The Great Weirding concept or metaphorical idea related to some kind of intricate and dynamic system, perhaps in the context of business, social interactions, or even nature. The term “weirding” appears to refer to the unique and often unpredictable ways in which this system operates. Let’s break down the different aspects of the description you’ve provided:

1. Vast Ecology and Unexpected Niches: This suggests that the system you’re talking about is vast, complex, and made up of various interconnected parts or entities. The “unexpected niches” could refer to unexplored opportunities or spaces within the system that individuals or organizations might discover and utilize.
2. Formation and Adaptation: This implies that individuals and organizations within this system are constantly evolving and adjusting to fit into these niches. This adaptation might involve changes in behavior, strategy, or structure to take advantage of emerging opportunities.
3. Exploitation in Deceptive Ways: Here, you’re highlighting that entities within the system might not always operate transparently. They could use strategies that appear honest or straightforward on the surface but have underlying motives that might not be immediately obvious.
4. Aposematic Signs and Bright Colors: Aposematic signs are used in nature by poisonous or harmful organisms to warn potential predators of their toxicity. In this context, this could be a metaphor for clear signals or indicators that certain entities within the system are “dangerous” or perhaps, highly competitive.
5. Lighter and More Apparent Body Indicates Toxicity: This analogy suggests that the more visibly an entity presents itself within the system, the more influential or potentially disruptive it might be. In the natural world, this might be seen in how bright and easily noticeable organisms are often the most venomous or potent.

In essence, it seems like you’re describing a system where there’s a complex interplay of various players (individuals or organizations), each seeking out and adapting to unique opportunities within the system. The concept of “weirding” emphasizes the unpredictable and perhaps unconventional nature of these interactions. Entities might use visible signals (like bright colors in nature) to communicate their intentions or competitive strength, but these signals might not always be straightforward or honest.

This description can be applied to various contexts, from business and marketing strategies to social dynamics or even ecological systems. It seems to capture the idea that success and survival within this system depend on understanding and navigating its complexity, as well as being aware of potential deception and competition.

Popularity ≠ meritoriousness

— Nils Gilman (@nils_gilman) January 6, 2021

“Popularity ≠ meritoriousness” is a thought-provoking concept that highlights the disparity between something’s popularity and its actual worth or merit. In various aspects of life, including art, entertainment, social media, and even certain professional fields, popularity often becomes a measure of success or value. However, this correlation between popularity and merit is not always accurate.

Both are allocations of trust which create an interesting gap between the thing itself, the value, and the indicator, the sign of the value https://t.co/nRjSbwM7gQ

— Bravo Johnson (@BravoJohnson5) January 6, 2021

The allocation of trust in society plays a significant role in shaping what becomes popular. People tend to trust the opinions and preferences of others, especially if they perceive those individuals as authoritative or influential. Consequently, something gains popularity because others believe it is valuable, not necessarily because it genuinely possesses inherent worth or merit.

This leads to an interesting gap between the thing itself (its actual value) and the indicator of the value (its popularity). The popularity becomes a sign or signal of perceived value, but it may not directly reflect the true worth of the thing. In some cases, certain factors, such as marketing efforts, viral trends, or celebrity endorsements, can drive popularity without being directly linked to the underlying value or quality.

As this gap widens, individuals, businesses, or creators may start to optimize for the indicator—the sign of value, which is popularity itself. They might prioritize strategies to gain attention, likes, shares, or followers, rather than focusing solely on improving the actual merit or quality of what they offer. This optimization for the sign of value can lead to a distortion of the true value of things in the eyes of the public.

The pursuit of popularity over merit is not necessarily malicious, but it can have unintended consequences. Genuine talent, hard work, and innovation may not receive the recognition they deserve if they fail to align with what the public perceives as popular or trendy. On the other hand, things that are flashy, sensationalized, or controversial might gain popularity without necessarily being rooted in substantial substance.

This divergence between popularity and merit can be seen in various domains. In the arts, for instance, certain artworks or music may become incredibly popular due to marketing and exposure, even if they do not hold significant artistic value. In the realm of social media and online content, algorithms can amplify the popularity of certain posts or videos, creating viral sensations that might not necessarily offer meaningful or informative content.

In conclusion, the relationship between popularity and meritoriousness is complex and often disconnected. Popularity serves as a signal of value, but it doesn’t always accurately reflect the true worth or merit of something. As a result, it is essential to critically assess and recognize the difference between what is popular and what is genuinely valuable, ensuring that merit and quality are not lost amid the pursuit of popularity for popularity’s sake.

