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RipCordless

A pop-culture consumer who keeps it, by design, in the shallow end of the pool.

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News

Where Art Thou H1N1?

May 10, 2009 by Rip

Huh. Notice anything interesting the last few days? H1N1 or the Swine Flu has all but disappeared off the radar. Why? Because it was media-hyped and calamity reporting that went, uh, no where.

We’ve had fully one confirmed death from the H1N1 virus since the media blitz over a week ago. For the record, that is the same death as was reported at crest of this exaggerated wave of caution and fear mongering. Meanwhile, the standard influenza virus continues to relentlessly claim about 200 people per week. And when I say claim, I mean kill. Why haven’t we heard about that?

The the media won’t seek forgiveness. No, instead the experts now drone on about the concern is displaced until this fall, that’s when the virus will really strike and strike hard. Once more, the media, regardless of its polictical affiliation, whether it be conservative or liberal, uses the same engine to grab viewers and preach a little fear. “Researchers find something in your fridge that will kill you in a week. Report at 11!” Come 11pm, you dutifully plug in and watch. At each commercial break the tease continues and finally, at 11:26pm, the story breaks that if you have a leak in your freon refridgerant line and you breath that in, it will eventually kill you.

Filed Under: Life Rant Tagged With: H1N1, News, Swine Flu

Swine Flu Shenanigans

Apr 30, 2009 by Rip

Yeah, been a while. Life.

But since I’ve been languishing in my studies, much has happened. I won’t bore you with the commentary of this or that but I just have to weigh in on this swine flu bit. Every where I turn, every channel I see, some pundit is commenting on just how bad the flu will be. I don’t think so.

In the U.S. alone, better than 36 thousand people die of influenza each year. That is in a 365 day period, right here in the grand ol’ U.S.A. where healthcare is pretty good and the average life expectancy averages around 77 years old (between men and women). That isn’t bad and certainly ranks inside the top-10 countries in the world. But, sure enough, influenza is a real issue for the elderly, young and infirm.

The Swine Flu-palooza is getting hyped to madness. With currently single digit U.S. deaths from this particular strain of influenza, we’re doing okay. Don’t get me wrong, for those families who have lost loved ones due to this virus, life isn’t rosey; my heart goes out to them but a swine flu pandemic? Not sure that is warranted.

And let’s remember, the news is all about sensationalizing real life. Misery, havoc and suffering sell. News is about getting people to watch. Just like the daily news paper, suffering sells. As I’ve surfed through the channels, you hear “epidemic,” “fatal disease,” and “impending doom” but I’m not so sure. Perhaps it will shed light on the thousands of people who actually die of the flu each year and improve research toward finding better way to manage the annual war but are we heading for Will Smith in I Am Legend? I think not.

Filed Under: Life Rant Tagged With: News, Swine Flu

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// about rip

Raconteur. Mediator. Gamer. Dilettante. Deliberative. Nerd. Serious world, not so serious here. “No word from Fenchurch today,” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

// TWITTER

Ripcordless avatarRipCordless@Ripcordless·
1 Jan 1344884170263121922

https://t.co/kr3Bzqu5Ar

Reply on Twitter 1344884170263121922Retweet on Twitter 13448841702631219221Like on Twitter 13448841702631219223Twitter 1344884170263121922
Ripcordless avatarRipCordless@Ripcordless·
28 Dec 1343669870123106304

Truly a legendary talent & still holds the title for best super bowl national anthem - ever.

Rest In Peace, Whitney.

Truly a legendary talent & still holds the title for best super bowl national anthem - ever. 

Rest In Peace, Whitney.
Madam Vice President Harris is GOAT!@flywithkamala

Whitney Houston hit 7 notes in one second as she addressed comparisons with Mariah Carey. Notice how she doesn’t put MC down to lift herself up.

Reply on Twitter 1343669870123106304Retweet on Twitter 1343669870123106304Like on Twitter 13436698701231063042Twitter 1343669870123106304
Ripcordless avatarRipCordless@Ripcordless·
29 Nov 1333137462969790464

LOL. Well played.

Rex ChapmanšŸ‡šŸ¼@RexChapman

People are hilarious... https://t.co/XOHCv4G1fR

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Ripcordless avatarRipCordless@Ripcordless·
21 Nov 1329971523277361155

Dude...

Dude...
Rex ChapmanšŸ‡šŸ¼@RexChapman

My man just got a new car.

2020 never disappoints...

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Ripcordless avatarRipCordless@Ripcordless·
21 Nov 1329969417581592577

What the...?!

What the...?!
Darth Vader@DepressedDarth

That moment

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// Why?

Before I answer why, let’s talk about the rules. Here, I chatter about unimportant things. I stay in the shallow end of the pool, speculating on pop culture fascination, the journey of Liverpool FC, while offering an opinion or two on gaming. Why? Because I enjoy the written word. There is both a precision and also freedom with its balance, flow, and elegance. And this corner of the Internet offers a place to dabble in topics which avoid anything with a fuse.

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