Raymond Gaynor's Blog, page 17
March 19, 2022
OH MY GOSH! WE’RE STILL IN KANSAS, TOTO!
NOTHING like filling up the ole’ gas tank to bring one back down to earth! Gas hit $5.60 a gallon at my local station yesterday. Good thing I have one of those small, high-mileage, Japanese hatchbacks. While I finished gassing, washing the windows, checking the oil and water, and then the tire pressures (all perfect, thank you), the fellah next to me kept on filling the tanks of his mega-pickup and shaking his head every time he checked the increasing price. As I climbed into the car, he looked at me morosely and remarked with a scowl, “One hundred sixty-five dollars!” to which I replied, “Twenty-six fifty” before rolling up my window, locking the doors and driving off, shaking my head at how much it had just cost to top off the car for tomorrow’s weekend roadtrip. The thought did cross my mind, though, “Why are we still using gas?”
In fact, I wasn’t really surprised at the price for a gallon of gas. Not so much because of the effect of the Ukraine war, inflation and geo-politics, as I’d predicted the five-dollar-a-gallon price tag years before while writing THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor — https://savant-bookstore-honolulu.squ.... In that world, the USA had gone through a slim-down much like the former USSR, with Chicago now its capital city. In NewAmerica, there were no more cars, except in museums. Roads had become public runways for electric bicycles, and travel walkways, much like the old Roman Via Appia or Appian Way. Buildings are constructed underground, allowing the surface to “return to the wild.” Except alongside the road where private companies and individuals hosted stewardship plots, each “wild” plant being bio tagged and tended by the caretaker, who received public recognition for his or her stewardship.
In the countryside, instead of buildings and high-rises, there would be no human-made structures visible, people entering large underground structures via an occasional descending “elevator” pad located on the side of the roadway, looking more like sewer lids than elevators. Ah, but you would already know all this, simply accepting it all as “normal,” were you a citizen of that new world. But you aren’t?
“SAY … WHAT … ? Author Raymond Gaynor, in this sequel to his novel TOTAL MELTDOWN, manages a successful tear in the time-space continuum that provides his readers with an insightful glimpse of society’s future. It’s not always a pleasant picture. In fact, it’s sometimes bordering on the truly shocking. That said … all of his prophetical premises seem to have logical underpinnings based upon historical facts, including what’s obviously at play within our own Twenty-First Century. It’s a fascinating read, experienced through the eyes of three protagonists from birth, through adolescence, and into maturity. Their journey is often difficult and often dangerous. Never, though, is it boring.” - William Maltese, co-author of the prequel, TOTAL MELTDOWN, soon starring in the K. Simmons Production of THE MALTESE COLLECTION -- https://kspllc.media/maltese-collection -- a bio-documentary devoted to William Maltese and his myriad pioneering literary achievements.
The Edge of Madness
In fact, I wasn’t really surprised at the price for a gallon of gas. Not so much because of the effect of the Ukraine war, inflation and geo-politics, as I’d predicted the five-dollar-a-gallon price tag years before while writing THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor — https://savant-bookstore-honolulu.squ.... In that world, the USA had gone through a slim-down much like the former USSR, with Chicago now its capital city. In NewAmerica, there were no more cars, except in museums. Roads had become public runways for electric bicycles, and travel walkways, much like the old Roman Via Appia or Appian Way. Buildings are constructed underground, allowing the surface to “return to the wild.” Except alongside the road where private companies and individuals hosted stewardship plots, each “wild” plant being bio tagged and tended by the caretaker, who received public recognition for his or her stewardship.
In the countryside, instead of buildings and high-rises, there would be no human-made structures visible, people entering large underground structures via an occasional descending “elevator” pad located on the side of the roadway, looking more like sewer lids than elevators. Ah, but you would already know all this, simply accepting it all as “normal,” were you a citizen of that new world. But you aren’t?
