Freak Shows
I don’t like the term - in fact, several of the “Freaks” in the Ringling Brothers circus campaigned against the term - to no avail. I always much preferred the high wire acrobatics - but, the “freak shows” are said to have been the biggest attraction.
https://allthatsinteresting.com/freak-show-members/4
We might comment on what that phenomenon says about American “culture,” or lack thereof. But, I want to comment on something else. It’s no wonder Ringling Brothers, at one time raking in the dough, eventually went under. The “Fat Lady” ?? As Gerald Celente has commented, “You don’t have to PAY to see it anymore.” In fact, let’s imagine they brought the show to Saltillo, Mexico. There would be outrage - “What a scam,” “Give us a refund!”! “That lady isn’t even FAT, for Chrissake.”
Indeed, the “freak show” is now free for all to see - who’d be dumb enough to pay good money??
You know, there’s a crime being committed here. It’s the poor who are obliged to consume the Capitalist Food-like products. The more privileged, often referred to as the “Middle Class,” have resources, perhaps even a bit of knowledge, and are able to buy decent food.
I had a good friend back in Ohio - a tennis partner named Chuck Almond. He used to launch into a screed about Fat Women - every time he had had a few drinks. I’d be going, come on Chuck, don’t start that again. He was undeterred.
He invited me down to his neighborhood - Stambaugh neighborhood off of Parson Avenue in Columbus - across from Buckeye Steel. There I saw what was exercising him. I saw broken chairs, sofas, and other furniture on porches and stacked up in rubbish heaps. I commented that it looked like a herd of elephants had taken a stroll through the area. “That’s not it, Dave,” Oh, well why not get some sturdy furniture? “We’re all poor people here Dave.” Right, I forgot. Well, there’s such a thing as being “Penny Wise and Pound Foolish, you know, why not save up and get some metal chairs??” Did that, he says. No, Chuck, those are ALUMINUM chairs - you need iron or steel - now since you’ve decided to skimp, you’ve got about ten dollars worth of junk to take to recycling.
“Come on in, Dave.” I hesitated, yes, my fears were confirmed, more wreckage. Ok Chuck, I see you do have a problem. But, there are always solutions. I don’t mean widening the doorways, as you mentioned. I mean real SOLUTIONS. I suggested getting some real food, spending the same amount, and just eating less.
“It’s not my call, Dave.”
I’ve never had much of an entrepreneurial spirit - but now that I’m retired, and could use some extra, I’m starting to think. Why not get the concession on the extra-wide, extra-reinforced chairs my daughter Elsa noted, starting to become popular in Kentucky??1 But, once again, there are the economic constraints. The poor here - those buying the cheapest crap - are the ones who can’t afford the reinforced furniture. The rich usually don’t need it. So, that’s where we are - Capitalism isn’t and won’t work. So, “society” precedes downward and backward - not upward and onward as we are taught to believe.
Certified at 800 pounds. Good. But the actual seat width is a mere 28” - if they’re calling that “extra wide” - they need to come down here to SALTILLO !!! https://www.modernofficefurniture.com/bariatric-chair-y9696.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_campaign=&utm_creative=476114547973&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD_voy9xDZXk8o_3HHgfwsIF_WeuC&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0fyGstrhiAMVMDMIBR3LOgdYEAQYBiABEgJMgPD_BwE