Raymond Gaynor's Blog, page 21

...AND I’VE HEARD ENOUGH ABOUT BUSINESS!

YEP! Yesterday’s rant about airlines, applies equally to trains, buses, events, grocery stores, churches, tourism, hotels…all those businesses that depend on “crowd sales” and haven’t yet begun to make the move to “individual service.” Can’t say I feel sorry for businesses that can’t make the transition. Savant Books and Publications made the transition 12 years ago, before the pandemic’s “shot across the bow.” I keep wondering how many recurrences are necessary for business to “get smart.” One advantage to the transition is preparing American business for space.

Laugh, if you like, but the day has already come when America, a nation of free traders, is now surrounded by “unfriendly” nations that can easily manipulate the national cost of doing business, while attempting to advertise and impress their socio-political system on others. Nations in Europe once faced a similar situation and began exploring the “New World.” I believe the USA is on the cusp of just that, and our one hope for the future is to (1) control and maintain our “space lanes of communication and trade,” (2) establish colonies in space and on other planets so that people will want to trade with us; and (3) maintain our “free trade” attitude.

DON’T LAUGH, if you get what I’m saying, or get hold of a copy of my latest Amazon genre bestseller, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor –now 10% off Suggested Retail Price at https://savant-bookstore-honolulu.squ... — in which I describe just such a “new world” and what living in it might be like.

Don’t be afraid or hesitate. Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat (fortune favors the brave and bold). Savant Books and Publications and K. Simmons Productions didn’t hesitate: THE EDGE OF MADNESS is available in printed, digital and audiobook format, and has been purchased for manga, animation and cinematic treatment.

Video Preview at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je6CC...

I’VE HEARD ENOUGH ABOUT FLYING…

REALLY! I’ve heard enough whining from the airlines about how now that the pandemic is almost over, we need to resign ourselves to tolerating those cramped, crowded conditions that make flying an undesirable necessity. The singular value of the pandemic, in my opinion, was that it was the proverbial shot-across-the-bow about the failure of “crowd sales” and the necessity of developing “individual service.” Too expensive? Ha! I’ve heard that one before. Everything’s “too expensive” to support a top heavy administration that ignores technology and replaces valuing offering humans pleasure with the worship of money, money, money and power, power, power. I’m tired of hearing excuses. I looking for an airline that can “get it” and make flying something I’ll look forward to rather than have to steel against.

Clouds, birds and leaves do it, and it doesn’t cost them a fortune. This is a field, I believe, wide open for technological-humanistic redevelopment. I look to when an airlines company steps invites me to ENJOY a flight again, while respecting my safety, health, dignity and humanity. A second approach, of course, is characterized by Meta, using sensory-interactive holographic projection, for example, in the “classroom of the future” in my Amazon genre bestseller, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor. This work is available in printed, digital and audiobook formats from Amazon at

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859

THE EDGE OF MADNESS has been purchased for manga, animation and cinematic treatments by K. Simmons Productions.

THE EDGE OF MADNESS AUDIOBOOK

I’M pleased to announce the audiobook version of THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor, read by the incomparable Peter Pollock is now available in addition to printed and digital editions from Amazon.com at https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859. I love listening to a good book (and THE EDGE OF MADNESS is a VERY good book) as an alternative to an evening movie, when in the bathtub and when driving long distance. And, I can say from experience that it’s THE perfect San Fran to Las Vegas and back audiobook.

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THE EDGE OF MADNESS by Raymond Gaynor has been purchased by K. Simmons Productions for manga, animation and/or cinematic treatment.

THE ALREADY “REVISED” WORLD OF 2022

I generally avoid making predictions outside my soon to be completed work, “Prophecy,” the sequel to THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor — https://savant-bookstore-honolulu.squ... however, given it’s still early January, I do feel compelled to comment on upcoming 2022. Last year saw the resurrection and meteoric rise of an old anti-ethic, namely the “normalization” of misinformation, be it in government, business or society. Both the economic and human-control results of carefully constructed misinformation are well recognized in the world’s political, criminal, military, and advertising arenas. Money, power and control seem to be the newly resurrected “gods” of numerous new religions, promising such in an increasingly chaotic world.

One of the great challenges of an already misinformation-plagued world, is to sort out where the “baseline” of truth in any issue exists. In fact, this seemingly veiled place was long recognized by the Greeks as witnessed by their description of the “logical fallacies,” of which pathos, ethos, keiros and numos remain present. “Baseline” truth, expressed as the absence of logical fallacies, namely logos, however doesn’t guarantee absolute truth, only “the potential for truth value,” that is, a place to begin applying rational, critical thinking. Democracies, irregardless of form, depend on truthfulness in order for citizens to cast an informed “vote.” Capitalism (as distinguished from “free trade”), is often presented as an integral part of democratic systems, not uncommonly incorporating “spun” advertising or reporting to maximize success financially or with behavioral control. That it is NOT an intrinsic part of a democracy is, in my opinion, apparent in its highly successful application in non-democratic countries.