“SAY … WHAT … ? Author Raymond Gaynor, in this sequel to his novel TOTAL MELTDOWN, manages a successful tear in the time-space continuum that provides his readers with an insightful glimpse of society’s future. It’s not always a pleasant picture. In fact, it’s sometimes bordering on the truly shocking. That said … all of his prophetical premises seem to have logical underpinnings based upon historical facts, including what’s obviously at play within our own Twenty-First Century. It’s a fascinating read, experienced through the eyes of three protagonists from birth, through adolescence, and into maturity. Their journey is often difficult and often dangerous. Never, though, is it boring.” - William Maltese, co-author of the prequel, TOTAL MELTDOWN, soon starring in the K. Simmons Production of THE MALTESE COLLECTION -- https://kspllc.media/maltese-collection -- a bio-documentary devoted to William Maltese and his myriad pioneering literary achievements.
The Edge of Madness
March 17, 2022
THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS A UNIFIED FIELD THEORY
THIS IS A BIGGIE! I read in the news today about a mathematical solution to bridging the gap between Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity and Quantum Mechanics. It seems the preeminent physicist Professor Steven Hawking before he passed, left the world with the Hawking Paradox: basically, “Einstein’s general theory of relativity says information about what goes into a black hole cannot come out, but quantum mechanics says that is impossible” — https://www.bbc.com/news/science-envi....
According to the article, Professor Xavier Calmet of the University of Sussex and his colleagues say they have shown that the constituents of the collapsing star leave an imprint in the black hole’s gravitational field, called “quantum hair.” This Quantum Hair Theorem unites the big i.e. Einstein’s cosmic-sized general relativity theory, and the quantum-sized Quantum Theory, representing a first small step for humankind to the ever-illusive Unified Field Theory of Everything.
But does it matter? I say an emphatic, “YES!” Check out my recent Amazon genre bestseller, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor to see just how important a Unified Field Theory can be. THE EDGE OF MADNESS sets the stage for my next work, tentatively entitled, “Prophecy,” in which the tenets of a Unified Field Theory begin to “explain” the greatest mysteries of life: birth, psychoses, death and the afterlife, all part of the Superstring and Multiverse Theories.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859
THE EDGE OF MADNESS is available in printed, digital and audiobook versions, and has been purchased by K. Simmons Productions for manga, animation and cinematic treatment by K. Simmons Productions
According to the article, Professor Xavier Calmet of the University of Sussex and his colleagues say they have shown that the constituents of the collapsing star leave an imprint in the black hole’s gravitational field, called “quantum hair.” This Quantum Hair Theorem unites the big i.e. Einstein’s cosmic-sized general relativity theory, and the quantum-sized Quantum Theory, representing a first small step for humankind to the ever-illusive Unified Field Theory of Everything.
But does it matter? I say an emphatic, “YES!” Check out my recent Amazon genre bestseller, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor to see just how important a Unified Field Theory can be. THE EDGE OF MADNESS sets the stage for my next work, tentatively entitled, “Prophecy,” in which the tenets of a Unified Field Theory begin to “explain” the greatest mysteries of life: birth, psychoses, death and the afterlife, all part of the Superstring and Multiverse Theories.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859
THE EDGE OF MADNESS is available in printed, digital and audiobook versions, and has been purchased by K. Simmons Productions for manga, animation and cinematic treatment by K. Simmons Productions
March 16, 2022
THERE NO PARTY LIKE ANOTHER DAY OF LIFE
IN this particularly challenging world of seemingly constant war and rumors of war, pandemics coming and going and coming again, financial instability and distrust, there’s simply no party like another day of life. Partying, like “enjoying oneself at a…lively gathering, typically with drinking and music…and entertainment;” definitely NOT “a formally constituted political group, typically operating on a national basis, that contests elections and attempts to form or take part in a government.” Our 12 hour plus, “COVID-free bubble” Gala Party shoot for the Kurt Ken Kaminaka Production of “The Perfect Illusion” — https://janik.yolasite.com/actor.php was just what the doctor ordered! And I should know, as I’ll be playing Dr. Stevenson later this week in “The Hospital Scene.”
