Raymond Gaynor's Blog, page 56

FIRST SUNDAY

OMG, a real, quiet, relaxing Sunday after a couple years of business on steroids followed by COVID-crises galore. I almost forgot how a little R&R actually felt, and, yes, it really, really, really feels good.

Doesn’t matter that my publisher, Savant | Aignos is preparing to host all October, a Children’s Books “Aloha Friday Deals,” featuring book, CD and lovable stuffed animal for A WHALE’S TALE (Savant 2009) by Daniel S. Janik, THE TURTLE DANCES (Savant 2013) also be Daniel S. Janik and TRUTH AND TELL TRAVEL THE SOLAR SYSTEM by Helen R. Davis on Hawaii-wide Salem Media radio – Kool Gold 107.9; Fish 99.5 FM; Country 97.5; Real Country 95.1; and The Word 99.5 FM.

I also doesn’t matter that Savant/Aignos begins its 25%-off Pre-Holiday Sale on all Savant/Aignos books, CDs and DVDs with free shipping within the USA, Alaska and Hawaii. Use “HOLIDAYSALE” discount code at checkout at any of Savant’s four online bookstores: Savant Bookstore Atlantic; Savant Bookstore Midwest; Savant Bookstore Pacific; and Savant Bookstore Honolulu. Good now through the second week in November 2020.

And if that’s not enough good news, how about this: Almost all Savant/Aignos Amazon Kindle eBooks are on sale for $2.99 each during the same period. No discount code needed. Just $2.99 an ebook!

I’m still feeling lighter, smarter, happier and more rested — ready to work on the sequel to THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor which I’m tentatively calling “Shadow.” And, yes, the link above includes 25% off Pre-Holiday Sale offer using “HOLIDAYSALE” discount code at checkout for a printed version. Or, if you prefer and eBook, pay only $2.99 for the eBook version from Amazon Kindle from now through the second week in November.

The Edge of Madness

COVID WARRIORS

I feel the need to take a moment and give thanks to what are increasingly the “COVID Warriors” maintaining our way of life during these difficult times.

First, my personal thanks to the physicians, nurses and allied health service individuals for keeping what is still one of the finest health care systems in the world (if you can afford it). The systems are failing, but those who provide the one-on-one services have never failed, even risking their lives and in some cases dying for our welfare. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Health care systems, please take note and fix your deeply flawed infrastructure!

Second, my personal thanks to Amazon (yes, Amazon) and Amazon’s amazonian work force for being there and consistently distributing all the day-to-day needs of a nation, faltering under the hammer Trumpean dis-integration. I hear profit is soaring, and that’s what should happen when a business is run such that it provides essential services to those in need.

Third, my personal thanks to the food producers especially those who toil in the fields day after day attending the plants upon which our lives and civilization depend, and without whom we could not survive a chronic epidemic (pandemic).

Fourth, my personal thanks to the media and the legions of investigative journalists it takes to constantly “fact check” our suddenly propaganda-prone government. A democracy can’t exist without the truth. Then it’s up to the citizens to decide their government and collective future.

Fifth, my blessings to the millions of citizens using their faculties of critical thinking every day to not be swayed by empty rhetoric, lies, emotional appeals, faulty ethics (especially the worship of money over everything else), populism, social media influencing, reliance on the “letter of the law” rather than its spirit and other logical fallacies. Keep going. These challenges are not over yet.

Sixth, my personal thanks to the military, it’s leadership and the millions of full-time and weekend warriors who have kept our nation protected during a most difficult time while refusing to interfere in civil matters. This is professionalism at its best!

Sadly, I feel I need to end this with a warning. Government, business, ethics, education, transportation, health care systems, environmental and consumer protection agencies need to face the fact that their infrastructures are woefully outdated and are crying out for critical re-analysis, updating or replacement if our government and way of life are to survive. These infrastructures will determine the resources which the next four years of political leadership will have to pull us out of the mire created by years of dis-information, dis-integration and a general dedication to money over humans, animals, plants and our planet. Don’t moan, cry or decry. Just do it!

