They make YOU pay for THEIR virtue-signaling

I am easily irritated, but on the other hind, easy-going in personality. This kind of inner conflict is the reason for a lot of inner turmoil sometimes.

There seems to be increasing amount of people, corporations, media and other entities that always go for the 'current thing', no questions asked. Everyone is told to wear masks, every time you hop on a bus, you have to listen to the opressive drivel, 'passengers are required to wear a mask in public transport'.

Yeah, 'required', what does that mean legally speaking? Nothing. It's just empty rhetoric. I can require every ATS user to wear a clown nose, but it means absolutely nothing, as it doesn't create an obligation. Also, things like 'passenger' being very specifically defined should raise an eyebrow, as well as how some 'audio notification' can create obligations (it can't), and so on. People tend to be sheeple, so they believe whatever some audio message in a bus tells them - thankfully, I see many rebel faces, who do not care, and when you look at bus drivers, 90% of the time (if not more often) they are not wearing any mask on their face whatsoever.

No bus driver has ever stopped me because I am not wearing a mask, and I can only recall ONE 'mask-enforcing-incident' throughout these annoying years, where a librarian came to me and timidly said, holding a mask, "the order came from the top that we're supposed to tell you to wear these". It was such a weak, roundabout way of 'asking me to wear a mask', I almost felt sorry for the guy that was clearly not used to telling people what to do (librarians are usually not the most commanding people you can meet). Of course, I just nodded and told him I will only be a short while, returning some books, and took the mask and put (and left) it on a table. It never even came near my face.

Now, the world has gone crazy, as it was supposed to during ending times - if these are not the weirdest and the most 'ending times' in this planet's history, I don't know what are. I don't mind it as long as I can just be an observer, as long as I can just look at the crazy river go by from some nice river bank (I hate that this word has so many connotations).

But when they start using MY wallet to virtue-signal, it goes too far.

There's a corporation that sent me a letter that they're going to raise prices because of Ukraine, because they no longer deal with Russia (so they can't buy a cheap thing, so they have to buy something more expensive, so WE, the clients, customers and users, have to pay!)

These prices are not going up a few cents or a dollar, they're a confusing, hard-to-calculate system that probably makes me have to bay even around 50 dollars more every time, if not more.

So now, suddenly, 50 dollars is GONE from my wallet for getting NOTHING in return but a corporation an opportunity to virtue-signal!

I mean, if I have to listen to some non-legally-binding rhetoric on a bus, and see sheeple obey that crap, that's one thing.

If I have to start PAYING ACTUAL MONEY just so some corporate entity can say "our hands are clean, because we support Ukraine and we don't buy from Russia", it's going too far!

Why can't I, the customer, the paying, god damn customer, have a choice in the matter? Why can they just raise prices, just like that, without any consent from the customer?

Sure, I can end the contract, but then I would have to go through the hassle of finding another corporation, which would probably just end up doing something similar, if not exactly the same, anwyay, and as we ALL should know at this point, there IS no 'competition' in the modern world, there are only CARTELS and TPTB that dictates everything from the top down.

There's no honest choice anymore, there's no 'If Jill is being a c*nt, I will buy from Jack's store'-type choice anymore.

The old 'cell phone mess' from the early 2000s was a good example; instead of HONESTLY COMPETING and bringing the prices down, cell phone corporations and operators started selling _REALLY_ convoluted and confusing messes that almost NO ONE could figure out the cheapest prices of, so everyone could keep prices high and profit, because customers were CONFUSED and couldn't calculate the cheapest option.

It's the same thing with everything, so just changing corporations wouldn't really be the answer, it wouldn't help, and since there are corporations that have monopoly on certain structures and 'infrastructure' type things, it would be useless anyway.

Damn I hate these modern times; at least in the past, you could just have your political (or any kind of) opinion and it wouldn't matter in your everyday life, it was separated, it was a 'political discussion' and 'personal life', completely separately.

Now they force us to mix things, and I really don't like it. I have to now pay and pay actual money just so they can keep spewing the completely opposite opinion than what I have, and I DO NOT want to support anyone or anything that loudly screams: "Look, I support the CURRENT THING!!11", no matter if that 'current thing' is right or wrong, because it's not only a dangerous, but a stupid and expensive path to walk on.