More important, however, is that every new day is a kind of party — a celebration — of the all-to-short lives we mortals are granted, and every one of those new days deserves to be celebrated. Me, I’m lucky enough to have a loving partner, Setsuko Tsuchiya, actress/author/dancer/academician to my own actor/author/dancer/academicianess. Every day I awaken and see her beside me, I rejoice over my good fortune. That’s not to say that every day is a blissful, yes, party, but it is greatly welcomed and appreciated, irrespective of how the day goes.
Remembering and celebrating our mortality is something that I believe is very important to “find one’s place in life” and thoroughly enjoying the journey. Follow me, if you like, at https://janik.yolasite.com and/or Setsuko at https://setsukotsuchiya.com. We’d like sharing our lives with you, and getting to know you better.
Shane, Dan, Kenny and Setsuko at Murphy’s Bar (from STATIC Behind-The-Scenes)
More important, however, is that every new day is a kind of party — a celebration — of the all-to-short lives we mortals are granted, and every one of those new days deserves to be celebrated. Me, I’m lucky enough to have a loving partner, Setsuko Tsuchiya, actress/author/dancer/academician to my own actor/author/dancer/academicianess. Every day I awaken and see her beside me, I rejoice over my good fortune. That’s not to say that every day is a blissful, yes, party, but it is greatly welcomed and appreciated, irrespective of how the day goes.
Remembering and celebrating our mortality is something that I believe is very important to “find one’s place in life” and thoroughly enjoying the journey. Follow me, if you like, at https://janik.yolasite.com and/or Setsuko at https://setsukotsuchiya.com. We’d like sharing our lives with you, and getting to know you better.
Shane, Dan, Kenny and Setsuko at Murphy’s Bar (from STATIC Behind-The-Scenes)
March 15, 2022
OUR FIRST PARTY IN OVER TWO YEARS
WHAT’S not to write about it, given such an occasion! Actually it was a “Gala Party” scene in the upcoming Kurt Ken Kaminaka Production of “The Perfect Illusion.” And it was, indeed, a Gala Party, replete with aerialist, magician, stilt walker, band and some of the wildest party-goers I’ve ever seen. AND, it’s the first party Setsuko and I have had the pleasure of attending after over two years in deference to COVID. Even if it was a film scene.
There aren’t words for how much fun it was. I do so miss the social parties and dances that enlivened our world B.C. (before COVID). And, yes, I do realize the possibility of having to go back into social “lock down,” should another version of the disease sweep the world. But, ah, it was, for one particularly wonderful moment, SO MUCH FUN!
I have yet to finish my final part in the film as the vacillating Dr. Stevenson, scheduled for filming later this week; join me at https://janik.yolasite.com/actor.php for the latest behind-the-scenes involving Setsuko and me, or at https://www.totck.com/the-perfect-ill... for the full scoop. But, again, it was SO much fun “at the party” in our own protective bubble, experiencing not just a party but the Gala Party of all parties. Why not take a moment and join Setsuko, me and tens of others in the behind-the-scenes video below —
Video Montage: https://youtu.be/8jOQQ4RaOvg
There aren’t words for how much fun it was. I do so miss the social parties and dances that enlivened our world B.C. (before COVID). And, yes, I do realize the possibility of having to go back into social “lock down,” should another version of the disease sweep the world. But, ah, it was, for one particularly wonderful moment, SO MUCH FUN!
I have yet to finish my final part in the film as the vacillating Dr. Stevenson, scheduled for filming later this week; join me at https://janik.yolasite.com/actor.php for the latest behind-the-scenes involving Setsuko and me, or at https://www.totck.com/the-perfect-ill... for the full scoop. But, again, it was SO much fun “at the party” in our own protective bubble, experiencing not just a party but the Gala Party of all parties. Why not take a moment and join Setsuko, me and tens of others in the behind-the-scenes video below —
Video Montage: https://youtu.be/8jOQQ4RaOvg
March 13, 2022
LAUGHING
IN times like these, when people, animals, plants and Mother Earth are falling subject to war as in the Ukraine, I often feel overwhelmed and depressed: overwhelmed by the thought that there are people in this world actually willing to do violence to others; depressed (or, repressed, if you prefer) trying to keep the crushing feeling of disgust and helplessness at being aware of what’s being done to others from destroying the joy we are meant to experience in living. While it may sound antithetic, in times like these, I try to remember to laugh. Not at others’ pain and misery, or at the outrageous behavior of the perpetrators. No, I try to take a moment, every so often, to laugh at my own humanity. We’re supposed to be the stewards of the earth. Ha! We’re supposed to do onto others as we would have done to us. Ha! We’re supposed to the epitome of creation. Ha! We’re supposed to be the conscious, empathic, intelligent, reasonable apex of all the species. Ha! And we’re supposed to have the unique ability to laugh at ourselves and our foibles. Ha!
