Howdy, Epostates! So how about that juicy $18 Billion legal settlement imposed on Meta last week? I confess I was too preoccupied sipping celebratory frosty goblets of Schadenfreude to bother churning out hyper-timely #content about it, but suffice it to say that, at long last, the public (and courts!) are awakening to the reality that Meta products are a singular malignancy on humanity. This makes now a dandy time for a shameless plug — er, friendly reminder:
My 2020 kids book “The Liking Tree” remains Earth’s only cautionary fable specifically dedicated to inoculating youth from the inhuman, psyche-shredding abominations that are Facebook & Instagram! With the holidays fast approaching, there’s no time like the present for loading up on copies for all the precious tots in your life who deserve better than drowning in Zuckerborg’s bottomless digital cesspool of narcissism, cruelty, and corporate surveillance. More importantly, it’s a subversively fun read that ain’t all preachy — because what kid wants that?
Praise for The Liking Tree
“Bravo! Finally an entertaining and witty children’s book that brilliantly conveys the dark side of social media to young readers! The Liking Tree is also smart and compelling enough for parents. John Allen Wooden has done a tremendous service for all families with his innovative new book.”
- Dr. Nicholas Kardaras, Author of Glow Kids
“An inoculation against social media’s seductive pull—and a great conversation starter for people of all ages. (Kids, your parents should pay attention to its message, too!)”
- Catherine Price, Author of How to Break Up With Your Phone
“A perfect illustration of the toxic fruit that is social media. A powerful message for children and an eye-opener for parents.”
- Thomas Kerstin, Author of Disconnected
The Story
In this modern parody spin on Shel Silverstein’s beloved classic The Giving Tree, two children befriend a strange tree, and quickly become enchanted by its flattery and dazzling distractions. But time goes by, and as the tree’s selfish, exploitative nature is revealed, the children must decide whether to live by its lonely rules, or walk away and rediscover the joys of real life and true friendship.
The Liking Tree is Part One of “Screen Time Tales,” my series of kid-friendly satirical stories wherein Mother Goose meets Black Mirror.
Thanks for indulging the self-serving promo. Epostasy will return with fresh Big Tech evisceration later this week.
- John
More EPOSTASY Love for Meta:
Meta is the Catholic Church of Tech
Hark! Behold yonder crumbling buttresses of St. Zuckerberg’s Metaverse Cathedral!
Mark Zuckerberg: Nuclear Terrorist
Already history’s greatest monster, the Meta CEO's designs on nuclear power are an affront to common sense.
About John Allen Wooden:
Howdy. I’m a writer, satirist, creative director, and dad based in Los Angeles. Having done hard time in big online media, late night TV, ad agencies, politics, and parenting, I created Epostasy as my little lab for gleefully dismembering all those self-important things. Check out my other projects at johnallenwooden.com
I'm so glad you're sharing these as I had no idea they existed!! Going to order!
Just ordered both! I look forward to reading them with my students!