T P O

T   P   O
The Patient Ox (aka Hénock Gugsa)

G r e e t i n g s !

** TPO **
A personal blog with diverse topicality and multiple interests!


On the menu ... politics, music, poetry, and other good stuff.
There is humor, but there is blunt seriousness here as well!


Parfois, on parle français ici aussi. Je suis un francophile .... Bienvenue à tous!

* Your comments and evaluations are appreciated ! *

Friday, November 12, 2021

"Breakthrough" Phases of the Virus ~ by Hénock Gugsa

 


"Breakthrough" Phases of the Virus 

~ by Hénock Gugsa ~

   Isn't it strange that the term "breakthrough" used to have a positive connotation in general conversation ? Now in the age of the pandemic, I am not finding any comfort whenever any mention is made of "breakthroughs", or "variants" !!! ☹️

     I am not critiquing the work that is taking place in the war against the deadly virus and its aftermath. Heroic and super-human efforts are occurring daily around the globe! I am grateful for that !!

     But it seems to me that the media is treating the Corona Virus as a relatable protagonist in our life drama. Every time the virus moves to a new and more virulent stage, the media are calling it a breakthrough instance. Thus the Delta variants are being referred to as breakthrough. It is as if we should be celebrating or something ! Maybe that is the whole (root) problem of communication out there. We should be giving the virus the serious attention and respect it deserves without the puzzling, discouraging, and unhelpful descriptive of "breakthrough" !

 

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Progression or Regression ~ by Hénock Gugsa

 


Progression or Regression 

~ by Hénock Gugsa ~ 

     Recorded human history is filled with narratives of different stages or arcs that are more specifically called eras or epochs. Beginning with the dark ages, man advanced to the age of enlightenment, to the renaissance, and so on to the industrial age.

     Then we arrived at the age of technology, of Space exploration, and now here we are in the Information Age.  But, have we really progressed and reached closer to the Age of perfection or even near-perfection?

     Are we now back at Square One?  Are we free in spirit, in mind, and in body? And are we in danger of going back to the Dark Ages?!

     I understand that we don't (can't) really go back to an earlier age ... but don't some periods remind us of others in the past although they may actually be even worse.  Note:  Somehow, we hardly ever talk of things improving even when they are.  

     The negative shades in our reality generally overwhelm our impressions and our outlook on life.  There seems to be more dourness and pessimism than positive prognostication.  I find it all very depressing!