Wikipedia, mentions that “Aristotle defined comedy as an imitation of men worse than the average (where tragedy was an imitation of men better than the average). However, the characters portrayed in comedies were not worse than average in every way, only insofar as they are ridiculous, which is a species of the ugly.” Can one find laughter in tragedy? I’m not talking here about finding joy in another’s pain. I’m talking about seeing ourselves as what we are: weak, often pathetically over-filled with hubris. Sometimes, I think, laughing is the best thing one can do in the worst of times, if for no other reason, to remind one of being human.
I was once asked, as a writer, what I thought violence was, since it’s a common, almost ubiquitous topic in literature. Violence involves personal violation, meaning doing something not desired or wanted by the recipient. When using fear or intimidation, it’s called “assault” and is a felony; if it involves any form of unwanted touch, it’s called “battery” and is also a felony. Surprisingly or not so much so, assault is generally considered equally damaging as outright battery!
The “big problem,” in my mind, is what to do once violence occurs, both in terms of the perpetrator and victim. For the perpetrator, it resets the bar of what is acceptable or can be gotten away with, adding to a seemingly unstoppable circle of violence. For the victim, it also resets the bar, breaking innocence and trust, which are difficult, if even possible to regain, adding to the same seemingly unstoppable circle of violence. Sadly, there is no sufficient compensatory “restitution” for violence, and retribution or revenge, being basically an act of violence, further feeds the circle of violence. War, once experienced, is a learned lesson: If one survives, and things in life go bad, relying on violence and “fate” once again as the “ultimate” arbitrator is another of the many false lessons resulting.
It’s said that primates are singularly motivated towards, well know the results of and typically accept no responsibility for violence, violation and victimization, be it of an individual, animal, plant or Mother Earth. Thank God(dess), after all I’ve seen during my own lifetime, I am still able to laugh at human hubris, both others’ and mine.
Wikipedia, mentions that “Aristotle defined comedy as an imitation of men worse than the average (where tragedy was an imitation of men better than the average). However, the characters portrayed in comedies were not worse than average in every way, only insofar as they are ridiculous, which is a species of the ugly.” Can one find laughter in tragedy? I’m not talking here about finding joy in another’s pain. I’m talking about seeing ourselves as what we are: weak, often pathetically over-filled with hubris. Sometimes, I think, laughing is the best thing one can do in the worst of times, if for no other reason, to remind one of being human.
I was once asked, as a writer, what I thought violence was, since it’s a common, almost ubiquitous topic in literature. Violence involves personal violation, meaning doing something not desired or wanted by the recipient. When using fear or intimidation, it’s called “assault” and is a felony; if it involves any form of unwanted touch, it’s called “battery” and is also a felony. Surprisingly or not so much so, assault is generally considered equally damaging as outright battery!
The “big problem,” in my mind, is what to do once violence occurs, both in terms of the perpetrator and victim. For the perpetrator, it resets the bar of what is acceptable or can be gotten away with, adding to a seemingly unstoppable circle of violence. For the victim, it also resets the bar, breaking innocence and trust, which are difficult, if even possible to regain, adding to the same seemingly unstoppable circle of violence. Sadly, there is no sufficient compensatory “restitution” for violence, and retribution or revenge, being basically an act of violence, further feeds the circle of violence. War, once experienced, is a learned lesson: If one survives, and things in life go bad, relying on violence and “fate” once again as the “ultimate” arbitrator is another of the many false lessons resulting.
