The Derelict:

Sickness of Slobbery

The Garden of Earthly Delights," Hieronymus Bosch, c. 1490-1510. Museo del Prado, Madrid.

THE CURSE OF NOT CARING:

'I don't care' has become a widespread catchphrase, embodying a sense of empowerment and detachment from life's disturbances. It presents a laissez-faire stance, aspiring to transcend everyday concerns—whatever they may be. The core notion suggests that indifference leads to the acquisition or enhancement of power. This concept has gained such popularity that it's now espoused in bestsellers like 'The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F***.' As tempting as it might sound, the very concept of advocating for 'not caring' is a challenge to counter, a challenge I'll tackle here.

The idea of not caring is a clever marketing strategy aimed at the gullible, as instructing someone not to care inevitably makes them care about the very act of not caring—a paradoxical endeavor. If I contend that our society displays clear signs of self-neglect, evidenced by rising rates of obesity, debt, violence, fatherlessness, and depression, a counterargument could suggest that these issues stem from caring excessively.