If you enjoy satire....

[w00dy]

From the hallowed archives of The Onion: America's Finest News Source

http://www.theonion.com/articles/man-to-sail-around-world-to-decrease-awareness-of,26640/

MAN TO SAIL AROUND THE WORLD TO DECREASE AWARENESS OF IMPORTANT
ISSUES[/size]



ENCINITAS, CA?In a completely inconsequential event that has already captured the imaginations of thousands, amateur sailor Michael Gilmer, 29, announced Monday he would be embarking on a sea journey around the world to actively decrease awareness of significant global issues.

Gilmer's expedition, which will cover approximately 28,000 nautical miles and bring absolutely no exposure to any urgent environmental or social causes whatsoever, is expected to last roughly 90 days and draw millions of eyes around the world directly away from events of actual, crucial import.

"I hope to use my lifelong love of sailing to take part in a completely irrelevant novelty stunt that in no way benefits humanity," Gilmer said of the non-news event that will needlessly cycle in and out of the top spot on news websites for weeks. "The goal here is to really make people think about a young, overconfident arse on a boat rather than any pressing matters of substance that actually affect people's lives."

Added Gilmer, "Even if just one person reads a news article about my pointless ego trip instead of a story about the global financial crisis, then I've done my job."

The utterly irrelevant boat ride, which Gilmer plans to document by video so that people can oc-cupy precious hours of their time watching clips of a self-satisfied little poop in a cramped sailboat cabin as if it were an actual event of significance, will in no way address climate change, ocean conservation, unemployment, workers' rights, cancer research, or any wars or conflicts anywhere in the world.

Gilmer?whose inconsequential personal history thousands of Americans will actively choose to make space for in their long-term memories?told reporters he has been planning his meaningless and distracting journey for quite some time, citing his own completely self-serving narcissism as his sole inspiration.

"I saw so many people out there refusing to take time out of their day for bullshit media sideshow events like mine, and I thought, 'Something needs to be done,'" said Gilmer, whose circumnavigation will actually be covered around the clock by real, paid journalists whose job it is, ostensibly, to bring the most significant issues of the day to the American public. "The fact that I'm getting this much media attention already is a real blessing for me and literally no one else."

A number of major corporate sponsors whose only concern is to have their names attached to a big news story with lots of coverage have already pledged to donate a dollar for every nautical mile Gilmer sails, with the money going to help offset the cost of his travels rather than toward a charity devoted toward the betterment of the human race.

In addition, dozens of major news outlets have already promised they will act astonished and impressed by Gilmer's completely unconstructive accomplishment, a landmark that many, many others have previously reached, going back more than a century, and that is in no way worthy of nationwide, let alone worldwide, recognition.

"It won't be easy of course; there are going to be some rough winds and huge waves that I'm sure you'll hear described as though they were the kind of thing that had an effect on the famine currently ravaging Somalia or something," said the man who with every word he speaks magically decreases the number of words printed on the subject of AIDS in Africa or the potential for democracy in the Middle East. "But whenever things do get hard, I'll just remember what I'm doing this for and take comfort in the fact that the hearts and minds of literally thousands of people are stupidly invested in me."

At press time, something was happening in Washington.

[Jim_ME]

I kinda felt that the voyages that have gotten the most media attention were the ever younger sailors that were setting [or attempting] the record for the youngest woman or man [girl or boy] to circumnavigate, and that a possible angle for satire might be something like...

After Much Controversy Toddler Casts Off To Set New Youngest-Person-To-Circumnavigate Record

In his fast ultra lightweight 45-foot yacht equipped with all the latest high-tech gear and with a custom-designed enormous hold full of a years supply of Huggies Diapers (a major sponsor...no need to worry about which type of head to use or overboard discharge regulations) and an equal supply of Gerber Baby Rations (another sponsor). Retrofitted with a custom sea-crib...

Not able to write or type yet, the captain will (in between pacifier sessions) babble-dictate his adventure into cameras...to be translated and posted to the voyage website blog by his somewhat-worried-yet-immensely-proud parents...who taught him to be an expert sailor before he had learned to even crawl...

;)

[Oldrig]

Both are great satires. Thanks for posting, guys, and a round o' grog to you!

--Joe

[w00dy]

Good one Jim!

[Jim_ME]

Thanks, Joe and James.

I should have added that the main corporate sponsors might be those precocious E-Trade talking stock analyst babies...   ;)

[s/v Emerald Tide]

I think there is something to be said for not dwelling on all the misery of the world, and looking for something good to think about and pay attention to.  He may not be doing anything worthy of attention, or a new record, but he is saying, "look at what I am doing, and not what is bad in the world."  He may be completely motivated by egotism, but for some reason, his idea appeals to me.

In my job, I talk to people about this concept quite often.  Don't focus on all that is evil in the world, but look for what is good.  My hat's off to him, whatever his motivation is, because I like the concept of a shift in our collective consciousness.  And he shows a lot of nerve in expressing this idea, and subjecting himself to criticism.