A lighter look at the news

You would have to be living under a rock these days, to have not heard of Greta Thunberg. In fact, I am convinced that even those living under rocks have heard of her.

I wouldn't be surprised if at the monthly Crabs' Jamboree, the crabs come out of their shells to whisper through cupped claws (the band, 'Crashing Waves', can be rather loud at these occasions) about this young lady who is fighting the good fight for them and their fellow creatures.

Anyway, on the show 'Celebrity Mastermind' (no less), when 'Casualty' actress Amanda Henderson was asked to name the 17 year old Swedish climate change activist, she appeared flummoxed for the briefest of  seconds,  before taking a wild (but firmly delivered) guess - 'Sharon'. You've got to admit, they don't come any wilder than that.

Now, I am not one to judge (please refrain from commenting) but if I was Ms Henderson (and at this point, I am very grateful that I am not), I would at the very least go for 'Anni-Frid' or 'Agnetha'.

Well, a decade or two ago, it would be just the audience present at the show who would have 'howled with laughter' but these days you can't sneeze into your armpit instead of your elbow, without it going viral.

Anyway, as they say, there is no such thing as bad publicity and if it is any consolation to Amanda Henderson, 5 million people now know who she is (and that a show called 'Casualty' exists on the BBC).

In case you're wondering how I know, that is the number of clicks that clip received on it's viral journey.

Talking of viral journeys, it is amazing how many powerful (only because of the nations they lead), middle aged men have used social media to have a go at Greta.

There's Mr Twitter himself, President Trump (of the US), President Putin (who needs no introduction, otherwise he may be put out), President Bolsonaro (of Brazil) and then there's Meatloaf (singer of the US, not of the oven).

Despite her impassioned speeches delivered with a fixed gaze, Greta  does have a sense of humour. 

She changed her twitter account name to 'Sharon' after the Mastermind debacle and when Trump tweeted  that she should chill, watch a good old fashioned film with a friend and work on her anger management (the Orange calling the Peach, orange) she updated her twitter bio to read as: 'Teenager working on her anger management problem and currently watching a good old fashioned movie with a friend.'

However, there was no trace of humour when their paths crossed in the UN lobby in New York in September. 

Fortunately, Trump did not see the look she gave him. He would've ended up in a puddle on the floor, like a dropped barrel of Fanta.

Until next time, try and keep it light.