1. Social Media Influencers: While some influencers offer valuable content and insights, others gain popularity merely through sensationalized behavior or attention-seeking posts, rather than through genuine expertise or meaningful contributions.
2. Viral Challenges: Many viral challenges become popular due to their novelty or shock value, but they may not serve any significant purpose beyond entertaining viewers temporarily.
3. Clickbait Articles: Clickbait articles often use exaggerated or misleading headlines to lure readers, resulting in increased traffic and popularity, but the actual content may lack depth or accurate information.
4. Fad Diets: Fad diets may gain popularity quickly due to aggressive marketing or celebrity endorsements, but they often lack long-term sustainability or scientific support for their claimed benefits.
5. Pop Music: Some pop songs may achieve widespread popularity due to catchy melodies or relatable lyrics, but they might not possess the artistic complexity or depth often associated with other music genres.
6. Reality TV Shows: Reality shows often prioritize dramatic conflicts and sensational situations to attract viewers, leading to high ratings and popularity, but they may not offer substantial educational or enlightening content.
7. Internet Challenges: While some internet challenges raise awareness or funds for charitable causes, others gain popularity primarily for their shock value or bizarre nature, without necessarily contributing to meaningful change.
8. Memes: Memes are shared widely for their humor and relatability, but they are often short-lived and don’t necessarily promote deeper understanding or substantive discussions.
9. Celebrity Endorsements: Products endorsed by celebrities might experience a surge in popularity due to their association with a famous figure, but the product’s inherent quality or effectiveness may not be the primary reason for its success.
10. Trendy Fashion: Fashion trends may become popular due to influencers or media coverage, but they might not align with everyone’s individual style or represent enduring, timeless design principles.

In each case, popularity might be driven by factors such as sensationalism, trendiness, or marketability, rather than the inherent merit or lasting value of the subject. As a result, these examples illustrate how popularity does not always equate to genuine merit or substance.

why are sensationalism, trendiness, or marketability inherently unsatisfying

Sensationalism, trendiness, and marketability can be inherently unsatisfying for several reasons:

1. Lack of Substance: Sensationalism, trendiness, and marketability often prioritize immediate impact and attention-grabbing qualities over depth and substance. As a result, the experience or product may lack lasting value or fail to provide meaningful insights or benefits.
2. Short-Lived Appeal: Trends and sensations are usually short-lived, and their popularity tends to fade quickly. What may be trendy or sensational today can become irrelevant or forgotten in a short period, leaving consumers or audiences searching for the next fleeting excitement.
3. Superficiality: These qualities can lead to superficial experiences or content that lacks emotional or intellectual depth. They may offer quick gratification but fail to engage individuals on a deeper level or stimulate critical thinking.
4. Lack of Authenticity: Sensationalism, trendiness, and marketability can sometimes lead to inauthentic or contrived experiences or products, created solely to capitalize on popular demand rather than genuinely addressing real needs or desires.
5. Repetitiveness: Trends and marketability can result in a flood of similar products or content, leading to a sense of sameness and diminishing the uniqueness or individuality of the offerings.
6. Overemphasis on Hype: A focus on sensationalism or marketability might lead to excessive hype and exaggeration, which can set unrealistic expectations, leading to disappointment when the actual experience or product falls short.
7. Lack of Lasting Impact: Sensational or trendy content might capture attention momentarily, but it often fails to leave a lasting impression or contribute to long-term personal growth or development.
8. Shallow Gratification: Quick popularity or trendiness might offer immediate gratification, but it may not lead to genuine fulfillment or meaningful experiences that enrich people’s lives.
9. Potential Manipulation: Marketability and sensationalism can sometimes manipulate consumer behavior or public opinion, leading to choices or preferences that are not in line with an individual’s true values or needs.
10. Missed Opportunities: Prioritizing sensationalism or trendiness over true merit can result in missed opportunities to appreciate and support genuinely valuable content, products, or experiences that might be overlooked in the noise of sensationalistic offerings.

In conclusion, while sensationalism, trendiness, and marketability might capture attention and popularity in the short term, they often fail to satisfy deeper human needs for substance, authenticity, and lasting value. Emphasizing these qualities above genuine merit can lead to a cycle of constant searching for the next sensation without finding meaningful and fulfilling experiences or products.

1. Burrovian Chronicles
2. Cut-Up Constellations
3. Interzone Incantations
4. Junkie Journeys
5. Nova Expressions
6. Queer Quandaries
7. Tangier Tapestries
8. Naked Soul Scrolls

In the throes of the modern age, a nefarious affliction, they call it ‘rent-seeker overproduction,’ haunts the very foundation of our society. Power, influence, and wealth have been amassed in the hands of an insatiable few, while the masses stand bereft of hope, relegated to the shadows of exploitation. The rent-seekers, in their insidious pursuit of dominance, have unleashed a torrent of suffering, trampling over the dreams and aspirations of the common man.

