Sticks and stones or AR-15s?

 

"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones" - Albert Einstein

We've come a long way. From the almost bipedal creature that could only get as far off the ground as the highest tree it could climb, to the above the clouds 30.000 feet birds of steel taking us faster and farther than our ancestors could possibly fathom.

And yet, we are still the same as those poor, frightened, monkey-like cave dwellers that fear the lightning and the subsequent crash of thunder that had the first storytellers invent magical beings fighting in the skies or punishing us for our trespasses.

It is amazing and baffling to me how much we've changed yet how we are still the same when we let our so-called leaders govern us by fear. Fear of poverty, fear of internal or external enemies (be it real or imagined), fear of communism, of terrorism, of our neighbors, of our own friends and family.

The best example are the United States of America. The recent streak of mass shootings had (yet again) cracked open the proverbial can of worms about gun ownership regulation and the adulated second Amendment.

I have recently and rather uncharacteristically got involved in a thread on Twitter (yes, I guess I'm that old) where people were quick to attack anyone who remotely suggested that more safeguards should be put in place in order to have a stricter control on who is actually fit to own a gun and has a good reason to ask such a permit.

One of the most absurd reasons that I've read was that this was the only way to protect the citizens from dictatorship as well as from FOREIGN INVADERS.

Now let's take each of those arguments (apart) and see if they make any sense.

First off, I don't believe there has been any moment in the rather short history of the New World where Americans had to put up with any form of totalitarianism. Meanwhile, slavery, on the other hand, doesn't seem to register anywhere or bear any relevance in all this discussion, though.

To me, saying that it's because of said guns that there has been no dictatorship, reminds me of a joke about a guy who was gently tapping his fingers on a table. When asked what he was doing, he simply replied: "I'm scaring off tigers". "But I don't think there are any tigers around here", the other one said. "See how effective my method is?", the first one concluded.

My point is fear isn't rational, preparing for something doesn't necessarily mean it's the reason why it's not happening. People need to trust the system and its institutions, rather than taking matters into their hands.

Moving on to the ridiculous assumption that it's civilian gun owners that scare off any potential enemy from invading the US makes me literally laugh out loud. It's so preposterous I can't even begin to imagine how somebody could even come up with such nonsense.

If there's anything that keeps those real or make-belief enemies at bay, I'm sure it has nothing to do with the nuclear capacities and impressive armed military forces that we hear about and see on TV. No, it's the bazooka and AR-15 rednecks who need to wear weapons when they go shopping at Toys'R'us, just in case a toddler decides to deploy a WMD in the middle of the mall.

It's pathetic, is what it is! Those proud boys (and they really are afraid , little boys) are so out of touch with reality that they actually think they are safer carrying those guns without even realizing how they're doing nothing but reinforcing everybody's fears of gun-related violence.

There's just one more thing I'd like to say on this matter: there's no middle ground with these people. Stricter gun control equals no gun ownership of any kind among civilians (which would actually not be that bad, but don't let them hear you saying that).

But it's in their nature to overreact like this. How else could you explain that in a country that has (to my knowledge) never had an actual international conflict on its soil fears so much an invasion that it feels the need to wear assault weapons just for a coffee run?

Meanwhile mass shootings happen because almost anybody can procure a gun (and not just through illegal means) and all the American people do is either ignore them or actually use it to justify the need for even MORE weapons. Cause who doesn't want their kindergarten have armed guards or teachers, right?

And it really is all about perception. I remember the first time I saw military in the streets in France, just patrolling with their automatic weapons on display. My first reaction was: what's going on?! Why do we need armed soldiers to guard us? My sister-in-law, who had been living there for years didn't spare them a second glance and simply stated "I actually feel safer knowing they're here to protect us".

I guess I've said my piece, except this: I think I've heard it in Michael Moore's Bowling for Columbine that in America more people die in shootings a year than in all other countries combined. I've recently been made aware by a gun supporter it was (no longer?) true to our days and that in Mexico alone there are more deaths. To people like him, I only want to ask you this: what happened to that great America, that made it stoop so low as to compare itself with a drug cartel infested country?

I guess any argument will do as long as it allows gun totting lunatics to keep their guns that their children eventually use to (accidentally) shoot themselves or their teachers and colleagues.

Sounds to me like the only invasion force that they should fear is not even at their thresholds, but in their very homes.

In conclusion, I leave you with this: there's nothing worse that anybody in the world can do to Americans that they aren't already doing or have done to themselves.

 

Free speech is DEAD, long live Cancel Culture!

 "So, a mistake is made, a word is spoken out of turn, a cultural norm is broken, and all is fair in the pursuit of cancelling this person, erasing them off the face of the earth, banishing them to a world of shame and regret." - Aysha Taryam, first Middle Eastern female Editor-in-Chief of an English language newspaper

It wasn't that long ago that people (you know, regular people like you and me) were able to express themselves however they chose fit on almost whatever subject they chose (except Islam related topics maybe) and all they risked was some heated debate that is until Godwin's law choked the life out of it. 

But that's no longer the case. Nowadays, before posting an article or a comment or even when talking in public, we are forced to censure ourselves or at least think twice before even daring to write such post, let alone publishing it. And yes, that's a bad thing.

I mean sure, there are those who speak before they think and those who think too long and never get a chance to speak, but either way, they should be free to do so and if their opinion goes against what popular belief tells us what is right, then all anybody has to do is engage in a conversation with that person and let the one with stronger arguments or better formed ideas win, or, in case of a stalemate, it can also be acceptable to agree to disagree.

But I won't beat around the bush anymore and, with or without your permission, will cut to the chase. What I'm talking about is the LGBTQ+ community and how they choose to weaponize Cancel Culture.

Yeah, I've said it. With all the courage of the pseudo-anonymity of my blog and my (not so?) clever pseudonym & blog address.

I'm all for free speech and I'm all for people defending their points of view, but bringing the possibility of being cancelled into a debate is like bringing a nuclear weapon to a fist fight. And why, pray tell, should one be cancelled for expressing their personal opinions? Because they're wrong? So what?! I believe it's already been said, but if we had cancelled everyone who's ever expressed an opinion contrary to the popular belief, on one hand it would mean we lived in totalitarianism (which is sort of opposite to inclusiveness isn't it, my oppressing friends?) and on the other hand, we risked missing some valid points, as outlandish as they may sound right now.

Let's go even more into detail with this unfair battle of the wits and take a real world example: the attempted cancellation and social media assassination of one J.K. Rowling. You know, that lady with the books that sold in millions of copies and produced a very successful movie franchise. 

So here's what I got from that whole debacle: that lady reacted to someone who used the expression "people who menstruate" to describe women (born as women). She ridiculed said expression and I fully stand by her.

Nobody said that we can't find better words or expressions to describe people who are transitioning or who are already fully fledged transgender if they feel like the current terms are pejorative or downright insulting. But why do we have to reinvent the wheel for something that NOBODY asked for as far as normal (yes, I've said it: NOR-MAL) people are concerned? Why does this newly formed community feel the need to label the rest of the population as cisgender, people who menstruate and so on and so forth? Especially since, to my understanding, "cisgender" is most often used in a pejorative context e.g. look at this white, cisgender motherfucker acting like he's the one being discriminated.