It’s said that primates are singularly motivated towards, well know the results of and typically accept no responsibility for violence, violation and victimization, be it of an individual, animal, plant or Mother Earth. Thank God(dess), after all I’ve seen during my own lifetime, I am still able to laugh at human hubris, both others’ and mine.
March 12, 2022
DANCE, DANCE, DANCE!
MY dance partner, Setsuko Tsuchiya, and I will be off all day tomorrow dancing in the filming the “Gala Party” dance scene for Kurt Ken Kaminaka’s (KKK) production of “The Perfect Illusion” — https://www.totck.com/tpi-actors-crew. An “all day” shooting, we’re looking forward to doing a lot of wild dancing in what we surmise will be a scene not unlike that of the dance scene in KKK’s production of “Tales of the Circle Keys” — https://youtu.be/aI5e7m3n_Nw?t=38.
Competitive International Ballroom and Latin American dancers for over 20 years, Setsuko and I have had the pleasure of studying under some of the best of the best, our primary coach over the years being North American and World Finalist 10-Dance Champion and International adjudicator, Mr. Albert Franz — see our dance webpage at https://janik.yolasite.com/dancer.php.
Dancing, acting and authoring are the catchwords for both of our lives. Setsuko Tsuchiya played “Edna” and I played “Will Gardner” in the K. Simmons Production of “Static” (2021) — https://kspllc.media/the-static-movie. Setsuko is the author of “In Search of Somatic Therapy” (Savant 2017) -- https://www.amazon.com/dp/0997247231 -- and Daniel S. Janik’s newest book is “The Edge of Madness” (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor (Dan’s thriller pen name) — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859.
Watch for the release of “The Perfect Illusion” and enjoy dancing with Dan and Setsuko!
Competitive International Ballroom and Latin American dancers for over 20 years, Setsuko and I have had the pleasure of studying under some of the best of the best, our primary coach over the years being North American and World Finalist 10-Dance Champion and International adjudicator, Mr. Albert Franz — see our dance webpage at https://janik.yolasite.com/dancer.php.
Dancing, acting and authoring are the catchwords for both of our lives. Setsuko Tsuchiya played “Edna” and I played “Will Gardner” in the K. Simmons Production of “Static” (2021) — https://kspllc.media/the-static-movie. Setsuko is the author of “In Search of Somatic Therapy” (Savant 2017) -- https://www.amazon.com/dp/0997247231 -- and Daniel S. Janik’s newest book is “The Edge of Madness” (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor (Dan’s thriller pen name) — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859.
Watch for the release of “The Perfect Illusion” and enjoy dancing with Dan and Setsuko!
March 10, 2022
RUST
IN yesterday’s post, I delved into trust, the thing, I claim, makes a business work. Today, I’d like to touch on the opposite in business of trust: namely, what I call “rust.”
Rust is defined by Oxford Lexico as “1 A reddish- or yellowish-brown flaky coating…” “1.1 A state of deterioration or disrepair resulting from neglect or lack of use” and “2 a…[state of] disease,” the latter typically in reference to plants. In summary, I would say, a “coating” (“desert varnish” or dark patina) that appears when there is little activity over a long period of time. Think COVID and business. Future-think war and non-military business. Add “disrepair” and “neglect” and “lack of use” and you have what could be called business “dis-ease.” Rust.
The easiest solution: Remove barriers that have accumulated over time, and repair the business (mostly online these days), getting it presented back before potentially interested consumers. The end result to to turn “dis-ease” back into a comfortable place. Most of us can’t control COVID (other than continuing to take preventive measure to protect customers and susceptible individuals) or war (other than to be vigilant, exercise critical thinking and respond rationally at the local level), but we can control our actions, and ethically positive, cooperative action can go a long way to reversing business rust.