Raymond Gaynor – Author of THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) The Edge of Madness; QUANTUM DEATH (Savant 2016) with A. G. Hayes Quantum Death; and TOTAL MELTDOWN (Borgo/Wildside 2009) with William Maltese Total Meltdown: A Tripler and Clarke Adventure.

WAR OF THE WORLDS

First, I’m sad to hear that our President (and his wife, many staff, senators and followers) has been infected with COVID-19. The real surprise, however, is how long it took, given their general thwarting of all preventive measures except the President’s own rather unique ones. Having said that, and, of course, wishing him and everyone else affected well, it does seem like the culmination of an H. G. Well’s-style War of the Worlds (or, if you’ll permit) at least a War of the Words, in either case where a tiny infectious agent brought things to a climax.

While all humans need to heed the law of the land, this past quattuor annos have seemed to me a war of words for the hearts of people rather than a presentation of laws, policies or even debates about real issues for their minds. In TOTAL MELTDOWN by Raymond Gaynor and William Maltese, the USA is challenged to not meltdown like the former USSR, though for different reasons, one reason being the lack thereof. Reason, I mean. Reason and logic, namely critical thinking, reading, speaking and writing. Instead, like my fictitious antagonist, President Brown, all the classic “appeals” that have no real “truth value” were resorted to: pathos (emotion), ethos (morality of the norm, in this case dictatorship and organized crime), keiros (“popularity”), and numos (the letter of the “law”). The result in President Brown’s case was abdication on election night. What the result will be this election, who knows?

Total Meltdown: A Tripler and Clarke Adventure

I believe democratic nations like USA are by nature contentious, but are better in the long run than dictatorships due to (1) promotion of a group consciousness, (2) compromise and (3) transitional stability. So could the USA be at THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor? I think so, and I think that peering boldly over the edge at a plausible, scientific-based future can be of particular help in preparing for the necessary next generation’s “fixes” to our outdated infrastructure, be it government administration, ethics, transportation, education, health care, social security, religion or business. “Seeing is believing,” and once people are conscious of a plausible future, they can take steps to direct their future in the direction they desire. Interesting? Pick up a printed or digital copy of my newly released SCI-FU (science-based futuring) novel:

The Edge of Madness

WAR OF THE WORLDS

First, I’m sad to hear that our President (and his wife, many staff, senators and followers) has been infected with COVID-19. The real surprise, however, is how long it took, given their general thwarting of all preventive measures except the President’s own rather unique ones. Having said that, and, of course, wishing him and everyone else affected well, it does seem like the culmination of an H. G. Well’s-style War of the Worlds (or, if you’ll permit) at least a War of the Words, in either case where a tiny infectious agent brought things to a climax.

While all humans need to heed the law of the land, this past quattuor annos have seemed to me a war of words for the hearts of people rather than a presentation of laws, policies or even debates about real issues for their minds. In TOTAL MELTDOWN by Raymond Gaynor and William Maltese, the USA is challenged to not meltdown like the former USSR, though for different reasons, one reason being the lack thereof. Reason, I mean. Reason and logic, namely critical thinking, reading, speaking and writing. Instead, like my fictitious antagonist, President Brown, all the classic “appeals” that have no real “truth value” were resorted to: pathos (emotion), ethos (morality of the norm, in this case dictatorship and organized crime), keiros (“popularity”), and numos (the letter of the “law”). The result in President Brown’s case was abdication on election night. What the result will be this election, who knows?

