Years ago I started making a list of things I no longer consider, don't prefer, find to be poor in quality or merit, etc. and I would say "such and such has been cancelled" imagining that would mean it would go out of production or be scrubbed from the earth, but just as a light-hearted imaging. Eventually, I started jotting down this list. Since then, as you know, the more serious so-called "cancel culture" emerged. My earlier, personal concept has no connection to sincere boycotts and such, but, alas, I must change the name to differentiate from the broader concept and discussion.

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Thus, I will say the following have been rescinded due to weather, personal bias, whim, or whatever. Ironically, today, I wanted to rescind Tom Cruise, not due to connection with Scientology which is amusing from afar (not as amusing up close, I imagine), but because of the propaganda that is his latest movie . . . but then that sounds a lot like actual cancel culture. Perhaps the maniac is where these two lists would converge. 

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So, finally, these things are no more:

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• Low-grade block cheese (Kraft, store-brand . . . anything that reminds of play dough), 2018

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• Gifs in social media replies unless it's perfect, 2018

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• Rudimentary reaction ploys in social media posts, 2018 (see helpful Batman & Robin graphic to right)

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• The penny, 2018 (finally! sorry I didn't get on that sooner)

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• Potato chips, 2018 [Late July brand, jalapeno, and select kettle excepted as of 6.23.22]

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• NFL, 2018

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• Netflix, 2018​

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• Astro Conquest purchases (until further notice), 2018

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• Papa John’s, 2018

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• Taco Bell, 2017

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• NBA (except when LeBron is in the semi-finals or finals), 2014

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• Low-fat dairy products, 2013

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• MLB, 2011

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• Select Long John Silver’s locations may be left open temporarily to allow those inclined to realistically consider visiting one last time, but not to actually go; otherwise, it’s over, 2008

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• Microwave oven, 2008

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• Wendy’s except if someone else gets you a baked potato, 2006

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• Cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine and all that, 2002

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• Television, 1998

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• McDonald’s, 1995

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• Smartphones canceled concurrent with their invention, 1992

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• Prom, 1992

 

Under review:

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• All adult main role actors except Jodie Foster, Sigourney Weaver, Bill Murray, Christian Bale, and Christoph Waltz, since 9.26.18

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• All music except the following, played (recorded or live) by the original artist(s) or specifically named performers, though closer scrutiny may well eliminate some or even all of these:

  • "Asturias," Issac Albeniz or performed by Ana Vidovic

  • "Sound of Silence," Simon on Garfunkel

  • "Nightswimming," R.E.M.

  • "Perfect Day,"  Lou Reed

  • "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor," Bach, or performed well by anyone on organ or harp, or Marcin Patarzalik on guitar, yes, on guitar

  • "When the Levy Breaks," Led Zeppelin

  • "Where did you Sleep Last Night," Leadbelly

  • "Electric Pow Wow" and "Burn Your Village to the Ground," Tribe Called Red

  • Most Velvet Underground

  • Most Pink Floyd

  • "Fake Plastic Trees" and "Street Spirit (Fade Out)," Radiohead

  • "Under Pressure," Queen and David Bowie

  • "Heroes," David Bowie

  • "Once in a Lifetime," Talking Heads

  • "Southern Man" and "Cortez the Killer," Neil Young

  • "Hold Your Head Up," Argent

  • "Redemption Song," Bob Marley or performed by Moodswings

  • "Going up the Country," Canned Heat

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• France, since 5.26.18

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• Hot dogs, since 5.8.18

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• NHL, since 4.24.18