Which bring me to yet another point: why is it that if I'm a Caucasian heterosexual (look at that, there already is a non-derogatory term for my sexual orientation - who would've thought?) man I seem to be absolutely immune to being discriminated against? Not saying this happens every day or at least as often as people in the LGBTQ+ (damn, I'm going to get a cramp from writing this acronym and I know that + saves me the hassle of writing at least 2-3 more letters), but at least it should be factored in as a possibility.

But getting back to the point I was trying to make. From that sarcastic tweet from J.K.R., all hell broke loose. People were outraged about this heterosexual woman (born a woman) daring to challenge an expression that imposed something on her and every other woman as being offensive to this "just give me a reason" social media mob. 

And here I'd like to take a moment and clarify something: I KNOW that the LGBTQ+ community isn't represented by these digital pitchforks and torches wielding permanently-hurt-offended-and-triggered-by-anything-they-perceive-as-going-against-their-own-narrative-or-belief-system maniacs. But, unfortunately, they are the loudest and almost omnipresent (thank...whomever that none of these dimwits are standing next to me while I am writing these lines).

And then the harassing and TERF (look it up, I didn't invent it) name-calling began. A little more down the road, the death threats started to appear and even went as far as posting pictures taken in front of her home, with her real address in full view for any psychopath with delusions of becoming famous to find and use as they saw fit. That's low, people, real low. And talk about escalating. Can anyone even explain how anyone could possibly equate a sarcastic tweet to endangering someone's life? No, nobody could. Not even the greatest minds of all time could fathom such an absurdity.

And again: why? Because this lady refused to cave in, or take it lying down. She stuck to her arguments and she persevered in tweeting and talking about HER beliefs and promoting feminism. Actually, I've just realized the story began even earlier when she had posted something about how children should be protected from some new legislation that allows them to begin transitioning from smaller ages and even without their own parents' knowledge.

Why wouldn't their parents be included in that discussion? Because they risk not approving? So what? There are all these legal levers that one can use if they really want to go ahead and change their gender, like emancipation. Oh, they may be to young for that? Then why would they have the right to take such a life-changing and extreme measure by themselves? We allow parents to decide for them when it comes to drinking alcohol or what school they go to, which nobody will dare say are more important than transitioning, but we can't trust they will take into account their children's wishes and arguments and offer them counterarguments and help them realize what is real and what is manipulation?

Also, it seems to me that some of these activists intentionally blur the lines between gender, sex orientation and plain being weird. Just to add more to the confusion and possibly being able to call others ignorant for not being able to distinguish between all these neologisms. And yes, one more time, I've said it: weird. When and where did it start being normal for a heterosexual man (born a man) to wear women's clothing and make-up in public? No, sorry, I'm all for living your life the way you see fit, but some things simply aren't normal and in such a case, you definitely should seek help.

Let me also say that I am happy and proud that after so many years of struggles and loss of life (either due to suicide, abuse or botched surgical interventions), our medical system has reached the level where a person who was born a boy or a girl but feels like their gender is wrong can go ahead and right that wrong and be at peace with themselves. For those people I say: good for you and I celebrate.

I am also for people being gay (homosexuals or lesbians), it's really not for me to say how they get their pleasure, just as it's not up to them to say what I do in my bedroom is right or wrong.

That being said, here is where I draw the line regarding gender and sex orientation: 

• you are either man, or woman, or transitioning, you can't be both (unless you were born hermaphrodite) and you can't be neither. So this whole "they/them" story is nonsensical as far as I'm concerned. Besides, the English language already has a neutral gender albeit reserved for objects and animals: "it". They/them sounds like you are suffering from a schizophrenic disease, so yes, it is ridiculous to me both in form and content.
• having the feeling of being a woman trapped in a man's body or vice-versa is NOT a disease and, thankfully, you can now have surgery to correct that, however, being a heterosexual man wanting to dress as a woman and put on make-up, is and you should get that checked out. There are professionals willing to help, I'm sure.
• as long as your physical gender isn't changed, one shouldn't be able to use the other gender's restrooms, be sent to that other gender's prisons or participate in the other gender's competitions. In fact, as far as that last one is concerned, you shouldn't be able to compete in those events anyway. Just because you were born with the wrong sex organs, doesn't mean that your body isn't that of a male's so winning a women's competition is just like cheating, while losing at such an event should be just as humiliating. And "gender-neutral" toilets already exist too, I'm sorry to say, but they're called "unisex", so instead of demanding a third restroom in schools or wherever, why not join the two existing ones into one, big, inclusive unisex restroom?
  
• just because you find yourself being a member of the LGBTQ+ community, doesn't give you the right to judge what anyone else says about it, nor do you get to be jury and executioner of cancelling that person or group.

I guess what I'm trying to say is: com'on, people, let's be reasonable and let's distinguish between mental disease and actual problems that may or may not be fixed by modern medicine. And if you don't agree with what someone has to say, all you have to do is disagree and start a conversation. This is what bothers me the most: when you are cancelling someone, there is no communication and it's that lack of communication that often complicates and aggravates the situation.

You don't have to agree with me or anyone else and we definitely don't have to all be friends, but just remember what I wrote earlier: if we can't reach a consensus, we can always politely agree to disagree and move on with our lives, it doesn't have to become this inescapable drama that some like to wallow in.

Let me also just say that I strongly disagree with discrimination in its many forms and I am firmly against any type of violence towards any of these people - because no matter what some extremist may say, they are people - and I wouldn't hesitate to defend them should I witness it in the street. But harassment is harassment, and violence is violence and I will not stand for people from the gay community harassing others because they don't agree with their opinions.

That's it. I've said my piece. 

So here I am, now cancel me!

 

(Belated from 2020) We are living wondrous times

 

I'm sure most people reading this will quickly assert that this article is about the current Coronavirus/Covid-19/Sars-Cov-2 pandemic, but you would be wrong.

Reading an article about actress/actor Elle/Elliot Page today has triggered something inside of me. I have taken an interest in Elle's acting career since she starred in Juno, I think. Then went back a little and enjoyed "Freaks and geeks".

I've read/heard she was a lesbian, which didn't surprise me that much a few years a go. In fact, I was more like "good for her", she's finally found herself!

Now I read this article about her saying she's transgender and identifies as being (mostly - if I understand this correctly, as being a "he"). 

What really titillates me about this (besides an interesting actress potentially becoming an interesting actor) is the fact that we, as a human species, have reached the stage where we can try and correct some of nature's mistakes ourselves.

We are no longer left with few choices ranging from living our whole lives "in the closet" to actually committing suicide, but we can become what we feel we were born to be.

Make no mistake, I am not saying that this is easy. From a social standpoint down to the medical/physiological point of view. It's not easy changing gender. I get that. But it is nonetheless truly amazing that we've reached the stage where a person who is aware of their misalignment with their gender has the choice to surgically become what their mind tells them they should be and, consequently, live the lives they feel they were meant to.

No more depression. No more stigma (mostly). No more regrets.

This, for me at least, is the future I'd like to live in.

