Everyone gets a turn

If any of our drive-by readers have spent time in a monitoring cell, if even for brief stays, you are more aware of current society's scourge more than most.  It's a modern phenomenon, and the surprising annoyance comes from all angles.  It's a button that's shaped differently from here to there...but the result is the same.

Look at that thing.  Sure, YOU'VE seen it...everyone has seen it, millions have used it (maybe even someone you know).  But the abuse of this button is something that, in this century, has caused a greater waste of time than daydreams, day-drinking, and...wait, drinking isn't a waste of time.

Anyway, the abuse in commerce and employment hits you in many different ways.  "I guess I need to take a look at this."  Sometimes, it's helpful.  Many more times, it's not.  Personal messages sent to everyone involved.  Dozens of e mails with "sounds good," "works for me," and "THANKS!" clouding the day.

All right, so you have more stuff to delete.  It's annoying, but that's work.

Oh, but if it was only work.

The "funny forward" continues to this day, and the confused have mastered smartphones just enough to do that and install the Papa John's app.  There you are on forward #11 of "Vacation Pics!" or "These Rodney Dangerfield jokes are so funny!"  OK, thanks...but wait!  What does everyone think of this?

"lol"  "Hi Carl"  "THANKS!"

Long ago, former Pacific Gold writer Drew Boatman said it was "the talk" that sent he and his lady to the far reaches of the Earth.  That whatever was said just HAD to be said...and then commented on (necessary or, more likely, otherwise) by all.  I'm not planning such a trip...yet.  This nonsense is what social media is BUILT ON, so even an avoidance of that doesn't mean you're free.  What to do?

Didn't I say something about drinking?