Social media platforms—Facebook, Instagram, X—are giant corporations that transcend national borders, and their harmful effects have already been identified: addiction, mental illness, loneliness! These platforms subtly and repeatedly suggest to us what we should feel and what we should want. On top of that, they normalize hate speech against women, immigrants, and other minorities. It is the new dictatorship of modern societies. Note that these organizations are larger than the states themselves!
People, young and old alike, become alienated from their lives and reality, glued to a screen that, through the use of AI, knows all their tastes and preferences, exacerbating them to an unhealthy degree. It’s as if it were making micro-cuts in the brain, plunging one into a void of permanent hallucinations. Where loneliness creeps in, preventing the formation of relationships and inter connectivity with others, because that connectivity no longer satisfies the desires of that individual and their personality, warped by addiction to social media!
Thus, we become apathetic individuals, losing our capacity for compassion, love, and concern; we grow indifferent toward others because we are already dead inside.
The soundtrack for this post, “Micro Cuts” by the band Muse, serves as a warning about the dangers of television and social media. I’d like to highlight the unique way in which the lead singer, Matt Bellamy, approaches the song’s lyrics, interpreting them in a lyrical manner. Once again, this underscores the fact that through our addictive behavior, we are deifying what we see on television and social media, as if what they produce were food for the spirit and for our—sick—souls
Instead of a liturgical hymn, we have a song that captures the suffering of modern societies. This performance by Matt Bellamy reminds me of someone, because no one else can compare to the way Matt takes hold of the lyrics, singing them masterfully and turning them into true anthems!
É por tudo isto que acabei de escrever que resolvi tirar estas fotos a sentir a brisa do mar, esta é uma das melhores terapias para "limpar" o lixo com que somos invadidos na nossa vida quotidiana nas redes sociais. Lembrem-se, que o mais importante são vocês. Não se deixem arrastar por pressões maquiavélicas que não merecem que lhes seja dada a mínima importância!
Vocês são o número 1!
It’s because of everything I’ve just written that I decided to take these photos while feeling the sea breeze—this is one of the best ways to “clear out” the clutter that floods our daily lives on social media. Remember, you are what matters most. Don’t let yourselves be dragged down by Machiavellian pressures that don’t deserve the slightest bit of your attention!
You are number one!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMgIicapLrU&list=RDAMgIicapLrU&start_radio=1
Tradução: DeepL.com (free version)
Hello! Welcome!
I swear I tried to hold back; I swear I didn’t want to bring this up, but it’s stronger than me! I can’t stay silent! So here’s the thing: as you know, last weekend the “Blessing of the Graduation Caps” ceremonies were held for university seniors. I wasn’t present at any of these ceremonies, but reportedly, at one of them, a bishop is said to have told—or urged—the young graduates to deepen their sense of human dignity in light of the consequences of their future jobs, and instead of asking the question, “Who am I for?”—to ask: “To whom will I dedicate my life?” Well, this remark left me in shock! You’ve got to have some nerve! To say this to people whose heads are full of dreams—because later, when they enter the Portuguese job market, they’ll face another shock: the reality that will shatter any expectations they may have had! Except for those protected by the bishopric, of course! There are some—I just didn’t know there were so many! You’d have to have absolutely no shame! Was this bishop allegedly referring to the dedication they’ve shown to a person by tormenting them daily? To be continued...
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I also don’t know what “human dignity” you’re supposedly referring to—are you referring to the human dignity with which my case is being handled, my qualifications, my certificate or diploma? Is it the human dignity of those who steal from the poor to give to the rich and the well-connected? The human dignity that rewards those who cheat—who buy degrees from universities. Young people! I’m just letting you know, in case you don’t already know: there are professors who sell their knowledge—that is, they write custom master’s and doctoral theses on demand. I don’t know if you’re getting this! There are even professors who post a cell phone number on Facebook—if you need one, just give them a call and negotiate the price. I’m just letting you know that I’ll never miss an opportunity to speak out about this very serious issue, of which I am a victim! Young people, be very careful with your official university documents—they’re being forged. Those who talk a big game about morality and ethics in the job market are the ones setting the worst examples—don’t fall for the rhetoric of the whitewashed tombs of hypocrites and Pharisees.
