I've forgotten my name again

by Wislawa Szymborska tr. Stanislaw Baraczak and Clare Cavanagh

The buzzard never says it is to blame. The panther wouldn’t know what scruples mean. When the piranha strikes, it feels no shame. If snakes had hands, they’d claim their hands were clean.

A jackal doesn’t understand remorse. Lions and lice don’t waver in their course. Why should they, when they know they’re right?

Though hearts of killer whales may weigh a ton, in every other way they’re light.

treat AI like you would shapeshifters. look out for the warning signs. avoid engaging with them as much as possible. if you can't avoid them, don't trust them

thrift and repurpose whatever and whenever you can

educate yourself on what edible, medicinal and otherwise useful plants you can grow in your habitable space (especially if you've been forced to become an urban dweller)

educate yourself on what tiny little critters are actually positive for your living environment (for example: how to identify non-venomous spiders that actually contribute to pest control, so you don't accidentally kill or disturb them)

treat bureaucracy as you would malevolent fae. learn your loopholes. memorize the wording that will get you off the hook. follow the letter and not the spirit of the law. let them tie themselves into knots with their own rules and procedures

your workplace is the ideal place for mischief; hinder the powerful and support the powerless. learn who is affected by your tricks and plan accordingly

treat ads as you would sirens: don't listen to them and get out of there as fast as possible