"Wholesome" Things That Are NOT Wholesome

There are many things that happen in life that people view as either wholesome or romanticize. It is a response to a world that is cold and cruel. However, most of these things are not actually cruelty and are, in of themselves, a preventable result of said cold and cruel world.

So, here is a collection of things that many people consider "wholesome," that perhaps we should look at with a little more scrutiny.

1. Children Doing Charitable Acts

The fact that there is so much human suffering that children are, not only aware of it, but want to help those who are suffering. Children are meant to be carefree and not extend their empathy to anything beyond their peers and family.

This does not mean they should ignore it. Their awareness is a good thing. No, we should be reducing overall human suffering. Everyone should be living in comfort and dignity. 

2. Animals Being Rescued

Honestly, this one is pretty self explanatory. Animals shouldn't be put in a situation where they need to be rescued. Ever. Especially animals in captivity. The fact that there are animals who need rescue in the first place says a lot about humanity. 

3. CEOs and Corporations Performing Philanthropy

Let's be real: it's all fake. They are either incentivized to do it by tax laws, or they are trying to win your favor and brand loyalty. There is nothing more messed up than the very same people who are actively causing these problems pretending to help solving them by throwing money at the problem.

Which, they don't even view the suffering as a problem. They see it as something we "deserve," or at least, an intentional part of what they are doing. Remember this every time a CEO throws millions at a charity.

4. "Brothers in Arms"

Ah, to have comradery in tough times you won't come out of without at least some sort of trauma. To suffer together and sing songs drunkenly is a dream for many.

...WHY????

There shouldn't even be suffering nor wars to form "brotherhoods" over! There is nothing romantic about being forced to die for some mega corporations and forming unstable "friendships" that may not have ever formed in the first place. In fact, you might end up being friends with bad crowds with beliefs that result in systems oppressing you.

Please try to find friends through other means. Join a book club, go to the park, even friendships formed on a Discord server count!

5. Asexual people

Asexual people are not "pure." Many are not even celibate. We are still adults just like everyone else, and that includes things such as having an adult taste in humor, art, and general communication. We can be rude, dirty, complicated, and everything that any other human can be.

We're just simply not interested in you. Or anyone. Just don't ask what ace people get up to when alone. You don't want to know.

Conclusion

All in all, instead of blindly calling things "cute," "sweet," or "wholesome," maybe we should look deeper into things and see if they should even be in the first place.

Yes, it is that deep. Everything is that deep. Our entire lives are shaped by the systems that run the Earth we occupy. The world can't become a better place if we don't confront these things and talk about them.

For more commentary, you may like this piece commenting on a very effective way of poisoning generative AI:

https://dextiveblog.blogspot.com/2026/02/the-most-effective-way-to-poison-ai.html

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