Substitutes

Sometimes substitutes can be good. For instance an artificial sweetener for real sugar -- if you are diabetic. Otherwise not so much.

But substitutes for some things just don't cut it - and are way too ubiquitous. Here are a few very common substitutions you should abolish from your life:

Volume for talent - many current bands turn up the volume, hoping you won't notice their lack of talent and risking a resulting generation of hearing-impaired young people.

Crude and potty words for funny - isn't it amazing how many people will laugh at crudity and toddler potty words? It is scary to think people find humor in this childishness. Where are the adults?

Volubility for wisdom - some think if they talk on and on using impressive words, however out of place they may be, they will con you into believing they are wise. Unfortunately this does work on half the population.

Fairy tales for history - unfortunately this works because many of the recipients of this substitution are people who want to believe things like there was no holocaust or my people played an important role in world advancement. Others, unfortunately, are students.

Sincerity for truth - so many liars spew forth with such convincing feigned sincerity, telling you what you wish was true, that you no longer know what to believe.

Talent, wisdom, humor, history, truth -- none of these have good substitutes.

OofDah! You'll have to dig for it, demand it, track it down, but do try to find the real thing. It's worth it.