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LABOR DAY: celebrating American Workers

8/31/2025

Today in the United States September 1 is celebrated as Labor Day: The last bastion of summer; the last big hurrah; the three-day weekend of barbeques and beaches before autumn sets in. The holiday is meant to honor the American worker -- The average Jacks and Jills who go to work every day, make living, raise families, and making this country function. But it didn't begin as fun and games and backyard BBQues.

THE ORIGINAL LABOR DAY
Back in the 19th century, while some children in white danced around May poles to celebrate spring, other children worked in coal mines and performed other hard-labor. The Second Industrial Revolution witnessed numerous workers dying every day from long hours and terrible working conditions, and everyone breathed the smoke-filled air belching in black clouds from industrial smoke stacks.

Workers began to grumble about working conditions, and labor organizations sprang up both in Europe and America. In 1866, the National Labor Union was formed in the US as people become vocal about their rights, the need for safer conditions, and shorter work hours.

THE HAYMARKET RIOTS
Chicago had been a center of work-related agitation for some time, and a railroad strike in 1877 had ended in violence. In 1884, the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions (FOTLU) chose to hold their national convention in Chicago where they issued an ultimatum that after May 1, 1886, the legal work day would be eight hours.

Two years later, when that FOTLU deadline approached, “an estimated quarter million workers in the Chicago area became directly involved in the crusade to implement the eight hour work day, including the Trades and Labor Assembly, the Socialistic Labor Party and local Knights of Labor,” according to an archived synopsis published by the Industrial Workers of the World in 1993. msn.com/en-us/the-real-history-of-may-day/

Image Source: www.pixels.com

The generally quiet demonstration broke out in violence on May 3 at McCormick Reaper Works, where police and demonstrators clashed and set off a vicious scuffle that left several workers dead.
The next day, a large crowd gathered at Chicago’s Haymarket Square to protest the previous day’s killings. At first, the proceedings were civilized, and even Chicago mayor Carter Harrison attended. Then someone in the crowd threw an explosive at the police. In reaction, law enforcement officers fired indiscriminately into the crowd which included workers and their own police officers.

Chaos and violence ensued between police and demonstrators with by-standers in between. At least 7 policemen were killed and sixty others injured. Sources claim as many demonstrators and civilians were killed and injured (without giving any statistics).

Reliable witnesses testified that all the pistol flashes came from the center of the street, where the police were standing, and none from the crowd. Moreover, initial newspaper reports made no mention of firing by civilians. A telegraph pole at the scene was filled with bullet holes, all coming from the direction of the police.
The Eight Men Convicted of Murder -- Haymarket affair in Chicago
I mage Source: pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/chicago-eight

The friction between United States authorities and the labor move-ment continued from there. Eight anarchists were arrested and con-victed for murder for throwing the explosive at the police, even though only three were even present at Haymarket and those three were in full view of all when the bombing occurred. In 1889, May Day was chosen as the date for “International Workers’ Day” to commemorate the men convicted of the Haymarket affair murders, and the struggle for an eight-hour working day.

THE PULLMAN STRIKE
The Pullman Strike was two interrelated strikes in 1894 that shaped national labor policy in the United States during a period of deep economic depression.

The Pullman Strike occurred in Illinois on May 11, 1894. Without going into the gory details, three thousand railroad workers went on a wildcat strike without the authorization of their union because of the way George Mortimer Pullman, founder and president of the Pullman Palace Car Company, treated his workers.
Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pullman_Strike

Ultimately, in trying to subdue the riots, thirty people were killed by the US Military and US Marshalls (some sources say hundreds, other say just a few). President Grover Cleveland made peace with the labor people, but fearing further conflict, the US Congress voted to approve rush legislation establishing Labor Day a national holiday. On June 28, 1894 (only a few days after the end of the strike), President Grover Cleveland signed into law a piece of legislation that created a national Labor Day Holiday in early September.

LABOR DAY IN THE US
Since 1882, various states and cities had been celebrating their own versions of Labor Day at different times of the year, but this action set the date for a national holiday and moved the event away from the May 1 “Workers’ Day”, the recognized date for radical labor protests in Europe.

The US. Congress feared the holiday would be associated with nascent Communist, Syndicalist and Anarchist movements and would appear to celebrate the labor riots of 1884, the Haymarket Affair in 1886, and other May Day riots. Everything is political, isn't it?

LABOUR DAY AND INTERNATIONAL WORKER’S DAY
International Worker's Day recognizes the International Labor Movement and is celebrated on May 1 in at least eighty countries in the world, including most of Europe.
May 1 continues to be the day for protesting labor and other issues in these countries.

World Map showing May 1 Celebrations
Image Credit and Source: www.officeholidays.com
Red = Labour Day; Lt. Green = May Day, or Spring Celebration

In 80+ countries people celebrate Labour Day with a protest.
Labour Day protests in Indonesia
Image Source: www.en.tempo.com

In the United States we celebrate Labor Day by kicking back with a beer.
Image Source: www.camtrader.ca

JUST SAYIN!
□
Sources:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/09/03/what-is-labor-day-and-why-do-we-celebrate-the-holiday-what-to-know/70667832007/
https://medium.com/@iluv2run5k/5-surprising-facts-about-labor-day-99add55260c4

https://www.learnreligions.com/beltane-rites-and-rituals-2561678
https://www.livefromtheloungepodcast.com/post/ep-10-history-of-labor-day-pullman-strike-of-1894
www.thefreedictionary.com/May+Day
https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/history-of-may-day
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_Day
https://nationaltoday.com/may-day/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/445082375663782263/
https://www.vintagechicagopostcards.com/2020/11/haymarket-square-clash-between-police.html
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/chicago-eight-anarchists
https://daily.jstor.org/how-labor-lost-may-day/
https://history.house.gov/Historical-Highlights/1851-1900/The-first-Labor-Day/
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/the-real-history-of-may-day/ar-BB1g7fq4?fullscreen=true&cvid=0c753a732e594f5293cc01dae5656548#image=1
https://www.telesurenglish.net/multimedia/Workers-Right-Groups-Commemorate-May-Day-Worldwide-20190501-0013.html
https://thenewamerican.com/traditional-may-day-protests-in-france-become-violent-riots/
https://www.newindianexpress.com/galleries/world/2017/may/01/may-day-in-pics-protesters-worldwide-demand-better-work-conditions-higher-wages-100415.html

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MAKING INFORMED DECISIONS

8/16/2025

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The trick to making good decisions successfully is to make informed decisions. In other words, set goals, gather information, analyze alternatives in relation achieving the goals, making a choice of which option to implement, and analyzing the results.

WHAT IS THE DECISION MAKING PROCCESS?
“Decision-making is the process of selecting the best course of action from a set of alternative options to
achieve a desired goal or objective.” www.geeksforgeeks.org/
▲ Image Source: Dreamstime.com
Unfortunately, that’s not the method of decision-making most people employ in everyday life. Overall, it is appalling how many choices are made without knowing the desired goal or getting the facts first. Day-to-day decision making is too frequently driven by mood, impulse, hearsay, bias, limited time, and habit.

“When you look at all possible sources of information with an open mind, you can make an informed decision based on facts rather than intuition.” www.psychologytoday.com

That does not imply that informed decision making discounts gut instincts, intuition, or even hearsay. The perception of others, whether true or not, is still a fact that may need to be considered. These are pieces of information used in the analysis necessary to determine the final action. The point is that the decision should not be based on those things alone without considering the other facts.

P.S. A “good” decision requires implementation, even if that is deciding to do nothing. That is always a choice.

THE NATURE OF DECISION MAKING
Every step in life is a choice, even how we react to and feel about things, situations, and people. Most of them humans make without even having to think of it as a decision.

Applying the Pareto Principle (also known as the 80-20% Rule) to decision making, 80% of the results come from 20% of the decisions made. That makes sense because a majority of decisions we make are automatic, without thinking, particularly when the situation is familiar and we have information and experience to rely on (although that can be misleading at times). Image Source: www.linkedin.com/decision-making-marcin▲

The point of this principle is to recognize that most things in life are not distributed evenly, including decisions. And, of course, to realize that what we might consider “big decisions” are not necessarily the most important ones.

Big or miniscule, effective decisions are:
1) Goal-oriented;
2) A Dynamic Process;
3) An ongoing process;
4) An intellectual or rational process;
and
5) Involves alternatives.
◄www.geeksforgeeks.org/

THE PROBLEM WITH INFORMED DECISION MAKING
The biggest problem with making informed decisions is the “becoming informed” part.

Even with all the wisdom of the internet at our fingertips, it still takes time and effort to learn enough about whatever it is we need to know. In fact, there is so much out there it is hard to know who to believe. The up side is that once you’ve made certain basic decisions, you don’t have to make them over and over, at least until something changes.

THE STEPS TO INFORMED DECISION MAKING
1. Identifying the problem or decision to be made.
First, pin down the problem/decision to be made, then define the desired goal or outcome of the decision. Incorrectly identifying the problem or decision can derail your efforts from the get-go. Goals associated with the decision need to be quantifiable and feasible.

2. Collecting the information
Once you know what decision is to be made and the goal, collect the facts and information. Don't get caught up in information overload, which can complicate the process. Only gather facts pertinent to the decision to be made, not everything there is to know about the subject. Non-substantial “facts” like intuition or public opinion can be significant also.

3. Discover and Evaluate Alternatives
Equipped with a goal/problem and pertinent data, identify alternative courses of action, assess them in relation to what you need to achieve, the risks, and how much risk you are willing to take, and potential outcomes: i.e. the pros and cons of each potential decision. Remember to consider how the decision is likely to affect others.

4. Select the Best Alternative

5. Implementation and Follow-up
After a set period, which was determined in the first step, revisit your decision to evaluate its effectiveness. Did it achieve the intended goal? If the answer is yes, document the successful strategies for future reference. If not, take this as a learning opportunity to refine your decision-making process for future endeavors

TIPS ON MAKING BETTER DECISIONS
Fortunately, most personal and professional choices have few or no long-term, negative consequences. However, sometimes a person has to make a decision that will have a profound impact on their future—from who they marry to where they live to how they manage their professional career.” www.psychologytoday.com
◄ image source: dreamstime.com

● Plan but be flexible and open minded. During the decision-making processes, new ideas and facts may be revealed, suggesting that adjustments need to be made.

● Avoid Overconfidence can interfere with good judgment. Behavioral studies show that people tend to overestimate their performance and the accuracy of their knowledge.

● Identify and Understand the risks, There is a degree of risk with every decision we make. Identifying those and understanding how much risk you are willing to take is essential. Being a good decision-maker sometimes requires being willing to take a risk. Poor decisions can be the result of having grown accustomed to your habits and don’t think about the danger or harm you’re causing.

● Identify and evaluate your habits (in relation to the decision to be made) and consider which might be harmful or unhealthy and impede the goal you are trying to achieve. For example, if the goal is to save money on groceries, consider changing your habit of shopping only at a particular store and shop at a different location or at several locations rather than just one store.

● Reframe the problem. The way the question is posed plays a significant role in how you’ll respond and how you’ll perceive your chances of success.
For example, “Imagine two surgeons. One surgeon tells his patients, ‘Ninety percent of people who undergo this procedure live.’ The other surgeon says, ‘Ten percent of people who undergo this procedure die.’ The facts are the same. However, research shows people who hear "10% of people die" perceive their risk to be much greater." www.verywellmind.com/

● Evaluate past mistakes. Recognize your biases and emotions that affect choices and • challenge your preconceptions. www.verywellmind.com/

THE FEAR OF MAKING DECISIONS
No kidding. This is a real phobia with a scientific name: Decidophobia

According to Aimee Daramus, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist, "Decidophobia is the fear of making a wrong decision. Most of us have a little anxiety about some decisions, but someone with decidophobia will feel intense, paralyzing fear about even everyday decisions.” www.verywellmind.com/decidophobia

Decidophobia is classified as a specific phobia, under the umbrella of anxiety disorders. The mental health profession defines a specific phobia as an extreme, irrational fear of a specific object or situation that doesn’t actually pose any danger. Well, I would think certain decisions do pose a danger, but no one asked me for my opinion.
There has not been much research on this phobia, so scientists don’t know how common it is, but studies do indicate that 12.5% of all adults in the US will experience a specific phobia in their lifetime.

JUST SAYIN’

Sources:
https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/business-studies/6-steps-of-decision-making-process/
https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/business-studies/decision-making/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/decision-making
https://www.verywellmind.com/habits-for-better-decision-making-4153045
https://www.verywellmind.com/decidophobia-symptoms-causes-diagnosis-and-treatment-5222087
https://www.simplypsychology.org/pareto-principle.html
https://www.truworthwellness.com/blog/10-steps-for-quick-great-decisions/
https://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/5-tips-for-lightning-fast-decision-making.html
https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/decidophobia

https://www.linkedin.com/onboarding/start/profile-location/new/?session_redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fpulse%2Fpareto-analysis-8020-rule-effective-decision-making-marcin-majka-91g9f&source=coreg

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GROCERY SHOPPING TIPS

8/1/2025

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The trick to doing anything successfully is to make informed decisions. In other words, set goals, gather information, analyze alternatives in relation achieving the goals, and choose between options.

