When Somebody Gets The Joke A Little Too Much

Sometimes, a joke can be taken too far. It can become more than a joke; it can become an entire movement. Such is the case with the Flat Earth Society, a religious and political movement that was started as a joke. It can seem quite absurd that a joke could ever become an entire religion, but it is a reality.

Poe’s Law is a popular adage that states, “Without a winking smiley or other blatant display of humor, it is impossible to create a parody that someone won’t mistake for the real thing.” This law has become especially relevant in the digital age, as it is increasingly difficult to tell the difference between a genuine belief or statement of opinion and a joke.

The modern Flat Earth movement began in the 19th century, with the works of American author, publisher, and politician Samuel Shenton. He founded a new organization, the International Flat Earth Research Society, and began to promote and publish material about the idea of a flat Earth.

It is believed that Shenton started the movement as a joke. He had made a bet with a friend that he could start an organization and get it listed in a directory. The friend accepted the bet, and Shenton released a series of books and pamphlets about the flat Earth.

Though Shenton may have started the movement as a joke, the movement has taken on a life of its own. The organization still exists today, and there are a number of groups and societies devoted to the idea of a flat Earth. The Flat Earth Society has an official website and an active online presence, with members all around the globe. (Read that last phrase again. Slowly.)

The Flat Earth movement is just one example of a joke that has gone too far. Other examples include the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, a satirical religion that originated as an internet meme, and the Church of the SubGenius, a parody religion and social movement.

The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster was founded in 2005 by Bobby Henderson. He created the satirical religion in response to the decision of the Kansas State Board of Education to introduce teaching of intelligent design in science classes. The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster espouses the belief that the universe and all life within it was created by a Flying Spaghetti Monster.

The Church of the SubGenius is a parody religion and social movement that was founded in the early 1980s by a group of artists and media pranksters known as the SubGenius Foundation. The Church claims that humans are divided into two classes: the “slaves” and the “SubGeniuses”. The SubGeniuses, according to the Church, are a superior class of people who are “enlightened” and able to access a greater understanding of the world.

These are just a few examples of jokes that have taken a life of their own, and become actual religions or movements. They are a testament to the power of humor and the influence it can have on people and society.

At the same time, it is important to remember that jokes can go too far. It is a reminder of the power of words and how they can be used to manipulate and deceive. A joke can start off as just a lighthearted bit of fun, but it can quickly become something much more serious. It is up to us to make sure that jokes don’t go too far, and that we are aware of the power of humor and the influence it can have on our lives.

The Monster I’ve Created

About twenty years or so ago, I had a wild idea to create a meme. It was my first attempt, and it turned out to be a clever one. For the final scene from Planet of the Apes, a classic Rod Serling ending where the camera zooms out to show the Statue of Liberty, I decided to switch Lady Liberty with an iconic statue of Paul Bunyan that rises over Lake Bemidji in Minnesota.

Now here's why this gets funny: Minnesotans have a reputation for being polite Lutherans who never swear. An ode to their wholesomeness, when Taylor comes across the huge figure of Bunyan he yells out, "Gosh darn you! Gosh darn, you all to heck!" 

I shared it on Facebook—got a few likes and laughs—but then something absolutely amazing happened. My meme went VIRAL! People started sharing and tagging me left and right, and even George Takei shared it! 

But if that wasn't enough—last week the Facebook page “Best of Minnesota” shared it again, deeming it a “best” meme.

I am humbled beyond description by this honor.

I'm convinced this meme will live forever—no matter what happens to me. I guess it will be my legacy.

Tick Tock Trump…

The walls are closing in on Donald Trump with his latest indictment. This comes after a series of revelations that have led to multiple investigations and indictments. Trump has been embroiled in a number of scandals, including the Russia Investigation, the Ukraine Scandal, and pay-to-play schemes. From the beginning of his presidency, it has been clear that Trump was not the ethical leader he claimed to be.

Trump’s latest indictment is the latest in a series of criminal charges brought against him. In early 2018, special counsel Robert Mueller charged Trump with obstruction of justice, a charge that carries a maximum of five years in prison. Then, in 2019, the Southern District of New York filed tax fraud charges against Trump and his former lawyer, Michael Cohen. This was followed by the Eastern District of New York filing nine counts of bank fraud against Trump and his business.

