First I skimmed today's newspapers and confirmed that Gordon Brown's budget will leave me worse off, not better. No surprise there then.
Then I turned to my post. There was a flyer inviting me to subscribe to an expensive travel magazine published by Conde Nast. There was, of course, a prize of a free holiday in Mauritius if I got lucky and a free gift of a "stylish" carrier bag if I didn't.
Next I opened a communication from Barclay's Visa. I watched a programme
called "Whistleblower" on TV about some of Barclay's practices last evening so I was immediately on my guard. The enclosure offered me special deals at venues so expensive that I wouldn't visit them in any case.
Then a thicker package tried to persuade me to buy a series of herbal products. They "guaranteed" to be able to stop my knee's from aching, arrest my ageing, improve my sex life and feel more vital altogether, so long as I bought the pills on offer at prices ranging from about £30 for a months months supply.
Needless to say the junk mail all went in the bin. As I dumped it I wondered about the economics and environmentalism of sending so much paper through the post. One bulk mailing alone must be responsible for the destruction of acres of rain forest never mind the cost of postage.
I then switched on my laptop to check my emails. As usual I had to delete loads of spam which tried to sell me any number of questionable products including more drugs that it would probably have been illegal and certainly unwise to order, however attractive the prospects described.
I can only assume that most sensible people react the same way that I do. But those who initiate junk mail and email would presumably not keep on doing it if they didn't get some orders. And I wonder at society's vulnerability and gullibility. They must have more disposable income than I do. But then most people don't have to make a living from farming.