In the vast landscape of the modern world, an unsettling prospect looms like a relentless storm on the horizon—the creation of even more excess mediocrity, a product of the ceaseless drive to keep the masses perpetually occupied. As this unsettling drama unfolds, both sides of the divide engage in a twisted dance, entangled in a web of corruption and ambition, leaving the disillusioned masses caught in the crossfire.

On one side, we witness the spectacle of corruption, where the pursuit of power and control reigns supreme. These power-hungry rent-seekers navigate a treacherous path, seeking to preserve their hold on influence, authority, and wealth. They manipulate and exploit the system, using their status as mere camouflage, hiding their insidious agendas behind the façade of righteousness.

On the other side, a peculiar paradox emerges as our supposed saviors seek to distance themselves from the rot that pervades the corridors of power. They recuse themselves “for an appropriate period,” a euphemism for a calculated withdrawal from accountability, creating an illusion of virtue while their actions remain unchanged. The titles they hold, once symbols of noble intent, now serve as mere signifiers of their distance from the common struggles.

Amidst this grand theater of duplicity, the true cost of this charade becomes evident. While the masses are left to bear the burden of broken promises and unfulfilled dreams, a sinister infrastructure of impunity takes root. Egregores, the collective energy formed by the intertwining thoughts and actions of the powerful, thrive in this chaotic environment. Like malevolent entities, they feed on the erosion of trust and the disarray of values, growing stronger as the disillusionment of the people deepens.

And behold, the lawyers, those cunning mercenaries of the courtroom, have swarmed like locusts, leaving no inch of the legal landscape untouched. The ‘lawyer glut,’ they call it, an infestation of legal minds vying for scraps of the ever-dwindling legal pie. As the courtrooms burst at the seams with legal hordes, justice herself weeps, her scales tipping under the weight of this legal deluge.

But wait, it is not only the courtroom battleground where this war wages. No, the onslaught of lawyers permeates every sphere, a ravenous army seeking to profit from the chaos they sow. Corporate intrigues, political machinations, and personal vendettas are all grist for their malevolent mill.

This infrastructure of impunity stands tall, constructed upon the pillars of deception and abuse of power. The powerful navigate this labyrinth, shielded from accountability by a system they themselves designed. Laws bend and contort to accommodate their needs, granting them protection and ensuring their actions remain unchecked.

In the midst of this bleak panorama, the essence of progress and true infrastructure fades into the background. The focus shifts away from building robust foundations for the common good and turns towards preserving the status quo, an ever-expanding edifice of mediocrity. As a result, the true potential for collective advancement remains obscured, overshadowed by the allure of retaining power and control.

In this twisted theatre of warfare, the once-proud pillars of justice crumble, their foundations eroded by greed and ambition. The noble pursuit of truth and righteousness fades into oblivion, replaced by a sinister dance of smoke and mirrors, as the legal vultures circle overhead, waiting to swoop in for the kill.

And alas, the common folk, innocent lambs caught in this fray, become mere pawns on this grand chessboard of power. Their cries for justice echo in the hollow corridors of courts, drowned by the cacophony of legal maneuvers and bureaucratic obfuscation.

Where, then, does salvation lie in this morass of rent-seeker overproduction and lawyer glut? In the hearts and minds of those untainted by this malevolent tide, perhaps, in the indomitable spirit of those who dare to stand up against this tyranny. Yet, even as the rays of hope pierce through the gloom, the battle rages on, and the casualties mount.

But fear not, for the spirit of resistance, like a phoenix, shall rise from the ashes of despair. The day will come when the shackles of the rent-seekers shall be broken, and the armies of lawyers shall be dispersed. For it is in the realm of the human spirit that true strength lies, and in the unity of the oppressed that victory shall be won. The masses hold the power to dismantle the infrastructure of impunity and reclaim the foundations of a just and equitable society. The path to transformation begins with recognizing the value of unity, compassion, and empathy, and transcending the barriers erected by divisive forces.

Until that fateful day, let us not forget the struggle, let us not bow to the tyranny. With hearts afire and minds steadfast, we shall navigate this dark landscape, seeking solace in the knowledge that truth and justice shall ultimately prevail, no matter how fierce the storm may rage. In this narrative of entangled motives and hidden agendas, the ultimate choice lies in the hands of every individual. Will we be passive observers, content with the excess mediocrity that seeks to confine us, or shall we rise as architects of our own destiny? The decision to forge a path towards a brighter future rests with us—the collective will that can dismantle the infrastructure of impunity and sow the seeds of true progress.