◄ Image Source:www.istock.com

Overall, it is scary how most people make choices without getting the facts first. We may put extensive time and research into picking the best car to buy or buying other big-ticket items (although we may not) but day-to-day decision making is too frequently driven by mood, impulse, hearsay, and limited time.

Grocery shopping is just another activity where many uninformed decisions are made, and those may cost us a lot of money and affect our long-term health.

The problem with making informed decisions is the “becoming informed” part. Even with all the wisdom of the internet at our fingertips, it still takes time and effort to learn enough about whatever it is we need to know. In fact, there is so much out there it is hard to know who to believe. The up side is that once you’ve made the basic decisions, you don’t have to make them over and over, at least until something changes.

I have been grocery shopping for many years, as have most of you, and I’ve learned some lessons the hard ways. I also researched this subject. Hopefully these tips can help.

PLAN AHEAD
There are three components to consider when planning your grocery shopping strategy: Cost, Time, and Quality. Most choices are based on these, and there are always compromises.

● What are your shopping goals?
Think about it. Knowing what you are trying achieve helps you plan. Most of the time it is about eating healthy and saving money, but not always. Ask yourself what you want to achieve.
• Take less time? • Be convenient?
• Save money?             • Eat well?
• Eat healthy?              • Save gasoline?
• Recyclability?             • Reduce waste?

● Think about where you grocery shop; consider alternatives
You can often get what you need cheaper by switching stores or going to several different retailers.
• Do you know which stores and online retailers have the best prices?
• Are you open to making multiple stops when grocery shopping?
• Do you plan a route? [Try to buy perishables and frozen foods at the last place you shop.]
• Are you open to buying from online retailers?

According to AARP. since the pandemic, food prices are up 25 percent. A recent nationwide study showed that shopping at Aldi was marginally cheaper than Walmart ($1.52), and Target came in third. www.aarp.org/cheapest-groceries

● Think about the way you cook
• What kind of foods do you buy?
• Do you appreciate less expensive foods? Food doesn’t need to be fancy or expensive to
  be good and healthy.
• Do you cook large portions and use your leftovers?
• Are you willing to substitute recipe ingredients when you have something suitable handy?
• Know you don’t need to buy everything organic
• Prewashed, chopped and cut fruits and veggies cost you more
• Take a serious look at the beverages you buy. They really run up the bill.

● Plan meals for the week in advance of shopping

● Make a list and stick to it
“Grocery stores are expertly designed to boost spending,” says Melissa Cid, a consumer savings writer with MySavings.com. “You're stepping into a meticulously crafted system built to extract as much money from you as possible.” www.aarp.org/cheapest-groceries
◄ Image Credit: Shutterstock.com
Image Source: www.moneysmartguides.com

Because grocery stores make a lot of money off impulse purchases, they use tricks to make you buy extra items you didn’t need with tactics like placing essentials like milk and eggs at the back of the store, forcing you to walk past a lot of other products.

● Prepare a customized grocery list for yourself
This can save time and effort, and help prevent forgetting things. Organize the items you buy regularly by the stores where these are the best buys. Put the brand name and other key details on your shopping list so you get exactly what you want every time.

• Read store sale ads and coupons
Supermarkets advertise sales to attract customers; look in the local paper, on the store’s website, and often on the store’s app if they have one. But often these discounted items are strategically placed next to name brands that are expensive or marked up. Find coupons for good quality deals. Stock up on cleaning products, nutrient-rich foods, and other staples that you’ll definitely use, preferably those with longer shelf lives. ▲ Image Credit: Walmart
Image Source: www.flyersmartcanucks.ca
● Don’t go shopping when you are hungry

THE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE
This is where everything can go south for the winter; it is the real test of shopping savvy.

● Stick to your list and avoid impulse buying (Experts can’t say this often enough)
● Buy whole foods
● Buy in bulk when possible
Some stores have bulk bins with dry foods such as grains, beans, nuts, and seasonings, and the price is usually lower. Don’t buy in bulk anything you won’t use up during the shelf life, and be sensitive to the amount of storage space you have available.

● Lean to read the labels and do it regularly
By preparing a pre-printed shopping list, you can add brand names when you find the product you want and list it for whichever store has the best price. Pay attention to unit price.
Image Credit and Source: Shutterstock.com ►

● Shop for produce that’s in season
The consumer pays more for fresh produce that is “misted”, not only for the misting system itself and the water, but also water increases the weight. You pay by the pound, so shake out the water from your produce before you get to checkout.
◄ Image Source: www.producebusiness.com

● Buy cheaper cuts of meat
Look for: chuck steak, pork, top sirloin steak, whole chicken, ground meat or poultry. Large inexpensive cuts of meat can be used in several different meals during the week. Less expensive cuts of meat are great to use in casseroles, soups, stews, and burritos.

● Replace meat with other proteins
Eating less meat may be a good (and healthier) way to save money. Try using other protein sources a few times a week, such as: legumes, hemp seeds, eggs, and canned fish. Also, most of these have a longer shelf life.

● Buy Frozen Fish
Experts say there is no difference in the quality and taste, and in most cases the product has been frozen on the fishing vessel long before it gets to the store and sold as “fresh”. The reduced price tag on frozen fish is due to the increased shelf life and has nothing to do with the nutrition or quality.

● Buy generic and store brands
The generic and store brands are often made by the same manufacturer as the name brand competitors but at a lower price. You may have to hunt for them at first.

● Buy frozen fruits and vegetables
Frozen produce is usually cheaper, just as nutritious, available all year, and usually sold in large bags, so you can take out only what you are going to use.

● Stock up on sales
Don’t buy something you haven’t planned using just because it is on sale.

● Avoid buying highly processed food
Highly processed foods cost more and are high in sodium and/or sugar.

● Avoid individually packaged foods

● Make adjustments to your cart before you check out
Use your list or phone to keep a running tally of purchases. Also, look at your cart and ask yourself if there’s anything you don’t really need…or something your kids slipped in. Studies show that people who use self-checkout tend to spend less.

NOW, HERE’S THE THING!
Grocery stores, like other retailers, want you to spend lots of money, and everything about the physical environment is designed is to boost sales, from the placement of items to the size of shopping carts to the music playing overhead. aarp.org/money/supermarket-secrets

Your supermarket wants you to deviate from your list. Impulse buying means big bucks for grocery stores. They use all kinds of tricks to encourage it in store design, lighting, music, and placement of items. Essentials like milk and eggs are located at the back of the store, forcing you to walk past a lot of other products. Ordering groceries online and picking them up at the store can help cut down on impulse buys.

So how do grocery stores divert us shoppers from our lists? Let me count the ways.

● End-of-aisle sale items don’t save you much money
Andrea Woroch, a consumer savings adviser in Bakersfield, California says these end caps displays are intended to capture attention of the customer with the illusion of a good deal. They may feature a deal on a name-brand product which is not be the cheapest option for that specific type of product.

● The best deals are not at eye level
The first items a shopper sees in a grocery aisle are not the best buys. Less-expensive brands are placed either high or low. Pricey and name brands are at eye level.

● Supermarkets are not always the best place to buy non-food items
Many supermarkets don’t source non-food products like paper goods or cleaning products. The best prices are usually cheaper at big box retailers like Costco, Target, or Walmart. Sometimes online retailers can beat the best store prices. When comparing prices, remember to always look at the cost per unit and number of units, not only the total.

● Free Samples Whet Your Appetite
According to Martin Lindstrom, author of Buyology and Brandwashed, says food sampling is designed to activate your hunger and get the customer to impulse buy.
◄ Image Source: www.pinterest.com

● The background music is intentional
Lindstrom also says, “Background music is a well-known tactic in retail.” One study found playing slower music (72 beats per minute or fewer) in a supermarket resulted in a 38 percent increase in average gross sales.

● The Grocery store’s discount section is usually “hidden”
Stores often discount items in damaged packages. You need to ask an employee if they have a discount section and where it is.

● Bakeries are often located at the front of the store
This is for visual appeal, but the store may also strategically pipe out the smell of fresh baked goods toward the entrance. Some even pipe in the artificial scent of baked goods to trigger cravings. Image Source: www.artpictures.club ►
● Store layout and lighting are strategically designed
Your supermarket will use anything possible to make the products more appealing, even piling apples high on crates
o make the produce look abundant.

Chalk this all up to being a capitalistic consumer society. Like it or not, it is who we are.

YOU KNEW THIS ALREADY
Of course you did!

Anyone who has grocery shopped, particularly for a family, for any length of time is familiar with most of these tricks of the trade. You are probably implementing many of them without even thinking. But we all need to be reminded periodically, and we all fall into habits and patterns that may need changing after a while…but we don’t think about it.

So, take these ideas under consideration and make “informed decisions” about changing some of your grocery shopping habits.

JUST SAYIN’
Sources
https://www.aarp.org/money/personal-finance/supermarket-secrets/?cmp=EMC-DSM-NLC-OTH-WBLTR-2002400-2094121-9328092-NA-06072025-Webletter-MS1-SAPLA-BTN-S08_A-Money&encparam=gEGhXRuXYldudBaLHelHywL+AU5FLAe01RE6k5jyiOA=

https://www.aarp.org/money/personal-finance/cheapest-groceries-walmart-aldi-target/?cmp=KNC-DMP-SAPLA-SPR-RetirementPlanning-Nonbrand-65030-Bing-AldivsWalmartvsTarget-Exact-NonBrand&&msclkid=bee8e520b75916d83d3c8d41d572873f&gclid=bee8e520b75916d83d3c8d41d5

https://thrivemarket.com/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Non-Brand_SEM_Diet_Natural&utm_content=1167683279404316&utm_term=natural%20grocers%20closest%20to%20me&device=c&ccode=acq60fogwp&ccode_force=1&msclkid=dcf4763abc8f103b5f8b1e5bc527634e

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/19-ways-to-eat-healthy-on-a-budget
https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/how-save-money-on-groceries-when-eating-healthy/
https://www.everydayhealth.com/photogallery/superfoods.aspx
https://www.tastingtable.com/1416786/grocery-store-hacks-better-shopping/
https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/cooking-skills/shopping/grocery-shopping-tips
https://www.foodrepublic.com/1688814/why-grocery-store-bakery-front/

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EVERYTHING YOU NEVER NEEDED TO KNOW ABOUT THE 4TH OF JULY and EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT INDEPENDENCE

7/1/2025

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Image Source: www.statueofliberty.org

Since Fourth of July is upon us, I’m blogging about US Independence Day. I try to be timely by recognizing and writing blogs about holidays and observance days that we hold dear in the United States…or not so dear, as it appears sometimes. But alas, after I did some preliminary research, I realized there isn’t much to write about the Fourth of July that everyone doesn’t already know.

Or so I thought!

HAVE YOU READ “THE DECLARATION of INDEPENDENCE” RECENTLY?

Image credit: Second Continental Congress; reproduction: William Stone
Image Source: commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?urid=621811loc.gov/exhibits/treasures

Listening to the news over the last several months, I’ve wondered what the words “independence” and “freedom” mean to the people of the United States. We all seem to have our own version, and sometimes they are incompatible.

I’m willing to bet that only a small percentage of Americans have read the Declaration of Independence in the last ten years; a few, never.

According to some historians, it is the most important document ever written in this country; even more important than the Constitution, because it identifies the principles by which this nation holds together. Right now we need to be held together more than ever before. We only have ourselves to do that.

Read it. You may find out it does or doesn’t say some of the things you think it does. The word ”independence” isn’t even in the adopted title. Still, the words continue to resonate in the 21st century as fundamental truths.

“THE UNANIMOUS DECLARATION OF THE THIRTEEN UNITED STATES OF AMERIC”
[Note: The following text is a transcription of the Stone Engraving of the parchment Declaration of Independence (the document on display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum.) The spelling and punctuation reflects the original.] https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript

In Congress, July 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Georgia
Button Gwinnett
Lyman Hall
George Walton

North Carolina
William Hooper
Joseph Hewes
John Penn

South Carolina
Edward Rutledge
Thomas Heyward, Jr.
Thomas Lynch, Jr.
Arthur Middleton

Maryland
Samuel Chase
William Paca
Thomas Stone
Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia
George Wythe
Richard Henry Lee
Thomas Jefferson
Benjamin Harrison
Thomas Nelson, Jr.
Francis Lightfoot Lee
Carter Braxton

Pennsylvania
Robert Morris
Benjamin Rush
Benjamin Franklin
John Morton
George Clymer
James Smith
George Taylor
James Wilson
George Ross

Delaware
Caesar Rodney
George Read
Thomas McKean

New York
William Floyd
Philip Livingston
Francis Lewis
Lewis Morris

New Jersey
Richard Stockton
John Witherspoon
Francis Hopkinson
John Hart
Abraham Clark

New Hampshire
Josiah Bartlett
William Whipple
Matthew Thornton

Massachusetts
John Hancock
Samuel Adams
John Adams
Robert Treat Paine
Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island
Stephen Hopkins
William Ellery

Connecticut
Roger Sherman
Samuel Huntington
William Williams
Oliver Wolcott
end □

IF YOU READ THE DOCUMENT, YOU CAN NOW CELEBRATE THAT YOU LIVE HERE.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT FOURTH OF JULY
Although articles are often entitled “fun facts”, they are mostly “interesting” facts about the holiday. I did learn a few thing I never knew or didn’t remember after a hiatus of sixty years…and it’s always interesting to see how many “known facts” on the internet disagree with each other. Image source:www.legendofamerica.com

JUST LIKE TODAY, IT WAS ALL ABOUT TAXES
"Taxation without representation!" At the beginning of the Revolutionary War [April 1775], not many of the colonists wanted complete separation from Great Britain, but gradually the population began to favor
complete independence. You all remember that, right?