Total Meltdown: A Tripler and Clarke Adventure

I believe democratic nations like USA are by nature contentious, but are better in the long run than dictatorships due to (1) promotion of a group consciousness, (2) compromise and (3) transitional stability. So could the USA be at THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor? I think so, and I think that peering boldly over the edge at a plausible, scientific-based future can be of particular help in preparing for the necessary next generation’s “fixes” to our outdated infrastructure, be it government administration, ethics, transportation, education, health care, social security, religion or business. “Seeing is believing,” and once people are conscious of a plausible future, they can take steps to direct their future in the direction they desire. Interesting? Pick up a printed or digital copy of my newly released SCI-FU (science-based futuring) novel:

The Edge of Madness

ADOLESCENT CHOICES

It’s easy to imagine that COVID and post-COVID life for children, especially adolescents, might be exponentially more complex compared to pre-COVID times. I believe that will be the case; however, if one looks back in time, it may be surprising to discover that, for example, in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, it wasn’t unusual for children to assume adult responsibilities including marriage at 10 to 12 years of age. True, one’s lifespan back then was proportionately shorter, maybe 35 to 40 years for males and less for females due to the dangers of childbirth. So, while yes, I suspect it may seem as if mere children are being tasked with running our complex world at an ever tender age, it may, in fact, be a reflexive “returning to our roots” when society is stressed. And stressed it is.

Psychologically, I think I’m not out of line to say almost everyone today in our Trumpean, COVID world is chronically stressed, with all the expected accoutrements: fatigue; difficulty concentrating (or an inability to do so); rapid, disorganized thoughts; irritability (which can be extreme); impulsiveness; difficulty sleeping, digestive problems, changes in appetite, increased blood pressure (and its effects), increased diabetes (and its effects), decreased immune response and increased vulnerability to malnutrition, disease and infection.

So how do people, especially teens who see their childhood and innocence disappearing, cope? First, know the complications of chronic stress mentioned about; avoid stressful situations as much as possible and prepare for those that are unavoidable; meditate; deep breath when feeling stressed; set personal limits and stick to them; get at least 8 hours of sleep a night; avoid multi-tasking and complete one task at a time; enjoy pro-creation; socialize and exercise daily. That’s what the characters in my newest novel, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor (browser search “Raymond Gaynor The Edge of Madness”) do without thinking. The other thing they do is go congregate (interactive holographically) into small supportive groups, called “mobs.” It’s all about survival in a challenging and often dangerous world, waiting for you to discover:

The Edge of Madness

GRANDFATHER PARADOX PARTIALLY RESOLVED

You know the classic time-travel paradox popularized in “Back to the Future” where losing one’s ancestor results in one no longer existing in current time. Well, a resolution has been forthcoming, at least partially.

A 16 Dec 2019 article by reporter Sean Martin appearing in Express, time travel could be more feasible than previously thought as experts have established an answer to the many paradoxes associated with traveling into the past. For example, if M-Superstring Theory (“The Multiverse”) is true — and quantum mechanically it certainly appears so — changing the past would pinch off a new time line universe where the change would be played out, but the original unchanged time line in which the time traveler exists/existed would continue as already determined. Astrophysicist and dark matter expert Geraint Lewis at the University of Sydney: “What time travel means here is stepping between…histories—that’s even freakier. At some level it doesn’t even feel like time travel anymore, because what’s the point of going back and killing Hitler if the second world war still plays out in the universe you’re from?” So, not only would one need to time travel, but to experience the results of a change, one would have to choose to “move” oneself into one of an infinite number of alternate universes. How to choose when you don’t know each universe’s outcome?

Okay, that’s one theory. The premise for the above is based on the Butterfly Effect, suggesting that even the smallest change back in the timeline could have a huge effect on the current timeline. A newer theory espoused independently by physicist Germain Tobar of the University of Queensland believes, based on his calculations, that the space-time continuum would essentially correct itself to avoid any potential paradoxes. “What the calculations reveal is that timeline curves – bends in the timeline which were predicted by Einstein – would run close enough together that the Universe would be altered in such a way that it would be barely noticeable.” For me, the key phrase is “barely noticeable.” That means it would be noticeable, perhaps a momentary shimmer-shift with something, maybe that silver pen becoming plastic. Or the silver pen becoming phantom. Or the silver pen becoming a ticking neutron bomb. Or maybe just the silver pen becoming plastic, then phantom and finally a ticking neutron bomb. Whatever. “Barely noticeable” but not necessarily insignificant in terms of effect.