For me, a transgender person is just someone who was lucky enough to have the means and opportunity to make their body follow suit to what they feel.

I, however, don't feel the need to label them as transgender. For me, a person who physically changes sex becomes that new gender. It doesn't really matter what they were before in the present.

I do make a distinction regarding their physical gender in the timeline though. As far as I am concerned, whatever gender you were born with, that's what you were up until the time you yourself realized that you were really meant to be.

So Bruce Jenner was a guy who won the  Olympics, even though a few years ago, that guy ceased to exist and Caitlyn Jenner emerged (even before the actual sex change operation).

To my limited understanding of this phenomenon, it is physically much easier to switch from male to female, so if the technology/surgery hasn't really caught up with us evolving as a species yet, it doesn't mean it's less than or not as. 

I guess what I'm really trying to say is that even though I am not concerned personally by this topic, I am grateful to be living these times when we can bend nature's will and correct it's flaws in order to live the fullest lives we can, in the bodies we feel we were meant to live in.

No one should be forced to live inside a body that feels strange to them, especially if they have a chance to change that!

I'll tell you one more thing too: anyone willing to risk their lives to live they're future the way they feel they were meant to deserves nothing but respect and even an amount of awe.
#notransgender #nocisgender #justhuman

Eu, cinefilul

Desi suna precum titlul unei carti de Asimov, va asigur ca nu intr-acolo bat. La fel, pentru cei care cred ca tot ce are "-filul" in coada inseamna vreo perversiune, ii rog din suflet sa paraseasca imediat "incinta", ca blogul asta nu e pentru ei.

Asa. Acum ca am lamurit despre ce NU este vorba in articolul asta, sa va spun despre ce ar fi. Pai, s-ar zice dupa titlul ca e despre filme. Si despre mine. Si despre relatia mea de lunga durata cu ele...filmele. Da, oameni buni, in caz ca nu v-ati dat seama pana acum ori nu am mai mentionat deja lucrul asta prin vreun articol si a dat damblaua peste mine si am uitat, va dezvalui ca urmaresc cu vadit interes si cu mare placere marile productii Holywoodiene si nu numai. Da, pentru ca nu numai in State se fac filme bune si nu numai un buget monstruos de mare garanteaza succesul in ochiul privitorului, si anume eu.

De ce imi face atata placere sa "pierd" timpul in fata televizorului, computatorului sau al "marelui ecran" ca sa vad interpretarea in imagini a ceea ce a gandit/scris un om de pe fata margelei numite Pamant? Damned if I know! But I do. Si chiar am stabilit ceva recorduri de anduranta la vremea mea. Ca sa ma laud o sa mentionez doar cateva: vazut vreo 12 filme intr-o singura "sesiune", back to back, urmarit toata trilogia Lord of the Rings Extended edition intr-o singura zi, adica in vreo 14 ore (fenomen descris pe larg aici) and last, but not least, ar fi cele peste 2100 de titluri carora le-am dat nota pe imdb.

Poate ca nu vi se pare chiar mult sau iesit din comun, dar ganditi-va un pic si la urmatoarele: sunt destule titluri in lista sus-mentionata ale unor seriale (incheiate sau inca in derulare), sunt filme pe care le-am vazut de mai multe ori (recordul personal e pe undeva pe la 14), peste toate astea vin toate filmele pe care le-am vazut si carora am uitat sa le dau nota ori carora, din cauza unui bug din pagina imdb (daca dai back dupa ce ai dat o nota, aceasta nu se va salva), nu s-au salvat. Si tot aici as mai sublinia ceva: pentru majoritatea titlurilor pot mentiona actori sau chiar regizori, ori descrie in detaliu scene, ba chiar pot face un scurt rezumat.

Da, da, ma laud, pentru ca nu multi pot recunoaste un film dupa un singur cadru ori un actor sau actrita dupa voce ori dupa un profil in semi-obscuritate si dintr-un unghi ciudat, ori sa prezica pana si urmatoarea replica dintr-un film pe care nu l-a vazut niciodata. De ce sa nu ma laud?

Mi-as dori sa particip la un concurs online (nu m-as vedea vreodata la televizor ori in fata unei multimi) unde sa demonstrez si sa imi demonstrez toate aceste cunostinte si abilitati capatate prin pierderea multor ore in fata sus-numitelor monitoare cu sau fara tuburi catodice. Ba chiar poate sa si castig ceva, daca merit. Sunt sigur ca in lumea asta sunt suficienti obsedati care nu au viata sociala ori personala si care probabil ca mi-ar da clasa, cum se zice. Dar eu ma refer la un concurs in conditii de egalitate: sa fim de aproximativ aceeasi varsta si cu background asemanator pentru a fi cat mai corect si echidistant posibil.

Anywho, cam atat am avut eu de zis despre asta acum. Deci n-am murit...inca. Si chiar mai scriu si chiar mai gasesc timp si subiect de inspiratie. Sper sa o tin tot asa. Urati-mi noroc!

Oh, no! It's the late night show!

In cuvintele mult prea inteleptului Dalai Lama Cheloo de la Parazitii: 

Fuck rappers using lipstick!
Fuck rappers wearing pink Puma pajamas!
Fuck everything!
Fuck anybody!
Fuck is the word!

Deci, mortii cu mortii, vii cu...mortii ma-sii! Voi de care-mi sunteti? Hai sa aflam, vreti? Ia bagati in vena cate 100 ml de Fuckitol si trageti pe nas la rand urmatoarele videoclipe si vedeti daca mai aveti puls dupa. Ah, recomand a se servi la cald...cu un pahar de whiskas sau 'gnac in mana.

Sa-ncepem cu un "new entry" descoperit, sa moara Jan, daca nu chiar in timp ce ma scremeam cu acest articol:

Se pare ca e o noapte de premiere. Inca una fresh dupa prima auditie, poate un pic manelizata, dar respect pentru Zale ca inca mai poate:

Si-nc-o premiera, nu ca vreau sa le fac reclama astora cu Chillbrothers, dar descopar multe melodii bune in noaptea asta...si inca e devreme, dar bine-i zice: Ne place nebunia, fabricata-n Romania!

Doamne, oare chiar atat de ignorant am putut deveni? De unde au rasarit toti oamenii astia care stiu sa dea rime precum Kalash'-ul?

Ce sa mai zic de asta? O fi profu' de chimie sau Adrien Brody? Nu stiu, dar daca ar fi cantat Pianistul cum da asta rimele, ar fi luat 20 de Oscaruri:

Holy shit!

Alt extraterestru:

Star la "cool hunting", Cheloo's find:

Inca se mai poate:

Asta imi aduce aminte cat de mult imi place underground-ul, iar mai underground decat atat poate doar sub statia de metrou! Si totusi sunt la inaltime...ca doar sunt pe bloc! Nu stiu daca-i freestyle, dar o dau prea bine baietii:

Pe final, de la un "punk for life", doar atat:

RESPECT!

 

Sa ploua, sa ploua, uite, am zis sa ploua,

Nu mi-e frica sa ma ud, uite, am zis sa ploua.