Of course you do. And you remember, when Richard Henry Lee introduced his motion to the Continental Congress for independence, it was tabled and a five-man committee appointed [Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, John Adams of Massachusetts, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania and Robert R. Livingston of New York] to draft a formal statement justifying the break with Great Britain. Maybe you recall hearing that, too. “Declaration of Independence” painting by John Trumbull 1818
Image source: www.amazon.com ▼

On July 2nd, 1775, the Continental Congress voted in favor of Lee’s resolution for independence in a near-unanimous vote (with the New York delegation abstaining) and on July 4th, the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independ-ence, written primarily by Thomas Jefferson.

I found these facts interesting although not of monumental significance in terms of the history of the United States. They are in no particular order and, as you can see, are not particularly memorable.

● John Adams believed July 2nd was the correct date on which to celebrate the birth of American independence, and would reportedly turn down invitations to appear at July 4th events in protest.

● John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only two signers of the Declaration of Independence who later became presidents, both died within hours of each other on July 4, 1826—the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

● According to Encyclopedia Britannica, “Jefferson’s inveterate shyness prevented him from playing a significant role in the debate within Congress. John Adams, a leader in those debates, remembers that Jefferson was silent even in committee meetings, though consistently staunch in his support of independence…”
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Declaration-of-Independence

● The Declaration of Independence was signed by 56 men from 13 colonies. Of those 56, eight were born in Great Britain. One out of eight signers of the Declaration of Independence was educated at Harvard (seven in total).

● The lead author of the Declaration, Thomas Jefferson, was 33 ½ years old. The average age of the signers of the Declaration of Independence was 45. The oldest signer was Benjamin Franklin (70) of Pennsylvania. The youngest, was Thomas Lynch, Jr. (27) of South Carolina acei-global.blog/facts-about-independence-day/ -- Or was he?--“…Edward Rutledge was the youngest at age 26.” thepioneerwoman.com/interesting-things-about4th-of-july/

● “Only two Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The majority of signers penned their signatures on August 2, 1776.” http://www.rfdtv.com/story/32328872/4th-of-july-fun-facts#.WwhI_0gvzcc -- Or was it only one? – “Only John Hancock actually signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. All the others signed later.” https://acei-global.blog/2013/07/03/20-fun-facts-about-the-4th-of-julyindependence-day/

● Benjamin Franklin proposed the turkey as the national bird but was overruled by John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, who recommended the bald eagle.

● The original draft of the Declaration of Independence was lost. http://www.rfdtv.com/story/32328872/4th-of-july-fun-facts#.WwhI_0gvzcc Library of Congress
Oh, well. I’m sure they have a copy of the one that was adopted and signed.

● Congress made Independence Day an official unpaid holiday for federal employees in 1870. It didn’t become a federal paid holiday until 1938.

● The first Independence Day celebration took place in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776. This was also the day that the Declaration of Independence was first read in public after people were summoned by the ringing of the Liberty Bell. The Liberty Bell was cast at London’s Whitechapel Bell Foundry. It arrived in Philadelphia in August, 1752. The metal was too brittle and it cracked during the test strike. It was recast twice by local workmen. In its early years the bell was used to summon lawmakers to legislative sessions and to alert citizens about public meetings and proclamations.

● Every 4th of July the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia is tapped [not actually rung] thirteen times in honor of the original thirteen colonies.

● The tune of the National Anthem was originally an English drinking song called “To Anacreon in Heaven.” The words have nothing to do with consumption of alcohol but the “melody that Francis Key had in mind when he wrote those words did originate decades earlier as the melody for a song praise of wine.” http://www.colonialmusic.org/Resource/Anacreon.htm

Sources:
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/images/uc004215.jpg
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript
https://parade.com/24863/kenjennings/america-101-take-our-fourth-of-july-quiz/
https://acei-global.blog/2013/07/03/20-fun-facts-about-the-4th-of-julyindependence-day/
https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/july-4th
http://www.pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth/history/history-independence-day/
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/02/fireworks-american-history_n_5552960.html
https://acei-global.blog/2013/07/03/20-fun-facts-about-the-4th-of-julyindependence-day/
http://thepioneerwoman.com/fun-and-learning/twenty-interesting-things-about4th-of-july/
http://www.rfdtv.com/story/32328872/4th-of-july-fun-facts#.WwhI_0gvzcc
2020
https://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/ct-life-real-independence-day-tt-0702-20190702-l3vl5kijdzci3jhbkbrecfaz2m-l3vl5kijdzci3jhbkbrecfaz2m-story.html
https://www.dtnext.in/Lifestyle/Spirituality/2018/08/13022008/1084010/What-is-the-true-meaning-of-independence.vpf
https://news.emory.edu/stories/2014/06/er_pursuit_of_happiness/campus.html
https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-oped-what-independence-day-really-means-20190704-teue64vyz5getk4jaq4v3z2qxe-story.html
http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/documents/1776-1785/the-final-text-of-the-declaration-of-independence-july-4-1776.php
https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/declaration-of-independence
http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/documents/1776-1785/jeffersons-draft-of-the-declaration-of-independence.php#par1
http://nashvillelife.com/Nashville-4th-of-July-Parades
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/images/uc004215.jpg|
https://acei-global.blog/2013/07/03/20-fun-facts-about-the-4th-of-julyindependence-day/
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Liberty_Bell_2008.jpg

1 Comment

DOLLS, PENCILS, AND THE US ECONOMY: Things American Consumers Buy That They Don’t Need, Want, or Use

6/23/2025

0 Comments

Somewhere along the line -- but probably not in this particular interview – he also made reference to the idea of consumers not buying so many things they don’t really need. That got me to thinking about this issue on several levels.

Image credit and source: nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/

I remembered one of my father’s “takes” on the “Mysteries of Life” (as he called them) was why people spend their money the way they do, and wondered what kinds of things consumers really do buy that they don’t really need … and often don’t really want and never use. After all, at least in my humble opinion, Americans are rather materialistic and very spoiled.

IN THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER
I found lots of opinions on the internet, but in most cases it boiled down to the consumers’ personal interests, needs, what they value, and their priorities. Various websites indentify many products as unworthy of spending money on which are everyday helps to others. After considerable thought, these items seem to fall into one or more categories which sometimes overlap:
• Truly Frivolous, but sometimes funny and humor inducing, and keepsakes.
• Critical Need, No. Convenient, Yes
• Health Related
• Questionable Effectiveness and/or Potentially Harmful
• Single Purpose items which are rarely used.

THE TRULY FRIVOLOUS
These items are undoubtedly intended to be amusing (gag gifts), but they are things nobody truly needs.

●The Useless Box
It doesn ‘t do anything. I guess it’s a joke item for the person who has everything.

Image Credit: Solarbotics/Flickr
Image Source:interestingengineering.com/

●Sweat Gutters
If you perspire you can buy “SweatGutters” to collect & remove sweat.

Image Credit: Reddit.com
Image source: interestingengineering.com/completely-unnecessary-things

●Cuisine Curtain
This gadget allows you to indulging but mask your feeding frenzy all at the same time.
Image Source: YouTube.com -- Image source:interestingengineering.com/completely-unnecessary-things

● Motorized Ice Cream Cone - This battery-powered gadget turns your ice cream cone to ensure a perfectly even melt. $9.99.

Image Credit: eBay -- Image Source: blog.cheapism.com/useless-products

● Pet Rock
Classic 1970s Pet Rock doesn't need food, water, or walks. Price. $29.99

Image Credit. Amazon -- Image Source: blog.cheapism.com/useless-products

● USB-Powered Pet Rock
Digital-age Rock connects to computer via USB. It doesn't do any-thing, but a light glows to indicate it's "alive."
Image Credit. Reddit.com -- Image Source: blog.cheapism.com/useless-products

● Banana Slicer
A banana slicer ($6) makes uniform slices. A kitchen knife does the same work and is easier to keep clean. Image Credit: Amazon -- Imager Source: blog.cheapism.com/useless-products-waste-of-money/

● Self-Stirring Mug
Stirs contents without a spoon. Price: $10 to $18 unless you need a Nextmug-Temperature-Controlled, Self-Heating
Coffee Mug ($100 to $130).
Image Credit: Amazon -- Imager Source: blog.cheapism.com/useless-products-waste-of-money/

● Fish Training Kit / Fish Exercise Rings
Train a pet fish with this kit, although I don’t know why. About $10.
Image Credit: Etsy
Imager Source: https://blog.cheapism.com/useless-products-we-want-to-buy/

● Bacon Bandages
These don’t help wounds heal better or quicker, but they definitely make the wearer look weird. $8.
Image Credit: Amazon -- Imager Source: blog.cheapism.com/useless-products-waste-of-money/

The list goes on, but you get the idea. I didn’t list any keepsakes, although keychains come to mind. All these are things we can do without under duress. While, some purchases are totally frivolous, sometimes these useless gadgets are fun and amusing, and no doubt that is what they are intended to be. Humor and comic relief certainly have their value.

CRITICAL NEEDS, NO. CONVENIENT, YES!
Many items called “a waste of money” are useful and effort saving but are not cost effective because they are not used often (sometimes only once), take up space, have adverse impact on environment, increase waste products to be disposed of or, generally, impractical when you make an honest evaluation. Those products -- probably somewhat of a luxury -- most of us could live without, given simpler substitutes, but they also can be helpful, save time and energy, and are used frequently. Those have value to people which offsets cost and other considerations like space.

● Dryer Sheets
"Instead, toss a ball of aluminum foil or wool dryer balls in the dryer, and add a washcloth wet with white vinegar." cheapism.com/useless-waste-of-money/ Yeah…no. They work & I don’t have time for wet washcloths or white vinegar.$7.
Image Credit: Amazon -- Imager Source: blog.cheapism.com/useless-products-waste-of-money/

● Electric Can Opener
“Convenient, but not every kitchen can spare the counter space. Instead, use the pull tab or a handheld opener. The exception? People who can't move their hands freely because of arthritis."
Image Credit: Amazon -- Imager Source: blog.cheapism.com/useless-products-waste-of-money/

• Salad Spinner (Electric and Hand Operated)
"Tosses & dries salad so dressing spreads evenly. Instead, wash the greens in a container, with lid, give it a few good shakes, & dry."blog.cheapism.com/useless-products-waste-of-money/
I love my salad spinner, but I don’t see the need for an electric one. Image Credit: Amazon
Imager Source: blog.cheapism.com/useless-products-waste-of-money/

Corn Kerneler
“While Corn Kernelers extract corn effortlessly, but they often end up being a one-trick gadget. Instead, use a sharp knife and a cutting board.” $7 - $130.

Image credit: Aliexprerss.com – Image Source: seasonalcravings.com/dont-waste-your-money

HEALTH RELATED
This category of expenditure is more serious in both impact and cost. While it's unlikely you'll be harmed by a banana slicer or a salad spinner, some products which are marketed as being for your health sometimes can be harmful. Striving to be healthy is laudable, but it takes both commitment and some advance thought to make those purchases worthwhile.

● Exercise Equipment and Gadgets
Who hasn’t bought a piece of exercise equip-ment, large or small? How many ended use being used as a clothes rack? Lots of good intentions, but more often than not, wasted
money and space.
Image Credit: ImageSupply via DepositPhotos
Image Source: moneysmartguides.com/things-people-buy

Image Source: qualitystocksuk/shutterstock

● Multivitamins
Healthline reports, despite studies showing vitamins are pretty much useless for most people, “Americans spend around $21 billion a year on vitamins and herbal supplements.
Image Credit: CobraCZ/shutterstock
Image Source: cheapism.com/useless-products-waste-of-money/
Instead, a diet dominated by plant-based whole foods, including lots of fruits and vegetables, packs more healing power than vitamins, which aren't even regulated reliably.”

The question of whether or not healthy individuals really need vitamin and mineral supplements is a good one, and there are many opinions and not many answers. According to PubMed Central/ National Library of Medicine (an official website of the US Government), supplemental vitamins are not likely to be “…beneficial in reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as ischemic heart disease, cancer, and stroke…The results of large-scale randomized trials in the past two decades have shown that for the majority of the population, MVM supplements are not only ineffective, but they may be deleterious to health.” pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

While recent results from the SELECT (Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention)Trial and those resulting from the Women's Health Initiative, tend to bolster the ‘no benefit or even harm’ conclusion, and authors (medical researchers Farin Kamangar and Ashkan Emadi) emphasize that these conclusions are for the general population, and for prevention of chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. They go one to write that, “In special cases, individuals may need vitamins or supplements” and give examples. Best rely on research and your medical professional.