That 2022 begins its unfolding upon a highly and deliberately misinformed baseline is what prompts the “revised” world epitaph above. No matter how much effort is put into truthful informing, if it rests on a foundation of mis-information, it can not return any more than adults can fully return to a state of childhood innocence. What can be taken away from the coming year is the knowledge and wisdom that can result from being aware of this false baseline and courageous enough to challenge its assumptions and underpinnings. Can it be done? I believe so, given the judicious application of critical thinking, meaning seeking out, identifying and eliminating the “logical fallacies” from what we currently hold to be “true,” in or order to make informed democratic decisions. It’s all so easy, really, isn’t it — not?

THE EDGE OF MADNESS available in printed, digital and audiobook formats from https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859

BOOKS: A LONG AND WINDING ROAD?

HAVING been a traditional book publisher for almost 15 years, I’m often asked about the future of books. Are books, like vinyl records destined to be come collectable antiques, or are they momentarily paused awaiting resurrection as national infrastructures like the energy, electricity, transportation, business, shipping, the internet, each succumb to increasing criminal attack. My opin, unfortunately, is neither black nor white, nor that simple.

I’ve been acutely aware the past ten years that many of the traditional businesses upon which book publishers depend like printing, shipping, publicity/advertising, marketing and distribution to retailers, have suffered greatly and show little sign of reversing. We at Savant Books and Publications began looking ten years ago for a new approach that wouldn’t suffer collectively from failing book-publishing support businesses. The answer was supposed to be eBooks; however, our experience is that eBooks, while a publisher/printer’s “answer,” are not most readers’ “answer.” In fact, to this day, our printed books outsell digital versions more than two-to-one. This despite declining national readership.

Our answer has been to change our fundamental focus from book publishing to communication. Two years ago, we began working with K. Simmons Productions, an independent, Hawaii-wood based film producer to explore whether it was possible to create a streamlined process to move a manuscript into printed, digital, audiobook, manga, animation and cinematic forms while producing the highest quality. The “test” was taking a screenplay by one of our authors and successfully releasing it as a movie, “STATIC.” That success was followed by numerous projects including “THE WILLIAM MALTESE COLLECTION,” currently in post-production, and “FINDING KATE,” currently in pre-production. It was at this point that K. Simmons Productions acquired Savant Books and Publications including over 120 books of “content” including several new genre “screenplay novels.”

So what is the future of book publishing? Think Meta and it’s push to create and provide virtual reality experiences in addition to books and movies. Think THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos) by Raymond Gaynor — https://savant-bookstore-honolulu.squ... — and interactive holographic gatherings with people, including school children, participating from the safety of their homes. That’s where I believe book publishing is headed. A place where content is constantly being presented in “virtual,” interactive holographic reality, where participants are immersed through their senses in the storyline, fictitious or not. It is, I believe, an ambitious but inevitable long and winding road leading to a new communication format that can be used to support our failing infrastructures and provide new, more immersive experiences for people.

Video Book Preview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je6CC...

A ROOM WITH A STRATOSPHERIC VIEW

K. Simmons Productions Acquires Savant Books and Publications: Hawaii-independent film production company K. Simmons Productions announces the successful acquisition of Hawaii independent book publishing company Savant Books and Publications
By: Savant Books and Publications

HONOLULU – Jan. 9, 2022 – PRLog — On 1 January 2022, K. Simmons Productions added 120+ outstanding published titles to its current content library. “Why purchase Savant Books and Publications?” asks Kenny Simmons, owner of K. Simmons Productions. “It’s simple: Savant Books and Publications is a solid book publishing company without debt and came with a certificate of appraisal by Kamen and Company of New York. We now possess an ongoing source of outstanding movie content. “

In 2019, K. Simmons Productions and Savant Books and Publications began working together to produce a made-for-television special, “Static” currently in distribution; a documentary, “The William Maltese Collection” currently in post production; and a feature-length movie, “Finding Kate,” currently in preproduction.

“It’s been a dream of mine to have a media project in pre production, production, post production and distribution at all times. With the acquisition of Savant Books and Publications, we’re one step closer to that dream,” says Mr. Simmons, “to be a multimedia content provider for investors, executive producers, producers, directors, writers, actors, and students. It makes sense, especially since the movie industry is focusing more and more on franchisable projects. Having the ability to turn a novel into manga, animation, a TV special or series, a live action movie and vise versa gives us a strong competitive edge. On the other hand, with rights to an ever increasing number of authored works, we have enough content to turn competitors into partners.”