Sa ploua, sa ploua, uite, am zis sa ploua,

Nu mi-e frica sa ma ud, uite, am zis sa ploua.

 

Sa ploua, sa ploua, uite, am zis sa ploua,

Nu mi-e frica sa ma ud, uite, am zis sa ploua.

 

Sa ploua, sa ploua, uite, am zis sa ploua,

Nu mi-e frica sa ma ud, uite, am zis sa ploua...

Too stupid to be true?

Credeam ca am innebunit. De tot. Ma cam obisnuisem cu gandul ca nu mai am scapare si asta e finalul inevitabil...imi pastram ca ultima farama de ratiune posibilitatea de a lua legatura cu nava-mama si sa ii rog sa ma teleghideze ca sa ies din incurcatura. Norocul meu ca am intrat pe Goangal si am descoperit cu mare bucurie in suflet si cu nemarginit dispret fata de firma cu care am mai avut eu intalniri de gradul 3 ca EU aveam dreptate si EI erau nebuni!

Despre ce vorbesc? Pai...sa vedem: daca sunteti abonati eRDeeSh si aveti decodor Humax SD...cred ca stiti deja. Daca nu, atunci sa va spun povestea pe scurt: acum vreo saptamana, π televizor a aparut un mesaj daca se doreste updatarea soft-ului (firmware n.a.). Dornic de aventura si senzatii tari, plus o doza de inconstienta, cu o privire salbatica am zis "DA, DAAAA!" si asta mi-a fost fatal. Pentru ca noul soft s-a dovedit a fi...o petarda. Probabil ca e piratat. Sau neterminat. Facut de chinezi si tradus in latina, interpretat in turca si introdus de un babuin intr-un calulator de buzunar in codul Morse. Adica...sa nu poti aranja canalele in ordinea in care vrea muschiul tau de client platitor de abonament? Vorba aia...cetatean european?

Pai, dragalasilor, acum as vrea sa mai vad spotul respectiv fix pe tema asta. Ca tare ma bate gandul sa ii bat...adica sa ma duc pana la OPC si sa ii intreb daca nu cumva imi incalca ceva drepturi...europene. Mi se pare de neconceput ca in secolul XXI sa nu poti ordona canalele cu ajutorul unui decodor cand pana si ultimul televizor CRT iti ofera posibilitatea asta.

Nu, va spun eu: astia nu se mai vindeca! Uite, nici nu s-a implinit un an de cand am marele "noroc" sa le fiu client si iata ca au dat iar cu muci-n fasole si s-au manjit frumos, din cap pana-n picioare, cu cacat. Ce sa mai zic? Se pare ca luna octombrie a devenit in mod oficial luna firmelor "out of this world".

Stiti de la ce vine RDS?

Rupe-ti-ai Dracu' Scafarlia!

BCR strikes again!

Inca o reclama de-a dreptul cretina difuzata pana la refuz a fost avortata spontan la ore de maxima audienta de catre banca ce se pricepe cel mai bine sa te faca sa iti smulgi parul din nas cu patentul...folosindu-ti picioarele.

Fara sa mentin suspansul prea mult, va prezint reclama pentru...Creditul Pervers de la BCR:

Iar in loc de incheiere nu pot spune decat atat: din pacate, marketingul romanesc si-a dat obstescul sfarsit...cam pe aici:

Genial!

Why Nokia will go bankrupt

...or be taken over, eventually.

Did I mention this before? Well, if I have, then I guess it's just the Alzheimer's setting in.

First I would just like to reinforce one of my previous statements, as I stand by it, but at the same time I would also like to make it a bit clearer: I love Nokia for what they achieved...up to a certain point and extent. After that, I can't take the risk of recommending it to anyone but hardcore fans, but they are already fanatics, so they don't need any encouragement from me.

But no more beating around the bush. Here's my two cents on the matter: I think that Nokia made two fundamental and historical mistakes along the way, that will, eventually lead to its demise (one way - bankruptcy - or the other - takeover/joint venture).

1. They didn't drop the Symbian when they should have and had the chance - and I don't mean switching for any of the existing solutions out there (iOS, Android and especially NOT the Windows Mobile crap) - when what they should really have been focusing on was a complete, build-it-yourself-from-ground-up OS.
2. They tried to become the next "all touch display" giant, but they lacked the technology (give it up already with the resistive displays!), the ideas and basically...everything. So they should have made some improvements and play a little with touch displays (maybe like they have with the E6), but stick with their physical keyboards. You can go ahead and call me a softy (no pun intended), but I miss ye ol' keyboard on any phone.

So what are my predictions? Nokia is already staggering its way into the touch display market trying to catch up by bringing outlandish camera resolutions and wireless charging, but I don't think that's really going to help. One by one, Nokia will take steps backwards, inadvertently conceding more ground to its competitors (Samsung and Apple) who are already gaining a lot of momentum and are not going to be easily stopped by the former glory of the no.1 seller for so many consecutive years.

In many ways, I think Nokia will have to suffer the same fate as Motorola. You do remember those guys, right? They sort of invented the whole mobile phone business. Really. Where are they now? Playing runner up to the last place? Of course, that's not an actual standing, but you get the point.

I really believe Nokia is past its prime and it will suffer a cruel, but rather fair fall and all it's got to blame for, is itself. All in all, I would say every single step that Nokia has taken in the past 3-4 years have been in the wrong direction and now they find themselves running downhill, without being able to stop, so it's just a matter of time before they will fall flat on their nose, if you don't mind my analogy.

That being said, I really hope that in a couple of years' time, I will be able to say that I was wrong and to find my self corrected by reality, in the most positive way possible. Until then, though, and at least temporary, I think I will part ways with Nokia.

Best of luck to you Finns!

Scrisoare deschisa catre Vodafone

Vreau sa mentionez de la bun inceput ca aceasta nu este o solicitare, nicio plangere, ci doar un "mic" feedback din partea mea, client Vodafone de vreo 10 ani (atat pe abonament cat si pe cartela) - sau cam asa ceva, de pe vremea MobiFon-ului sau, mai popularului Connex - catre operatorul de telefonie mobila care m-a dezamagit nu numai o data.

Acum cativa ani (sau poate un pic mai mult de cativa) puteam sa jur ca nu exista oferte de cartele preplatite mai bune decat la Vodafone. Ce-i drept, pe atunci erau doar vreo trei companii pe piata romaneasca, din care Zapp-ul nu avea servicii preplatite.

Ma simteam cu adevarat respectat si multumit de programul de fidelizare si, sincer, nu stiu cine nu ar fi fost. De ce? Pentru ca aveam suficiente bonusuri care sa imi sustina punctul de vedere. Bonus la reincarcare de cativa euro, ai mei, imuabili si fara restrictii, sa ii folosesc asa cum vreau si cat timp vreau (cu conditia rezonabila sa fiu in perioada de valabilitate a cartelei), cu cine vreau. Aveam bonus de fidelizare la aniversarea a inca un an in retea (care diferea pentru perioade mai indelungate, ajungand pana la 3 euro daca nu ma insel, pentru clienti cu vechime). Bonus la minutele de apeluri primite, tot fara prea multe restrictii (100 minute primite = 1 euro), adica fara restrictii. Ba chiar era si un bonus la aniversarea mea, cu conditia sa imi fi inregistrat aceasta informatie in sistem, cu ajutorul serviciului de relatii cu clientii, lucru pe care eu, constiincios, il facusem (era, de fapt, o formalitate, din moment ce datele mele erau deja inregistrate in sistem de pe vremea abonamentului).