Image Source: consumereview.org
● Diet Pills And Gummies
One of the biggest expenditures for “health” is for diet pills and gummies. Regarding Keto Diet products, Consumereview.com, states:

1) “There are a lot of products that don’t work at all, typically because they don’t contain the right ingredients or the right proportions”;
2) The products may be “too expensive to afford”; and
3)“The company…might just be exploiting another fad” which apparently many are. consumereview.org/keto-pills/

According to PCM, a government website, “With the serious health risks of dietary supplements sold for weight loss, muscle building, and sexual function well-documented, there is concern that economic costs of these products may disproportionately burden individuals and families by gender and socioeconomic position.” Such supplements sold for weight loss (WL), muscle building (MB), and sexual function (SF) are not medically recommended because they “have been shown to be ineffective in many cases and pose serious health risks to consumers due to adulteration with banned substances, prescription pharmaceuticals, and other dangerous chemicals.”

POTENTIONALLY HARMFUL and/or QUESTIONABLE EFFECTIVENESS
Some products which are convenient and apparently effective, are believed by many experts as potentially harmful and/or of questionable effectiveness. In my experience, that doesn’t necessarily mean it doesn’t work, but it should inspire some thought and maybe some research before purchase. Two of the many examples of this category are:

● Air Fresheners
Although zillions of people use one or more of the many kinds of air fresheners available, this product falls into several categories. They are convenient and do mask household odors, but are not critical.
Image Source: Amazon
People overcame gross household smells long before air fresheners were available just by simmering lemon juice in water on the stove, or placing potpourri, eucalyptus, rose water, or open containers of baking soda around the house. (Baking soda works in the refrigerator, too.)

However, “despite their popularity, some evidence suggests that air freshener products increase indoor air pollution and pose a health risk, especially with long-term exposure. Air fresheners release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. A VOC is a type of chemical that turns into a vapor or gas easily at room temperature. Health problems are thought to occur as a result of the chemicals in the air fresheners and from their secondary pollutants. Secondary pollutants are formed when a product’s chemicals combine with the ozone already in the air.” poison.org/articles/air-freshener-171

Image Credit: Amazon; Image Source: blog.cheapism.com/useless-waste-of-money/
● Mosquito Zappers
“Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide, which mammals exhale in huge plumes with every breath. There is no evidence they are attracted to ultraviolet light, which is the lure that backyard bug zappers rely on to draw and eliminate bugs. Price: $23 and up”. blog.cheapism.com/useless-waste-of-money/

Actually, bug zappers do kill bugs by the thousands, but according to scientists they kill the wrong bugs. “They are ineffective against mosquitoes and other biting flies, and their otherwise indiscriminate killing can disrupt pollination and generally throw the environment out of balance. Plus, the force of their electrocution can spew a mist of disease-ridden bug parts out into the air. All of the mosquito experts we spoke with and every relevant university extension office we could find unanimously condemned bug zappers.”
nytimes.com/do-bug-zappers-work/

SPECIALIZED TOOLS and ONE-PURPOSE APPLICANCES
Finally we come to the attractive but questionable tool or appliance that is so specialized it only does one thing. I believe this is an area where most of us have expended a few unnecessary dollars for something that sounds practical and worth the cost, but then turns out to be something we rarely use.

Often these tools are related to the kitchen. I mean, unless you are impassioned with cooking, who doesn’t want to make things easier in the kitchen?

When related to culinary helps, the tool or appliance is probably redundant. You probably already have something that can perform the same task. Whether or not they are worth the cost and space they occupy depends largely on how much use the item will get and why it needs to be done separately. These appliances are usually not a necessity in a home unless used constantly or for a special reason (like arthritis). These examples were listed on multiple websites as unnecessary.

● Electric Egg Cooker
Perfectly boiled eggs can be made by, well, boiling them. Simply reduce or increase the cooking time for soft, medium, or hard-boiled; poach an egg with a slotted spoon and an inch and a half of simmering water.
Image Credit: Amazon
Imager Source: blog.cheapism.com/useless-products-waste-of-money/

● Bread Maker
“One of the poster children of unnecessary items. Big and clunky, it only does one thing. It’s redundant since your kitchen already has a bread-making machine an oven.
Price: Around $100.”
Image Credit: Amazon
Imager Source: blog.cheapism.com/useless-products-waste-of-money/

● Popcorn Machine
“This is another single-use item that takes up space when there are simpler solutions on hand that yield the same result. Price: $40 up to $379. Instead, pop raw kernels, or buy microwave popcorn.”
Image Credit: Amazon -- Imager Source: blog.cheapism.com/useless-products-waste-of-money/

●Egg Separator
“An egg separator seems especially superfluous. Instead, use the egg shells to separate the yolks from the whites; wear plastic cooking gloves if you want to be extra careful." $6 blog.cheapism.com/useless-products-waste-of-money/
Image Credit: Amazon -- Imager Source: blog.cheapism.com/useless-products-waste-of-money/

● Garlic Press
“Most recipes call for chop-ped or minced garlic, not pressed. Even when they do, substituting minced is fine. Instead, use a good knife."
Image Credit: Amazon -- Imager Source: blog.cheapism.com/useless-products-waste-of-money/

● Meat-Shredding Claws
“These things look pretty cool, but are probably overkill. Instead, use a couple of forks." $10. blog.cheapism.com/useless-products-waste-of-money
Image Credit: Amazon -- Imager Source: blog.cheapism.com/useless-products-waste-of-money/

THE TARIFFS
The not-so-humorous side of this discussion relates to the potential impacts of the proposed tariffs. On one hand, President Trump is probably correct when he says Americans can get along without buying so much, although that doesn’t lessen the burden on those families which are already struggling just to survive. But I’m not getting into that. My intention is to point out what products might go up in price as the result (and because many of the products listed above are imported from China).

WHAT CHINA IMPORTS TO THE US
In addition “unnecessary” items, China also imports to the US many more essential products. According to cbsnews.com/news/chinese-products-tariffs-shortages the following are items imported to the US from China. Keep in mind that we are not just talking about finished products but materials that are used to make other item here in the US.

● Down feathers ($1.9 billion) -- 77% of the country's total imported supply of down. Down is commonly used for insulation in comforters and outerwear.

● Toys, games and sports equipment ($30 billion plus) -- 73% of the US imports in this category.

● Textile art ($8.6 billion) -- Imports from China account for more than 50% of all imported.

● Footwear ($9.8 billion) -- This is a biggie in the US. 36% of footwear sold stateside comes from China, including brand names like Addidas.

● Cutlery and metal tools ($3.1 billion) -- Dinner utensils manufactured in China could also start becoming scarce.

● Glassware -- Almost 30% of U.S. imports of glassware and other products made of glass comes from China.

● Furniture and bedding ($18.5 billion) -- 28% of furniture and bedding imports come from China.

● Apparel ($17.3 billion) -- Another big ticket item for Americans. This includes knit or crocheted clothing (almost $10 billion) and not-knit apparel ($7.3 billion).

● Electric Machinery
● Nuclear reactors, boilers and other machinery
● Goods made of iron or steel
● Plastics

The news media is reporting that trade agreements are being reached. Eventually, the general public will find out what that means. In the mean time, be prudent how you spend your money.

JUST SAYIN’
Sources:
https://explodingtopics.com/blog/trending-topics
https://news.gallup.com/opinion/gallup/654479/gallup-trends-watch-2025.aspx
https://declutteringmom.com/the-15-most-useless-items-people-keep-for-no-reason/
https://blog.cheapism.com/useless-products-waste-of-money/
https://blog.cheapism.com/useless-products-we-want-to-buy/
https://interestingengineering.com/how-to/5-completely-unnecessary-things-you-really-shouldnt-buy
https://bestlifeonline.com/everyday-items-waste-of-money/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Frugal/comments/1imx1q/biggest_ways_people_waste_money_compiled_from/?rdt=45146
https://wallstreetinsanity.com/16-useless-items-we-all-own-and-never-use/
https://www.thetoptens.com/useless-items-we-all-own-never-use/
https://www.poison.org/articles/air-freshener-171
https://www.lifehack.org/articles/money/25-unnecessary-wastes-money-you-dont-think-about.html
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/chinese-china-products-tariffs-shortages-us/
https://finance.alot.com/personal-finance/10-items-stock-up-before-tariffs-raise-prices--22140
https://www.npr.org/2025/04/04/nx-s1-5351324/tariffs-higher-grocery-prices-trump
https://www.eatthis.com/grocery-items-price-hikes-tariffs/
https://tifwe.org/who-determines-what-something-is-worth-it-depends/
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-10733-7_2
https://caketokale.com/18-most-useless-kitchen-appliances/
https://www.seasonalcravings.com/dont-waste-your-money-the-10-most-useless-kitchen-appliances-you-shouldnt-buy/
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/do-bug-zappers-work/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3309636/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5377432/
https://news.gallup.com/opinion/gallup/654479/gallup-trends-watch-2025.aspx
https://247wallst.com/special-report/2023/08/05/the-16-most-important-issues-to-americans-ranked/

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/trump-rejects-concerns-prices-economic-uncertainty-defends-agenda-rcna203512

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2025/04/28/1000-protests-on-may-day-2025-against-trump-what-we-know-may-day-protests-may-day-strong-2025/83324272007/

https://consumersendorse.com/the-5-best-bug-zappers/?utm_source=zapguardian&utm_medium=s1&utm_campaign=us&utm_term=t5&cmc_adid=ms_77378335342057_486476025&msclkid=3402c3fbbbc610eaa746abe7420e460b

https://consumertestedreviews.org/product/best-mosquito-zapper/?msclkid=8582c1e1f4741c9f1fc8a9fd0a7b5b17&msclkid=8582c1e1f4741c9f1fc8a9fd0a7b5b17&AdGroupId=1329311920772943&AdId=83082222608546&BidMatchType=bp&CampaignId=520510596&msclkid=8582c1e1f4741c9f1f

https://consumereview.org/reviews/keto-pills/?msclkid=9d7ce3868a121a8010408b9b90cf1980&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Search%20-%20TCPA%2060&utm_term=weight%20loss%20supplements&utm_content=Search%20-%20Phrase

https://www.moneysmartguides.com/expensive-things-people-buy-then-never-use/#:~:text=This%20article%20looks%20at%2024%20expensive%20things%20people,toys%20like%20bikes%20and%20cars%2C%20you%E2%80%99re%20not%20alone.
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HOW DIGITAL AGE IS CHANGING THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

6/1/2025

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Image Source: dma.org.uk/digital-devices-chang-english-language

ENGLISH IN THE DIGITAL AGE
Language, spoken and written, it is one of the primary ways in which humans communicate with one another. Although there are other means, for the last few centuries it has been the most frequently used by most people.

Nearly everyone – except maybe teen agers -- realizes that language constantly changes over the years and over physical distance. It is a work in progress, not an end state. That’s old news. The differences in this century are the rate of change -- and the rate curve is on the upswing -- and the advent of the internet and the cell / smartphone.

“Although the Internet came into existence in the second half of the twentieth century, its influence on language began to escalate in 1990 onwards. It has drastically changed the way people communicate and use English both in writing and speaking.”
www.researchgate.net/evolution_of_english_internet_age

Image Source: www.peterfisk.com

Researchers are finding that the two most common communications devices, the internet and smartphone, have brought about what is arguably a new variety of English that differs from the standard varieties. Some researchers fear this new form of English is a threat to the standard varieties while others argue that it is simply a new branch of linguistics, sometimes called Internet Linguistics.

The internet has allowed us to become connected in a way that was not possible in the past. This level of immediate connection has helped new phrases, words and ways to communicate become commonplace much faster than humans have been accustomed to.

CŌM ON WANRE NIHT / SCRĪÐAN SCEADU-GENGA
Like it or not, the English language has continually changed and will continue to evolve. That is a fact, not a threat. The difficult part is keeping up with the modifications.

Or maybe we don’t need to.

“Cōm on wanre niht / scrīðan sceadu-genga” is, in fact, English. Old English, to be precise. However, if you can read and understand it, I’m impressed. These are the opening words from the English poem Beowulf, first committed to writing between 975 and 1015 AD. The translation, by R. M. Liuzzar, “In the dark night he came / creeping, the shadow-goer”.

After the Norman Conquest of 1066 AD, Old English -- only a spoken language at the time -- was replaced, for a time, by Anglo-Norman which developed into what is now known as Middle English, which did developed a written form.

Most average, English-speaking people alive today do not miss Old and Middle English, nor yearn for their return. Keep this in mind for the later discussion.

THE NATURE OF THE CHANGES
Putting aside for the moment the question of whether or not everyone needs to keep up on the spiraling (spelling spiralling if you are British) growth of the language, let’s look at what modifications have taken place since 1990.

