First.. for other reader's sake... just what Laredo cigarettes means.

A short AI review for better definition and for my piece of this conversation.

Laredo cigarettes, introduced in the early 1970s, were unique because they offered a "do-it-yourself" approach to smoking. The Laredo kit included loose tobacco, cigarette papers, filters, and a plastic rolling machine. Smokers could roll their own cigarettes, which was marketed as a cost-effective and customizable alternative to pre-made packs.

The appeal lay in the novelty and the potential savings, as cigarette prices were rising at the time. However, the product faced criticism for being cumbersome to use, with inconsistent results—some cigarettes were too tightly packed to smoke, while others were too loose. Despite its innovative concept, the Laredo brand eventually faded from the market.

Ok.. here are interesting, to me, tie in bits bout the "human condition" as some would call it.

The "do-it-yourself" fix. I remember actually trying these machines for the novelty but moreover... because of the surrounding marketing and cultural acceptance of smoking. I didn't last long.. lol.. but I was sold on some things.. and hooked on others. I was sold because all my close friends were smoking, and it was the thing to do. And we were all into it because our parents smoked, marketing geniuses told us "Winston tastes good like a cigarette should", LSMFT- which was an acronym for "Lucky Strikes Means Fine Tobaccos", and even the "Marlboro man" made smoking cool.
We weren't exactly told nor really aware of the addicting qualities yet, but even though cancer was possibly related, no one cared that much. We had a choice to "do-it-ourselves" so we did.

And as cigarette machines were everywhere available, it wasn't hard to buy a pack even for underaged kids. (Probably their biggest customers)


Anyway we look at it tho, smoking nicotine is death.

And it was true.. judging how much or how little became an art.. and also a waste. Mastering disaster seems the human lot when I look back at my own history in many avenues.

Laredo machines went the way of the market's desires as the above said.

But not smoking. Even in the early face of increased scrutiny, the addiction had settled in for the long haul. The emotional one turned into a physical one and the fight has been on ever since. And increasing ground has been won actually to curb some of it, but humans will still find other more self-destructive things to replace it. Alcohol, drugs, lifestyles. And the list is extensive. But it is still deadly.

My point is we tend to poison ourselves. in knowledge, pharmacology, philosophically, and religion. Because we're still looking for something firm to land on. Something solid, good, not harmful.

But we hardly ever retreat from even the known harmful influences.
sorrythis is getting lengthy but... it wouldn't be me without that, right?

Now, is it good to let some "influences" in and try to adopt, adapt, or at least understand them? Honestly no... we do it here daily..I particularly enjoy many conversations even if I don't get on the thread myself.

And there in lies the rub for many. We're still sheep in many ways. Prone to wander and needing something solid to guide us, a dog perhaps to fetch us, and a fence to protect us.

God created us, imho..but also had set limitations.. we can break them, but at our own peril, we're always warned.

I could show you instances of why it's not good to break those fences. And I need to continue my post..but my wife needs to get us out of the house.. so part two is coming.. be patient.. thanks