Perverse Future

Cherry
Poem of the week

By skinner_jennifer

Thu, 05 Jun 2025
  • 2852 reads
35 comments
 

Dear diary...

How I long for breathing space,

Evoking past is all it takes

To fulfill measure of time...

Hiding doubts reflected in

Disenchantment from

Personal negative world –

 

Living inside technological

Addiction, both taxing and

Distressing, ever changing,

Not allowed to catch my

Breathing.

 

Taunting me to join the swarm,

Afraid of being left behind;

Anguish at loss of independence,

Inconsistent – hard for me to

Understand.

 

Once full of confidence, now

Dense fog clouds my brain with

So much information; bewildered

By forced future where instability

Causes Anxiety.

 

Forewarning of global tragedy;

Artificial Intelligence uprising,

Revolutionary rebellion fighting;

Honest integrity threatened...

Disenchanted. Senses insulted by

Perverse information gathered.

Certificate 15
Poem
Poems
Rant
Opinion
Journal
Autobiography

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

It is so difficult to know what to read, and what to trust. And then there will always be gloom-forceasters, but we know this world is uncertain. The only hope it to put one's trust in the One who not only sees, but has his hand on the messes, and can promise to take us through, and only allow so much before he comes to separate and bring evil to a close. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Rhiannon,

you know I keep asking myself where all this A I will end up. There's no going back and the future...well I really wonder where we're going, as constant change and so called up grading just seems to me to make life even more complicated than what it already is. I remember a time when I was in control, but I feel like being in control of what I'm doing is no longer in my hands.

All very sad. But thank you for sharing your own thoughts.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

You've really captured both the frantic scrabbling and the exhaustion that characterises so much of what's around us now. I can't remember the exact details, but I think our brains have evolved to deal with only a certain amount of information (be that information correct or incorrect) and we are, as you say, bewildered by so much of what we see and hear. I take comfort, though, from the fact that young people do seem to sense things are not as they should be, and some of them at least are turning away from the immersion in all things tech. Perhaps there's hope!

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Yes you're so right airyfairy, our brains can only cope with so much...especially as we get older. As you know I've been against technology, but was persuaded to go out and get a mobile phone, something I said I'd never do. I felt so stupid walking into Vodafone and saying I had no idea how to set it up, or how to use the phone.

The lady was very kind and set it up for me, showing me how to use it. You see I really want to keep my independence and the only way to do that was not to be so reliant on my partner. But I have to admit it's an alien world to me. Also discovering so many different things like facebook which I've now discovered and many other websites with help from my partner, I find it all so overwhelming, it's even affected my dreams, where I'm dreaming of shadows on the wall trying to catch me, real nightmares.

The problem is that young people are so used to using phones, it's like a part of them and I'm still living in the days before mobile phones. Anyway I'll stop rambling and say thank you for understanding and sharing your point of view.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Turlough on

I see where you're coming from Jenny. I feel exactly the same. It depresses me to think about the state of the world today. Sometimes I tell myself to close my eyes to it but that's what people did in Europe in the 1930s with horrific consequences. I don't know which way to turn.

Turlough

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Glad you understand Turlough. I feel like I'm the only one who gets depressed by the state of the world, but I can see others do feel the same. I wish all these reports of war and attacks would stop, it's all so scary. I don't know which way to turn either. People feeling unsure just creates stress and anxiety.

I think it's since I've decided to get a mobile phone that the anxiety has really kicked in, although my partner says I'll get used to it. Don't really want to get used to it though, but it's a case of no choice.

Thanks for sharing your kind understanding thoughts.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Sympathise with you so much! "Senses insulted by / Perverse information gathered." is a fabulous way to put it. The other day, my son wondered how people will learn empathy in the future, when so much of their knowledge will come from AI. Perhaps it is BETTER to be left behind, rather than be hurried along to these "virtual" worlds? Make our own little patch as good for Nature as we can, our feet on the real ground, our eyes to the real sky. Thank you for expressing so poetically something I feel strongly, you who are richest in empathy :0)

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hello Di, you know I'd give anything to be left behind, but I keep thinking that if anything happened to my partner, I wouldn't know what to do, then I'd really be in trouble. These virtual worlds, as you say are not created for people like me. Like you I want to be with nature and free of technology, but the problem is I have no idea what people are talking about when discussing things like Twitter and well you know what I mean.

I find it hard to put over in words just exactly what I do mean...but for instance my partners eldest daughter was trying to explain texting to me. I am so used to writing properly, I couldn't understand her message when she texted me. My son told me I don't need to write a full blown letter, just a general short message of two lines, where as I texted a message that was like a letter. He said I was writing war and peace, then laughed. Oh! Well...just have to see if she can teach an old dog new tricks. 