Acestea fiind spuse, o sa arunc o privire la situatia curenta:
- bonusul pentru pentru apeluri primite s-a transformat intr-o capcana pentru soareci, plina de pericole si restrictii, de iti e frica sa pui mana pe telefon, ca poate te lasa fara degete sau vreo ureche. Adica? Pai, la fiecare 60 de minute de apeluri primite, ti se acorda incredibilul privilegiu si incomensurabila onoare de a putea face, la randul tau apeluri, dupa cum urmeaza:
1. 60 de minute (da, da, minute, nu credit, ca poate te impinge necuratul sa dai mesaje, ori sa navighezi pe internet...nu ti-ar fi rusine sa-ti fie!);
2. numai in retea (adica tie ti se pare ca ai nu stiu ce realizare de meriti sa poti suna in orice retea nationala?!);
3. timp de 30 de zile de la acordare (he, he, pai doar nu o sa ne inveti tu pe noi cum se fac afacerile!);
4. nu in ultimul rand, pe perioada celor 30 de zile in care esti in extaz ca poti vorbi (sublinat "vorbi", nu te apuca sa faci pe smecherul sa trimiti mesaje sau sa mai faci Doamne iarta-ma ce) cu cine vrei tu (atata timp cat e in retea) si cat vrei tu (atata timp cat te limitezi la cele 60 de minute) nu mai acumulezi minute pentru viitorul bonus. V-ati prins? Adica nu puteti profita sa va sunati toti "kamarazii" (utilizatorii mai vechi stiu de ce) si sa ii puneti sa va sune, generand astfel o bucla aproape infinita de bonusuri. Dragii de ei, cum se gandesc ei la toate...scuzati-ma in timp ce imi sterg o lacrima, m-au induiosat prea tare.
- bonusul la reincarcare se acorda tot sub forma de euro...inca. DAR, este valabil...ghiciti? Doar in reteaua Vodafone (multimea murmura admirativ) si numai pe incredibila perioada de 30 de zile (toata lumea izbucneste in aplauze furtunoase)...Iar daca voi credeati ca asta e tot, ei bine, va prezint si bomboana de pe coliva, pardon, cireasa de pe tort: acest bonus se consuma fix dupa ce terminati orice urma de credit pe care o mai aveti pe cartela.
- bonusul de fidelitate pentru inca un an in retea (se lua in considerare data la care a fost activata prima oara cartela) a facut precum Michael Jackson si s-a dus la cele vesnice;
- bonusul aniversar (pentru ca Vodafone te iubeste si te pretuieste) s-a transformat si el in Houdini si a disparut, lasand in urma doar ceata crizei.

Peste toate binecuvantarile astea pe care un om normal nici nu si le poate imagina, Vodafone, in extraordinara-i intelepciune a hotarat si faptul ca daca esti suficient de dobitoc sa vrei sa le platesti redirectionarea apelurilor (indiferent daca tot in retea sau pe langa) si ai avut proasta inspiratie sa ai doar o amarata de cartela preplatita, ei bine, atunci nu esti suficient de demn de acest privilegiu, asa ca poti sa iti pui pofta in cui. De ce anume? Din cauza unui "simplu" (inchei citatul) detaliu tehnic cum ar fi faptul ca nu pot vedea daca ai suficient credit pe cartela pentru respectiva redirectionare. Ori, reformulat de un alt mic Einstein al serviciului de relatii cu clientii, cica ar trebui sa ai permanent credit pe cartela. Iar asta e diferit fata de situatia cand faci un apel simplu...cum? Adica ei cum stiu atunci ca ai sau nu credit? Ori, presupunand ca nu ai acel credit si ai, totusi, blestemata de redirectionare activa, nu se poate refuza aceasta operatiune si sa apara ca si cum telefonul ar fi inchis?!

Am gasit! (Evrika ar fi fost prea complicat pentru creierele lor cat gamalia acului...atunci cand sunt inflamate) Pentru ca asta ar presupune...inteligenta!

Vodafone, permite-mi sa iti urez, umil, binevenit in categoria firmelor pe care le-am numit "out of this world" si sa te blagoslovesc cu un sincer si cat se poate de calduros "sa te duci dracului de pomana", dar nu inainte de a putea sa imi portez numarul catre alta retea, cu un gram de creier in plus (oricare ar fi aia si va rog pe aceasta cale pe voi, cititorii, sa imi urati noroc in aceasta incercare aproape inutila).

Semnat: un client plin de recunostinta...

Teoria conspiratiei

Flacara violet. Pixelul albastru. Porcaria maro...

O sa imbogatesc seria de tampenii emanate pe diferitele media cu o noua ipoteza...ipotetica.

Am spus catorva persoane in ultimele zile ce as fi facut eu, in rolul de jurnalist, in ziua cand CaCaReul s-a pronuntat si a invalidat referendumul (decizie cu care sunt de acord, in principiu). Ei bine, daca eu m-as fi numit jurnalist, dornic de afirmare si de senzational, dar nu in ultimul rand, de adevar, atunci as fi sunat cateva companii principale care detin mijloace de transport in comun sa vad cat "personal" ar fi fost pregatit sa se mute, temporar, in Bucale.

De ce? Simplu! Pentru ca mi-as fi dorit sa stiu cati oameni ar fi fost dispus si capabil sa scoata Basinescu din case si sa aduca in Piata Revolutiei, Constitutiei sau Universitatii pentru a genera ceva ce eu as numi razboi civil.

Nu sunt jurnalist. Si nu, nu stiu raspunsul intrebarii. Dar pot specula ca in niciun caz nu ar fi rezultat intr-un numar aproape insignifiant de cateva sute de oameni in Piata Universitatii, ci, aproape sigur s-ar fi numarat in zeci de mii, daca nu, indraznesc sa spun, chiar sute de mii.

O astfel de forta ar fi fost in stare sa convinga nu numai politrucii din tara, ci chiar marii "aparatori ai democratiei" din afara, care s-au grabit sa isi dea cu parerea...de pamant atunci cand li s-a parut ca cel care tipa "lupul" s-ar putea, din greseala, sa aiba dreptate.

Dar nu, din fericire nu suntem in razboi civil. Asta pentru ca CurCuRe-ul a dat decizia adecvata situatiei. Si corecta in limita regulilor jocului. Dar asta-i alta poveste...

Eu nu pot spune decat atat: orice blestem pe care mi l-as putea imagina vreodata in o mie de ani nu e suficient pentru tine, Basescule de toata pula care nu faci altceva decat sa ne arati degetul dupa care sa te scarpini cu el in cur, animalule!

Din nou despre cel numit Basescu

Basescu, deminioneaza din functia de om si retrage-te...de pe fata planetei!

