The latest sickening internet trend is the conceit that a random grouping of 365 days is a sentient being. This is especially true on Twitter where people are trying to one up each other for the whiniest tweet. Here’s an example:
So so sad to hear about the death of Carrie Fisher. 2016 has taught us one hell of a lesson.. don’t take anyone for granted! Hurry up 2017!!
I guarantee you I can pick any year and find just as many celebrities that died. Here is a list of notable deaths in 1955:
Albert Einstein, James Agee, James Dean, and most tragically, Shemp Howard of the Three Stooges.
Charlie Parker died in 1955. Bam. 1955 is exponentially worse than 2016.
Again, it’s all about the humblebrag. RIPing Prince, Carrie Fisher, or ________________________ makes you seem like a sensitive individual, but the effect is to draw attention towards yourself and away from the deceased.
There is nothing new about the gratuitous social media RIP, but this year came with a new wrinkle: The anthropomorphism of 2016. As if a year is a sentient being and that somehow 2017 will be more benevolent.
If I might offer a suggestion, try a different calendar. Why not go by the Chinese calendar? Or give the Jewish calendar a shot. Or the Mayan. It couldn’t hurt.
The World According to Keitho 