Questions?

December 30th, 2023| Topic: RaMbLeS | 0

Google, if you didn’t know it already, keeps track of things that were Googled for. And Google Trends unveils all and spills the beans on America’s top curious queries, the Whos, Whats, Whens, Whys, and Hows.

Who: “Who is Erin Carter?
As the Netflix thriller series broke records, the question points to its “must-watch” status.
Close second was “Who won the Super Bowl in 2023?” The triumphant Kansas City Chiefs, of course.
Both these became “viral”—more than 5,000% increase in searches of each this year.

What: “What is ChatGPT?”
Up by 2,700%.
It’s been out for a year, but it is still America’s most searched-for “What?” question. GPT is now an integral part of our lives and our landscape.
[Coming in second: “What is Temu?” up by 1,500%. It’s a shopping app, BTW.]

When: “When are taxes due?”
Up by 3,250% this year (hitting an all-time high between April 9 and April 15). Of course! We don’t want to disappoint Uncle Sam (and neither do we want to incur his wrath).
[Running second: “When does the Barbie movie come out?” up by 1,800%. It’s already out, in case you were asleep.]

Why: “Why are actors striking?”
Up by 1,600%. The Hollywood attraction of Americans is well entrenched. And the concern for their movies.
[Close second: “Why is Twitter now called X?” Up by 1,950%. Don’t ask me!]

How: “How to change background color of Instagram story?”
Up 2,650%. I suppose this is the result of social media’s vast penetration of the population. Mastering the aesthetics of Instagram is a must!
[Close second: “How to change signature in Outlook?” Yes, you need tech assistance, you know. On the other hand, Canadians’ #1 “How?” was “How to change time on Fitbit?”]

The Bible, too, records questions. Especially arising from depression and disturbance, as for instance in Psalms 42–43 (that I consider a single composition). It begins with the agonies of the child of God—notice all the fluid terms (in bold):

As the deer pants for the streams of water,
so my soul pants for You, God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. …
My tears have been to me food day and night ….
I will pour my soul out upon myself.
Psalm 42:1–4

And then the questioning:

Why are you depressed, my soul,
and [why] are you disturbed within me?
Wait on God, for I shall again give Him thanks
[for] the deliverance [that comes] from His presence.
Psalm 42:5

But things get worse: the waters of life (42:1–2) that became the waters of grief (42:3) are now the waters of trauma:

Deep calls to deep at the sound of Your waterfalls;
all Your breakers and Your waves have swept over me.
Psalm 42:7

And again, the same questioning, but in greater desperation (because of context):

Why are you depressed, my soul,
and why are you disturbed within me?
Wait on God, for I shall again give Him thanks Him—
the deliverance of my face, and my God.
Psalm 42:11

But then the hydraulic motifs disappear; rather there is “Your light and Your truth”:

Send out Your light and Your truth,
let them lead me;
let them bring me to Your holy mountain
and to Your abodes.
Psalm 43:3

And the song closes with the same question again, but this time, because of context, tinged with hope:

Why are you depressed, my soul,
and why are you disturbed within me?
Wait on God, for I shall again give You thanks Him—
the deliverance of my face, and my God.
Psalm 43:5

Yes, indeed—“wait on God!”

SOURCE: Casino.org