THE ADVENT OF RANDOM

  What is the definition of random? We should definitely know that as it has become a preferred, almost overused term in the modern-day lexicon.

"made, done, happening, or chosen without method or conscious decision".

"an unknown, unspecified, or odd person"

The above meanings were what defined its usage. Then things changed. The younger generations picked up this word and began to use it indiscriminately, so much so that it has become a go to word, particularly when one desired not to be specific or pinned down to a specific answer. So, random it is.

 And random we will be today as we roam randomly around the world and then, for fun, see if you can make sense out of these randomly picked topics, varying in content and importance. But then again, who can truly define importance, for remember well the theory of the butterfly and the hurricane. (The butterfly wags its wings in one part of the world and through a series of events, apparently random, but not really, the end result is a hurricane on the other side of the world.") It might be fun - or depressing - to find a link between these randomly chosen topics. Maybe. Or perhaps it is merely my own quirks, choosing for me in random presentations of articles. You decide. If you can.

So, the first thing to pique my interest, (figures), is the most important random fact of today. We are now given notice - wait for it - that March 21 will mark the reintroduction of Free Cone Day at participating Dairy Queen outlets. Free ice cream. Does it get any better than that, for pick a random issue, then have an ice cream serving. Ahhh, so much better. Allows us to move on to the next random topic which piques my interest.

Actually, there is certainly a connection between random topics that now arise. Is it due to the world situation and temperament, or simply that this morning they caught my attention, one after the other, or were simply sitting in my brain, torturing my mind, for some time? Again, you decide and  then ask yourself does it really matter, random or not, as we evaluate the end results of their choice.

A Yale professor totes up the total of companies, American and International, who continue to maintain business ties with Russia despite the growing popular demands to get with the program  and boycott. No excuse accepted, no random reason tolerated. Hmm, so where does that place us in this moral, most uncomfortable situation when we make a deliberate, rather than random, choice?

Oh, but look here. An article instructing the reader what to do, how to prepare, for an evacuation or similar FEMA level catastrophe. Random? Maybe. Though perhaps it was the article re the list that reminded my inner mind about the ongoing tragedy of the evacuations and refugees in Ukraine. Or simply that it is and has been on my mind for lo these many a day. Random or not? Look at the definitions and decide. Does it matter?

Aha! Here is yet another random issue. I read that the best way to conduct business, to be a leader, is to control one's emotions. Do not make a priority of something which is actually not, because your emotions of the moment impel you to do so. Hmmm. Might be a good idea, as emotions often lead us to wrong conclusions and actions, not random at all, but to cut emotions out of the picture entirely? Nope. Cannot buy into that. Too cold for me. We are not automatons, thankfully so.

And on we continue on this trip of randomness.

Invasions seem to be on the mind. There is an expected one of spiders, not dangerous. but quite large, along with their oversize webs. Uh - uh. Not for me. I do not like spiders; they come in a close second to snakes. Nope, no invasion for me. and bang! Next topic that crosses my mind is another  invasion. Far more serious than the spider invasion - or is that really the case, for does not the spider one remind us of climate change, not in a good way - and all our fault. In the same way that humanity is at fault for the world situation today?

Was that connection random? One invasion led to thoughts of another? Leads to thoughts of a hero, one who uses his words well in his uneven fight with the Russian giant? Words that cause me much shame when the world stands by, does nothing actually, to save this country. No, sanctions will not do it. Threats, empty threats, will not do it. Only actions will do it. Call the bluff of Putin, send in desperately needed planes, which I randomly see that the USA turned down for fear of possible Putin anger and tantrum. Is it a risk, to bet on a sane action from a most demented man? Perhaps, but then again, do the Russian people want to continue under his heavy hand, or will that be the final straw to push them to oust him and his corrupt cronies, return to the spirit of Glasnost and this time, keep it going? Maybe.

Continuing the not so random train of thought, I read again the words of a brave man. He is willing  to talk of the two 'breakaway' provinces, to discuss NATO, that "alliance (is) afraid of controversial things, and confrontation with Russia," To satisfy Russia? No, but willing to talk. A sign of good faith would be for the Russians to stop shelling evacuation routes, civilian areas, and allow their people to hear the truth. Even as the presidential couple reminds the world that they will continue to fight, channeling the defiance  of Churchill when Britain was on the brink.

Two more articles caught my attention as well. A shameful story ongoing for so long, of clearly revealed evidence of a plot to attack this government of ours, oust it, kill participants, and install Trump as the Leader for Life. The Christian Right went right along with this, choosing homophobia, lies, corruption, over patriotism, loyalty, freedom, "The right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness" - for all.

Where has the world wandered? Was it random, this crooked path, or was it incremental, developed in random events and choices without our notice or attention? Was that too random, or was it a choice, to turn away from the unpleasant, wish it away, like Peek a Boo games with little ones?

Whatever, it does not work. We must work, not randomly, but with conscious choice and understanding. We must know, admit, that Putin is liable to push that button simply 'because', simply random, and calling his bluff might actually be a positive step. Force, determination, not empty threats and gestures will do the trick. He cares for naught else - not Ukrainian refuges, nor Russian ones fleeing their country. 

He cares for one thing - how far can he push the world and when can he push again? We need to realize that, internalize that. We need to understand, that as Hitler, he will continue to swallow country after country, unless and until he is stopped dead in his tracks. One way or another. The sooner we realize that, understand that, accept the truth of that, the sooner this war will be over.

What is random and is there actually any true randomness defining our actions? On closer inspection will we recognize the threads that tie it all together? I choose the second. What appears to be random is not necessarily so. Examine your own thoughts and actions for a day, a week, and now what do you think? Interesting.

Simply random thoughts for your perusal. Or not.

Now, where is the closest Dairy Queen?