Thoughts on Some Things That Shouldn't Be Things

One of my favourite TV Shows is The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. I think Mr. Stewart is a comedic genius and the correspondents on The Daily Show are also funny in their own rights. So when I heard that John Oliver, one of those correspondents was getting his own show on HBO, I was thrilled. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver didn't disappoint either as it is not only very funny, but also calls attention to serious issues. One web exclusive segment that John Oliver does is called "How Is This Still A Thing?". Starting with Dressing up as other races and going onto Ayn Rand and Columbus Day, Last Week Tonight asked how are they still things? Well as my own tribute to the hilarious John Oliver I will submit three things for his consideration.

I don't know how many of you like American Football. It's a sport I used to believe was a sport for wusses who need to wear body armour. The key word being used to. I played it a little myself and I don't think I've ever been more wrong about anything in my life, but I digress. In America's National Football League (NFL) there is a team called the Washington Redskins. How is it possible that in the 21st century that one of America's most popular sports teams has the name "Redskins". What's even more amazing is how defenders of this name don't see how it's offensive, and some even say it actually honours the Native Americans. Team owner Daniel Synder says that the team has always been the Redskins and has no intentions of changing the name because it represents more than the team, but the legacy of that team. I wonder if he would feel comfortable going up to a Native American and saying "Good morning Redskin". This is enough to make me ask, The Washington Redskins: How are they still a thing?

I am a fan of The Big Bang Theory and one of my favourite quotes from the show is Sheldon's description of astrology. "The mass cultural delusion that the sun's apparent position relative to arbitrarily defined constellations at the time of your birth somehow affects your personality." There are far too many people in the world who believe in astrology and other pseudosciences. In newspapers here in Switzerland, there are pages dedicated to astrology so the gullible masses can learn what fate has in store for them. I have just a few questions for astrologists. Firstly do I have the same destiny as everyone who was born around the same time as me? Do I have the same kind of personality? Is the astrological calendar reversed for the southern hemisphere? What evidence do you have that any of this is anything more that bullshit? In short I suppose you could say I'm asking, Astrology (and other pseudosciences): How is this (they) still a thing?

Cast your mind back to 20th January 2012. On that day Barack Obama was inaugurated for his second term as the U.S. President. It was a big day, there was a massive crowd, he gave a speech and Beyoncé performed too! Or did she? No she didn't. She lip-synced. Imagine you went to a football match and instead of seeing the players play, they showed you a video of the teams playing a match that took place earlier. Or you go to the Lourve and instead of showing you the Mona Lisa, they show you a photograph of the Mona Lisa. People would be outraged! Yet somehow it seems to be fine for a professional singer to stand in front of a crowd and pretend to sing. Maybe I'm strange for thinking this, but I'm forced to ask, Professional singers lip-syncing: How is this still a thing?

Let me clarify one thing. I am not trying to be John Oliver. If I was a tenth as funny as he is, I'd be a very happy man. I just think these are questions that must be asked and he is an inspiration to me. As always, I thank you all for reading!