Of special interest is the acquisition of Savant’s imprint, Aignos Publishing, now solely dedicated to the acquisition and publishing of screenplays and a new book genre called “screenplay-novels,” vastly accelerating book to motion picture production”

K. Simmons Productions now includes 60+ outstanding writers; an Acquisitions Officer and Editor-in-Chief; a Director of Publicity and Marketing; a Director of Distribution; four online retail bookstores; Savant Distribution and Savant Media.

“Savant Books and Publications has taken the leap towards becoming an integral part of a full service, independent, multi-media communications company,” says Daniel S. Janik, former owner and publisher. “The ‘new’ K. Simmons Productions will move Hawaii another step forward into becoming a ‘Hawaii-wood’ powerhouse.”

“It’s not just about making movies or money,” reiterates Simmons. “It’s about creating opportunities and generating wealth. I’ve always wanted to provide opportunities to students to hone their skills through internship/externship programs in adaptive and creative writing. Programs like these are now finally within our grasp. K. Simmons Productions is already developing a private investment group for Individuals passionate about multimedia investment and philanthropy.”

For more information see http://kspllc.media or contact ksimmonsproductionsllc@gmail.com.

LOOKING FURTHER UP

YESTERDAY I posted about my passion for authoring and space; today I want to post about my passion for acting (Daniel S. Janik aka Raymond Gaynor of THE EDGE OF MADNESS — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859) and a new film I’ll be in, Artzone Tours production of “The Perfect Illusion.” I’m pleased to announce that I’ll be acting as the not quite so inscrutable, proper Dr.Stevenson, private physician to one of the central characters. Being a retired physician, the role wasn’t a difficult one, though the scrutably improper part was as challenging as playing Will Gardner, the curmudgeonous old man with Alzheimer’s Disease in the K. Simmons Production of “Static” (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15420946) available now on widescreen HD DVD from K. Simmons Productions (https://kspllc.media/the-static-movie) and now from all four Savant Online Bookstores (Atlantic, Midwest, Pacific and Hawaii at https://savant-bookstore-honolulu.squ...). Having acted side by side with Kurt Ken Kaminaka in “Static,” I’m more than excited to be under his and Lymari Graciano’s direction in the upcoming “The Perfect Illusion.”

“The Perfect Illusion” (https://www.totck.com/the-perfect-ill...) is a film by and starring Kurt K. Kaminaka in which a suicidal man finds a new reason to live after he stumbles upon a curio shop that transports him into the future. He soon finds himself risking his life, trying to save the woman of his dreams, but struggles as reality may not be as it appears.

Won’t you join me at the above URL in following the filming of this major Hawaii-wood production or on my personal website at https://janik.yolasite.com/actor.php.

"The Perfect Illusion" Pre-Trailer: https://vimeo.com/654045510

LOOKING UP

Earlier today, I had the pleasure of watching a Netflix film about William Shatner aka Captain Kirk of the Starship Enterprise, actually going briefly into space aboard Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin capsule. What struck me was the hindsight he shared with so many former astronauts, about his reaction to seeing the Earth as the fragile “blue marble” it is, traveling at breakneck speed through the dark cosmos. The response is typically so deeply emotional, it makes me think of a new form of spirituality and perhaps the birth of a new religion, though I hope it remains in the spiritual camp long before being monitized as a religion. Still…viewing the Earth from afar seems to encourage a paradigm shift in the way one views the world when afterwards standing two feet on dirt. If only we could all experience this and a new awakening.

In my printed, digital and audiobook, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor (aka actor, author, scientist, educator, former physician Daniel S. Janik) — https://savant-bookstore-honolulu.squ... — I really don’t touch on this; however, I would like to assure readers that it will be more than just touched on in the sequel, “Prophecy,” which I’m currently writing. You see, at one time while working as a research scientist on loan to NASA-Johnson Space Center and later NASA-Ames Research Center, I had the good fortune of flight-qualifying and then flying an experiment on the “Vomit Comet," experiencing relative weightlessness. Okay, yes, I did put in my application back then to be an astronaut, though the Challenger disaster ended that prospective line.

But back to enlightenment. If I could wish two educational requisites for every college student, it would be to (1) experience weightlessness on a microgravity flight; and (2) see the world from space through the windows of Blue Origin. I can’t think of anything that would prepare the next generation better for the challenges that lie ahead, be they in government, business, education, transportation, tourism, health, military, you name it. As the flight officer said to me during my own microgravity flight: "Just go for it!"

