To be honest, I think cell phones were invented by the devil.” Joe Hill

I want to speak with a human being… please

In the old days, the lord of the manor lived in splendid isolation behind his castle’s walls, and he was practically unapproachable by the common man.

Many things have changed for the better since the Middle Ages, but the decision-makers are still beyond reach. Instead of walls, they are now protected by soulless, anonymous bots. Finding a human being to voice your concerns or to ask pointed questions is virtually impossible. And you shouldn’t have the impertinence to even try it, they say.

These days, everybody (even beggars) owns a phone and in theory, you should be able to contact anybody at any time. But not so fast! The key numbers are kept out of reach of the huddled masses. You cannot call the governor or your senator to complain about this or that. No, no, no! You must first go through a labyrinth, an obstacle course to reach that revered person.

As a concrete example (and I have plenty of them) I was trying today to reach an Earthling at Xfinity (or is it Comcast?) to grumble about a sudden and mysterious increase in my monthly bill. As I usually do, I let my fingers do the talking and started to look for a pertinent telephone number on their website. But Tarnation! I could not find any. I finally came across a “Customer Support” button and I jumped on it like a hungry dog on a bone.

I believe that this is a devious plot to discourage any type of complaint. When you call, you are usually put on hold, and it is hoped that the lengthy waiting time will discourage you and prompt you to hang up.

When the Support Person finally manifested his/herself… in print, I was asked to click on some links and answer some very personal questions. Everybody knows that clicking on any unknown link is fraught with peril and that it is a big NO-NO for all the Internauts. But what else could I do?

 I was asked among other things for my Social Security Number and a credit card number. How can I be sure that I am not dealing with some Romanian fleabag trying to rip me off? It happens every day…

With each passing day, we venture deeper into a more impersonal world. The droids are everywhere, even on the battlefield, and they have scant respect for insignificant insects like you.

Nevertheless, I went through my session with the bot and was ultimately assured of a better deal. I am now clenching my sphincter and anxiously waiting for the best.

Feeling lost in space, longing for a human, compassionate voice.

Alain