This is such a depressing read Miri, but I can’t fault anything you’ve said and actually I’ve said some of it myself over the past couple of months.

Unable to read this via Substack due to age-verification bollox (prob. 'cos you criticised the juice). Read it in my email & on your site, but can't comment. Anyway, great missive Miri; seriously massive tho'! I sadly left/divorced my first wife in 2006 after 17 years, leaving behind 3 kids who are now adults & who no longer communicate with me (treat me as dead). Reason was something you might find interesting: massive gyny issues following catastrophic first birth (induced ... never get induced, baby ain't ready) plus I wanted more kids. I went on to remarry & have 4 more; we are still together, so far so good, our eldest is 17 tomorrow. You and I should meet/talk sometime, I think it would be mutually interesting. Oh, and re your Star Trek 'miri' bizarre coincidence ... the answer is 'yes' (btyci per Q).

Thanks Loafalot - I actually saw a comment from you on my Sub re: age-block but then it disappeared! Very sorry to hear about your family. Would be great to meet/chat some time. Where are you based?

Thanks so much for this, Miri......I will have to read it a few times to fully appreciate it.

Reading this i am very much reminded of the work of Alan Watt whose ' blurbs ' - some of which are more than 20 years old , i still listen to pretty much on a daily basis as an antidote to the lunacy of the 2020s This is a truly exceptional article ..