Another approach is to get rid of any brain rust (call it brain fog if you prefer the contemporary), and one way to do that is to get your hands on a good book. May I suggest the Amazon genre bestseller, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by your’s truly, Raymond Gaynor, — https://savant-bookstore-honolulu.squ... — “taking up where TOTAL MELTDOWN (Borgo/Wildside 2009) by Raymond Gaynor and William Maltese left off…NewAmerica, a shadow of its former United States of America, provides a challenging and dangerous future place for three young firebrands to live [and de-rust].” Available now in printed, digital and audiobook format from
The Edge of Madness
Video Book Preview at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je6CC...
Rust is defined by Oxford Lexico as “1 A reddish- or yellowish-brown flaky coating…” “1.1 A state of deterioration or disrepair resulting from neglect or lack of use” and “2 a…[state of] disease,” the latter typically in reference to plants. In summary, I would say, a “coating” (“desert varnish” or dark patina) that appears when there is little activity over a long period of time. Think COVID and business. Future-think war and non-military business. Add “disrepair” and “neglect” and “lack of use” and you have what could be called business “dis-ease.” Rust.
The easiest solution: Remove barriers that have accumulated over time, and repair the business (mostly online these days), getting it presented back before potentially interested consumers. The end result to to turn “dis-ease” back into a comfortable place. Most of us can’t control COVID (other than continuing to take preventive measure to protect customers and susceptible individuals) or war (other than to be vigilant, exercise critical thinking and respond rationally at the local level), but we can control our actions, and ethically positive, cooperative action can go a long way to reversing business rust.
Another approach is to get rid of any brain rust (call it brain fog if you prefer the contemporary), and one way to do that is to get your hands on a good book. May I suggest the Amazon genre bestseller, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by your’s truly, Raymond Gaynor, — https://savant-bookstore-honolulu.squ... — “taking up where TOTAL MELTDOWN (Borgo/Wildside 2009) by Raymond Gaynor and William Maltese left off…NewAmerica, a shadow of its former United States of America, provides a challenging and dangerous future place for three young firebrands to live [and de-rust].” Available now in printed, digital and audiobook format from
The Edge of Madness
Video Book Preview at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je6CC...
March 9, 2022
TRUST
WHAT is it that “makes the world go round?” Money? Power? Business contracts? America’s legal systems? Law enforcers? Bravado? I’ve come to realize over the years that it’s really none of these. It’s all about trust. Without trust, none of the above apply.
According to merriam-webster.com, trust is “firm belief in the character, strength, or truth of someone or something,” the actionable word being “firm” which, according to the same source, means “securely or solidly fixed in place; not subject to change or revision.” Trust is based on the firmness, and, I might add, veracity of one’s words. Trust without veracity or truth is called “hope” at best, and quite possibly suggests one might be a victim of a “con” at work. What is a “con” or “confidence man [more correctly, person]?” Again, according to the same source, “a person who tricks other people in order to get their money” to which I would add, their belief, vote, support or power. If it all sounds sort of tricky, it is. Insert false representation or untruth, and it can quickly become a morass of futile hopelessness. Think “Putin’s War” and the importance of propaganda. Oh, yes, propaganda, according to the same source, is “ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one’s cause or to damage an opposing cause.” Of these, ideas, allegations and rumors, which can’t be easily traced, are perhaps the most damaging.
The “solution” is that, first, trust must be earned, and constantly re-earned over time. Mistakes always happen when humans or human-based artificial intelligence is concerned. Mistakes, errors or misrepresentations (propaganda) when they begin appearing, should constitute “red flags,” requiring that trust be doubted, and in doubting, rejected until fully re-earned or discarded. What to do in the interim? Get everything signed, dated and in writing, a clumsy but essential process, which frequently simply through the onerousness of its application, “flushes out the truth.” Because, a key attribute of a con is that, once deployed, it should be “easy” to maintain. “Getting it in writing” isn’t easy to maintain.
If such things as protected rainforests, clean rivers and oceans, international cooperation, humanism, and respect for all living things is rare, and where present are difficult to maintain, trust is infinitely rarer and more difficult, yet it is, in my opinion, not only the engine but the essential lubricant that “makes the world go round.”