I prefer the idea that the universe attempts to “heal itself” (leaving a scar perhaps?) but that’s very anthropormorphic, and I doubt the universe is such. Better would be the idea that we humans, filled with hubris, are really a unique mistake in the otherwise “mostly” predetermined evolution. How about you?

The Edge of Madness

SOCIAL WORK

Social work used to mean work done by licensed, degreed social works. Nowadays it has been social-hijacked to mean anyone using their social media connections to provide a product or service(s) in the process advancing themselves. “Influencers” are a contemporary example, but social media providers like folks who work supporting Facebook or Twitter — to name just a few — assist with blogging, post multiplying, Wikipedia can be equally included. Many speak derogatorily of these providers as “parasites” (not unlike lawyers in our legal system), but I believe in the future, their roles will not only increase in number but in diversity and complexity.

For example, in THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor, one of the three protagonists is a “professional acronymeur.” In this science-based futuring, individuals with a flair for creating “catchy” acronyms are rewarded when their registered acronyms end up in common use. Each time the acronym appears on any of the speech-to-text transcripts associated with myriad public cameras, the professional acronymeur is paid a royalty for use.

While this may sound strange, even preposterous, it’s important to think like a government. First, these individuals are advancing our language of communication, and, like other instructors, should be paid for their work, but rather than salary, based on use. Second, business can closely watch the acronym lists and use them to focus advertising and marketing efforts so they appeal directly to individual consumers. Third, advance AI applications within all areas of government, military and civilian communication. It’s acronymeurs who are constantly concatenating ideas into shorter, clearer, more precise “higher-level” words, making “interpretation” ever more applicable and practical. It’s a bit like the use of “macros” in coding that make the programming and debugging simpler. In essence, it’s progression towards a human-computer hybrid language that attains common use.

Interesting? Meet Simi Andry Jan [Jan-Rho] female professional acroynmeur, delicate, petite, with long brown hair and liquid brown eyes. Tagged by her mob as smart-ass, she’s nice kind of girl boys her age fee comfortable hanging out with. She pals closely with Billie Frann Frank {Tordon-Cass] but is more intrigued by Draff Rob Brie [Septican-Smite]. Many potential life journeys hang around her and those who associate with her.

Come along to the edge of madness and spend some time with three young firebrands, struggling to find their places within a complex and dangerous future world.

The Edge of Madness

OPENING UP – DANGER, WILL ROBINSON, DANGER!

Museums, aquariums and zoos in San Francisco with approved coronavirus safety plans are apparently joining restaurants and other non-essential public services (most at limited capacity) in opening to the public.

But more important, Hawaii’s finally opening up in direct association with San Fran. I’ve recently heard that United is offering SFO-to-Hawaii bound passengers a $250 or so, 15-minute, COVID-19 test that, if negative, will allow sun-and-surf-denied travelers the opportunity of lounging the beaches (parties of 5 maximum) without quarantine. I’m not the city, county, state or federal health officer, so some of this may be hearsay. But I like the idea and the trend. Interestingly, I haven’t heard anything about how to get back to San Francisco from Hawaii. Hmmm. Is that really a problem? Well, yes. I can take just so much sun-fun before eventually missing the more recreational diverse Bay Area.

The “problem,” of course, is this is mostly a political decision. So far, “opening out” efforts have been less than successful, resulting often in excess COVID cases and deaths, and a return to “lock down.” I guess travelers will have to take the “Lost in Space” approach to vacations, at least for the foreseeable future (until an effective and safe vaccine is available) and be willing to serve as guinea pigs — with all due respect for guinea pigs.

