Weekly Writing Prompt #303-We Are Byzantine*: a triolet.



We Are Byzantine*

In a predictable cycle of desperately tragic human affairs
But to ask we reexamine history would be most wise.
Modern comforts, and widespread ignorance, lessen ‘who cares’.
In a predictable cycle of desperately tragic human affairs.
Long known evidence of perils ancient text often shares.
So, to avoid imminent collapse will take sober enterprise.
In a predictable cycle of desperately tragic human affairs
But to ask we reexamine history would be most wise.

73-words

*Which events led to the weakening of the Byzantine Empire?

  • Civil wars.
  • Fall of the theme system.
  • Increasing reliance on mercenaries.
  • Loss of control over revenue.
  • The failed Union of the Churches.
  • Crusaders.
  • Rise of the Seljuks and Ottomans.

Victor Davis Hanson wrote a piece I read this morning on the similar circumstances the U.S. has with the former Byzantine Empire. It inspired my triolet. You can read the interesting and informative article here: https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/victor-davis-hanson-are-we-the-byzantines/ar-AA18GgdQ

https://sammiscribbles.wordpress.com/2023/03/18/weekend-writing-prompt-303-enterprise/

Unanswered Question: When will ‘doing nothing’ become a viable choice again?


The destructiveness of human hubris seems to be ramping up. Have we learned nothing from the whole Covid-19 reaction by ‘experts’?
I don’t think many have.

I could create a long, detailed, timeline of my own thoughts on the last 3 years but I’ll spare you. Here’s my Reader’s Digest condensed version:
I found the 2020 expansion of the two week “slow the curve” shutdown experiment disturbingly authoritarian.
I had a sound basic understanding of viruses and our immune systems from high school biology.
I researched what was being called “disinformation” and found it credible.
I refused the experimental “vaccine” and chose to not comply with masking, 6-foot distancing, and excessive hand washing, as much as possible.
Never got Covid, and since, haven’t gotten sick with any other virus.
(All while ignoring nasty labeling, condescending treatment, and discriminating vilification.)

This morning, a grocery clerk was complaining about how she and her husband have been almost constantly sick this year. The customer ahead of me claimed she’s a nurse practitioner and said she’s never seen so much illness. I chimed in, “It’s because of the shutdown, you know. ” That nurse answered, “I have no doubt about that either.”
(If that clerk has had the “vaccine” and boosters, there’s also a growing ‘scientific’ suspicion that the “vaccine” itself may be interfering with the ordinary efficiency of immune systems too.)
Doing ‘nothing’ ended up being the best choice for me. Trusting Nature, and not interfering with it, often is our best bet.

After the Valdez Oil Spill, many years ago, scientists rushed in with fancy manmade ‘cleansers’ hoping to expedite the natural healing of the environment. A year later, under a too often seen headline “Scientists Baffled”, it had been discovered that areas “left alone” recovered more quickly than those they had ‘helped’. News flash: Nature knows best.

My last point comes from a post I read and responded to this morning. Our ‘stream of consciousness’ prompt was “wild animals” for today. Within the post, the writer had marveled how she had watched some wild seals scuffle, make a lot of noise, and flamboyantly assault each other, only to calmly end up sleeping beside each other. The writer went on to suggest “humans should learn how to get-along that way.”
I’ll just post my succinct comment on her post:
“A comical view of Nature. Thanks for sharing!
On the topic of ‘mixing it up’, resolving differences, and then slumbering like a seal, I agree!
IMHO…the current human over-sensitivity to “bullying”, has created unnatural interference by adults in ‘natural’ skirmishes among children. The ubiquitous claiming of ‘zero tolerance’ for” name-calling”, “shoving” or even “emotionally charged disagreement” has contributed to the uptick in unhinged viciousness among adolescents. By not allowing youngsters to learn how to resolve conflict on their own while small, they are becoming dangerous ‘powder kegs’ later on.”


I really want to know, “When will ‘doing nothing’ become a viable choice again?”
Human beings think they “know” so much that IMHO their arrogance of presuming they can direct, interfere with, and “save”, the natural world, is alarmingly dangerous to our survival.




Weekend Writing Prompt #265- Brevity

A word prompt to get your creativity flowing this weekend.  How you use the prompt is up to you.  Write a piece of flash fiction, a poem, a chapter for your novel…anything you like.  Or take the challenge below – there are no prizes – it’s not a competition but rather a fun writing exercise.  If you want to share what you come up with, please leave a link to it in the comments.

Word Prompt

Brevity

The brevity of her fulgent remark undermined his well-prepared, yet ignorant, rant.

Ignorance and Stupidity: Creating Wealth and Promoting Communism

Just for you! A new product with ‘unique features’ that protects your ‘health and wellbeing’!
Don’t miss your chance to ‘early access’ !

If that doesn’t sound fishy to you, already, you’ve got a lot to learn.

This product not only guides you to better sleeping habits and a healthier lifestyle, it ‘impartially improves your relationships’! Yes…it offers you ‘award points’ for positive behavior and deducts points for improper behavior. (Not to be confused with Communist China’s citizenship merit system.)
It’s ALL about helping YOU!
One delightful feature, takes a 3D measurement of your body offering a ‘non-judgemental ‘analysis of your body fat ! That’s right folks! Who needs those fat shaming doctors?
The wristband (aka health band) has a camera, microphone, and the capability of compiling data on your sleeping and movement patterns. (Of course, we guarantee all data is deleted after processing.)
BUT WAIT… this little beauty interprets your ‘tone’ when interacting with others. That’s right! It not only let’s you know that something is triggering unpleasant, unhealthy, emotions for you, it serves as a guidance to how OTHERS may interpret your words.
And you thought personal health was about you personally? NOPE, how the world perceives you is JUST as important, silly. (Remember We ARE the World?)
So… get yourself in on the Early Access plan. A wristband at a reduced cost AND a free 6 month subscription to an operation center (which refuses to look at your data).

Who’s in?!