VOCABULARY: A New Word Every 98 Minutes
Vocabulary is the most obvious change to English, because people deal with both the written and spoken word constantly. The estimated number of words in English is somewhat speculative, but most experts agree there are at least a million plus, somewhere between 1,005,000 and 1,022,000.

OMG! How many of these words do you know and use? In a 2011 interview with the BBC, lexicographer Susie Dent estimated that while an English speaker may know around 40,000 words, they actively use only about 20,000 (about 2% of a million). While that percentage may have increased since 2011, it is still a very small portion of the language. Ouch!

The Global Language Monitor (GLM) estimates that in the modern world a new word is created every 98 minutes, and that 800 to 1,000 new words are added to English language dictionaries each year. In the 20th century, the estimated increase in dictionary words is more than 90,000 words. atkinsbookshelf.wordpress.com/words-enter-the-english-language

By the way, a word does not need to be in the dictionary to be a “real” word.
The third edition of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), scheduled for completion in 2037, estimates the rate of inclusion of new words will be nearly 4,000 per year. That dictionary added more than 2,500 words in 2014. Imagine in 2024.

This dramatic increase in new words is due to:
● Technology and new products
● Spontaneous coining of new words in email, text transmissions, and in social, news and entertainment media which can reach missions of people in seconds.
● Blended words (e.g: bromance, staycation.)
● Foreign words

ABBREVIATIONS
Texting abbreviations account for many of the new entries in dictionaries. Obviously, when texting and using the internet, people abbreviate and leave out capitalization and punctuation to save the number of key strokes necessary. (Remember, Carpal Tunnel is
Image Source: clipground.com lurking out there.)

Unfortunately, not keeping up can lead to massive miscommunications. Don’t use LOL to mean “lots of love” when writing condolences for the death of a friend or relative.

Hey! I just coined a new one. FONKU: Fear of not keeping up.

NEW SPELLINGS, DEFINITIONS, AND PARTS OF SPEECH
New ways to spell old words, modifications or additions to definitions, and making words into other parts of speech (example: noun becomes a verb, etc.) are related to vocabulary, but are not quite the same thing. (Text (noun) became a verb (texting) in the digital era.) Nothing new. Shakespeare did that centuries ago.

EMOJIS: The New Language
The internet also spawned a new language: Emojis. The idea isn’t new. Symnbols have been around for longer than written language, but the way in which emojis are used is somewhat different.

Tears of Joy Emoji Tears of Joy Emoji Tears of Joy Emoji
Image source: whatemoji.com Image source:Dreamtime.com Image Source: art.inspiredpencil.com

Looking at these images and others depicting the same emotion, I foresee some room for miscommunication, but that’s always a risk with or without written or spoken words.

GLOBALIZATION
The internet made it possible for people all over the world to communicate with each other quickly and easily. This has allowed humankind to become connected in a way not possible in the past.
Image Source: ihpao.com/

This level of immediate connection has helped new phrases, words and ways to communicate become commonplace much faster than we had been used to. Due to its widespread usage, English has become the “lingua franca” of the internet.

Global communication and increased contact at nearly all levels of society in all countries has resulted in the integration of words from many languages being absorbed into other languages. Some are simply the word translated from one language to another. Others represent new products, technology, procedures, and ideas for which there are no “old” words.

Examples in English conversation and writing include: “joie de vivre” from French; “gelato” from Italian; “schadenfreude” and "Über", sometimes written uber, from German.

A word of caution. When foreign words are integrated into another language, they often carry a different meaning than the word in the original language. For example, Collins dictionary defines the English word “uber” (originally German meaning "over", "above" or "across".) as a noun or adjective “that refer to a great or extreme example of something.” www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/

AUTOCORRECT AND PREDICTIVE TEXT
This feature of word processing programs and smartphones can be a double-edged sword. They can help prevent spelling errors and suggest words for faster typing, but have also been known to create unintended mistakes or miscommunications.
Image Source: istock
Autocorrect often tries to predict what word you intend to type based on context, but that doesn’t always work out and can lead to embarrassing or even tragic situations. LOL.

INFORMAL WRITING: The Fewer Keystrokes The Better
Image Credit: istock; Image Source: smithsonianmagazine.com

Some writers and linguists claim that formal writing has not suffered as much as one might believe due to the digital revolution. The formal character of grammar has been relatively unaffected. The biggest impacts on the English grammar and structure occurr in informal communications. E-mail, texting, and short-messaging services such as Twitter, have resulted in short and elliptical sentences as a writing style.

Capitalization
Try asking someone under 20 years old what “capitalization” means, and you are likely to receive a blank stare or a statement about conversion of income or assets into money. You are unlikely to hear about big letters. Then ask what “uppercase” means.
Image Source: chadghector.pages.dev
The same goes for asking someone under 30 if they know what a “colon” does. Maybe asking about a “semicolon” would be better. I’ve had editors tell me to take out all the semi colons from my books because reader don’t know what they mean anymore.

Punctuation
Linguist David Crystal, author of Making Sense: The Glamorous Story of English Grammar, states that the internet’s influence on English punctuation related “…to the use of punctuation to mark constructions, where many of the traditional rules have been adapted as users explore the graphic opportunities offered by the new medium.
Image Source: artpictures.club
We see a new minimalism, with marks such as commas and full stops omitted; and a new maximalism, with repeated use of marks as emotional signals (fantastic!!!!!!). We see some marks taking on different semantic values, as when a full stop adds a note of abruptness or confrontation in a previously unpunctuated chat exchange. And we see symbols such as emoticons and emojis replacing whole sentences, or acting as a commentary on sentences.” blog.oup.com/internets-influence-grammar-punctuationt/

“FOM” -- FEAR OF MISUNDERSTANDING
Without going into a discussion of psychology, communication is the passing along of information between humans and is critical to human beings on many levels. Enough said.
Image Source: minimalismmadesimple.com/

Presumably, the communicator wants the communicatee(s) to understand the information being given (whether that information is correct or not). Regardless of the intent to make the other person understand, humans do a good job of conveying information (written, verbal and otherwise) in ways that are misinterpreted by the receiver(s). Hence, life as we know it.

Since the evolutionary trend in the English language seems to be moving toward both “simplification” and “minimization”, I predict that within about twenty years informal communications in writing will eliminate capital letters (Oops! Uppercase), reduce the kinds of punctuation used, and rely on many more abbreviations (which become “dictionary words” unto themselves). If that happens, the door will be open to a new level of miscommunication.

I don’t see formal written communication in English changing that much, but I won’t be around to fine out.

JUST SAYIN’

Sources:
https://dma.org.uk/article/how-digital-devices-have-changed-the-english-language
https://oxbridgeedu.com/english-language-in-the-digital-agetechnology-shaping-communication/
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323052712_Evolution_of_english_in_the_internet_age
https://www.medievalists.net/2023/08/the-differences-between-old-english-middle-english-and-modern-english/
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/uber#google_vignette
https://www.dictionary.com/e/new-words-dictionary-2020/
https://atkinsbookshelf.wordpress.com/tag/how-many-words-enter-the-english-language-each-year/

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DOLLS, PENCILS, AND THE US ECONOMY: Things American Consumers Buy That They Don’t Need, Want, or Use

5/25/2025

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In May, 2025, NBC News aired an interview between “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker and President Donald Trump. During that exchange, which covered a wide range of topics including the economy, the President acknowledged that, due to recent economic policies, prices on some goods “might” go up but argued that falling energy prices will matter more to consumers. In that context, he made the comment that “Americans ought to be able to make do with fewer common goods, like dolls or pencils.” Image Credit: bcnews.com--Image source and quote: nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/trump-rejects-concerns-prices.

Somewhere along the line -- but probably not in this particular interview – he also made reference to the idea of consumers not buying so many things they don’t really need. That got me to thinking about this issue on several levels.

I remembered one of my father’s “takes” on the “Mysteries of Life” (as he called them) was why people spend their money the way they do, and wondered what kinds of things consumers really do buy that they don’t need … and often don’t really want and never use.

After all, at least in my humble opinion, Americans are rather materialistic and very spoiled.

IN THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER
I found lots of opinions on the internet, but in most cases it boiled down to the consumers’ personal interests, needs, what they value, and their priorities. Various websites identify many products as unworthy of spending money on which are everyday helps to others. After considerable thought, these items seem to fall into one or more categories which sometimes overlap:

• Truly Frivolous, but sometimes funny and humor inducing, and keepsakes.
• Critical Need, No. Convenient, Yes!
• Health Related
• Questionable Effectiveness and/or Potentially Harmful
• Single Purpose items which are rarely used.

THE TRULY FRIVOLOUS
These items are undoubtedly intended to be amusing but they are things nobody truly needs.

● The Useless Box
It doesn‘t do anything. I guess it’s supposed to be a joke item for the person who has everything.
Image Credit: Solarbotics/Flickr
Image Source:interestingengineering.com/completely-unnecessary-things

● Sweat Gutters
If you perspire profusely, you might buy head-mounted “Sweat Gutters” to remove sweat from your forehead.
Image Credit: Reddit.com -- Image source: interestingengineering.com/completely-unnecessary-things

● Cuisine Curtain
This useless gadget lets you eat like an animal and still preserve your modesty while indulging your feeding frenzy.
Image Source: YouTube.com
Image source: interestingengineering.com/completely-unnecessary-things

● Motorized Ice Cream Cone
This battery-powered gadget turns your ice cream cone to ensure a perfectly even melt. Price: $9.99.
Image Credit: eBay
Image Source: blog.cheapism.com/useless-products

● Pet Rock
Classic '70s Pet Rock with googly eyes doesn't need food, water, or walks. Price. $29.99
Image Credit. Amazon
Image Source: blog.cheapism.com/useless-products

● USB-Powered Pet Rock
This digital-age Pet Rock to your computer via USB. It doesn't do anything, but a light indicates it's "alive."
Image Credit. Reddit.com
Image Source: blog.cheapism.com/useless-products

● Banana Slicer
A banana slicer shaped like a banana makes perfectly uniform slices. Price $6. A kitchen knife does the same work.
Image Credit: Amazon
Imager Source: blog.cheapism.com/useless-products-waste-of-money/

● Self-Stirring Mug
This mug stirs its contents, although using a spoon isn't all that strenuous.
Image Credit: Amazon
Imager Source: blog.cheapism.com/useless-
products-waste-of-money/
Price: about $10 to $20 unless you absolutely need a Nextmug Temperature-Controlled, Self-Heating Mug, which can cost $100 to $130.

● Bacon Bandages
These don’t help wounds heal any better or quicker, but they do make the wearer look weird. Price: about $8.
Image Credit: Amazon
Imager Source: https://blog.cheapism.com/useless-products-we-want-to-buy/

● Fish Training Kit
Supposedly, you can train a pet fish with this kit, although I don’t know why anyone would want to do that. Price: $10.
Image Credit: Etsy
Imager Source: https://blog.cheapism.com/useless-products-we-want-to-buy/

The list goes on but you get the idea. Probably things we can do without under duress. Some purchases are totally frivolous, but sometimes these useless frivolities are fun and amusing, and no doubt that is what they are intended to be. Humor and comic relief certainly have their value.

CRITICAL NEED, NO! CONVENIENT, YES!
Many items called “a waste of money” are useful and effort saving but aren't cost effective because they are not used often (sometimes only once), take up space, have adverse impact on environment, increase waste products to be disposed of or, generally, impractical when you make an honest evaluation.

Those products -- probably somewhat of a luxury -- most of us could live without, given simpler substitutes, but they also can be helpful, save time and energy, and are used frequently. Those have value to people which offsets cost and other considerations like space. Some examples listed include the following:

● Dryer Sheets
“Static-free, soft clothes are achievable without fabric softener or dryer sheets.
Image Credit: Amazon
Imager Source: blog.cheapism.com/useless-products-waste-of-money/

Instead, use a ball of aluminum foil or wool dryer balls to eliminate static electricity, and add a washcloth wet with a bit of white vinegar to soften fabric.” cheapism.com/useless-waste-of-money/
Yeah…no. I know where to find dryer sheets, they work, and I don’t have time for wet wash-cloths or white vinegar. Price: $7.

● Electric Can Opener
“Electric can openers are convenient and easy, but not every kitchen can spare the counter space. (Price: $15 and up).
Image Credit: Amazon
Imager Source: blog.cheapism.com/useless-products-waste-of-money/

Instead, complete the same task with a few turns of a crank using a handheld opener stored in a drawer. The exception? People who can't move their hands freely because of arthritis or another joint-crippling illness.” cheapism.com/useless-waste-of-money/

●Salad Spinner
The Salad Spinner, electric and hand operated, “Spins the bucket to toss salad and dry it so dressing
goes on evenly.
Image Credit: Amazon
Image Source: blog.cheapism.com/useless-products-waste-of-money/
"Instead, wash the greens in a big container, put on the lid, and give it a few good shakes, and dry any excess moisture with paper towels.” I love my salad spinner, but I don’t see the need for an electric one.