I wouldn't want anyone to give me money for my political opinion, either, I want every political opinion to be FREE of bribery, money, virtue signaling and all that, but when our EVERYDAY payments are being HEAVILY affected, and we are being forced to pay for their virtue signaling, the world has gone too far.

I am so angry about this, I don't know what to do, but there are so many OTHER annoying things going on in my life, my energy and patience are both stretched incredibly thin.

In any case, this was my RANT about the current world's most irritating symptom; HAVING TO PAY FOR THEIR VIRTUE SIGNALING!

I hope someone else sees the insanity of all this as well.

The world has not ‘gotten more crazy.’

It’s just gotten a lot more obvious to people who have never paid attention.

originally posted by: Shoujikina
These prices are not going up a few cents or a dollar, they're a confusing, hard-to-calculate system that probably makes me have to bay even around 50 dollars more every time, if not more.

They make you 'bay', like howl at the sky? How do they get you to perform this vocal ululation? What other type of bizarre activities do 'they' compel you to enact?

a reply to: AugustusMasonicus

The price increase is driving him to howl at the moon is my guess.

a reply to: Shoujikina

...'If Jill is being a c*nt...

Hmmmmmm.... So somehow in your rant about how crappy other people are, you just had to go to one of the most misogynistic and vile words in the language to make your point, eh?

Maybe you don't deserve any better... If I were Jill the c*nt, I'd be sure to give you preferential treatment and make damn sure you didn't want to do business with me ever.

a reply to: Boadicea

Lmao... have a cry why don't you. Maybe he's Australian, the use of that word is extremely common here. He wasn't referring to any particular women, it was a general statement. Either way, the OP is making a very valid point, for you to suggest we deserve to be living through this misery because our society is misogynistic is pathetic. People are extremely angry with the state of world, and they have every right to rant and curse. But I guess it's easier to label it the sexist rantings of an angry white man... do we even know for sure if the OP is male?

a reply to: ChaoticOrder

Fwiw, I view the ol' c-word as just another gender-neutral slap where conveying gender is not literal nor important, the point is the over-the-top ridicule or OTT mocking dismissiveness. Much like ass, asshole, asshat, dick, dickwad, dickhead, so too is my fave -- c*ntmuffin. My standard alternative is twatwaffle.

These apply to both genders, people, let's not get preferential here.

a reply to: ChaoticOrder

But I guess it's easier to label it the sexist rantings of an angry white man... do we even know for sure if the OP is male?

It doesn't matter. Plenty of people are happy to betray their own "kind" in big ways and small.

This is just ridiculous:

Either way, the OP is making a very valid point, for you to suggest we deserve to be living through this misery because our society is misogynistic is pathetic.

I suggested no such thing. That's you're thinking -- not mine.

The greater point is that one cannot complain about the hatefulness and stupidity and finger-pointing of others with any credibility when you're right there in the mud with them. It's cumulative. It's reactive. It's divisive. It's hypocritical. It's part of the problem.

Unless and until we collectively respect other's choices and treat each other with respect, we're all screwed and will continue going to hell in a handbasket.

Twatwaffle is superb.

a reply to: Nyiah

a reply to: Boadicea

I suggested no such thing. That's you're thinking -- not mine.

You said "Maybe you don't deserve any better" because he used a certain word you don't like. In others words he deserves to suffer because you think he's an a-hole.

Unless and until we collectively respect other's choices and treat each other with respect, we're all screwed and will continue going to hell in a handbasket.

Ah yes... that magical utopia where we all sing songs and hold hands, what a great world that would be. I just read one of your recent threads where you used the word bitch multiple times, is that ok?

Disregarding the fact the Jill is fully functional and anatomically correct, I can see the point being made and agree.

If I find my dealings with corporate entities to be disagreeable, I stop dealing with them. It has dragged down my finances, but I still manage.

I used to work for an international corporation with military contracts a mere 12 miles from home. I raked in the cash and jumped up the tax brackets. They liked me, I was doing well there, but I have seen and heard things and left for a job with half the pay and little upward mobility. Why? Basically I hate corporate culture, esp international ones. They are sell outs, their presence offends me.