But joking aside, your comment has helped and I appreciate you taking the time to let me know your thoughts.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Jenny, I think you are a bit older than me, so I consider you to be very brave to take up the challenge of a phone! I do not have one as my hands shake too much, also I cannot hear phones very well. BUT I can do email! Emails are REALLY EASY because you can do them on a laptop or computer :0) PLEASE ask your partner about showing you how to use Outlook or Gmail? There might be other ones but those are what i know. It doesn't work if I am out, of course. That is still scary. But at home I can email my son's phone, or his Dad's. Or anyone I need. And they can email me. Don't need texting or all that faff :0)
Also, I think there are still really simple phones (as in not "smart" or "android" ) but still mobile, (I had one but I could not hear it). If you write down the list of instructions to do, and keep it with the phone, along with the numbers of your most important people, and try calling them once a day you might find you can do that, too? I admire you very much for having held down a full time job, being a single Mum, owning and driving a car. You CAN do this :0) Just take your time

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hello Di, I'm very grateful for the information. I do know about emails, which I use on my laptop. I'm like you with the shaky hands too, especilally when I don't know what I'm doing. Normally I use my landline when phoning people, or making appointments, which I know costs the earth, but now I have this mobile, will have to try and master the way to use it...of course reluctantly. frown

I agree it's a good idea to keep the numbers of people with me and phone every day. Honestly I wish there were more hours in a day with this extra difficulty. I have my time all sorted out to each job that needs doing. I don't know how people say they're bored, I don't ever seem to have time to be bored.

You know it's kind of you to say you admire me, but although it was hard work paying my own way, I was determined to be independent which gave me so much confidence to perform properly and being in control takes away the insecure feelings.

I do enjoy these chats and again appreciate your help.

Many thanks.

Jenny.

 

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

A real cri de coeur - straight from the heart. Did you know someone's given it a name now? 'The overwhelm'. Turlough's right, and we mustn't look away, but perhaps we should try to look a little bit at a time - small steps. This little patch of the internet is hopefully a peaceful place for you in between. Well deserved cherries!

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi insert, The Overwhelm sounds about right to me. I think if technology were to stop where it is, at least I'd have a chance to take in and learn what to do, but I know that however hard I try, something new will come out and again I'll be left behind. I can hardly believe that I've avoided technology this long and bypassed so much. Now I've no choice but to learn and it annoys me that I've no control. It was bad enough when I couldn't drive anymore. 

To think that once upon a time I bought my own house on my own, and held down a full time job, as well as driving and owning my own car. My phone sits beside me as I type, it really scares me and I'm frightened to open it incase I don't know what to do...can you imagine that's how bad I've got.

Oh! By the way, I love it here on abc tales. The fact that it's secure and doesn't keep changing and there's great people on here, is what makes this website such a special place to me.

Thank you for reading and your kind thoughts.

Many thanks too for all the editors support and the friendly atmosphere.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Jenny, just do little bits and practise each thing over and over. The more you do, the easier it will get. Think of texts as being more like a quick message on a post it note than a letter. You'll get it soon enough and then you'll feel like wonder woman!

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I get what you mean insert. Will try and do what you say, but I find myself rabbiting on about life in general and lose myself in conversing...as you can probably see from my comments.

I don't know about Wonder Woman, but it sure would  be cool to send texts like my partner's granddaughter. She can send texts in seconds, my fingers just wouldn't work that fast, in fact it took me ten minutes to send mine to her, then had to explain why! So embarrassing, blush but she understood.

Thanks for coming back and cheering me up. smiley

Jenny.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Thanks Editors for the cherries. I really feel so strongly about what I've written, it means so much to know others care too.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Mark Burrow on

This is so well put. The way the world, or various versions of it, flood in through our phones or whatever devices we use can't be right. The speed of it all too. Quiet spaces feel more important than ever. Thanks for posting.  

 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Mark,

agree entirely with what you're saying. Can't imagine what the future will be like. I do hope the young people of the future don't let things get out of hand. But the next generation might be even more technology mad, I do hope not.

Your right about quiet spaces being more important though. Some people thrive on noise and hustle and bustle of work load, but that's definitely not me.

Thank you for reading and showing me I'm not the only one who feels anxious at the way our world's going.

Jenny.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

An inciteful summing up of the current mood. It's impossible to imagine the future and difficult to plan for anything. The media constantly throwing threats at us, gloom and doom but how much of it is real? For sure our economy needs a huge shake up. I've said it before, at least we have nature, those of us lucky enough to access green spaces. Nature is our sanctuary.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I agree Jane, planning for anything is really difficult. Thankfully I enjoy being at home, so this isn't a problem for me, but for the young people it must be hard. It makes me wonder what exactly is going on, since a lot of holiday destinations are stopping holiday makers from coming in to their country. I don't know if what we read is truth or a cover up for something more sinister. That's just my thoughts with my vivid imagination working overtime...but I do wonder.

Yes! You can't beat nature for putting life in perspective. I was sitting in the garden this morning with a coffee, and four young foxes came to play, they were so cute and my partner took video of them on his phone, but neither of us know how to upload. But I have to admit they were adorable.

Many thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts.

I hope you are well and not working too hard.

Take care.

Jenny..

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Congratulations! This is Poem of the Week!