In the Amazon genre bestseller, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor, I delve into the importance of trust when the protagonists must interact with the mysterious “enforcers.” Are they mechanisms of trust-building? Good? Bad? Indifferent? Or are they simply a plausible outcome of everything today in the way we deal with trust and truth?
The Edge of Madness
THE EDGE OF MADNESS is available in printed, digital and audiobook formats and has been purchased for manga, animation and cinematic treatment by K. Simmons Productions.
According to merriam-webster.com, trust is “firm belief in the character, strength, or truth of someone or something,” the actionable word being “firm” which, according to the same source, means “securely or solidly fixed in place; not subject to change or revision.” Trust is based on the firmness, and, I might add, veracity of one’s words. Trust without veracity or truth is called “hope” at best, and quite possibly suggests one might be a victim of a “con” at work. What is a “con” or “confidence man [more correctly, person]?” Again, according to the same source, “a person who tricks other people in order to get their money” to which I would add, their belief, vote, support or power. If it all sounds sort of tricky, it is. Insert false representation or untruth, and it can quickly become a morass of futile hopelessness. Think “Putin’s War” and the importance of propaganda. Oh, yes, propaganda, according to the same source, is “ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one’s cause or to damage an opposing cause.” Of these, ideas, allegations and rumors, which can’t be easily traced, are perhaps the most damaging.
The “solution” is that, first, trust must be earned, and constantly re-earned over time. Mistakes always happen when humans or human-based artificial intelligence is concerned. Mistakes, errors or misrepresentations (propaganda) when they begin appearing, should constitute “red flags,” requiring that trust be doubted, and in doubting, rejected until fully re-earned or discarded. What to do in the interim? Get everything signed, dated and in writing, a clumsy but essential process, which frequently simply through the onerousness of its application, “flushes out the truth.” Because, a key attribute of a con is that, once deployed, it should be “easy” to maintain. “Getting it in writing” isn’t easy to maintain.
If such things as protected rainforests, clean rivers and oceans, international cooperation, humanism, and respect for all living things is rare, and where present are difficult to maintain, trust is infinitely rarer and more difficult, yet it is, in my opinion, not only the engine but the essential lubricant that “makes the world go round.”
In the Amazon genre bestseller, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor, I delve into the importance of trust when the protagonists must interact with the mysterious “enforcers.” Are they mechanisms of trust-building? Good? Bad? Indifferent? Or are they simply a plausible outcome of everything today in the way we deal with trust and truth?
The Edge of Madness
THE EDGE OF MADNESS is available in printed, digital and audiobook formats and has been purchased for manga, animation and cinematic treatment by K. Simmons Productions.
March 8, 2022
LUCID DREAMING
Dreaming is something with which almost everyone is familiar. According to Medical News Today (https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/arti...) dreaming is, to name just a few ideas, is (a) where the brain consolidates present learning and past memories; (b) how the mind prepares for possible future threats; (c) a way to reflect and process unconscious mental function; and (d) a psychological space where overwhelming, contradictory, or highly complex notions can be brought back into psychological balance and equilibrium where they would be unsettling while awake.
There are several dream states or levels. Dreaming is historically said to occur only during rapid-eye-movement (REM) stage sleep; however, some current studies suggest otherwise. More interesting, dreams take on different general characteristics based on the sleep stage in which they occur. For example, the above Medical News Today article relates that “when people awaken during REM sleep, they often describe bizarre and illogical tales…Forty-eight percent of [dream] characters represented a named person known to the dreamer, while thirty-five percent of characters were identified by their social role (for example, policeman) or relationship to dreamer (such as a friend).” Dreams appear to allow people to process memories by their incorporation into dreams.
Dreams can be obscure or veiled, normative, vivid and/or lucid. The majority of people probably dream vividly in their immersion language and in color; some seem to predicate a future event. Most interesting, however, is probably lucid dreaming, in which the dreamer becomes aware that he or she is dreaming; sometimes the dreamer can control or learn to control the dream’s storyline and environment. Some have characterized the dream state when sleeping or dozing, as between consciousness and unconsciousness, higher and lower life functions, or even reality and the spiritual.