Fiinta nedemna de a fi numit "om", prea josnic pentru a fi jignit cu denumiri ca "lichea", "scursura umana", "jeg", etc., macar o data in viata ta, uita-te cu adevarat in oglinda, iar dupa ce te opresti din vomitat, recunoaste-ti incompatibilitatea cu societatea romaneasca si, mai ales, cu conditia de om!

Da, tu in mod sigur esti un caz confirmat ca mama ta ar fi trebuit sa te inghita la nastere (asa cum probabil am mai spus-o cu alte ocazii) precum fac unele animale in salbaticie, recunoscand faptul ca progeniturile lor au defecte vizibile sau invizibile ce le vor impiedica sa isi desfasoare o viata normala. Nu spun asta pentru ca vii din partea vreunui partid, ci pentru ca nu te-as putea compara cu nicio bestie de pe fata planetei fara sa o jignesc pe cea din urma.

Tupeul, nesimtirea, incapatanarea si autismul (in sensul ca traiesti in lumea ta) ating cote nebanuite si ce nu pot fi descrise prin simple cuvinte. Nimeni nu ar putea sa iasa in lume fara sa ii crape obrazul de rusine asa cum o faci tu dupa ce te scalzi prin toate baltile cu rahat politic. Intr-adevar, nimeni nu poate sa prosteasca mai tare oamenii (cu exceptia lui Hitler, poate) decat o faci tu. In sfarsit, nimeni nu e mai detasat de propria imagine decat ai fost, esti si vei fi tu!

Sper din tot sufletul sa ti se infunde cat de curand, sa punem capat cosmarului care ai devenit si, daca exista vreun fel de dreptate suprema, sa te vad in inchisoare, cu restul baietilor jmecheri unde iti este cu adevarat locul, cancerule!

Prostia triumfa...din nou

Poate ca am mai spus-o si altadata, dar merita folosit din nou:
"Only two things are infinite: the Universe and human stupidity and I'm not so sure about the former." - Albert Einstein

Nimic nou, pentru RoManeaua asta de cacat. Prostii sunt multi si au cu cine sa se mandreasca. Desi il urasc cu fiecare atom al fiintei mele pe marinerul hahait al tarisoarei asteia de toata #%$! nu faptul ca va ramane in functie ma deranjeaza cel mai tare, ci faptul ca a demonstrat, inca o data, cat de multi imbecili sunt gata sa ii asculte fiecare emanatie care ii iese pe orice orificiu si sa se conformeze docil, precum ultimele vite, dorintelor preamaritului lider.

Nu vorbim aici ca animalul asta cu fata de Cartoon Network nu ar fi trebuit reales din prima. Nici de penibilul faptului ca a fost de doua ori suspendat si tot se tine cu dintii de scaunul prezidential, ci de faptul ca a reusit performanta sa ii indobitoceasca atat de tare pe romani incat nu s-au mai prezentat la vot. Chiar nu cred ca au contat motivele invocate de licheaua asta care e in stare sa se culce si cu ma-sa, daca il ajuta sa mai stea doua zile in functie, pentru ca retardatii ar fi ascultat oricum de comanda preainteleptei jivine. Dar mi se pare de-a dreptul absurd sa castige un om versus un popor printr-o tehnicalitate. Si totusi asta este tara in care traim...in halul asta au adus-o toti lobotomizatii care ling tot ce scuipa Baselu'.

E de-a dreptul dezgustator sa vezi ca o fiinta (aparent) umana se poate cobori atat de jos, ba chiar are tupeul fantastic sa se bucure ca peste 8 milioane de cetateni nu l-au putut "infrange". Pe sistemul "cainii latra, ursul trece", ar fi putut macar sa taca naibii din gura si sa se tarasca sub piatra de pe unde a iesit fara sa arate poporului degetul in timp ce gloata se inghesuie sa il pupe-n cur.

Nu, nu sunt atat de inversunat pentru ca abominatia asta va ramane la Cotroceni inca 2 ani. Asa cum am spus-o in articolul precedent, nici cei care l-ar fi inlocuit (oricare ar fi fost ei) nu cred ca ar fi fost mai buni, si nici nu m-ar fi bucurat daca ieseau toti grobienii onanisti sustinatori de Basel si ar fi dat cu stampila pe "nu", dar macar as fi stiut ca s-au respectat tocmai acele principii democratice pe care nu inceteaza sa le mentioneze halucinant in fiecare discurs creatura asta iesita din fundul vreunei fose septice.

Oricati de multi se uita ca bovinele si mug de fericire pentru situatia ridicola in care ne aflam, ma bucur ca macar atat pot spune: Basescu, esti cea mai josnica scursura a societatii in care traim, nimicule! Iar pentru voi, cei ce va bateti satisfacuti pe umar pentru porcaria asta, imi pare rau doar ca mamele voastre nu au avut bunul simt sa traga apa dupa voi...

Pro sau contra?

Moto: "Nu sunt nici pro, dar nici contra, sunt supra!"

Ce mai fierbe in tara asta...in afara de apa (daca esti sub o anumita altitudine)? Pai popOlatia, monser, popolatia care nu mai poate de interes pe tema referendumului si cine si cum si de ce ar trebui sa voteze si cum e rau cu Basexu', dar e de porc cu Antonescu (desi terminatia "-escu" il califica din start pentru functia de prezident al Romaniei dodoloate). Nu ca cele doua se substituie, dar ca idee...

Vad oameni in spume care urla unii la altii "iesiti la vot! Mergeti sa-l dam pe nesimtit jos ca nu se mai poate!", iar de cealalta parte "nesimtiti sunt aia care vor sa il dea jos miseleste, asta e lovitura de stat! Moarte lui Ponta si alor lui! Jos Antonescu!" si nu se mai aude nimic altceva de zgomotul coaselor si furcilor ce se incruciseaza cu inversunare de zici ca e rascoala de la Bobalna, nu alta.

Ca de obicei, pe mine nu poate decat sa ma mire prostia omeneasca. Sunt socat, totusi, sa aflu ca exista inca naivi care au impresia ca poate fi mai bine cu unul sau cu celalalt, ca merita sa dezbata motive pro si contra caderii lui Partescu cand pentru mine este evident cat de rau am ajuns, ca nu mai avem de ales. E de-a dreptul ridicol sa speri ca va fi mai bine dupa nebunia asta, indiferent care va fi rezultatul.

Din punctul meu de vedere e la fel de stupid sa votezi cu "Gazul-ce-iese-dintre-buci-escu" pentru ca ti se pare aiurea cum a procedat Ponta, la fel cum mi se pare de-a dreptul tampit sa votezi orbeste pentru demiterea aceluiasi purtator al numelui rezultatului secundar al procesului biologic de excretie (sau digestie, ca nu mai stiu) numai ca sa plece el, ca "om vedea noi dupa".

Daca vreti cu adevarat sa faceti ceva, luati-va aceleasi topoare, sape si lopeti si mergeti la Parlament si la Guvern, tarati-i pe grofi in strada si faceti-le seama asa cum merita cu prisos, spanzurati-i de copaci de-a lungul bulevardelor si puneti anunturi pe fiecare stalp: se cauta presedinte/guvernanti/politicieni. Sa vedem cine isi va mai depune CV-ul.

