John David's Blog: Life--Observed and Reported - Posts Tagged "john-david"

The original text that was to become the Essays for the 99%, Parts I and II was written back in 2009, obviously before the "Occupy" movement.
So essentially I was writing for an audience that did not yet exist as an "organized" group.
The thought process that was to form The Carrot and The Stick, and A Call to Action, began to gestate during my college years, ironically enough, back at UC Davis, sight of the infamous "pepper spraying" act of terrorism against the peaceful protesters.
You could say that I saw the "writing on the wall," as I watched the decline of "the People" and their interests for the entirety of my adult life.
I watched our wages decline as prices increased, watched our jobs being exported, our country mortgaged, our future traded to our foreign enemies for the proverbial "30 pieces of silver."
Ultimately I could no longer contain the words that I had long spoken to anyone who would listen, and decided to commit them to the printed and digital page.
If I fail to inspire, to motivate, to germinate reform, at least history will know that We the People of this once greater Nation did not silently acquiesce to this "violation" of our American Dream.
We spoke out, we protested, we "ranted" to all who would listen, (and many who would not) as we tried to preserve the idea of a "United Nation."
If you have read the entire series of the Essays for the 99%, you will see the evolution of my thought process from a position of pure outrage in Parts I and II, to a more philosophical and calm approach to the awful betrayal we are now subjected to.
Parts III through VII were written over a three-month span in late 2011, early 2012, so about three years after what was to become the first two parts.
Will there be more Essays for the 99%?
Possibly.
Should there be?
Definitely.
I have outlined at least 12 more already, but when I reach the point that I am simply repeating myself, that will be the natural stopping point, of course.
Part VIII is fomenting now, and is tentatively entitled M.O.T.S, or More of the Same, which is what we can expect if we do nothing to change the path that we are on.
More joblessness, while our "leaders" crow about adding millions of "minimum wage" jobs, more foreclosures while they trumpet "recovery," and more abuse of the people's rights as the 1% shout "Freedom!" from their palaces and high places.
You don’t have to “buy” the Essays for the 99% in order to hear their message. You can listen to the FREE author’s reads at the website:

http://www.johndavidauthor.com/Essays_for_the_99_.html

Agree or disagree, please add your voice to the debate. There is no more time for inaction.
Complacency is complicity, and both are absolutely unacceptable.

http://www.amazon.com/Essays-99%25-Co...

I cannot count the number of times that I have heard the title of this post when I asked someone "What was the last book/article/magazine that you read?"

Ask the unemployed guy next door, who apparently doesn't have time to mow his lawn either, get that reply.

Ask a "retired" person, the kind that never drives over 40 mph anywhere, anytime, and why? Because they are not in a hurry, all they have is time, just not for reading. Until they don't, of course.

Ask the young person, who spends three or more hours each day watching TV or gaming online, (and would spend much more, if you let them) and you will get the same answer:

"No time to read."

Seriously folks? You don't have five or ten minutes a day, or a WEEK to exercise your mind with the printed or digital word?

Or is it really something different? Another, more personal reason? Is it that you already know all that there is to know, or all that you care to know?

Is it the natural, "mental" extension of the physical sloth that infects much of the nation? That we are simply too lazy to read?

I for one would much rather hear the "truth" the next time I ask someone that question. I can handle it. How refreshing it would actually be!

"I'm too lazy."

"I already know everything."

"I'd rather 'waste' my time elsewhere."

But please not:

"I don't have time."

Unless you are the President . . .

you DO have the time.

There is a difference between "stealing" and "sharing."

If I loan someone a copy of my book, and they read it, have they now "stolen" the content?

What if I was given that particular book by someone else. Are we all therefore, "thieves?"

Or are we only questioning the rights to "electronic" versions of our work. Why?

Should books have a coin slot on them, requiring a payment each time the cover is cracked, by whomever?

These types of debates, over music, video, and now over electronic "books" have been hashed and rehashed so many times that the hash is now mush.

Better still is what I have long advocated, that is, the provision of a site or sites that allow an individual to ANONYMOUSLY contribute a payment to an artist, publisher, or distributor, for the "use" of their work.

Welcome to the Artists, Authors, and Others royalty share site!

Enter the name of the work, artist, or individual to which you would like to contribute:

"Amanda King Rowling"

Several works are attributed to that author. Please select one.

"The Zombie's Guide to Erotic Cooking for Vampires" (copyright 2012 John David, BTW, don't "steal").

Thank you! The suggested share contribution for that title is $1.20 US, although you may contribute more or less. Enter share amount.

$1.20

Thank you! $1.20 has been credited to the account of Amanda King Rowling.

Of course, income from the site can then be TAXED by the appropriate authorities, and SHARED with contributors to the particular work, according to the specific rights agreements that are relevant to it.

Everybody wins!

I believe that most people will, if given the opportunity . . .

Do the right thing.

EDITED: 03/10/13

Since the original publication date of this post, my book Ten Questions was pirated and an unauthorized ebook version was offered for distribution. Despite this, I still stand by my original thesis, that is, there does need to be a mechanism to allow consumers of artistic work to voluntarily contribute to the creator of the work, regardless of the manner by which they acquired it. With a pirated work, there is no attribution to the artist, but mere banditry, as one person takes credit for (and profits from) the work of another. I am vehemently opposed to this type of "sharing."