We all react to adversity in different ways: some stick out their chins and trudge on, heads held high; some fall into penitence and scourging and prayer; some turn to works of kindness for the very least among us. 

Most of us, however, whinge and moan and complain to anyone who will listen. Things didn't used to be like this, we're sure, everything is so much harder now, I can't believe there's not WiFi here!

We feel entitled, sure; but we also have been beaten down by the ceaseless barrage of endless options masquerading as choice. Do you want fries with that? Tall, Grande or Venti? Conservative, sort of conservative, mostly conservative, or batshit insane?

But when we are truly in need, a saviour always appears. At our darkest moments, when all hope seems gone, there's always one who steps forward to drag us out of the muck. The limping year that is 2010 has not proved to be an exception.

I give you, the carpet beetle.

Oh sure, everyone thought it was just a joke when someone -- OK when Les Ogilvie started the anti-BNP Facebook group, I bet this shite insect can get more fans than Nick Griffin, but the truth was that he had stumbled upon a true leader: the lowly carpet beetle. 

No political agenda, no lies, no promises—except that she will eat your other dead insects and thereby remove unwanted carnage. No carpet beetle has ever been accused of embezzlement, sex with a minor or starting a war (apart from that whole Carpathian skirmish which doesn't really count).

I think the carpet beetle a lovely little creature. It never takes advantage of gullible centipedes despite the many opportunities for tripping them around corners. It never disparages the fly, though it knows where it has fed. It admires the bee, but does not seek to fly with its translucent wings, happy in the knowledge that a carpet beetle is nothing to be ashamed of, nothing at all. We should all be so stalwart and true.

Robyn Hitchcock would doubtless agree.

Absurdity can be a refuge. In a time when political fatigue sets in because the field seems to be comprised of nothing but career politicians and creepy madmen, when we're all feeling the pinch of high-tech financial schemes we can't even begin to comprehend or even seemingly prevent, even as supposedly inalienable rights and necessary medical care are denied us. 

We need the relaxing respite of controlled bouts of insanity that will restore the will to live and the ability to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and if not start all over again, at least carry on with the kind of dogged determinism that would make our grandparents proud.

And when it comes to the tough times, when others carp and blather and complain, you can hold your head high and say, "Don't blame me. I voted for the carpet beetle." And life will be grand (or tall or venti).

Image via "I bet this shite insect can get more fans than Nick Griffin" Facebook group