Tradução: DeepL.com (free version)
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Primeiro, quero dizer que este post não é fazer entretenimento com a religião, aliás este post é até muito sério no assunto que trata, mas como os santos populares são dados à brincadeira, eu ousei usar o Santo António como a minha voz! E, como já é tradição neste blog, no final a tão esperada Oração ao Santo António! E, deliciem-se com as fotos tiradas no Santuário de Santo António dos Olivais em Coimbra!
First, I want to say that this post isn’t meant to make a joke about religion; in fact, it takes the subject it addresses very seriously. But since popular saints are known for their playful nature, I took the liberty of using Saint Anthony as my voice! And, as is now tradition on this blog, here is the long-awaited Prayer to Saint Anthony! And enjoy these photos taken at the Sanctuary of Saint Anthony of Olivais in Coimbra!
ORAÇÃO A SANTO ANTÓNIO
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Há um crime sem castigo e uma criminosa impune!
Tradução: DeepL.com (free version)
Os mesmos locais, antes e depois do passar dos anos e, como evoluiram! Penso que a evolução é clara, não vos parece? Mas para um post ficar perfeito falta-me a banda sonora. Depois de pensar algum tempo, lembrei-me que a banda sonora adequada e muito actual seria e mais uma vez, uma canção dos Muse: "United States of Eurasia". Já vão perceber porquê!
The same places, before and after the passage of time—and look how they’ve changed! I think the transformation is clear, don’t you agree? But for this post to be perfect, I’m missing the soundtrack. After thinking about it for a while, I realized that the perfect, very timely soundtrack would be—once again—a song by Muse: “United States of Eurasia.” You’ll see why!
Just as I was delighted to witness the transformation of my city, Muse’s song also begins with a dream of a world united as a single country, with all of humanity living in peace and harmony! But we all know that this would be completely impossible—it would be a utopia in stark contrast to the dystopia depicted in George Orwell’s 1984, which served as the inspiration for the lyrics of this song!
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Nesse livro, o que temos são duas super potências em confronto, os EUA em hegemonia e a outra super potência constituída por Europa+Ásia+Médio Oriente. A canção de uma forma poética fala de geopolítica (relações internacionais) e de guerras sem fim e que nem se sabe como e porquê começaram. Isto não vos diz nada, relativamente à nossa actualidade e ao comportamento de Trump?
In this book, we see two superpowers in conflict: the United States, acting as the dominant power, and the other superpower comprising Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The song poetically addresses geopolitics (international relations) and endless wars—wars whose origins and reasons remain unclear. Doesn’t this ring a bell when it comes to our current situation and Trump’s behavior?
A canção termina com o Nocturno de Chopin, ouvindo-se bem lá no fundo crianças, os inocentes, a brincar e duas bombas a partir, uma de cada super potência, deixando-nos a concluir que se trata do fim deste planeta, pois são bombas nucleares que estão a ser usadas. O fim da humanidade e do planeta Terra. Feita a review desta canção, pergunto-vos: para onde acham que a humanidade caminha? Para uma união de países ou para o colapso do planeta?
The song ends with Chopin’s Nocturne, with the faint sound of children—the innocent ones—playing in the background, and two bombs going off, one from each superpower, leading us to conclude that this is the end of the planet, since nuclear bombs are being used. The end of humanity and of planet Earth. Having reviewed this song, I ask you: where do you think humanity is headed? Toward a union of nations or toward the collapse of the planet?
We thus have U.S. hegemony under the leadership of a schizophrenic Trump, indulging his delusions and behaving in ways that are increasingly detached from reality. One moment he threatens to wipe out an entire people overnight, or the next day, as if a severe mental disorder were affecting his way of thinking, feeling, and acting; the next, he changes his mind as if he were a weather vane on a hurricane day! Do you realize where this madman is leading us? Into the chaos of international relations!