Poate credeti ca ma refer la vreun partid sau orientare politica. Nu. Pur si simplu tot ce e in sistem acum trebuie sa dispara. Nu e niciunul curat, nici chiar Ponta alias Mesia care a plecat de la lider de studenti si a ajuns la acelasi model de politruc pe care probabil se jura ca il va arunca de pe camin daca l-ar prinde. Toti sunt niste animale demne de dispret, care daca ar mai avea vreo urma de respect de sine, ne-ar face tuturor un bine si ar pleca sa caute marginea planetei (nu radeti, sunt convins ca exista destui care sunt suficient de prosti sa creada ca lumea e plata) si sa se arunce naibii in gol.

Ce vreti voi? Sa plece Basescu?

Ce vreti voi? Sa ii aratati degetul lui Ponta si USL-ului tinandu-l in scaun pe "jucator"?

De asta am ajuns aici. Pentru ca sunteti suficient de tembeli sa credeti ca faceti vreo diferenta, sa credeti ca schimbati cu adevarat ceva prin vot. Romania a trecut de faza asta. Daca ar fi fost un sistem de operare, ar fi fost nevoie de un "purge all" (pentru neinitiati, un parjol) al tot ce inseamna politic in tara asta de microbisti spargatori de seminte si ragaitori de mici cu bere.

Dar poate ca e mai bine asa: unul balangane salamul prin fata popolatiei, altul mangaie cu drag ciolanul, iar in spate toti se bat sa prinda ciosvarta de care restul nici nu afla pana nu e prea tarziu. Si miticii comenteaza meciurile de la teveu, se contreaza pe teme mai mult sau mai putin politice, au pareri, ba chiar se si taie daca e nevoie, luand parte la ceea ce a ajuns sa fie procesul grotesc pe care politicienii au avut inspiratia de a-l inveli frumos in staniol si sa-i spuna "democratie", mascand, de fapt, cacatul care este in realitate si caruia eu i-as atribui o expresie de-a lui Badea: "hai sa-i prostim pe prosti".

Deci, in concluzie, ce vreau eu sa spun aici? Nu va faceti griji. Dormiti linistiti (in continuare). Nu merita sa va stresati, scoateti fire albe sau ochii, totul va fi bine...pe sistemul "pleaca ai nostri, vin ai nostri", iar cand o sa realizati ca am dreptate, probabil ca o sa ziceti si voi "vot? Lasa ca se descurca ei si fara vot..."

Nu sunt revolutionar. Nu cred ca as iesi in strada sa arunc cu torte incendiare in palatul Parlamentului sau in sediul Guvernului, dar daca intr-o zi as innebuni putin (numai putin), m-as ascunde intr-un tufis din fata uneia dintre cele doua institutii si as arunca cu cacat in fiecare si oricine ar iesi de acolo pana m-ar tari SPP-istii urland "da' halatul? Cat e halatul? Halatul! Cat e halatul?!". Cam asta e tot ce putem face (in afara de a ne caca pe noi) si nu departe de ceea ce as fi dispus sa fac pentru a-mi exprima "liber" parerea despre starea lumii politice a tarisoarei asteia, vai de steaua ei.

Si acum, in loc de final apoteotic, va rog sa va imaginati ca urlu la monitor, lovind cu pumnii fiecare tasta din mesajul ce urmeaza:
FUCK Basescu! FUCK Ponta! FUCK Antonescu! FUCK Udrea! FUCK Boc! FUCK Geoana! FUCK Nastase! FUCK Iliescu! si inca o data FUCK Udrea, ca dintre toti, e singura care a reusit sa fie mai tupeista si mai tata chiar si decat amantul/jucatorul/zeul ei de la carma statului! Iar la sfarsit FUCK Romanian politics and everything it stands for!

And that's all I have to say about that.

Soferi care mi-as dori sa moara...in somn

Dupa cum multi stiti, sunt multe specii de oratanii care circula pe soselele din Romanica, "soferi", unul mai rau decat altul si majoritatea mai prosti decat prevede legea. In ultima vreme, insa, am ajuns sa am tot felul de fantezii de natura...morbida cu imbecilii astia care se cred rupti din Michael Schumacher. O sa incerc, pe rand, sa descriu fiecare tipologie in parte si sa o blestem, tot pe fiecare in parte, cu ce ati vazut si in titlu...vorbesc serios!

Unul din cei mai cocliti si mai stupizi bivoli care s-au urcat vreodata la volan este grobianul care, odata vazut cu covrigul in mana, apasa pedala de acceleratie cel putin pana la podea si, vazand ca amarasteanul din fata lui se chinuie sa depaseasca (de obicei) un tir, ii da, totusi, din belsug flash-uri/blitz-uri (whatever the fuck you want to call them) indemnandu-l astfel, cu blandete, sa isi ia zborul, sa accelereze la viteza sunetului instant, ori, daca nici una din metode nu ii convine sau nu ii este la indemana, atunci sa binevoiasca sa se plieze subtil sub tir (aproape mi-a iesit calamburul, nu?). Pentru tine, dobitocule care te recunosti in aceasta descriere, sper sa imi faci placerea si totodata marea bucurie de a nu mai apuca rasaritul soarelui maine dimineata.

Un alt inept lobotomizat si suferind de complexe de superioritate (ori de inferioritate, dupa caz), este creatura (ne)demna de mila care, desi te vede ca vii din sens opus, se angajeaza totusi in depasirea tirului, ba chiar iti da flashuri si te injura, pentru ca, in caz ca nu ai observat, in dreapta ta se afla inca o asa-numita banda de rezerva, sau, cum ii place lui sa creada, locul tau de drept. Daca nu stiti despre ce vorbesc, puteti sa va uitati si la stiri, ca mai deunazi a fost un filmulet dragut cu o masina de ceva parlamentar care depasea in voie pe contransens, facand "curatenie" si ordine cu ceilalti. Ei bine, si tie, mare jmecher de pe unde te-a fatat ma-ta aia sluta si beteaga, iti doresc sa te gaseasca maine, cand vine in vizita pentru o partida de sex nebun, in rigor mortis, ca asta meriti cu prisosinta.

Daca tot am adus aminte de filmuletul cu pricina, ei bine, un alt tip de sofer caruia ii doresc eu atat de mult bine incat sa nu il poata duce si, astfel, sa crape in chinuri, este acel sofer care, vazand ca vitele stau frumos in coloana si asteapta sa depaseasca vreun obstacol, prefera sa intre in depasire si, ajuns la fata locului, sa binevoiasca a-i taia fata mojicului care nu a fost in stare sa isi continue drumul pentru ca nu a avut tupeul sa treaca de sus-numitul obstacol. Zeule al soferiei, pentru tine care este indubitabil un zeu, iti doresc sa iti gasesti pacea eterna si sa il intalnesti la noapte pe Caron care sa te ia cu barca (sau sa te lege de ea si sa te traga pana pe celalalt mal) si sa te plimbe peste Styx (cu vasla-nfipta-n...locuri moi) unde iti este locul de drept.