The latest indictment against Trump is the most serious yet. The Department of Justice has charged Trump with a total of 18 counts, including obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and making false statements to Congress. These charges carry a maximum sentence of up to twenty years in prison, although Trump’s sentence could be much less depending on the outcome of the trial.

Trump’s indictment is a result of his long history of unethical and potentially illegal behavior. For years, Trump has been using his position of power to enrich himself and his family. He has used his presidency to push for policies that would benefit his businesses, and he has been accused of using his office to solicit foreign interference in the 2020 election.

The indictment is just the latest example of Trump’s disregard for the law and norms of ethical behavior. Trump has consistently shown a disregard for the truth and a willingness to break the law in order to further his own interests. He has been accused of using his influence to pressure the Department of Justice to drop investigations into his associates and his businesses. He has been accused of misusing campaign funds and violating the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution.

The indictment is just one more indication that Trump’s time in the White House is coming to an end. The evidence against him is mounting, and his ability to continue to evade justice is becoming increasingly limited. As more evidence is uncovered, Trump’s chances of avoiding conviction become slimmer. He is no longer the untouchable figure he once was, and his days of impunity are coming to an end.

It is high time that Trump’s crimes caught up with him. For too long, he has been able to get away with unethical and potentially illegal behavior. It is only now, with the latest indictment, that he is finally being held accountable for his actions. Trump’s days of abusing his power and disregarding the law are coming to an end, and justice is finally catching up with him.

Hot ’Nuff for Ya?

If you have been feeling the heat lately, you are not alone. Many regions around the world have experienced record-breaking temperatures and heat waves this summer, causing health problems, wildfires, droughts, and power outages. What is behind this extreme weather? And what does it mean for our future?

The answer is not as simple as “global warming” (a term I generally eschew). Although the average temperature of the Earth has risen by about 1.2°C since pre-industrial times, this does not mean that every place will get warmer at the same rate or in the same way. The term “global climate change” is more accurate, as it reflects the complex and diverse effects of human activities on the planet's climate system.

The highest-ever average temperature in the history of meteorological record keeping was just last Tuesday. The second highest was the day before.

One of these effects is the increase in greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, in the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun and prevent it from escaping back into space, creating a greenhouse effect that warms the Earth. The more greenhouse gases we emit, the more heat we trap, and the more we disrupt the natural balance of the climate.

Another effect is the change in ocean currents, which are driven by differences in temperature and salinity. The oceans act as a giant conveyor belt, transporting heat and moisture around the world and influencing weather patterns. However, as the oceans warm up and melt ice sheets and glaciers, they become less dense and less able to circulate. This can alter or slow down the ocean currents, affecting regional climates and ecosystems.

A third effect is the feedback loop between climate change and natural phenomena. For example, as the Earth warms up, more water evaporates from land and sea, creating more clouds and precipitation. However, this also means more water vapor in the air, which is itself a greenhouse gas that enhances warming. Another example is the melting of snow and ice, which reduces the reflectivity of the Earth's surface and exposes darker land or water that absorbs more heat.

These effects interact with each other in complex and unpredictable ways, creating a range of impacts on different parts of the world. Some places may experience more heat waves, droughts, floods, storms, wildfires, or sea level rise, while others may see colder winters, heavier snowfall, or changes in biodiversity. The severity and frequency of these events may also increase over time, posing serious challenges for human health, food security, water resources, infrastructure, and the economy.

The good news is that we can still take action to mitigate and adapt to global climate change. By reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, using renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, conserving water and forests, promoting sustainable agriculture and transportation, and supporting green innovation and education, we can slow down the rate of warming and limit its consequences. By preparing for and responding to extreme weather events, enhancing our resilience and adaptation capacity, strengthening our disaster risk management and early warning systems, and cooperating with other countries and communities, we can cope with the impacts of climate change and protect our lives and livelihoods.

Global climate change is not a distant or abstract problem. It is happening here and now, affecting us all in different ways. It is also not inevitable or irreversible. We have the power and responsibility to shape our future and safeguard our planet for ourselves and future generations.