Right now, I can live reasonably well with a job that involves a contract with the county I live in, so the property taxes I pay are being paid back to me at my job. Unfortunately I use my tax returns to pay the property taxes. They will get some of it back, but I think I'm just a head of the game a tiny bit with my local government.

I know my local government is corrupt, but they aren't a bunch of progressive socialists, yet.

a reply to: Nyiah

A woman after my own heart I've been using C muff and T waff or years and everyone always seems so shocked that I would use such language haha

originally posted by: Boadicea
a reply to: Shoujikina

...'If Jill is being a c*nt...

Hmmmmmm.... So somehow in your rant about how crappy other people are, you just had to go to one of the most misogynistic and vile words in the language to make your point, eh?

Maybe you don't deserve any better... If I were Jill the c*nt, I'd be sure to give you preferential treatment and make damn sure you didn't want to do business with me ever.

That word is no more vile than calling someone a dick. Give me a break. She is one and so is her dumbass husband.

a reply to: ChaoticOrder

You said "Maybe you don't deserve any better" because he used a certain word you don't like. In others words he deserves to suffer because you think he's an a-hole.

LOL! Yes, I told one person that if they can't treat someone any better than their words indicated, then they don't deserve to better. And I'll double-down on it. If someone is so entitled and self-serving that they cannot respect other's rights to do as they deem fit, and will resort to personal attacks because she said "no," then they don't deserve any better. Don't like what someone has to offer, then walk away. Go find someone who can and will offer the service you want.

But let's be clear about this. I responded directly to one person's words, and directed my words to that one person. I did not say --

...we deserve to be living through this misery because our society is misogynistic...

I get it though. Of course you identified with this, as you demonstrate by defending the misogyny. Okay. Good to know.

Ah yes... that magical utopia where we all sing songs and hold hands, what a great world that would be.

Really? Respect and common decency translates to singing songs and holding hands? No middle ground??? You don't have the self-discipline and common sense to just keep your damn mouth shut and walk away from someone you disagree with? Or don't like? Or does things differently? Conflicts are a direct and expected result of imposing one's will on another. Even when we're talking words and specifically insulting and demeaning words. If you don't want conflict, then you don't start conflict. If you do start conflicts, then it's on you, and you're part of the problem.

I just read one of your recent threads where you used the word bitch multiple times, is that ok?

Is that so? Give me the context and we'll talk about it. But quite frankly, given how you've already compromised and adulterated my words for your purposes, I don't believe you can. Plus, I haven't written any new threads recently, I don't recall using the term recently, so I honestly have no idea what you're talking about. For all I know, I was using the term in its strictest definition -- i.e., a female dog. Or it didn't happen at all and you're just writing checks your ass can't cash.

a reply to: shaemac

That word is no more vile than calling someone a dick.

You're right. Doesn't make either one okay.

Give me a break. She is one and so is her dumbass husband.

Now we're adding an imaginary husband just to talk more trash about? Wow. Just wow.

I'll give you credit for being an equal opportunity hater, but that's about it.

a reply to: Boadicea

Maybe I interpreted your post the wrong way. I do feel kind of bad for how I reacted, I was in a bad mood the other day and your post triggered me a bit lol. I do understand why that word can be offensive but I still don't think the OP said anything really disrespectful since it wasn't directed at a real person. Btw the thread of yours that I was talking about is one where you were referring to yourself, I didn't see anything wrong with it since it wasn't directed at another person.

originally posted by: ChaoticOrder
a reply to: Boadicea

Maybe I interpreted your post the wrong way. I do feel kind of bad for how I reacted, I was in a bad mood the other day and your post triggered me a bit lol.

One of those days, eh? I get it. We've all had 'em unfortunately! So no worries... we're all good.

I do understand why that word can be offensive but I still don't think the OP said anything really disrespectful since it wasn't directed at a real person.

I see your logic... but I also see it as almost worse than if said about a real person. If it was a real person, then one could give the benefit of the doubt that it's not run of the mill misogyny, but refers only to the specific actions of a specific person. But when an imaginary woman in an imaginary scenario, in some ways that imaginary woman becomes the default for all women (real women). I hope I explained that well enough to make sense!

Btw the thread of yours that I was talking about is one where you were referring to yourself, I didn't see anything wrong with it since it wasn't directed at another person.

LOL! Yeah, that I believe!!!