SENSUOUSITY

WHENEVER the world seems overwhelming, whenever life seems indifferent or I feel disconnected, I take a deep breath and focus on one of my senses, today’s focus being smell. I suddenly began remembering my many trips to Europe and the distinct variety of smells that the Old World presented. In my own contemporary world here in the USA, human, especially bodily smells are largely attenuated, sometimes to the point where people have no evident smell other than a sort of neutral sterility, and when they do have a smell, it’s typically artificial. That is, people no longer exhibit a “natural,” inherent smell; most who do issue a commercial scent, rather like T-shirts today, with their commercial logos or sayings. And, let’s face it, human scent, conscious or unconscious, can be a powerfully sensuous turn-on.

Scientific evidence for a largely unconscious “sex” pheromone receptor system in the noses of humans remains mixed. Some studies suggest that up to 25% or more of humans evidence some form of a vomeronasal (VNO) organ inside the nasal and/or oral cavities that is pheromone receptive. I’ve always held that the reason people kiss is to nasally sample the other’s pheromones, the cheeks being one of several major sites of human pheromone production. My opin. The same might be said of oral sampling, though production of human pheromones in saliva is not nearly as well documented.

What’s even more interesting to me is human consciousness surrounding pheromone sensation. In my Amazon genre bestseller, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859 — now available in printed, digital and audiobook format — the principal protagonist, Draff Rob Brie [Septican-Smite] is a male olfactory savant uber-conscious of typical as well as pheromonal “smells,” which forms part of the basis for the story. Does his “ability” represent a next step in human evolution, or is it a genetic oddity that by its mere existence adds a new and infinitely more complex element to relationships? In the end, whatever advantages or disadvantages it might impart within a world of increasing technological advances, it takes sensation and sensuosity to a new level. Interesting?

THE EDGE OF MADNESS has been purchased by K. Simmons Productions for manga, animation and/or cinematic treatment.

Video Preview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je6CC...

IN THE GNUS

I was asked the other day what “sign of the times” I believe is the most significant one so far in this decade. After pondering the usual unusuals, I have to say that it’s what’s happening “in the gnus” (ha, ha) or more correctly how we get the news. But first, a bit more levity: (1) “No gnus is good gnus” (I’ve already labeled that “fake gnus”); (2) “Read only what’s gnus-worthy” (hey, they don’t call them wildebeests for nothing); (3) “any day a call may come with gnus” (I really don’t need more gnus in my house); (4) “fake gnus abound because people are disinclined to verify” (well, nowadays, a quick jaunt to the Africa savannah isn’t easy or cheap); (5) “every day is a gnu day” (probably true for gnus); (6) “Live gnus can teach incredibly strong lessons” (I will accept this at face value, not wanting to get close enough to one to find out). Okay, enough of the cute (and surprisingly poignant puns) and on with the “real” topic: The change in how we receive the news is the most significant one so far in this decade.

We used to get the news about a week after an event of interest printed on reams of newsprint. Then, things went sideways to save trees, and we used to get the news alongside drama and comedy a few days late on the radio, excepting, of course, the fireside chats with FDR — President Roosevelt. Then we progressed from disembodied oral news to audio-video TV news typically reported within hours of an event of interest. Now I, for one, receive much if not most of my news digitally within minutes [sometimes streamed in “realtime” (verses “unreal-time”?)] of an event of possible interest basically skewed with hidden adverts and political spins. So, are things newsy getting “better?” Or is it that gossip and fiction can now spread at lightening speed to satisfy everyone’s need for stories and impulsively support sales and the economy? What’s “really real” is the more cogent question, of course. The Razor or Gayswer (from my author alter ego Raymond Gaynor) or Danswer (from my actor alter ego, Daniel S. Janik) is: I don’t have a clue what’s true anymore. My rat-gnus-news-nose is constantly itching and squiggling as if somethings amiss, but beyond that, it’s all so subtle that it eludes me, the whole news process being constantly repurposed by businesses (some of interest and others definitely not) being accomplished under the rubric of “advertising.” Or as Trump has so aptly labeled it, “fake news.” In summary, all in all, I find the transition from oral gossip and printed newspapers to digital cellular news perhaps THE most significant “sign of the times.” Is this process, if indeed it’s real, changing our perceptions of the world and events? Definitely so. How? Again, being a victim like you, I’ve not a clue, as it’s being so heavily repurposed to to sell, sell, sell.

Oh, and did I mention that the Amazon genre bestseller, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor is definitely “in the gnus?” I think one got hold of a copy and ate it. At least, that’s what I’m being told, so it probably must be so!

The Edge of Madness

THE EDGE OF MADNESS is available in printed, digital and audiobook formats and has been purchased by K. Simmons Productions for manga, animation and cinematic treatment. All the formats; all good gnus!