Everything, these days, seems to be useless. Spend enough time exposed to the media (social or otherwise), and one cannot help but conclude that we’d better do a lot more laughing to keep from crying. Here’s an off-the-top-of-our-heads random list of what’s currently considered useless: government, big business, agriculture (either large commercial factory farms or local community agriculture, depending on whom you ask), alternative energy, fossil-fuel energy, the housing market in general and the ability to refinance your mortgage in particular, banks, credit unions, professional athletes, performance-enhancing drugs (see Lance Armstrong in both cases), the designated hitter, replacement NFL officials, NBA ownership, SuperPACs, grassroots movements, traditional media, social media, diet, exercise, meditation and acupuncture. 
 
Most people would add to the list any attempt whatsoever to do anything to alter the three-ring circus that we call health care. The costs to get into the tent keep getting higher, the same bears dance, the same feats of derring-do are performed high above our heads and there’s simply not enough staff on the clean-up crew to keep the place from smelling. We’re being entertained and reassured that everything is going to be okay just like it always has, but at what cost? Long-term, we’re not going to feel – or be – better. Once we leave the tent our world is the same, and running away to join the circus only works out if you’re an acrobat, an animal handler or the bearded lady.
 
But what – or who – are we really saying is useless? Find out more as we go Under the Lense.