Michael Ramirez: Replacing Twitter 07-09-23

From America's Premier Editorial Cartoonist

Replacing Twitter… Read a book. —Michael

REPLACING TWITTER

I’m old. Modern technology is a marvel… and one of the things I struggle with on a daily basis. My youngest niece knows more about my iPhone and computers than I do.

I still have cable TV.

Streaming is a term that I thought applied to fishing. Yup…. Old.

I am constantly amazed at the technological development that has transpired during my lifetime. When you think of man once walking on the moon and all the science behind that feat, and then look at your iPhone and realize you have more computing power than NASA did when they put that man on the moon, it’s well, astonishing.

iPhones, Dick Tracy wrist radios, televisions that cover your wall, Facetime, Zoom, GPS, self-driving cars… well, almost… flying cars on the horizon… pickleball?

What is with Pickleball?

As with anything, there is a downside to modern technology… Every time I discuss something with friends, I get three hundred commercials on the topics we covered on my computer. Drones now reveal I’ve been surfing in a Great White Shark nursery for the last 46 years. I have to cover the cameras on my phones and computers for fear that someone is watching me. Alexa is always listening… always… listening… I am certain the NSA has been watching me for the last forty years. Since you’re reading this, now, they are watching YOU. Sorry.

I know the IRS has kept tabs on me. Thank goodness I have a great accountant.

When I won my first Pulitzer, I got a nice letter from then President Clinton congratulating me. I gathered all my favorite Clinton cartoons and sent him a note, saying, “Thank you, I couldn’t have done it without you. I was audited by the IRS a few months later. (IRS, if you are listening, I am not saying those events are remotely related.)

Human contact has been replaced by technology.

I recall going out to dinner once with some friends and watching their kids communicate with each other on their phones. They were sitting right next to each other.

I don’t want to go on a long soliloquy about the garbage circulated on social media. I’ll go on a short one… GARBAGE IS CIRCULATED ON SOCIAL MEDIA. It’s a giant echo chamber of nonsense, conspiratorial stupidity and garbage.

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