The Social Network Cesspool

Social media circulates news and opinions with speed so if communication is the aim of the game, then it's a winner. In so many other ways its the loser. It promotes falseness and strokes the ego. It is the sandpit of the extroverted and the manipulative. Insincerity and tokenism abound and I find it really irksome to observe the popularity of those who have a sweet tongue and a love of self promotion. Perhaps what really irks me is the way sweet and genuine people are drawn into the trap and unwittingly become promotional agents for those who need continual affirmation. The insincerity and false endearments are indeed irksome to observe as the fame seeker basks in online glory.  Perhaps even worse is the fame seeker who doesn't acknowledge the admiring 'satellites'.  "You cant polish a turd" is a much quoted colloquialism. On the internet there are turds being polished every minute and I for one am holding out. Turds are for flushing, not polishing.

8. Sheep Syndrome

I'm becoming increasingly disenchanted by the competitive nature which is slowly consuming the field of amateur photography. Whilst I appreciate that each of us shares a desire to capture some unusual shots, there's nothing more boring than a succession of images from the one location each posted within days or sometimes hours of each other.
The consistent postings of multiple images to a group forum is also irksome. Facebook provides timelines for that purpose. There is absolutely no need to monopolise a group site with personal postings on an intermittent basis.

At the risk of sounding like a cranky old woman, I admire those who can move beyond the flock mentality and break the mold. We've experienced some classic quests:  waterfalls; sunflowers; canola; fog;  long exposures; star trails; waves; the Opera House, to name a few. The beauty of each is not in question, only the attitude of the people who race out on a road trip the minute an image is posted in an endeavour to get a better shot than the one first posted.

The competitive drive extends from locations to equipment. Who has the most impressive gear ? Who can stitch the greatest number of images ? Who can gain access to private locations ? Who has captured the longest exposure ? Who has shot with the most well known photographers ? Who has the most powerful lens ? Who can afford the most expensive trips ?  How about " Who loves photography for the pleasure it brings ?".

A sameness is creeping over most of the images, with most people emulating the same ideal. Currently long exposures are the flavour of the month, with skies and water devoid of any semblance of normality. The single tree rears its head time and time again, masked behind the aura of minimalism.

I love photography which challenges the norms and displays a unique style. I'm still searching for mine so that is my quest for the moment and if its a solo one, then all the better.

7. Oral Betrayal

Irksome is really too weak an adjective to describe someone who betrays another by not honouring their word.  The reactionary emotion I feel when this happens is a mix of anger, disappointment, disillusionment, frustration and probably a few I've not been able to verbalise. 

The distinction between white and black lies is often made by those attempting to either justify their actions or exempt themselves from being perceived as dishonest by others. I think the distinction between lies is relevant as according to my moral judgement barometer, a lie which protects another person's feelings or self esteem is one instance of justifiable dishonesty. 

An internet search revealed some interesting opinions on the debate. One instance of acceptable lying proferred was when a falsehood protects someone from emotional or physical harm. I couldn't agree more, however I do appreciate that the classification process is very subjective. 

6.Self Irks - The Epitomy Of Irkdom

One can't escape oneself, so I find it odiously irksome to deal with some of my less positive personality quirks. The first one is addictions.  

Once storing favourites used to be a relatively simple process. The online options were limited, as were the inspiring sites. I admit to having an addictive personality and once the internet navigated down the viral pathway, I signed up for not one but numerous bookmarking options. My difficulty is selecting just one. How many times do we find a motivating article, a striking image or an insightful post and just wish to capture it for future reference ? I've decided today is the day for biting the proverbial bullet and I'm going to choose Symbaloo as my receptacle of ultimate choice. It's accessible from any browser and any computer, has an easily navigatable interface and it's free. And hopefully it will be symbolic of my new decisive action lifestyle. Ten Toxic Relationships Many Strong Minded People Avoid was the article I read which inspired this course of action. I do find it curiously uplifting to realise that what many people would nominate as a solid relationship has components of toxicity. Life was not designed to be lived in Nirvana and expecting it to be so is a burden which becomes increasingly heavy.

