Hello,
My name is Erick Mills. This is my first step in doing my part to help save this planet. Now I wish that were following up with a grand, sweeping plan or an outline of my implied abilities to exact environmental, political, social, and financial justice. But, no. I have no more an ability to affect change than any other person of humble means, limited resources, and a sense of overwhelm when considering the gargantuan obstacles that are the world's greatest woes. I have no particular expertise, in science or law. I am no one of considerable physical attributes. I possess no skill that could be considered exceptional. At least, outside of this:
I can detect bullshit JUST LIKE THAT!
And that's where I'll start. My first step in doing my part to help save this planet is simple. Call out bullshit when I see it, hear it, or even, sense it. And that actually touches my first love. Comedy. I love the art of comedy and I love when one has to ability to unabashedly force us to recognize and then laugh at the nonsense in our lives. It's not that I posses any particular skill in that matter either. I just love the idea of forcing someone to do something of joy that they may not have done without your influence, your persuasion, or your skill. To make someone laugh is to bring them undeniable joy. Even if only for a moment, you have positively affected their life. The comedian can take something that we all see as a benign part of our lives, exploit that experience, and make a joke of it that leaves you in the back of your mind thinking, "Damn. I never though of it like that." or, "Wow, other people experience that too." The comedian can also take a situation that we would consider to be extremely serious or even hurtful, brazenly throw a joke on it, and leave you in disbelief as you find yourself laughing at your own pain. The result of which is unwittingly gaining a sense of control over that which you have since been emotionally weakened. The comedian can also do us all the civil service of exposing bullshit conceptualizations and informing us of the power and influence that the powerbrokers in politics and media have over our lives and possibly society as a whole. There were few who did all of this better than my favorite, George Carlin.
The title of George Carlin's final comedy special is It's Bad For Ya! The hook and real title (according to us loyalists) for the special pretty much sums up the spirit of my endeavor: It's Bullshit! And It's Bad For Ya! It's a simple title that encapsulates the message along with the messenger's enthusiasm, or lack thereof, for affecting the outcome of societal woes. He's letting you know that there are falsehoods and deceptions all around you, but his efforts in fighting them back is going to be limited to his simple act of telling you about them. And that's where I'm going to plant my flag, for now. That's the point of this piece. This is a bullhorn cry to simply say, "Here's the bullshit!" Sure. I'll delivery my two cents from time to time to give you my take on how to fix things, but my main focus is to deliver the message that there are notions that you believe, people that you trust, and institutions that you admire whom are actively working to deceive you and exploit your complacency.
So, look out folks. Because to quote the great man, "Bullshit is everywhere. Bullshit is rampant." I am simply here to say, "Look! There it is!" Maybe from time to time I'll even challenge you on what you're gonna do about it. Maybe.
