"Of course I want to face this year determined to be a happier, kinder, more empathetic and more just person. But just as it's tough to honorably pay one's taxes knowing millionaires and billionaires are weaseling out of theirs, it's hard to gin up personal-improvement energy when every news cycle brings proof that an alarming number of people are perfectly willing to believe that black is white, science is fake,"
"It's very simple, really: We need to demand the resurrection of customer service and put large numbers of well-paid and trained employees back in charge. Seriously. I know it's fun, and purportedly "convenient," to be able to accomplish our banking/shopping/travel/bill paying/ticket buying/food ordering/health monitoring/everything else through a series of apps, websites and self-checkout kiosks. But the lack of trained and helpful humans is getting out of control."
California has no drought for the first time in 25 years despite sunny weather and low fire risk. Sunny conditions contrast with a pervasive lack of hope and joy in the middle of January. Personal-improvement resolve feels difficult amid recurring news of political corruption, widespread misinformation, and attacks on science and facts. Concerns surface about contaminated drinking water and microplastics. Small comforts like holiday candy provide temporary relief while anxiety persists. A clear remedy offered is to revive staffed, well-paid, trained customer service positions to replace excessive automation and reduce daily frustration.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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