● Corn Kerneler
“While corn kernelers claim to extract corn kernels effortlessly, they often end up being a one-trick gadget.
Image Credit: Aliexprerss.com
Image Source: seasonalcravings.com/dont-waste-your-money

Achieve the same results with a sharp knife & cutting board.” Price range: $7 to $130.
seasonalcravings.com/dont-waste-your-money

HEALTH RELATED
This category of expenditure is more serious. While it's unlikely you'll be harmed by a banana slicer or a salad spinner, some products which are marketed as being for yhour health sometimes can be harmful. Striving to be healthy is laudable, but it takes both commitment and some advance thought to make those purchases worthwhile.

● Exercise Equipment and Gadgets
Who hasn’t bought a piece of exercise equipment, large or small? How many ended use being used as a clothes rack? Lots of good intentions, but more often than not, wasted money and space.
Above: Image Credit: qualitystocksuk/shutterstock -- Image Source: blog.cheapism.com/useless-waste-of-money/
Left: Image Credit: ImageSupply via DepositPhotos -- Image Source: moneysmartguides.com/things-people-buy

● Multivitamins
Healthline reports, despite studies showing vitamins are pretty much useless for most people, “Americans spend around $21 billion a year on vitamins and herbal supplements. Instead, a diet dominated by plant-based whole foods, including lots of fruits and vegetables, packs more healing power than vitamins, which aren't even regulated reliably.” Image Credit: CobraCZ/shutterstock Image Source: cheapism.com/useless-products-waste-of-money/

The question of whether or not healthy individuals really need MVM supplements is a good one, and there are many opinions and not many answers. According to pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ (an official website of the US Government), supplemental vitamins are not likely to be “…beneficial in reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as ischemic heart disease, cancer, and stroke…The results of large-scale randomized trials in the past two decades have shown that for the majority of the population, MVM supplements are not only ineffective, but they may be deleterious to health.” pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

While recent results from the SELECT (Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention)Trial and those resulting from the Women's Health Initiative, tend to bolster the ‘no benefit or even harm’ conclusion, and authors (medical researchers Farin Kamangar and Ashkan Emadi) emphasize that these conclusions are for the general population, and for prevention of chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. They go one to write that, “In special cases, individuals may need vitamins or supplements” and give examples. Best rely on research and your medical professional.

● Diet Pills And Gummies
One of the biggest expenditures for “health” is for diet pills and gummies. Regarding Keto Diet products, Consumereview.com, states that 1. “There are a lot of products that don’t work at all, typically because they don’t contain the right ingredients or the right proportions”; 2. The products may be “too expensive to afford”; and 3. “The company
Image Source: consumereview.org might just be exploiting another fad” which apparently many are.
consumereview.org/keto-pills/

According to PCM, a government website, “With the serious health risks of dietary supplements sold for weight loss, muscle building, and sexual function well-documented, there is concern that economic costs of these products may disproportionately burden individuals and families by gender and socioeconomic position.” Such supplements sold for weight loss, muscle building , and sexual function are not medically recommended because they “have been shown to be ineffective in many cases and pose serious health risks to consumers due to adulteration with banned substances, prescription pharmaceuticals, and other dangerous chemicals.”

POTENTIONALLY HARMFUL and/or QUESTIONABLE EFFECTIVENESS
Some products which are convenient and apparently effective are believed by many experts as potentially harmful and/or of questionable effectiveness. In my experience, that doesn’t necessarily mean it doesn’t work, but it should inspire some thought and maybe some research before purchase. Two examples of this category are:

● Air Fresheners
Although zillions of people use one or more of the many kinds of air fresheners available, this product falls into several categories. They are convenient and do mask household odors, but are not critical.
Image Source: Amazon

People overcame gross household smells long before air fresheners were available just by simmering lemon juice in water on the stove, or placing potpourri, eucalyptus, rose water, or open containers of baking soda around the house. (Baking soda works in the refrigerator, too.)

However, “despite their popularity, some evidence suggests that air freshener products increase indoor air pollution and pose a health risk, especially with long-term exposure. Air fresheners release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. A VOC is a type of chemical that turns into a vapor or gas easily at room temperature. Health problems are thought to occur as a result of the chemicals in the air fresheners and from their secondary pollutants. Secondary pollutants are formed when a product’s chemicals combine with the ozone already in the air.” poison.org/articles/air-freshener-171

● Mosquito Zappers
“Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide, which mammals exhale in huge plumes with every breath. There is no evidence they are attracted to ultraviolet light, which is the lure that backyard bug zappers rely on to draw and eliminate bugs." Price: $23 and up.
Image Source: Image Credit: Amazon
Image Source: blog.cheapism.com/useless-waste-of-money/

Actually, bug zappers kill bugs by the thousands, but according to scientists they kill the wrong bugs. “They are ineffective against mosquitoes and other biting flies, and their otherwise indiscriminate killing can disrupt pollination and generally throw the environment out of balance. Plus, the force of their electrocution can spew a mist of disease-ridden bug parts out into the air. All of the mosquito experts we spoke with and every relevant university extension office we could find unanimously condemned bug zappers.” nytimes.com/do-bug-zappers-work/

SPECIALIZED TOOLS and ONE-PURPOSE APPLICANCES
Finally we come to the attractive but questionable tool or appliance that is so specialized it only does one thing. I believe this is an area where most of us have expended a few unnecessary dollars for something that sounds practical and worth the cost, but then turns out to be something we rarely use.

Of course, there are many of these appliances and tools which we use often, such as a vacuum cleaner. The ones in question are often related to the kitchen and cooking, although I imagine home shop and gardening tools have their share. I mean, unless you are impassioned with cooking, who doesn’t want to make things easier in the kitchen?

When related to culinary helps, the tool or appliance is probably redundant. You probably already have something that can perform the same task. Whether or not they are worth the cost and space they occupy depends largely on how much use the item will get and why it needs to be done separately. These appliances are usually not a necessity in a home unless used constantly or for a special reason (like arthritis). These examples were listed on multiple websites as unnecessary.

● Electric Egg Cooker
Perfectly boiled eggs can be made by, well, boiling them.

Image Credit: Amazon
Imager Source: blog.cheapism.com/useless-products-waste-of-money/

Simply reduce or increase the cooking time for soft, medium, or hard-boiled; poach an egg with a slotted spoon and an inch and a half of simmering water.

● Bread Maker
“This is one of the poster children of unnecessary items. It’s big and clunky, and it only does one thing.
Image Credit: Amazon
Imager Source: blog.cheapism.com/useless-products-
waste-of-money/

In fact, it’s redundant since your kitchen already has a bread-making machine-an oven." Price:$100+

● Popcorn Machine
“This is another single-use item that takes up space when there are simpler solutions on hand that yield the same result.
Image Credit: Amazon
Imager Source: blog.cheapism.com/useless-products-waste-of-money/
Instead, pop raw kernels, or buy microwave popcorn.” Price: $40 up to $379.

● Meat-Shredding Claws
“These things look pretty cool for unleashing your inner carnivore, but are probably overkill.
Image Credit: Amazon
Imager Source: blog.cheapism.com/useless-products-waste-of-money/

Instead, stick to a couple of forks for your latest crockpot creation.” Price: $10.

●Egg Separator
“A dedicated egg separator seems especially superfluous when most of us have long used the shell itself to isolate the yolk and the white.
Image Credit: Amazon
Imager Source: blog.cheapism.com/useless-products-waste-of-money/
Price: Around $6. Instead, use the egg shells to separate the yolks from the whites; wear plastic cooking gloves if you want to be extra careful.”

●Garlic Press
“Most recipes call for chop-ped /minced garlic, not pressed; even when they do, substituting minced is fine.
Image Credit: Amazon
Imager Source: blog.cheapism.com/useless-products-waste-of-money
The Daily Meal's Dan Meyers says most chefs don't use presses and advise against keeping one of these incredibly hard-to-clean contraptions around. Price: $7 and up. Instead, use the flat side of a good knife or a mortar and pestle.”

THE TARIFFS
The not-so-humorous side of this discussion relates to the potential impacts of the proposed tariffs. On one hand, President Trump is probably correct when he says Americans can probably get along without buying so much, although that doesn’t lessen the burden on those families which are already struggling just to survive. But I’m not getting into that. I only want to point out what products might go up in price as the result.

WHAT CHINA IMPORTS TO THE US
According to cbsnews.com/ the following are items imported to the US from China. Keep in mind that we are not just talking about finished products but materials that are used to make other item here in the US.

● Down feathers ($1.9 billion)
77% of the country's total imported supply of down. Down is commonly used for insulation in comforters and outerwear.
● Toys, games and sports equipment ($30 billion plus)
73% of the US imports in this category come from China.
● Textile art ($8.6 billion)
Imports from China account for more than 50% of all imported to the US.
● Footwear ($9.8 billion)
This is a biggie in the US. 36% of footwear sold stateside is imported from China, including brand names like Adidas.
● Cutlery and metal tools ($3.1 billion)
Dinner utensils manufactured in China could also start becoming scarce.
● Glassware
Almost 30% of U.S. imports of glassware and other products made of glass comes from China.
● Furniture and bedding ($18.5 billion)
That's 28% of all U.S. imports in the category.
● Apparel ($17.3 billion)
Another big ticket item for Americans. That includes knit or crocheted clothing (almost $10 billion) and not-knit apparel ($7.3 billion).
● Electric Machinery
● Nuclear reactors, boilers and other machinery
● Goods made of iron or steel
● Plastics

The news media is reporting that trade agreements are being reached. Eventually, the general public will find out what that means. In the mean time, be prudent how you spend your money.
JUST SAYIN’

Sources:
https://explodingtopics.com/blog/trending-topics
https://news.gallup.com/opinion/gallup/654479/gallup-trends-watch-2025.aspx
https://declutteringmom.com/the-15-most-useless-items-people-keep-for-no-reason/
https://blog.cheapism.com/useless-products-waste-of-money/
https://blog.cheapism.com/useless-products-we-want-to-buy/
https://interestingengineering.com/how-to/5-completely-unnecessary-things-you-really-shouldnt-buy
https://bestlifeonline.com/everyday-items-waste-of-money/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Frugal/comments/1imx1q/biggest_ways_people_waste_money_compiled_from/?rdt=45146
https://wallstreetinsanity.com/16-useless-items-we-all-own-and-never-use/
https://www.thetoptens.com/useless-items-we-all-own-never-use/
https://www.poison.org/articles/air-freshener-171
https://www.lifehack.org/articles/money/25-unnecessary-wastes-money-you-dont-think-about.html
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/chinese-china-products-tariffs-shortages-us/
https://finance.alot.com/personal-finance/10-items-stock-up-before-tariffs-raise-prices--22140
https://www.npr.org/2025/04/04/nx-s1-5351324/tariffs-higher-grocery-prices-trump
https://www.eatthis.com/grocery-items-price-hikes-tariffs/
https://tifwe.org/who-determines-what-something-is-worth-it-depends/
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-10733-7_2
https://caketokale.com/18-most-useless-kitchen-appliances/
https://www.seasonalcravings.com/dont-waste-your-money-the-10-most-useless-kitchen-appliances-you-shouldnt-buy/
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/do-bug-zappers-work/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3309636/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5377432/
https://247wallst.com/special-report/2023/08/05/the-16-most-important-issues-to-americans-ranked/

https://news.gallup.com/opinion/gallup/654479/gallup-trends-watch-2025.aspx
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2025/04/28/1000-protests-on-may-day-2025-against-trump-what-we-know-may-day-protests-may-day-strong-2025/83324272007/

https://consumersendorse.com/the-5-best-bug-zappers/?utm_source=zapguardian&utm_medium=s1&utm_campaign=us&utm_term=t5&cmc_adid=ms_77378335342057_486476025&msclkid=3402c3fbbbc610eaa746abe7420e460b

https://consumertestedreviews.org/product/best-mosquito-zapper/?msclkid=8582c1e1f4741c9f1fc8a9fd0a7b5b17&msclkid=8582c1e1f4741c9f1fc8a9fd0a7b5b17&AdGroupId=1329311920772943&AdId=83082222608546&BidMatchType=bp&CampaignId=520510596&msclkid=8582c1e1f4741c9f1f

https://consumereview.org/reviews/keto-pills/?msclkid=9d7ce3868a121a8010408b9b90cf1980&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Search%20-%20TCPA%2060&utm_term=weight%20loss%20supplements&utm_content=Search%20-%20Phrase

https://www.moneysmartguides.com/expensive-things-people-buy-then-never-use/#:~:text=This%20article%20looks%20at%2024%20expensive%20things%20people,toys%20like%20bikes%20and%20cars%2C%20you%E2%80%99re%20not%20alone

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/trump-rejects-concerns-prices-economic-uncertainty-defends-agenda-rcna203512.
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THE uNIVERSALLY DESPISTED POT HOLE

5/4/2025

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The other day my grandson, who lives in Indiana, called me from his car while he was running errands…just to keep in touch. We had a nice but rather unusual conversation about – you’ll never guess it – potholes.

