The Devil in the Machine

Posted on June 1, 2023 by JMN
“If You’re Never Lead Bird, the View Is Always Tail Feathers (Mimus polyglottos).” Oil on canvas, 11 x 14 in. (JMN 2023).

The only social medium I frequent is YouTube. While eating meals I watch elephant videos, Fry and Laurie, sports brawls, blooper reels, and Tuba Skinny. There’s also a good series by a guy who farts in public.

The engagement algorithm, of course, is Satan’s handiwork — root, branch and flower of our stinkiness. It’s a proven fact.

To push back when the platform stokes my biases I feign autonomy. When it offers me a buffet of brawls I switch to blooper reels. When it invites me to binge on bloopers I hit Tuba Skinny. Juke and dodge. Bob and weave. Foil the beast by being shifty.

But I am puny and real and slow. Satan is strong and artificial and quick.

(c) 2023 JMN — EthicalDative. All rights reserved

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About JMN

I live in Texas and devote much of my time to easel painting on an amateur basis. I stream a lot of music, mostly jazz, throughout the day. I like to read and memorize poetry.
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6 Responses to The Devil in the Machine

  1. christinenovalarue's avatar christinenovalarue says:
    June 1, 2023 at 5:04 pm

    💙

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. thepleinairexperience's avatar chris ludke says:
    June 2, 2023 at 2:13 pm

    The bird’s butt in the center of the painting is cracking me up! Thanks for the laugh!

    Liked by 1 person

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  3. Sue Grey-Smith's avatar Sue Grey-Smith says:
    June 5, 2023 at 7:25 am

    Yes the bird’s stance is perfect! Nice painting too!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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