Thanksgiving? Forget it. This year it's GUILT Giving
If anticipating a Thanksgiving dinner shared with those family members and friends who are convinced that Americans, especially in light of the election of Donald J. Trump, are merely selfish and wallowing in fill-in-the-blank privilege, take gander at this Blimey Cow video below.
I'm sorry, but what seemed ridiculous only a few short years ago – that is, replacing Thanksgiving with GuiltGiving – is now entirely plausible. GuiltGiving is the new American pastime, as nearly half of the nation is somehow convinced that American ideals (increasingly nebulous for maximum flexibility in applying them for purposes of guilt and logic shaming) demand erasing borders, overturning the rule of law, and generally scratching out common sense with made up fairytales of a Star Trek Utopia that feigns the world is ready for a global government based on ... wait ... the basis for the great hope is nothing, folks.
Feelings change, after all, and what is noble today (like doing one's duty or protecting one's family, country, etc.) will be vilified tomorrow. That's a solid you can count on! So too is the comic relief of Blimey Cow, born of homeschooling and good old-fashioned family unity.
These three kids (though not so young anymore) from Nashville, Tennessee – Jordan, his brother Josh, and Josh's wife Kelli (for individual bios, click here), "love making videos, and we love doing things as a family. Working on Blimey Cow gives us an opportunity to do both! Our hope is that we can make people laugh, while also make them think."
That last bit is a fighting word and something more than a few will have to forgo if only to enjoy a peaceable meal this Thursday.
Good luck!
Want a happy thanksgiving? Change the subject
Again, considering the nation is wallowing in manufactured drama over the horrors of what will happen should the United States get back on track in taking care of first things first, consider shifting Thanksgiving table talk to the freakish predictions of life in 2076 as outlined in New Scientist:
However you look at it, the future appears bleak. The world is under immense stress environmentally, economically and politically. It's hard to know what to fear the most. Even our own existence is no longer certain. Threats loom from many possible directions: a giant asteroid strike, global warming, a new plague, or nanomachines going rogue and turning everything into grey goo.
Another threat is artificial intelligence. In December 2014, Stephen Hawking told the BBC that "the development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race. … It would take off on its own, and redesign itself at an ever-increasing rate. Humans, who are limited by slow biological evolution, couldn't compete, and would be superseded." Last year, he followed that up by saying that AI is likely "either the best or worst thing ever to happen to humanity."
Other prominent people, including Elon Musk, Bill Gates and Steve Wozniak, have made similar predictions about the risk AI poses to humanity. Nevertheless, billions of dollars continue to be funneled into AI research. And stunning advances are being made. In a landmark match in March, the Go master Lee Sedol lost 4-1 to the AlphaGo computer. In many other areas, from driving taxis on the ground to winning dogfights in the air, computers are starting to take over from humans.
Now, if you're thoroughly disgusted with the above (Translated: AI could be great, but it could be disastrous, so full steam ahead while talking heads profit off controversy), take a peek at the following video outlining predictions of a former age gone awry. I especially like the fashion expectations wherein men will have a special container on their persons so they will have "Candies for cuties." Any man caught dead wearing such an outfit, let alone passing out candy to "cuties" would be deemed a potential rapist or any number of other things.
My suggestion: keep referring back to the tasty food and the futility of attempting to project too far ahead ... such as counteracting the effects of over-eating.
Pie in a pumpkin. Pilgrims rock!
Are you a fan of pumpkin pie? Good grief, I am!
But what you're accustomed to may not be what the pilgrims actually ate. According to HuffPo, "The pilgrims – the original trendsetters – were also fans of this custardy pie, but the pie they likely enjoyed looks very little like the one we bake up today":
For one, there was no crust – it was baked inside the shell of the gourd. Two, there was a whole lot more pumpkin in it. And three, it took a lot longer to bake. But we have to admit, it looks delicious.
The folks behind the educational series "How Does It Grow" found an original pumpkin pie recipe and modernized it in the video above. Watch it – and consider going with the real classic this holiday.
Here's a short video on how to whip up a more authentic version of pumpkin pie.
If nothing else, be thankful for the potential conversation piece. Along with a great pie is the opportunity to enjoy it without undue guilt giving as a squash crust is healthier than pastry.
Yum!
Happy Thanksgiving Days are planned – and not just the menu
Take a gander at this abbreviated taste of PsychCentral's ten tips to navigate an otherwise tricky Turkey Day!
- Line up some co-conspirators (Know your friends and brainstorm strategy.)
- Give challenging relatives an assignment. (Keep folks busy.)
- Invite "buffers." (People often behave better when company is present.)
- Nowhere is it written that there shall be alcohol whenever a family gets together.
- Take charge of seating. (Don't orchestrate a war!)
- Guide the conversation. (Plan to pivot.)
- Give kids a way to be included. Then set them free.
- Set up a childcare schedule ahead of time
- Provide escape routes. (Togetherness is not for everyone.)
- After everyone leaves, reward yourself!
Visit Psych Central for a more in depth read. You won't be sorry. The reward, after everyone leaves, may just be the smile on your face.