5. Not an Irk - Sweet Relief

It's not that I've not been irked lately. I've perhaps been irked more than ever but I'm finding it quite a challenge to find the time to post. I'd really just like to have the money to retire and become a semi recluse. I could spend my time writing, reading, photographing and playing around with post processing.
I can have dreams as well as irks !!!!!
Stumbled upon 'Safely Endangered' and it cheered me up enormously - the power of puerile humour :-)

4. Cyber Detritus

This blog has been created as a self managed psycho therapy strategy. For a myriad of reasons today I was feeling really peeved, this time with people rather than situations. I always launch into a guilt trip when I'm feeling disenchanted with life because intrinsically I believe that it is a selfish attitude.

Why should I expect a dream run when others have such a tough trot ?

It must be the Catholic upbringing which instilled in me that we have no right to be happy, we are all sinners and deserve whatever comes our way. It doesn't make it any easier and I feel guilty when I'm unhappy. It's bad enough to feel unhappy for no fathomable reason let alone having to experience a double whammy.

Anyway, I'm not sure how, or if, this blog will proceed, evolve, enlighten or enslave me but I felt inclined to do it, so here it is.

Get the embedding codes for Dilbert toons at: http://www.dilbert.com/

Well how appropriate - I couldn't even set the blog up without becoming exasperated.  A simple typo and voila, I had a URL which initially made no sense: "what really isses me off" was destined to be my URL stem, simply because I left out the "P".  Deuced amusing were it not so typical. Not the sort of title I'd publicise because that's another thing that pisses me off - poor spelling and poor proof reading.  No one would have known other than myself.  However,  should someone have stumbled upon this site, I would be perceived as not only a grumpy old pessimist but a poor speller. And there is no excuse for poor spelling in the age of digital spellcheck.

More exasperations ensued. When I attempted to remedy the situation every single URL was taken and all by people who had registered blogs, written one post, nare to be seen of again. So now cyberspace is littered with the detritus of human non-accomplishments. And that detritus is blocking my attempts to remedy my typo.

Finally, after having multiple titles rejected I decided to coin what I hoped would be a unique term, so I am perfectly satisfied with "Irk - Asperation" because what really irks me is living in an almost perpetual state of being exasperated :-)

Click to read all posts

3. Bumper Huggers

Initially it was bumper huggers who inspired this post however I take a small detour to promote bumper stickers available on Gumtree from Chris on 0422 259 720 for $6. 

Probably the greatest exasperations in my life are caused by politicians and I know I'm certainly not alone there ! The preferential voting system has a lot to answer for and I will never understand how someone who lied in order to gain election is allowed to remain as leader of our country.  Does anyone else recall these words:

".... There will be no carbon tax under any Government 'oi' lead ( and no, the "oi" is not a typo)

Back to bumper huggers - travelling closely to the car in front makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.  Response time is severely compromised and who in their right mind would use their car as a threatening gesture. My response is to simply pull over as soon as practical and let the loser speed on.

2. Token Compromises

The practice of compromise is frequently touted as a successful strategy for maintaining harmony in relationships.  Generally defined as " a settlement of differences by mutual concessions", this practice conversely, by its very nature, compromises personal integrity and free will. In my experience compromise equates with submission. Compomise compromises the compromisers !

Now I firmly believe that as defined, it is a noble endeavour but 'mutual concession' presupposes acceptance of relational equality. Both 'compromisers' need to be happy with the concessions which from my observation is not generally the case. Generally the 'minor' accedes to the 'major' stakeholder.

I quite like the idea of alternate compromises. Both stakeholders take turns in making the choices. Each therefore has a 50% contentment rate. Then again, each person also has a 50% dissatisfaction rate.

How wonderful if it could be :
I value "you" so I don't want' you to have to make compromises on my behalf.  I'd like you to do exactly what makes you happy, and then I'll be happy.

1. Saint Syndrome

I am becoming increasingly disenchanted with people who claim to "live and let live" with respect to relationships with others.  My frustration stems not from the claim but from the fallacy when uttered by the  self professed emotional noblility.    The very people who proclaim this admirable character trait spend their lives in an endeavour to control others.

e.g is it "live and let live" to infer that those who choose to watch reality shows are cognitively challenged ?  Now I wouldn't care if someone sat and watched a dirt spot on the wall for their entire life as long as I was not expected to derive some  euphoric response to that same spot.  Inference is the gentle assassin, particularly if uttered with a condescending smile and a slow shake of the head. Of course there exists a myriad of control strategies, all testimony to an alternate model.................

the "live as I live" lifeplan.  Hmmmmmmppphhhhhh !!!!

'Self professed sainthood' is a personality oxymoron - it is all about control