In my forthcoming book, tentatively entitled “Prophecy,” I explore the power of dreams, their prophetic and spiritual elements. “Prophecy” will be the third in a series beginning with TOTAL MELTDOWN (Borgo/Wildside 2009) by Raymond Gaynor and William Maltese, currently ending with THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Savant 2020) by Raymond Gaynor. Look for more information on “Prophecy” on my author webpage at https://janik.yolasite.com/author.php. And while you’re at it, check out QUANTUM DEATH (Savant 2016) by Raymond Gaynor and A. G. Hayes!
There are several dream states or levels. Dreaming is historically said to occur only during rapid-eye-movement (REM) stage sleep; however, some current studies suggest otherwise. More interesting, dreams take on different general characteristics based on the sleep stage in which they occur. For example, the above Medical News Today article relates that “when people awaken during REM sleep, they often describe bizarre and illogical tales…Forty-eight percent of [dream] characters represented a named person known to the dreamer, while thirty-five percent of characters were identified by their social role (for example, policeman) or relationship to dreamer (such as a friend).” Dreams appear to allow people to process memories by their incorporation into dreams.
Dreams can be obscure or veiled, normative, vivid and/or lucid. The majority of people probably dream vividly in their immersion language and in color; some seem to predicate a future event. Most interesting, however, is probably lucid dreaming, in which the dreamer becomes aware that he or she is dreaming; sometimes the dreamer can control or learn to control the dream’s storyline and environment. Some have characterized the dream state when sleeping or dozing, as between consciousness and unconsciousness, higher and lower life functions, or even reality and the spiritual.
In my forthcoming book, tentatively entitled “Prophecy,” I explore the power of dreams, their prophetic and spiritual elements. “Prophecy” will be the third in a series beginning with TOTAL MELTDOWN (Borgo/Wildside 2009) by Raymond Gaynor and William Maltese, currently ending with THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Savant 2020) by Raymond Gaynor. Look for more information on “Prophecy” on my author webpage at https://janik.yolasite.com/author.php. And while you’re at it, check out QUANTUM DEATH (Savant 2016) by Raymond Gaynor and A. G. Hayes!
March 7, 2022
THE MALTESE COLLECTION
I’M pleased to announce that posters have just been issued for the K. Simmons Production of THE MALTESE COLLECTION, a film reprise to the extraordinary author, William Maltese, and his many inspirations, achievements, and lifelong support of M/M romance, erotica, LGBTQ authors and readers. They should be appearing on K. Simmons Productions website at https://kspllc.media/maltese-collection. In the meantime, you can view them on my website at https://janik.yolasite.com/actor.php.
Currently in post-production, THE MALTESE COLLECTION is a film I feel so strongly about that my partner and I have been privileged to serve as co-Executive Producers. The world today desperately needs something other than war and strife, and it’s my hope that this production will provide just that. Having co-authored TOTAL MELTDOWN (Borgo/Wildside 2009) with William Maltese, I can say from experience that William is an author more than deserving of a bio-documentary for his pioneering work during the difficult 1960’s.
I like to think of the TOTAL MELTDOWN sequel, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor (one of my author pen-names), as a further tribute to an author who has been a colleague, friend and mentor over the years. It is to William, I plan to dedicate the third book, tentatively entitled “Prophecy,” in what will elevate the works to a series.
Currently in post-production, THE MALTESE COLLECTION is a film I feel so strongly about that my partner and I have been privileged to serve as co-Executive Producers. The world today desperately needs something other than war and strife, and it’s my hope that this production will provide just that. Having co-authored TOTAL MELTDOWN (Borgo/Wildside 2009) with William Maltese, I can say from experience that William is an author more than deserving of a bio-documentary for his pioneering work during the difficult 1960’s.
I like to think of the TOTAL MELTDOWN sequel, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor (one of my author pen-names), as a further tribute to an author who has been a colleague, friend and mentor over the years. It is to William, I plan to dedicate the third book, tentatively entitled “Prophecy,” in what will elevate the works to a series.