The title of the blog gave it away, huh?

I assumed he had just experienced some potholes in the street which brought the subject to mind, but he asked me what I thought about them. After thirty-five years working in government land use planning, I am more knowledgeable on the subject than most 84-year-old grandmothers. We discussed truck traffic, weather, and all the many hours I’d sat through planning commission and city council hearings listening to the public complain about potholes…which is about equal to the number of hours of complaints about leaf blowers. Finally he said he thought I might do a blog about it.

Say what? The thought had never once occurred to me!

Yet here I am, trying to find a way of making this subject, which concerns and angers many people yet is deadly dull and uninteresting, into something readable.

THE UBIQUITOUS POTHOLE
Most living adults know what a pothole is. These common nuisances exist throughout the world, disrupting smooth drives and often leading to vehicle damage, costly repairs, and potential liabilities. Furthermore, repairing potholes can lead to significant expenses and inconvenience caused by having sections of a parking lot or roadway closed off for repairs.

Image Credit: O de R // Shutterstock
Image Source: stacker.com/most-pothole- complaints

Image Credit: Vadim Lukin // Shutterstock
Image Source: stacker.com/most-pothole- complaints

And no one seems to be a big fan. In fact, “the word pothole is universally despised by both public works agencies and the citizens they serve.” apwa.org/insights/the-us-pothole-problem.

THE HISTORY OF POTHOLES
Mind-boggling as it may seem, potholes have a history…an ancient one at that. They have been around “since the dawn of time.” nationaltoday.com/national-pothole-day

Whether or not the “dawn of time” is a stretch, certain pertinent events have been recorded since then, after humans discovered the wheel and learned to write.

Origin of the Word
This word seems to be pure Anglo-Saxon. The word "pothole" is a compound of the Middle-English words "pot" (meaning "hole") and "hole" (meaning, unsurprisingly, "hole").

"Pot" originally referred to a hole in the ground: a more or less cylindrical cavity from a few inches to several feet deep in rock (1826), originally a geological feature in glaciers and gravel beds. "Pothole" was originally used to describe holes in the ground that were created naturally, such as those caused by erosion or subsidence

Origin of the Terminology
In the 1400s/1500s, pottery makers in what is now England, “took advantage of the ruts carved into roadways by wagon and coach wheels. They would dig further into these deep ruts to uncover clay deposits beneath in their search for a cost-effective source of raw materials for crafting clay pots. Teamsters who drove wagons and coaches across the roads were aware of who or what produced the holes, which is why they called them ‘pot-holes.’” nationaltoday.com/national-pothole-day

In 1884, a coal miner discovered the 42-feet wide and 38-feet deep Archbald Pothole in eastern part of Pennsylvania. The Archbald pothole is now a state park. American ingenuity can make a tourist attraction out of anything.
◄ Image Source: visitepa.org

By 1909, the British term had become a staple of American English.

WHAT CAUSES POTHOLES?
While most discussions focus on those occurring in streets paved with asphalt, dirt roads and roads build of gravel or paving stone, fall prey to the hazard. Even reinforced concrete is at risk, although this is about the toughest material used for paving. It is most often plagued by cracks or buckling, which can develop into potholes.

● Wear and tear on the roads from traffic, not just in volume but in weight and frequency, has a significant impact on breaking down the material any road is made of.

Federal highway officials cast an “evil eye” on the unexpectedly heavy pounding delivered by American traffic, in particular behemoth 18-wheelers. Many U.S. roadways carry three or even four times their design weights.

◄ Image Credit and source: Alamay.com

● Age and maintenance are other factors. Over time, as road paving materials age, they become more susceptible to cracking. Eventually all paving materials can crack, exposing the base to the weather. Ongoing and timely maintenance can extend the life of the roadway and help keep it free of potholes.

● Water is the biggest culprit. Potholes form primarily due to water seeping into the pavement and weakening the soil beneath. Cracks allow more water infiltration and and subsequent pothole development.

Image credit: kolt_duo // Shutterstock
Image Source: stacker.com/states-most-pothole-complaints

Image credit and source: Dreamtime.com

Colder locations, where snow and ice form, are even more affected by the freeze-thaw cycle. When the water freezes and expands, it puts pressure on the paving material, creating a void which gets bigger as the cycle continues through the winter, resulting in subsurface hollow spaces beneath the pavement.

These voids compromise the structural integrity of the surface, making it more susceptible to damage under the pressure of passing vehicles. Eventually the pavement deteriorates leading to the formation of a cavity under the surface. Traffic over these weakened voids causes the material to collapse, forming a pothole which gets bigger and deeper unless properly maintained.

Cracked concrete road
Image Credit /source: Dreamtime.com

Buckled concrete road
Image Credit: Dreamtime.com
Image Source: www.wsb.com

Dirt Road
Image Source: www.doityourself.com

WHY AREN’T POTHOLES FIXED RIGHT AWAY?
Think about it. Do you fix everything at your home as soon as it needs maintenance or replacing? Maybe a lot of smaller things, but not everything, particularly expensive items like a new roof, jack-hammering out a cracked driveway, or replacing fifty feet of eight-foot high retaining wall. Most people can’t do everything at once, and the government entities which are responsible for roads are in the same situation. You pick and choose based on many factors.

● Cost and Competition for Funds
Money is tight and the needs are many, even for governments. Generally speaking, the public tends to believe that all government does is spend tax money so why don’t they fix the streets. Just like families, money doesn’t go as far as it used to and dollars are tight at all levels of government. And like everything else, the costs to fill potholes and maintain streets have gone up.

Some jurisdictions choose to save money in the long run by making long-term repairs to likely pothole hotspots rather than wait to patch them after they’ve become a problem. “It is an issue of dollars available. A good proportion of America’s roads need resurfacing, but transportation departments simply don’t have the funding to do that.”
stateline.org/2018/potholes-cities

● Unreported Potholes
Sometimes potholes don’t get reported. People may believe that surely someone has complained the the government agency, but not necessarily. And sometimes people don't know which agency is actually responsible for that piece of roadway and report to the wrong one.

● Scheduling
So many potholes, so little time; so few crews.
Image Credit: Grossinger // Shutterstock
Image Source: stacker.com/states-most-pothole-complaints

● Weather
As recent years have emphasized, we are at the mercy of the weather, and much of the US has suffered severely from such natural events. Not only does a cold climate make roads more susceptible to potholes, but it limits the hours and locations where they can be repaired.
During the warmer months, hot asphalt can be manufactured and delivered to repair the holes. During the winter months (October through March or April), asphalt plants are typically closed in cities like Minneapolis. Instead, the city uses “cold mix,” a temporary solution until the warm weather returns and asphalt plants reopen.

Is that uninteresting enough for you? Kudos if you are still awake and got this far.

TOP15 STATES WITH THE MOST POTHOLE COMPLAINTS
In search of something interesting about potholes, I came across an article written by Brian Budzynski and posted in February 2022 by stacker.com/ which lists the number of pothole complaints by state. Below are the top fifteen from the post giving the number of pothole complaints for every 621 miles of roadway. With all the snow and flooding this year, the numbers of complaints will rise along with the water.

15. Michigan: 7.7 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
Surprisingly few considering that In this state, drivers can apply for reimbursement for repairs needed to their vehicles as a result of a run-in with a pothole.

14. Illinois: 7.8 complaints / 621 miles of roadway.
Even with the second-highest gas tax rate in the country, funds for which go toward infrastructure maintenance, Illinois just can’t seem to get a handle on this problem.

13. Nevada: 7.9 complaints / 621 miles of roadway

12. Georgia: 9.5 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
An Atlanta driver recently encountered car-sized potholes on I-85 that resulted in thousands of dollars of damage to his car. Other drivers have reported potholes the size of swimming pools.

11. Louisiana: 11 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
In one case, a local resident sat right along a pothole edge like he was dangling his legs in a pool.

10. Florida: 11.4 complaints / 621 miles of roadway.
One Florida resident planted a banana tree in a pothole outside his business, just to send a message. A different Florida solution is to paint yellow lines around the hole to warn drivers.

Image Credit: WINK-TV Image Credit: Flystock// Shutterstock
Image Source: fox13news.com Image Source: stacker.com/most-pothole-complaints

9. Connecticut: 12 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
One resident declared on Twitter that “My favorite Connecticut pastime is dodging potholes.”

8. Pennsylvania: 15.4 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
This state has the second-worst bridge condition situation in the country and with more than 50% of statewide roads not even maintained enough to call “fair,” naturally, a pothole problem is going to follow.

7. Maryland: 15.5 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
Leaders are talking about tax cuts and more spending on law enforcement—but as for road repair, state is devoting more than half of its $16.4 capital budget to maintaining degraded roads and other infrastructure.

6. New Jersey: 16.5 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
The average additional cost to drivers in vehicle damage is referred to as a "New Jersey pothole tax."

5. California: 18.4 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
The mayor of Vallejo, California, had to recently ask residents to stop fixing potholes themselves, claiming such “pothole vigilantism” presented a liability problem.

Vallejo, CA “citizen vigilantes” -- Image Credit: mercurynews.com
Image Source: www.reddit.com/vallejo

Image Source:bendigostandard.com/council-turns-potholes-into-swimming-pools/

4. Massachusetts: 18.7 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
Boston is among the cities with the most pothole complaints, with an average of 303 anger-venting tweets per 1,000 km of road.

3. New York: 20.5 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
The national transportation non-profit, TRIP, estimates New York drivers are losing in extra vehicle operating costs due to deteriorated and congested roads, as well as roads that lack appropriate safety features. This breaks down to more than $3,000 per driver.

Image Credit: rapideye Image Credit: Andriy Blokhin // Shutterstock
Image Source: istockphoto image source: stacker.com/most-pothole-complaints

2. Hawaii: 20.6 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
Despite having fewer roadway miles than any other state per capita, the generally underbuilt road system has resulted in one-third of roads being in poor condition.

1. Rhode Island: 23.4 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
The smallest geographic state takes the “bituminous taco” of having the most pothole complaints. Some refer to Rhode Island as "The Pothole State."

The article lists all fifty states, if you are interested. The state with the least complaints is Idaho with only 0.4 complaints per 621 miles of road.

NATIONAL POTHOLE DAY
National Pothole Day, January 15, is an observance day created to focus attention on the ever growing problem of potholes. Below are the ways two people chose to increase awareness.

Image Credit: Peretz Partensky Image Credit: Malachy Quinn
Image Source: Highways.today.com Image Source: cyclingmagazine.ca.com

This approach may not be for all of us, but there are things which most drivers could do. Suggestions include:
● Raising awareness
● Leave your car at home when you can. Walking is good for you, or take a bus.
● Learn more and share what you know.

JUST SAYIN'
Is this dull enough for you? This is probably all you’ll ever want to know about potholes.

Sources:
https://stateline.org/2018/06/18/to-combat-potholes-cities-turn-to-technology/
https://stacker.com/stories/government/states-most-pothole-complaints
https://pavingfinder.com/expert-advice/what-causes-potholes/
https://mcconnellassociates.org/how-do-potholes-form-understanding-the-causes-and-prevention/
https://time.com/archive/6720166/why-america-has-so-many-potholes/
https://www.apwa.org/insights-and-solutions/the-us-pothole-problem/
https://www.assetpanda.com/resource-center/blog/why-do-potholes-take-so-long-to-fix/
https://tripnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Transportation-Funding-Fact-Sheet-March-2022.pdf
https://newsroom.aaa.com/2022/03/aaa-potholes-pack-a-punch-as-drivers-pay-26-5-billion-in-related-vehicle-repairs/
https://nationaltoday.com/national-pothole-day/
https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/150494/why-are-pot-holes-called-pot-holes
https://www.thecollector.com/why-roman-roads-dont-have-potholes/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archbald_Pothole_State_Park
end

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April 15th, 2025

4/15/2025

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Image Source: dma.org.uk/digital-devices-chang-english-language

Image Source: www.peterfisk.com

Researchers are finding that the two most common communications devices, the internet and smartphone, have brought about what is arguably a new variety of English that differs from the standard varieties. Some researchers fear this new form of English is a threat to the standard varieties while others argue that it is simply a new branch of linguistics, sometimes called Internet Linguistics.
The internet has allowed us to become connected in a way that was not possible in the past. This level of immediate connection has helped new phrases, words and ways to communicate become commonplace much faster than humans have been accustomed to.

CŌM ON WANRE NIHT / SCRĪÐAN SCEADU-GENGA
Like it or not, the English language has continually changed and will continue to evolve. That is a fact, not a threat. The difficult part is keeping up with the modifications. Or maybe we don’t need to.

“Cōm on wanre niht / scrīðan sceadu-genga” is, in fact, English. Old English, to be precise. However, if you can read and understand it, I’m impressed. These are the opening words from the English poem Beowulf, first committed to writing between 975 and 1015 AD. The translation, by R. M. Liuzzar, to modern English is “In the dark night he came / creeping, the shadow-goer”.

After the Norman Conquest of 1066 AD, Old English -- only a spoken language at the time -- was replaced, for a time, by Anglo-Norman which developed into what is now known as Middle English, which did developed a written form.