Nu stiu daca in ultimul rand, dar cu siguranta pe lista celor carora ii iubesc eu atat de mult incat mi-as dori sa ii tin in brate daca as ajunge vreodata pe scaunul electric este taranul de la Gheboaia sau de la Dalga din deal, care, fiind cel putin mai catolic decat Papa Ioan Paul al II-lea, nu gaseste suficient sa aiba faza scurta aprinsa ziua, ci simte nevoia imperioasa de a aprinde si faza lunga, nu de alta, dar vorba aia: unde merge suta, merge si mia...sau cam asa ceva... In concluzie, si tie, onanist belit in gard, iti doresc cu fiecare fibra a fiintei mele sa visezi la noapte ca te ineci si sa faci bine sa iti tii respiratia pana nu te mai trezesti.

Voi, toti, astia, regi ai soselelor, posesori de bolizi de lux sau de Logan ori Trabant, daca stiti ca nu sunteti in stare sa respectati niste minime reguli ale bunului simt si/sau de circulatie, faceti bine si horcaiti de doua ori inainte sa va treziti in bratele fotomodelului de mai jos!

De ce ne merge prost?

Vorbind astazi cu un prieten de peste hotare (non-incidental), mi-am dat seama ca am niste pareri si convingeri destul de puternice in ceea ce priveste situatia economica europeana/mondiala actuala pe care nu mi le-am exprimat in modul caracteristic, unde altundeva, daca nu pe blogul meu personal.

To make a long story short and to get to the point: uitandu-ma la titlurile articolelor din ultimele luni (si care par sa se inmulteasca in ultima vreme), aud numai de "S&P retrogradeaza ratingul nu stiu cator banci" si "Moody's coboara ratingul nu stiu carei tari" and so on. What the fuck is that all about?

Mai tine minte cineva cum a inceput criza? Sau stie macar cineva cum a inceput, cu adevarat? Eu, unul, sincer, nu. Dar daca intreaba cineva "de ce se mentine, ba chiar se adanceste criza?", ei bine, eu vad doi vinovati principali si o sa ii iau in ordinea numerelor de pe tricou: in primul rand, aceste agentii care tin neaparat ca intreaga populatie a Pamantului sa stie ce a rezultat din calculele lor sau poate pur si simplu din parerea lor mai mult sau mai putin obiectiva.

Asa cum ii spuneam si respectivului prieten, cred ca ar trebui sa li se interzica agentiilor de rating financiar (care uneori devin ele insele tinta unor anchete ce sper sa aduca rezultate cat mai curand) sa isi mai faca publice ratingurile lor care, din punctul meu de vedere, sunt oricum lipsite de transparenta si lasa loc de indoieli, dar poate mai mult decat orice, nu mi se par relevante. Daca un investitor vrea sa bage banii intr-o tara/companie, probabil ca se bazeaza foarte mult pe fler si experienta proprie, nu pe niste indici sintetici, bazati pe formule imperfecte, create de oameni ce pot fi corupti, pana la urma.

Ca sa nu mi se strige din tribuna "dictatorul", o sa mentionez ca le-as lasa, totusi, sus-numitelor agentii libertatea de a da, numai la cerere, informatii despre respectivele ratinguri si numai prin contact direct, fara dreptul de republicare sau mediatizare.

Moving on, al doilea mare vinovat. Aici as numi politica fiscala adoptata la scara aproape globala si la toate nivelele si care se bazeaza pe un singur obiectiv: contractie bugetara. Cu alte cuvinte, daca ai bani, indeasa-i bine sub saltea, iar daca nu prea ai, trebuie sa mai tai din cheltuieli un pic.

Si intrebarea cititorului probabil ca vine neintarziat: si ce e rau in asta?

Pai, dragalasilor, trebuie sa va readuc aminte de un anume John Maynard Keynes pe care cred ca l-am mai mentionat de cateva ori. El era un baiat foarte destept care si-a dat seama ca una (daca nu singura) dintre cele mai bune solutii este sa lupti impotriva focului cu foc, asa cum s-ar zice. Deci daca economia e in criza si totul merge in jos, atunci trebuie sa arunci cu bani in ea pana isi revine, nu sa o adancesti incercand sa iei cati mai multi bani de la contribuabili si sa cheltui cat mai putin.

Folosind aceste invataturi, Germania si-a revenit uimitor de repede dupa primul razboi mondial (daca nu ma insel), mai repede decat tarile care chiar au castigat razboiul. Dar in zilele noastre guvernele sunt prea lase sa ia astfel de masuri, iar oamenii sunt mai putin flexibili si deschisi catre astfel de abordari "impotriva firii".

Ciudat este, ca in momentul in care privesti cu atentie masurile ce ar trebui luate, in loc de cele care sunt luate, atunci ti se pare ca e firesc. Iti dai seama ca oamenii, companiile si guvernele ar trebui sa lase lucrurile sa vina de la sine. Daca au bani, sa ii cheltuiasca (bineinteles, cu cap, dar asta e valabila oricand, nu numai pe timp de criza), daca au nevoie de imprumut, sa se imprumute, si asa mai departe, toate facute in masura bunului simt si rational.

Atunci cand masurile luate sunt oricare altele, rezultatele sunt aproape catastrofale, dupa cum se vede. O criza prelungita, adancita de tot felul de anunturi alarmiste din partea agentiilor de rating financiar si de guvernele slabe.

Bineinteles ca este oarecum un cerc vicios: guvernul nu are incredere in redresarea economiei si ia masuri fiscale ca sa aduca bani mai multi la buget, luand tot de la populatie si scazandu-le veniturile (pe de o parte), iar pe de alta parte taie cheltuielile rezultatul fiind aproximativ acelasi, eventual afectand si companiile. Companiile, la randul lor, vazand ca veniturile sunt taxate si mai mult si inasprirea regulilor, incep sa taie...ce? Locuri de munca si cheltuieli. Oamenii ajung pe strazi, nu mai au venituri, nu mai platesc taxe, ba, dimpotriva, iau ajutoare sociale sau de somaj, lovind in buget. Bucla este completa.

Cine castiga din tot acest circ? Teoretic, nimeni. Practic, speculantii, cei care au venituri suficient de mari care sa le permita sa joace la bursa. Tot la adapost sunt si guvernantii, in mare parte pentru ca si ei fac parte tot din prima categorie, a oamenilor bogati, care au si au avut grija sa puna deoparte mult mai mult decat pentru niste zile negre. Daca ar fi sa ne luam dupa rezervele lor, probabil ca am juca acum cu totii in re-ecranizarea filmului Pitch Black, cu Ponta in rolul lui Riddick.

Iar acum ca v-am irosit 5-10 minute, cat v-a luat sa cititi toata epopeea asta, o sa concluzionez ca nu am facut nimic decat sa imi racesc gura de pomana. Nimeni nu asculta ce are un mojic de spus, doar boierii au cuvantul, nu numai in Romania, ci peste tot. Sau poate pur si simplu am ajuns in stadiul in care numai dobitocii ocupa pozitii la putere si atunci lucrurile logice tind sa devina uitate si stupide.

Cine are urechi de auzit, s-auda!