If I get this post completed and up on schedule, it will be available just before April Fool’s Day of 2022, so it seems appropriate not to pretend that this is going to deal with anything very serious. Yes, there IS plenty of serious stuff going on (when ISN’T there?), but I’m not going to deal with it in this post. After all, according to Ecclesiastes 3:1: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:…” And, if one wants to read as far as verse 4, one finds: “A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;” I take this as evidence that even God accepts the idea that we should engage in joy and happiness on occasion. I also believe that if one can’t have a laugh, or two, on April Fool’s Day (even if it is during Lent) what’s the point? So. ′nuf said!
According to Wikipedia (which I claim [always have] is a perfectly adequate source for much basic information, if not always for truly “scholarly,” stuff): “April Fools' Day or April Fool's Day is an annual custom on 1 April consisting of practical jokes and hoaxes. Jokesters often expose their actions by shouting ‘April Fools!’ at the recipient.” The article goes on to point out that the origins of this tradition are unclear, but widespread, with similar behavior in most European countries. It also suggests that there is a possible connection to the medieval “Feast of Fools,” but that is (apparently) far from certain. It seems pretty likely that it is European-based, although it has spread to some places in the Middle East, etc.
Of course, it’s quite conceivable that the spread of the idea COULD have been through colonial influences. But, in the long run, who cares? The point is to have fun by pointing out the silliness which affects all of us on occasion and accept that it’s a part of being human to be a bit crazy now and then. I like it and I’m going to celebrate it. If you can’t or don’t choose to recognize this obvious (to me, at least) fact of human nature, don’t bother to continue. And, I’m sorry for you!
So, here’s a few examples of the sort of stupidity silliness which I have run across in the not very distant past in various places online. I chose them, not so I can call you an “April Fool,” but because they remind me that there’s a bit of a fool in all of us.
As I’ve said before, I am a frequent patron of the local Y because my medical insurance pays for my membership and it’s less than a mile (about 5-7 minutes) from our house. They’ve never asked me to do a survey about how I heard about them, but, when I saw this online, I got quite a chuckle.
According to Wikipedia (which I claim [always have] is a perfectly adequate source for much basic information, if not always for truly “scholarly,” stuff): “April Fools' Day or April Fool's Day is an annual custom on 1 April consisting of practical jokes and hoaxes. Jokesters often expose their actions by shouting ‘April Fools!’ at the recipient.” The article goes on to point out that the origins of this tradition are unclear, but widespread, with similar behavior in most European countries. It also suggests that there is a possible connection to the medieval “Feast of Fools,” but that is (apparently) far from certain. It seems pretty likely that it is European-based, although it has spread to some places in the Middle East, etc.
Of course, it’s quite conceivable that the spread of the idea COULD have been through colonial influences. But, in the long run, who cares? The point is to have fun by pointing out the silliness which affects all of us on occasion and accept that it’s a part of being human to be a bit crazy now and then. I like it and I’m going to celebrate it. If you can’t or don’t choose to recognize this obvious (to me, at least) fact of human nature, don’t bother to continue. And, I’m sorry for you!
So, here’s a few examples of the sort of stupidity silliness which I have run across in the not very distant past in various places online. I chose them, not so I can call you an “April Fool,” but because they remind me that there’s a bit of a fool in all of us.
As I’ve said before, I am a frequent patron of the local Y because my medical insurance pays for my membership and it’s less than a mile (about 5-7 minutes) from our house. They’ve never asked me to do a survey about how I heard about them, but, when I saw this online, I got quite a chuckle.
You MAY have to be a “child of the 70”s to understand that, but I suspect others will still “get it.”
Perhaps it’s because I am aware of the fact that I’m an “old guy” now, but I enjoyed this “Dustin” cartoon even though I take some small offense at the idea that what may be perfectly obvious to the guy who built something, may not be to someone who just wants to use it. I also dislike the assumption that not being a preteen makes one incapable of logic, critical thinking, or the ability to “figure things out.”
Perhaps it’s because I am aware of the fact that I’m an “old guy” now, but I enjoyed this “Dustin” cartoon even though I take some small offense at the idea that what may be perfectly obvious to the guy who built something, may not be to someone who just wants to use it. I also dislike the assumption that not being a preteen makes one incapable of logic, critical thinking, or the ability to “figure things out.”
I suppose that it’s also because: 1.) I have found that MANY “instruction” manuals are complete and total failures in that they don’t convey ANY useful information because they assume that the entire world already knows what the “technical” writer knows; 2.) the “technical” writer doesn’t understand how to USE the product (whatever it is) even if he/she did invent it; 3.) the writer barely knows the language he is supposed to be writing in; and, 4.) it’s based on the assumption that the purchaser shouldn’t have anything better to do than to figure out the product through trial and error.
I suppose that I should admit that what are often called “instructions” are a pet peeve of mine. All too often, they seem to either assume I’m too stupid to be anything but a source of money for the manufacturer or that I have the intelligence of a vegetable and so it doesn’t matter if they provide useful information, or not, as I’ll never figure it out, anyway. Needless to say, that does NOT make me happy. Here’s some examples:
I suppose that I should admit that what are often called “instructions” are a pet peeve of mine. All too often, they seem to either assume I’m too stupid to be anything but a source of money for the manufacturer or that I have the intelligence of a vegetable and so it doesn’t matter if they provide useful information, or not, as I’ll never figure it out, anyway. Needless to say, that does NOT make me happy. Here’s some examples:
I think what annoys me most is the assumption that younger people now-a-days are “so much smarter than their elders.” Okay, I get the fact that I AM an “elder,” but I find THIS (see below) amusing because it seems to have at least some elements of truth in it.
I also have to wonder why so many “youngsters” feel that somewhat older people “just can’t figure things out” when I contemplate things like this “sign” I found somewhere!
Now, I won’t argue that older people are immune from falling for scams and other forms of stupidity, but I WILL suggest that “olders” aren’t the only ones to whom THIS applies!
Nor will I accept that ALL “April Fool’s jokes” were actually intended to be such. Sometimes, they just turned out that way, as in this case:
Now, if only I had known THAT before I retired here…. See you in a couple of weeks. I hope your life has at least some occasional laughter. It’s good for you!
🖖🏼 LLAP,
Dr. B
“Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic; capable of both inflicting injury, and remedying it.” ―Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
🖖🏼 LLAP,
Dr. B
“Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic; capable of both inflicting injury, and remedying it.” ―Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
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