That’s why I love looking at these side-by-side photos, where past and present coexist in harmony and peace—and only in this way is progress possible! I don’t know if future generations will be able to do what I’ve done in this post! On June 10, Portugal Day, I hope that Portugal—and its leaders—will decide whose side they’re on! Right now, Portugal’s position is ambiguous!
On the one hand, Portugal stands with the European Union, as it is a member and shows solidarity with its other European partner countries on security matters. On the other hand, it sides with Trump by allowing planes headed to wage war in Iran to use Lages Air Base in the Azores. Whose side are we on, after all? With that madman Trump or with the EU? Go ahead and celebrate Portugal Day’s spinelessness—maybe one day the celebration will look just like the last photo in this post!
P.S.: Portugal has now been elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. I’m sorry, but this makes me want to laugh—or cry. What diplomatic clout does Portugal really have? Is this our chance to give Trump the middle finger?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwB9IaYNE70&list=RDGwB9IaYNE70&start_radio=1
Tradução: DeepL.com (free version)
Olá! Bem-vindos a mais um fabuloso post dos Looks da Semana! Eu não sei se vocês já se deram conta do que o governo quer fazer com aquela história da Pensão Social Única? Eu ainda não lhe dei a devida atenção, mas assim à primeira vista, parece-me uma medida perigosa para quem recebe apoios e pensões do Estado! Querem pôr a trabalhar, pelos menos 15 horas por semana, quem recebe este apoio? Assim muito rapidamente, isto também vale para os ciganos? Vão colocar os ciganos a trabalhar finalmente? Ou é só para os "outros"? Vou estar atenta a isto! Isto nunca é para os portugueses ficarem melhor, disso tenho a certeza! E, já agora deixo-vos uma pensão social quintúpla, 5 looks de fazer perder a cabeça com este governo, já não basta não cumprirem com a Constituição, sim porque no meu caso foi mandada às urtigas, ainda me querem tirar o pouco que me dão? Será?
PS: este tipo de linguagem é típico do partido CHEGA - que não é o meu partido, porque neste momento não tenho partido político - mas estou curiosa em saber para onde vão fazer trabalho social estas pessoas com direitos, da etnia cigana, eu nem sequer me comparo com eles, porque neste momento a Constituição Portuguesa não me respeita, também não devo respeito a ninguém com responsabilidades políticas! Já agora, vão fazer trabalho social para alguma escola secundária? e ao mesmo tempo fazem tráfico daquilo que vocês sabem! Ou vão para uma IPSS mudar fraldas aos velhinhos? Tirem-me estas dúvidas, estou muito curiosa por saber!
Hello! Welcome to another fabulous post in the “Looks of the Week” series! I don’t know if you’ve noticed what the government is planning to do with that “Single Social Pension” thing? I haven’t really looked into it yet, but at first glance, it seems like a dangerous move for anyone receiving government assistance or pensions! Do they want to put those receiving this support to work, for at least 15 hours a week? So, just off the top of my head, does this also apply to the gypsies? Are they finally going to put the gypsies to work? Or is it just for the “others”? I’ll be keeping an eye on this! This is never for the benefit of the Portuguese people—of that I’m certain! And, while I’m at it, here’s a five-part social pension, five mind-boggling moves by this government: isn’t it enough that they don’t comply with the Constitution—yes, because in my case it was thrown out the window—do they still want to take away the little they give me? Is that it?
P.S.: This kind of language is typical of the CHEGA party—which isn’t my party, because I don’t belong to any political party right now—but I’m curious to know where these people with rights, from the gypsy ethnic group, are going to do their community service. I don’t even compare myself to them, because right now the Portuguese Constitution doesn’t respect me, so I don’t owe anyone political respect either! By the way, are they going to do social work at a high school? And at the same time, are they trafficking in whatever you know about! Or are they going to a social welfare organization to change diapers for the elderly? Clear up these doubts for me; I’m very curious to know!
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Tradução: DeepL.com (free version)