Most average, English-speaking people alive today do not miss Old and Middle English, nor yearn for their return. Keep this in mind for the later discussion.

THE NATURE OF THE CHANGES
Putting aside for the moment the question of whether or not everyone needs to keep up on the spiraling (spelled spiralling if you are British) growth of the language, let’s look at what modifications have taken place since 1990.

VOCABULARY: A New Word Every 98 Minutes
Vocabulary is the most obvious change to English, because people deal with both the written and spoken word constantly. The estimated number of words in English is somewhat speculative, but most experts agree there are at least a million plus, somewhere between 1,005,000 and 1,022,000.

OMG! How many of these words do you know and use? In a 2011 interview with the BBC, lexicographer Susie Dent estimated that while an English speaker may know around 40,000 words, they actively use only about 20,000 (about 2% of a million). While that percentage may have increased since 2011, it is still a very small portion of the language. Ouch!

The Global Language Monitor (GLM) estimates that in the modern world a new word is created every 98 minutes, and that 800 to 1,000 new words are added to English language dictionaries each year. In the 20th century, the estimated increase in dictionary words is more than 90,000 words. atkinsbookshelf.wordpress.com/words-enter-the-english-language

By the way, a word does not need to be in the dictionary to be a “real” word.

The third edition of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), scheduled for completion in 2037, estimates the rate of inclusion of new words will be nearly 4,000 per year. That dictionary
added more than 2,500 words in 2014. Imagine in 2024.

This dramatic increase in new words is due to:
● Technology and new products
● Spontaneous coining of new words in email, text transmissions, and in social, news and
entertainment media which can reach missions of people in seconds.
● Blended words (eg: bromance, staycation.)
● Foreign words

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THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS "rACE"

4/4/2025

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The Human Race-image source: www.nih.gov

When I was in grammar school, at least a hundred and fifty years ago, I learned that the Taxonomy of Homo Sapiens Sapiens had three sub-classifications. Yes, Homo Sapiens Sapiens. No, my word-processing program does not stutter. Those three basic groups were identified as Caucasian, Oriental (or Mongoloid), and Negroid.

And what do you know? Once again my good ole’ California education has let me down. In fact, there is no such thing as race! At least, not based on modern scientific knowledge. (I suppose I should cut the old school system some slack.)

RACE
Origin Of The Word
● The word “race was first recorded (in the English language) in this form around 1490–1500. English borrowed race from the French word, which derives in turn from the Italian razza, meaning “kind, breed, lineage.” The deeper roots of razza are obscure. dictionary.com/race-vs-ethnicity/

Originally, the term functioned in English much like the word ethnicity and simply referred to groups of people connected by a common descent or origin. The earliest example defines the meaning as a "group of people belonging to the same family and descended from a common ancestor".

● “Until the 18th century it (race) had a generalized meaning similar to other classifying terms such as type, sort, or kind. Occasional literature from Shakespeare’s time referred to a “race of saints” or “a race of bishops.” britannica.com/topic/race-human

● After that time, as European colonization spread, the term was widely used for sorting and ranking the peoples in the English colonies, including: “Europeans who saw themselves as free people, Amerindians who had been conquered, and Africans who were being brought in as slave labor—and this usage continues today….white Europeans used race to sort humans by place of origin as well as skin color, creating the social hierarchy which served as the foundation of slavery.” britannica.com/topic/race-human

What Does The Word Really Mean?
According to Merriam-Webster, race means: “1a. Any one of the groups that humans are often divided into based on physical traits regarded as common among people of shared ancestry.” (This dictionary also contains other definitions which are either redundant or don’t apply in this discussion.)

The above, out-of-date definition from the 18th century, was applied, in times past, in scientific fields such as physical anthropology referring to physical traits regarded as common among people of a shared ancestry such as skin color, hair form, head shape, and particular sets of cranial dimensions.

By the end of the 20th century, the science of genetics proved definitively that all humans alive today share 99% of their genetic material. For this reason, the concept of distinct sub-sets of the human race has no scientific basis. Thus, race is human construct used primarily as a sociological designation to identify a group sharing some outward physical characteristics and some commonalities of culture.

Residents of different parts of Africa
Image Source: www.pinterest.com

Wait a minute! Do these people look like they share physical characteristics and commonalities of culture?

Not to me. This photo illustrates that there is no generic "African" race. In Africa, there are groups who speak Kikuyu, Zulu, Ashanti, Fulani, and so on. The differences are more related to where people are from and the language they speak.

According to Nina Jablonski, an anthropologist and paleobiologist at Pennsylvania State University who is known for her research into the evolution of human skin color, "'Race' and 'ethnicity' have been and continue to be used as ways to describe human diversity…Race is understood by most people as a mixture of physical, behavioral and cultural attributes. Ethnicity recognizes differences between people mostly on the basis of language and shared culture. But just as soon as we've outlined these definitions, we're going to dismantle the very foundations on which they're built. That's because the question of race versus ethnicity actually exposes major and persistent flaws in how we define these two traits, flaws that — especially when it comes to race — have given them an outsized social impact on human history.”

Even in a politically correct world, people continue to identify others as being Black, White, or Asian, plus all the other classifications that have come into the language, based on visual cues. These are identifiers humans have ascribed to each other or themselves.

The terms are used but they do not express scientific truth. Nothing in our genomes can be used to separate human beings along such clear lines.

ETHNICITY
Ethnic is defined as:
1a. Of or relating to large groups of people classed according to common racial, national, religious, tribal, linguistic, cultural origin, or background. Image Source: www.whyy.org
1b.Being a member of a specified ethnic group.
1c. Of, relating to, or characteristic of a minority ethnic group
2. Of or relating to the Gentiles or to nations not converted to Christianity: i.e. pagan.

Don't you hate it when dictionaries used the same word to define itself?

Ethnicity is drawn from a Latin word derived from the Greek term éthnos meaning “nation” or “people.” The English word ethnic was first used in the mid-1700s as a noun for a heathen or pagan, and was also used to refer to anyone who originated from nations that were not Christian or Jewish.

Actually, the word pagan, from the Latin word paganus, originally lacked any religious significance. It meant villager, rustic, or civilian, and is derived from a “pāgus” which refers to a small unit of land in a rural district. It was a demeaning Latin term (like the word hick). thoughtco.com/pagan

HUMAN DIVERSITY: RACE and ETHNICITY

Race and Ethnicity are irrevocably intertwined — not only because some-one's ascribed race can be part of their chosen ethnicity but also because of other social factors. Today most people use these terms almost interchangeably, either because they are ignorant or just sloppy in their use of the language.

These words are used to describe human diversity, but in fact, race and ethnicity are not the same thing. Still, it’s a complicated distinction because the words overlap, and because of the historical and often personal interpretations.

“Race is often perceived as something that's inherent in our biology, and therefore inherited across generations. Ethnicity, on the other hand, is typically understood as something we acquire, or self-ascribe, based on factors like where we live or the culture we share with others.” livescience.com/difference-race-ethnicity

AN AUTHOR’S DILEMMA
Whether or not an author’s view of writing diversity is a dilemma, bringing diversity into your writing not only makes it more realistic but definitely enriches the content and the impact on the reader. It is only a dilemma because most white writers do not wish to offend others. There are many mistakes to be made. The operative word is Research.

“White” Is The Readers Default Setting
Colette Aburime, author and founder of WritingWithColor, a writing advice blog focused on diversity, writes, “One key to strong representation is making the race of your characters undisputedly clear….Society ensures we view white people as the default. That default human is probably also straight, cis, able-bodied, etc. until proven otherwise. This way of thinking won’t dissolve overnight.”

Aburime suggests authors be clear about their character’s race as soon as they are introduced and drop in a few discreet reminders throughout the novel. Physical description is one of the most straightforward ways to do that, particularly at the point a character comes on stage, but writing that a character has black hair and dark skin could be a description of many different ethnicities. Besides, just reciting a person’s physical attributes can be really dull reading. Avoid socially-constructed race terms like African-American, Asian-American, etc. to describe only the characters who aren't “white.”

Character Descriptions
Also, everything about the character doesn’t come out in the introductory depiction. Throughout the novel, the author can combine the physical attributes with other observations about the character, ethnicity, and actions, depending on the circumstances of the story, including:
● Culture: Such as family names, clothing, holidays, traditions, language, accents, food, heirlooms, values, religion, etc. One rite of adolescence in North American culture is to identify one's own ethnicity.
● Social issues: Throughout the story, what social issues does the character react to? Do they have about friends and/or relatives in other countries?
● Activities - PoC-specific organizations, activism, local businesses, social media, professional groups, religious connections.
● Focus: The character’s internal thoughts and the kind of things the character notices can also be used to establish any ethnicity. Our brains filter all input based on what is important to us.

There is nothing new about this. It’s what authors should do with all the primary and secondary characters in a novel. 1) The first point is to be aware that all these facts about this character should express their ethnicity. Make every word count; 2) The second point is to use specific and avoid generic descriptions; and 3) The third point is to do your research. Don’t think you know already. Don’t wing it.

However, Nanditha Narendran, a medical student whose spare time is spent writing short stories, has a slightly different take on how to make the character’s ethnicity clear. She writes, “State the character’s race along with any combination of all the other traits already discussed. Be it Black, White, African, Asian, or any race, depending on how important it is for your story that the reader does not misread your character’s race, explicitly stating it works perfectly well, too. It’s just a matter of avoiding overuse. This can work well for all primary and minor characters."

Minor and Walk-on Characters
One potential stumbling block can be what to do with characters who are very minor or walk-ons like a waiter in a restaurant or a bag-lady on the bus; those who have no real role in the story.

A rule of thumb is that the more description you give of the character, the more the reader will expect to see the person again in the story. Description means that the character warrants some attention, and that translates into doing something (important or not).

If the waiter comes to the table, serves the food, and leaves, a description isn’t necessary or can be very generic, such as “a bald waiter with a white towel over his arm.”
If the character is background and takes no action affecting the story, should their ethnicity be called out by the author? How much description does that person get?

If The Story Is Not About Ethnicity
If the story is not particularly about ethnicity, why describe the ethnicity of the characters? You should know your reason. It could be that the setting for the novel is diverse, or because the protagonist knows how to do something that is usually restricted to a particular ethnic group, or even set on a sci-fi solar system. The story and characters should determine whether or not you provide ethnic cues in description.

Also, today’s readers are usually exposed to diversity, either by where they live, their interest and activities. or through entertainment and the media. They probably expect diversity as simply being realistic, at least in a contemporary setting.

When writing a historical, and perhaps believe there wouldn’t have been people of other ethnicities around at that location and time, do your research. There probably were, and those people probably had specific kinds of jobs. Your minor characters should be appropriate for the time and place, but try not to stereotype. It is okay to have someone break out of the ordinary.

Verbals And Non-Verbals
There are many non-verbal cues that can define ethnicity, whether the author intends to or not. When your character pales, blushes, or tosses back a long blond ponytail, she is most likely of European descent. Again, research! I know from personal experience that cues also can be misread, in life and in writing. I had a Chinese friend and co-worker who had rather dark skin. I assumed his coloring protected his skin, but when we spent a workday surveying a campground, he got one heck of a sunburn.

If you use verbal cues such as jargon, diction, or accent to establish or reinforce ethnicity, do your homework. Language, if done accurately, can be a powerful tool. Author Mitali Perkins writes, “The storyteller who crafts dialogue with jargon, diction, and accented English must be diligent in study as well as creative -- listening, learning, and communicating linguistic differences in the right way at the right time for the right reasons.”

Be thoughtful when using jargon and accents. Writing the entire dialogue in either can become very difficult for the reader. Once the language or ethnicity is established, I select certain words and phrases that identify the particular character’s voice and use only those.

BE RESPECTFUL AND THOUGHTFUL
All of this is about be respectful and thoughtful with others.

Sources:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/race
https://www.merriam-webster.com/grammar/difference-between-race-and-ethnicity
https://scientificorigin.com/whats-the-difference-between-ethnicity-and-race
https://scientificorigin.com/whats-the-difference-between-ethnicity-and-race
https://www.dictionary.com/e/race-vs-ethnicity/
https://www.livescience.com/difference-between-race-ethnicity.html
https://blog.prepscholar.com/race-vs-ethnicity-vs-nationality#google_vignette
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/race-and-ethnicity
https://www.britannica.com/topic/race-human/The-history-of-the-idea-of-race
https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-pagan-120163
https://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/95-FE-Write-Race-Ethnicity-in-Fiction.html
https://writingtheother.com/writing-characters-of-different-races/
https://www.mitaliperkins.com/2008/10/ten-tips-about-writing-race-in-novels.html
https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2017/01/contemporary-writers-represent-race-new-ways-literary-scholar-finds
https://blog.nanowrimo.org/post/188519134840/the-dos-of-writing-people-of-color-describe-your
https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2016/03/native-people-respond-to-rowling.html
https://www.essence.com/news/5-code-words-media-needs-stop-using-describe-black-people/?ps_theme=essence25

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