A CHAT FROM LONDON: Petty stuff turned into huge, time-wasting fake news

Are we living in a bubble?

That word was huge around 2008. Economic recession reached boiling point. Bubble. Money, wealth and diamonds seen through glass windows. An illusion that crashed banks and big businesses. Bubble reminds us of chewing gum. In the 1980s there was an expression about Western pop music being “weak”. Singers with conked hair, voices that seemed to whisper and caress your ears instead of embracing your emotion. Bubble gum music. All these words, bubbles, chewing gum and plastic- were a metaphor for superficiality.

Few weeks ago I heard the word used in one of the many East African WhatsApp forums. A man (slightly older than me) complained he was tired of today’s plastic music.

“These lads (I am translating the Swahili into London type of English, where a “lad” means boy, guy, chap, bloke, young male), cannot sing properly these days, even if they do, they are not convincing. The music is made from synthesisers, which are not manually played but programmed. I cannot handle plastic music. So fake, Give me back Mbaraka Mwinshehe, Balisidja, Marijani Rajabu, Segere Matata, Franco, Bob Marley, Fela Kuti – those were men. Real people. Even Shakila. She was real. Asmahani. Those Taarab ladies expressed real love...”

On and on, Mr Roots, ranted

I have tried to express exasperation.

Each generation creates “exasperation”, which annoys established Wazee and status quo.

Around 1969, when TANU got really fed up with Pecos (bell bottom trousers) and miniskirts, we “young lads” were sought out on streets and flogged by militias (wanamgambo).

I remember chatting to a Second World War veteran – in 1973. I think he called us nyoronyoros.

Softies.

In the 1970s we young guys started carrying small bags (filled up with books like James Hadley Chase and Faraji Katalambula novels); the older generation regarded that as very “sissy.” How can men carry bags like women? In 2018 it is very normal for males (young and old) to have small bags strapped across shoulders and laps.

Meantime in 2018 we are faced with “young lads” strolling (not walking but dragging feet) with trousers hanging down backsides, exposing underwear (supposed to be manly)... Manhood? What about sisters and mothers?

WE should mention a London lady called Posh.

Victoria Beckham.

Wife of the famous, iconic, English footballer.

A truly beautiful couple. Hardworking, honest and passionate with their art.

The man honed his name through his legs, ankles and boots.

Former England captain and Manchester United skipper, David Beckham was so good in his craft they even made a film for women football (Bend it Like Beckham, 2002) for – and – in his honour. Got married (1999) to superstar singer, Victoria (part of Spice Girls all female band 1990s) - Yeeees. Posh and David have four lovely children, naturally.

Their businesses have swollen around their talents, which include fashion and sport. In 20 years they have amassed a fortune of 340 million pounds (almost $500 million), according to Forbes...

Beckham has done some pretty wonderful things for his country, one of which was fighting hard to have the 2012 Olympics staged in London.

I cannot help admiring them.

They did not steal. Or cheat. They used available resources, sweat, and inborn talents to be rich and famous. Still in their early 40s – symbols of England and being English. Despite this durable and outstanding contribution, not a wink (and weeks) passes without a stick and dagger being levelled towards their faces.

Recently rumours about their divorce have rocked the boat.

Therein lays the word.

Fake News

And

Social Media.

When citizen journalism jumped up two decades ago- the idea was to empower us with a tool to make the world a better place. The good side of this is- each of us may post whatever we find interesting online. Professional media buffs are not the only ones to rely on. We see and learn what is happening faster than mainstream media, sometimes.

However, the nasty side – are lies and rumours.

Chinese Whispers.

Early this week headlines of the Beckhams denying they are not divorcing have contradicted earlier untruths (and fibs) – spread to make us ingest “the fact” that David Beckham was seeing other ladies. The family of one of these alleged women strongly denied the rap. Daddy was quoted in Monday’s London Metro:

“My daughter has never met him...this is ridiculous...we have no idea where it came from. She is a very pretty, attractive girl and be linked to it by fake news.”

Bottom line?

We do not like to see other folks, succeeding. We love failure, screams, failure, screams, failure, sobs, and cracking bones. That is our nasty human nature. I am not happy, so please BE unhappy, too. And fake news is among best tools for such circus.