In my newly released SCI-FU (science-based futuring) novel, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor, I posit a NewAmerica risen from the ashes of contemporary USA, providing a challenging and dangerous future place for three young firebrands to live. Dangerous? Anything new, like “opening up” during a pandemic, involves a modicum of danger, and all future worlds involve the same. It’s just that youth doesn’t fear death like the older and wiser who have skirted it numerous times and lived to tell about it, only because they’re not dead.

The Edge of Madness

NOW’S THE TIME FOR ALL GOOD MEN (AND WOMEN) TO COME TO THE AID OF THEIR COUNTRY

But first, please get hold of a copy of my new SCI-FU (Science-based Futuring) novel, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor.

The Edge of Madness

And, if you’re sale minded, consider a printed copy from any Savant Bookstore for 10% off the Suggested Retail Price plus free shipping anywhere within the USA including Hawaii and Alaska using “ONLINE” discount code at checkout. Prefer a digital read? Then grab a Kindle copy for only $2.99 through September 2020.

Okay, now it’s the time for all good men and women to come to the aid of their country. Years ago William Maltese and I wrote TOTAL MELTDOWN (Borgo/Wildside 2017) describing in ribald detail the collapse of the “former USA” and it’s resurrection as a leaner, meaner machine (think upcoming election and VOTE). I don’t want to see our nation do a copycat; instead, I hope readers of that and my new book will regard them as mirrors of the future, to help guide us in making the hard decisions facing us today. Not pontifical, they are engaging, immersive, plausible works based on extensions of science-based technologies and social movements already existing. A good mirror is always helpful, especially when waking up for a new day.

The takeaway: Read THE EDGE OF MADNESS and VOTE!

IT’S FINALLY ALMOST GONE – OR IS IT?

It’s the ninth month of the pandemic, and with the November election drawing near, I’m beginning to hear whispers that, “It’s beaten. It’s on the retreat. We’ve conquered the beast. It’s finally on its way out. Almost gone.” These whispers echo our current US President, his followers and many citizens’ sincerest wishes. But sincerity and wishing don’t necessarily make it so, despite what tyrants and con artists would like us to believe. I wish these whispers were so, but I fear that this is a desperate gasp, carrying with it the hope that “Everything will [at last] soon return to normal.”

If you’ve read my newest SCI-FU (science-based futuring) novel, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor (browser search “The Edge of Madness Gaynor”), you’ll know I’m neither a sooth- or dooms-sayer. I am, however, a realist whether it be in regard to the past, present or future. While I can understand the desire for everything to return to normal, it’s simply not realistic. If COVID-19 has taught humanity one thing, it’s that 20 comes after 19, and 21 after 20. COVID-19 can best, I believe, be regarded as a sentinel pandemic, not unlike a comet or a shot-across-the-bow — a warning to us to get our act together and address our outdated national, state, city, county and family infrastructures and fix them. Whether it’s government, ethics, education, transportation, recreation, health care, environment or business — to name but a few areas — we need to do our due diligence and start critically examining, analyzing, updating and incorporating new infrastructures in order to not only survive this pandemic but the next one. And the next one. Our society is “ill” and COVID-19, opportunist that it is, is causing our outdated infrastructures to exact a previously unimaginable toll.

There is, however, another way of looking at all this. Does anyone really want things to “return to normal?” Do people really miss poverty, lack of education, environmental degradation, a failing health care system, rampant inhumanity and the constant threat of another world war? I certainly don’t, and I don’t want this to be the legacy that’s passed on to the next generation. To our children and children’s children. Yes, our nation lacks a vision. A fundamental change from petrochemical, increasing-profit capitalism to something grander, more humane, more respectful of life and this tiny ball of rock we all share flying headlong through space. We need something of which we and our future generation can be proud. I believe it’s time to let go of past normalcy and use the brain that is supposed to make us so great for having, and look fearlessly into the mirror of the future. Go to the very edge of madness, peer beyond and make a conscious choice as to what we as humans want to be known for. COVID-19 is our opportunity. Our chance. We need to seize this time to stop looking backward to the mess that was “normal” and begin planning a “more normal” future.

The Edge of Madness