D.Y.O.R. S.C.A.M.

“Do Your Own Research” is a favorite slogan of conspiracy theory nuts. It was used during the pandemic to promote hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin. Valid research leads to the conclusion they are not treatments for Covid-19.

At my high school reunion last night, a guy from my brother’s graduating class was pitching cryptocurrency. He said he has a Bachelor’s in Economics from the Wharton School. I told him I have a Bachelor’s in Economics from a small state college.

The Wharton School’s reputation has taken something of a hit from Trump’s fondness for touting his attendance there. For me, the guy last night added another mark against Wharton.

He talked up crypto as though his concentration was in marketing. “The collapse of so many crypto exchanges?” I asked. “Corrections are expected. The market is volatile.” “Inadequately regulated markets,” was my reply. Etc. Eventually he resorted to pulling out “Do Your Own Research,” and I said, “I already have, and I’m not interested.”

Class of Distinction

Here I am in a high school class play. If Elaine looked like she could have been captain of the cheerleading squad, that’s because she was. Such great acting, “pretending” to not be interested in me! ;-)

Tonight I will be attending my — ulp! — 50th high school reunion. I just realized I’m dressed exactly the same way as in the picture, so I’ve made no progress at all in half a century. I’ll probably be wearing a party hat before the evening ends. Wish me luck.

Reeling Me In

Facebook wants me to watch their subscriber-submitted Reels. These examples are tame compared to others that have been appearing in my newsfeed.

Being an ‘Arlo and Janis’ fan must be the reason why Facebook’s AI is tempting me with scantily-clad young women. Not wanting to encourage the algorithm, I don’t watch them. The option to “See fewer posts like this” seems to have put more clothes on some of the girls.

Here’s one that YouTube recommends. Guitars and the straps holding them up immediately come to mind. I watched it because she’s left-handed. ;-)

What hath TikTok wrought?

Doughboy on Dope

Heroes for Sale is a 1933 pre-code movie from Warner Brothers, the studio with a social conscience. Directed by William Wellman, it stars silent film actor Richard Barthelmess, who found some success in talkies.

Wellman directed the silent epic Wings, and he displays his skill with war scenes in the opening of Heroes for Sale. Barthelmess plays a WWI soldier who suffers from inoperable shrapnel in his spine and becomes a veteran with an opioid addiction.

He gets out of rehab and finds love with 20-year-old Loretta Young. The always excellent Aline MacMahon is along for the ride that includes a Capitalism vs. Communism theme.