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Wow! What an amazing start to my day. Had to catch my breath when I tuned in this morning, It was such an unexpected surprise seeing this as poem of the week.

Thank you ever so much Di. Really cheered me up. smiley

Jenny. xx

 

Submitted by celticman on

AI is a worry, among others. Poetry may be the answer. 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Jack, just don't know who to believe these days. Everything seems to be going haywire. I just wrote this poem as I see it with a passion. Never realized so many others felt the same way.

Thank you for your feedback and reading. I don't feel so alone now.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Frances Macaula... on

Well-deserved accolades!  I totally related to these words, Jennifer.  I resisted getting a mobile phone -  came very late to the lessons,  My daughter became very ill and I need to be available for her and her family so eventually got one.  I was a whizz on the computer, not scared of it at all but that phone... even now, years later I still do not have the confidence I have with my desktop. (I still need my grandaughter to sort stuff out on my new one.) 

Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/search?q=FrancesMF

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Many thanks for your understanding of my predicament Frances. I'm the same, have no problem with my computer or laptop...apart from when it plays up, then I have to ask for help.

I can imagine how desperate you must have felt when your daughter became ill. It's certainly must be hard, and I'm so sorry for your struggle.

All I seem to do is keep looking at the phone and wondering what to do, now that I'm in such a strange position. I've been told to text everyday, but to be honest I'm lost for words...which is unusual for me.

I suppose I'll get used to it.

Anyway thanks again, and I wish you well.

Jenny.

 

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

"Forewarning of global tragedy; Artificial Intelligence uprising"

it probably is not a bad thing after all, really just the name i don't like, electronics works completely differently to our human animal bio-electrical neural chemistry, it is something completely different, but is it really new, at all?

It will take us some time to adapt to all these new developments in electronics, you know the legal and social and all those areas there will be a bit of chaos for a while.

Good Jenny for letting us, think!! Tom

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Tom, you know I come from a time when for me life was so much easier. Today there's too much pressure of constant change. I just yearn for stability, my challenging days are over as far as I'm concerned. 

I get where you're coming from, but I think you are in a different age group to me. Being in my early seventies, I would far rather look back than forward, remembering good times of younger days, when I wasn't afraid to take chances and the world was my oyster. I have no regrets and lived life to the full, and for that I'm eternally grateful.

Thank you for reading and sharing your views.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by HarryC on

You've captured my own feelings in this.  We now have instant access to all the information we could ever need... but we seem no better-informed.  Plenty misinformed, mind.  I don't and never will have a smartphone, but already I'm finding the creeping coercion is locking me out of things: car parks, work intranet, QR codes, even an event I went to where entry was by phone.  Crazy world.  Well done on distilling the frustration.

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Exactly right Harry. I think it's called information overload. You know I used to love using the library and browsing, reading from books that someone has taken the time to write and get published, My motto has always been, if something is working, then why change it? Don't use the library anymore, haven't been in one since about 2010, such a shame because I live eight doors down from our local library, but it's lost that human contact now, so I don't see the point...hate machines so much. Passing the time of day with the lady who would stamp my book was always such a pleasure.

As for smartphones, it feels so cruel that we're forced to abandon our freedom and beliefs in this terror of a technological world. Communication of writing letters was once pure fun. I recall a time when I had about twenty penfriends from all over the world and enjoyed conversing with them, giving and receiving letters.

You're so right...it's a crazy world indeed.

Thank you so much for reading and sharing your thoughts.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by HarryC on

Strangely, since I retired... I've returned to the library!  Like you, I hadn't been in our one for year and always bought what books I wanted. But now I've get less money - and more time to read!  So I popped in on Saturday to update my details.  And before I left, the librarian offered me a leaflet about additional services.  I looked at it later... and it was all about e-books, e-learning, apps to download.  So I recycled it!  I would benefit from using a e-reader because I have contact dermatitis which is usually triggered by glossy magazines or glossy book covers (something in the gloss!)  But I prefer to have a book in my hands - so I wear gloves instead!  I love books - the physical objects, the pages, the ability to underline, mark pages, skip back and forth.  For me, an e-reader would be just another screen to look at.  

This dependence on the tech has, of course, created an Achille's Heel for us.  I even see sober and sensible journalists saying they are stockpiling a few bits in case of a cyber attack.  We saw what it did to M&S and the Co-op recently.  Now, today, the chap in Aldi said to me that they're having supply chain issues for some staples because of cyber interference.  The other thing is... a smart phone is a wonderful tool for enacting social control.  I don't think it's conspiracy theorising at all to think that we lay ourselves wide open to all kinds of trouble the more dependent we become on these devices.  I'm currently in a spat with my local council, about to take them to the ombudsman, for making many of the local car parks 'phone pay' only.  It's that creeping coercion again - the assumption that we've all got one and have the ability to use it.  And those that don't - well, they're in so small a minority, they don't matter.  Well... I'm a very loud and vocal minority!  And I won't back down on discrimination wherever I encounter it, and in whatever form.

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