Scamperbeasts 2020: More and Better Naps
Posted on January 8, 2020 Posted by John Scalzi 13 Comments
“More and better naps” is, I think, a campaign platform we can all get behind.
In other news it’s been a little surprising to me how busy my first week of business in 2020 has been. I’m writing, which is to be expected, but I’m doing a bunch of other things too, including setting up events and appearances in the rest of 2020 and beyond. It’s going to be a busy year, it turns out, which I guess means that a busy week to start it off is perhaps not all that surprising.
One side effect of being busy is that I’ve not been as engaged with news as I might otherwise be, which, again, I don’t see as entirely horrible. I’m working on an informal rule that I’m not looking at world/national/political news before the close of business, so I can focus on doing my actual work and also to keep my blood pressure relatively low. So far it seems to be working. It appears a lot of other people are more than happy fill in the gap I’m leaving during business hours.
One thing I did see today that I think on balance could be a good idea: Twitter planning to give users more control over who can directly respond to their tweets. I’m already seeing some hand-wringing about the idea that this will just allows echo-chambers to become more echo-y and for bad actors to make “statements” that people won’t be able to challenge, but, you know, eh. You can still snapshot something egregious and comment about it on your own feed, where you can keep comments open, if you like; also, if you’re that far into an echo chamber, you’re not there by accident, and someone commenting on a tweet isn’t going to pry you out.
On the flip side, it will make it harder for bots and trolls to do their thing, at least for a bit. As someone whose private Facebook account is already locked down so that only people I select can see and comment on it (and who can close comments here anytime he likes), I’m not seeing a huge amount of downside there. I’m looking forward to seeing how it works in reality.
In the meantime: Look, Sugar! Napping!
There’s my girl! 🥰😸
I think not paying attention to headlines until after COB is a splendid idea and one that I should adopt immediately – I have a tendency to fall through many rabbit holes when reading the news early on and then the next thing I know, a good third of my day is gone!
You mean, “in other mews”? 😹 See, see what I did there? Eh hm…
Wise decision, keeping the new compartmentalized until after work. God knows we have enough to think about during. Good job.
I remember reading this blog back as early as 2006, even before Bacon Cat, and being impressed not only by the writing, but the way comments were moderated, and the general level of intelligence and respect. That is still true here today, but our larger internet social media has been wholly consumed by trolls, bots, spam, and now government-orchestrated disinformation that changes entire elections.
Okay, that’s all stuff that everyone already knows. But I wish people would break their addiction to cheap social media like Twitter, or at least not give it so much weight in terms of meaningful commentary.
Oh wait, I forgot who our president was for a second (sorry to remind you!)
I would totally vote for the Scamperbeasts and their “More and better naps” platform.
Not too long ago, I traded watching The View in the morning for watching The Price Is Right, and I’ve found that I’m less anxious and depressed during the day.
“More and better naps” is the political movement that can heal our nation.
In fact, if I had any skill in graphic arts, I’d create add posters for this. “Scamperbeasts 2020. More and better naps for all!”
@pandorasdadca: “‘More and better naps’ is the political movement that can heal our nation.”
This is a fact.
And preferably with the furry critter of your choice (I think cats are superior nappers, but YMMV😁).
The news is ulcer inducing at this point.
Seeing a cat napping instantly calms me down.
Cat and furniture match. Just sayin . . .
Shut up and take my vote!
In all seriousness, I think the world might be a better place if people took more and better naps. Imagine major decisions being made by people who were not sleep deprived! Thanks for the picture of Sugar snoozing.
I love Sugar. I see her and the line from Some Like It Hot comes to mind.
Wait for Sugar!