#disatisfaction

She is precious and deserves nothing but the best, but had to appear this late in the game? This doesn’t mean I’m quitting on you, crew, but...

As a concerned citizen, I feel compelled to express my deep dissatisfaction with the current Prime Minister of Canada. Despite being a nation known for its inclusivity, diversity, and progressive values, I believe that our esteemed leader has fallen short of delivering on the promises made during the election campaigns. In this post, I will outline some of the key areas where the Prime Minister's performance has left much to be desired.

Lack of Transparency: One of the fundamental pillars of democracy is transparency, and regrettably, it is a quality that seems to be lacking in our current Prime Minister's approach. Key decisions are often made behind closed doors, leaving citizens in the dark about the rationale and motives behind them. The lack of openness erodes trust and weakens the very foundations of our democratic system.

Inadequate Economic Management: Despite promising a prosperous future for all Canadians, the Prime Minister's economic policies have failed to deliver tangible results. High taxes, excessive regulations, and burdensome bureaucracy continue to hinder the growth of small businesses and stifle innovation. The middle class, in particular, is feeling the squeeze, struggling to make ends meet while the cost of living steadily rises.

Ineffective Climate Change Strategy: Canada's commitment to combating climate change should be a top priority for any responsible leader. Unfortunately, the current Prime Minister's actions have not aligned with this urgent need. Rather than implementing bold and effective policies, the government has relied on symbolic gestures and empty promises. Our nation's greenhouse gas emissions remain high, and we continue to fall short of meeting international climate targets.

Neglected Infrastructure and Healthcare: Despite the pressing need for investment in infrastructure and healthcare, the current Prime Minister's administration has failed to prioritize these critical sectors adequately. Crumbling roads, outdated public transportation systems, and overburdened healthcare facilities are a daily reality for Canadians across the country. The lack of substantial action in these areas showcases a lack of vision and commitment to the well-being of the people.

Disregard for National Unity: Canada's strength lies in its diversity, and it is the Prime Minister's responsibility to foster national unity and inclusivity. However, divisive policies and rhetoric have only served to widen the rifts between different regions and communities. The neglect of certain provinces' concerns and the undermining of democratic institutions have created a sense of alienation among many citizens.

(This column is posted at www.StevenSavage.com, Steve's Tumblr, and Pillowfort.  Find out more at my newsletter, and all my social media at my linktr.ee)

I’ve felt a disinterest in media lately.  It was only after some analysis that I understood how much media lacks intimacy.

Something has been itching at the back of my mind lately, a dissatisfaction with most media.  It wasn’t  hatred, just a sense of being unfulfilling.  I’m not saying the media were even bad, but I felt something was missing.  Instead of trying to scratch this itch, I leaned into it to learn it’s nature.

This sense of unease was tied to a recent interest in old alternative music radio shows, strange zines, audio ephemera, sound collages, etc.    Those things were unique, with passion for once-obscure (and still obscure) bands, remixing techniques, personal interests, and so on.  Each one was a little ball of itself.

Compared to that, many movies, television, etc. seemed so sterile.  Oh, it might be good, but the market is filled with works that look alike, everything is overhyped, and it’s impersonal.  There was a lack of connection there.  I could enjoy some crappy B-movies more than the big thing I had to see, with a few exceptions (Everything Everywhere All At Once, for instance).

This ‘itch” didn’t apply to video games, which was another clue.  I love Early Access games, being able to give feedback, and be involved in the process.  I also loved digging up strange, obscure, and unique titles to play, those visions giving form.

I understood then – I craved the intimacy of media involvement.  Of being involved in the creation and sharing it (like Early Access games, or Zines).  I missed things that were personal experiences with that sense of craftsmanship (Zines, alternate music, strange films).  With this in mind, I’m finding my interests again, often in the strangest places – of which I may write more in time.

I think our modern media, which often produces things that can be good, also creates works that are mass-marketed, polished, and targeted.  Things may be optimized, but optimization isn’t personal.  When you’re just caught within a statistics range, you know.

I suspect this is an unappreciated part of fandoms as well.  Some fandom experiences are intimate, with fanfic, art, cosplay, conventions, etc.  The flawed or over-engineered creation can bring people together, who then transcend the original work.  Fandom can add something to the experience of a media, a something I don’t think is fully appreciated by many.

So now I have a grasp of this itch, this sense of dissatisfaction.  I miss work that is connected, personal, and above all not over-engineered.  I miss media that helps me connect with people and indeed to the “bigger picture.” 

I’m not sure where this will take my tastes, or my own creative works, but it’s going to be an interesting trip.  You’ll be along for the ride and plenty of blog posts – and what’s sure to be a connecting experience.

Steven Savage

www.StevenSavage.com

Like, your friends are engaged, getting jobs that automatically pay decently, and getting their own places to stay while you’re still at home during the break...it’s just an odd feeling of dissatisfaction knowing that they’re progressing in life while you’re still stuck in academics.

You’re happy for them, yet you still feel a tad bit jealous of how content they are without attending college.