Jan Notzon's Blog, page 28
April 14, 2017
Solutions!
Oh, it's so much easier to just hire professionals to do the work! I just spoke to the people at Createspace and they appear to know what they're doing. I feel like a great burden has been lifted from my shoulders! (Sorry about the earlier rant).
Ahhhhh! Life is good again!
Ahhhhh! Life is good again!
Pulling My Hair Out
I must confess I am overwhelmed (again!) by the changing technology. There are so many ways to send a message to people and so many to check that I seem to miss too many!
My Epson printer was a disaster, so I bought a new Canon and could not get it to connect with my computer. Called the help line and found out half of my programs were inactive.
Now, $500.00 poorer, I'm supposedly protected for the next few years. (I wonder if I was sold a bill of goods.)
I've figured out what a PM is, but there seem to be so many different platforms to send them on, communication is often delayed or simply unrealized.
I've no idea what a "pinned post" is, or how it's different from a regular post.
Hence, I'm a bit wary of trying to use Amazon Createspace (I mean of my ability to understand what they actually will require me to do.
Sure would like to have some time to write amid all these new technology lessons.
My Epson printer was a disaster, so I bought a new Canon and could not get it to connect with my computer. Called the help line and found out half of my programs were inactive.
Now, $500.00 poorer, I'm supposedly protected for the next few years. (I wonder if I was sold a bill of goods.)
I've figured out what a PM is, but there seem to be so many different platforms to send them on, communication is often delayed or simply unrealized.
I've no idea what a "pinned post" is, or how it's different from a regular post.
Hence, I'm a bit wary of trying to use Amazon Createspace (I mean of my ability to understand what they actually will require me to do.
Sure would like to have some time to write amid all these new technology lessons.
April 10, 2017
Title
I'm finishing up my third novel and the most appropriate title "Monsters From The Id" is already taken.
I would appreciate some feedback on which of the following alternatives people would respond to most favorably. That is, which would provoke your interest the most. I realize it would depend on the cover and synopsis, etc. but I would really appreciate some feedback on the following possibilities:
"The Beast Within Us"
"The Indispensable Beast"
"The Monster at the Doorstep"
"The Beast Paradox"
"The Indispensable Caliban"
Reactions?
I would appreciate some feedback on which of the following alternatives people would respond to most favorably. That is, which would provoke your interest the most. I realize it would depend on the cover and synopsis, etc. but I would really appreciate some feedback on the following possibilities:
"The Beast Within Us"
"The Indispensable Beast"
"The Monster at the Doorstep"
"The Beast Paradox"
"The Indispensable Caliban"
Reactions?
March 27, 2017
The Spice of Life
I'm now closing in on the completion of my 3rd novel.
As in the past, it is straight literary fiction. Of all the friends I have on goodreads and The Indie Writer's Cooperative, I'm surprised to find that I'm rather alone in that.
I find writers of science fiction, paranormal, historical fiction, mystery, thriller, were-wolfs and vampires, noir, poetry... But I haven't as yet come across a writer of pure fiction.
Am I alone in the universe? If so, that's fine; I think we all write what we enjoy, and I've read some wonderful stories from my companion authors.
And that's a wonderful thing. If everyone wrote the same type of story, or if everyone liked to read the same kind of story, it would be a very boring world.
As in the past, it is straight literary fiction. Of all the friends I have on goodreads and The Indie Writer's Cooperative, I'm surprised to find that I'm rather alone in that.
I find writers of science fiction, paranormal, historical fiction, mystery, thriller, were-wolfs and vampires, noir, poetry... But I haven't as yet come across a writer of pure fiction.
Am I alone in the universe? If so, that's fine; I think we all write what we enjoy, and I've read some wonderful stories from my companion authors.
And that's a wonderful thing. If everyone wrote the same type of story, or if everyone liked to read the same kind of story, it would be a very boring world.
March 23, 2017
Perspective
After having read David Horowitz's "The Black Book of the American Left", and gotten his take on The Black Panthers, I decided to read Elaine Brown's "A Taste of Power."
She was a founding member and for a while General Secretary of the Party. Unsurprisingly, she gives a very different view: pursued and assassinated by the FBI and various police forces, working for the good of the "oppressed", (and there is no doubt that there was, and probably still is, a great deal of oppression).
Notwithstanding that, there are many events she recounts that tend to confirm Mr. Horowitz's account. For instance, she describes discipline in the Party being meted out with beatings, and even with bullwhips (the iconic implement of slavery).
She also recounts being beaten for 3 hours by a member in a jealous rage, struck by founder Huey Newton for saying "thank you."
She also gives the usual apologia that many fascist organizations give for their fascism: they had to "sacrifice" individual rights for the common good. (Essentially the same as Lenin's, "The end justifies the means.")
Given those examples, it is a short hop to the murders that Mr. Horowitz pretty plainly accuses them of.
It strikes me that the title "A Taste of Power" is rather telling. It seems fairly clear that that was the real motivation behind the movement.
She was a founding member and for a while General Secretary of the Party. Unsurprisingly, she gives a very different view: pursued and assassinated by the FBI and various police forces, working for the good of the "oppressed", (and there is no doubt that there was, and probably still is, a great deal of oppression).
Notwithstanding that, there are many events she recounts that tend to confirm Mr. Horowitz's account. For instance, she describes discipline in the Party being meted out with beatings, and even with bullwhips (the iconic implement of slavery).
She also recounts being beaten for 3 hours by a member in a jealous rage, struck by founder Huey Newton for saying "thank you."
She also gives the usual apologia that many fascist organizations give for their fascism: they had to "sacrifice" individual rights for the common good. (Essentially the same as Lenin's, "The end justifies the means.")
Given those examples, it is a short hop to the murders that Mr. Horowitz pretty plainly accuses them of.
It strikes me that the title "A Taste of Power" is rather telling. It seems fairly clear that that was the real motivation behind the movement.
March 15, 2017
Brain Explosions
I am now reading Brian Clegg's "Before The Big Bang".
It begins as a history of theories of the origin of the universe and then moves on to new theories of a multiverse, with many alternatives. These include giant membranes that leak gravity causing them to attract and eventually crash into each other and so spawning a new universe; one composed of tiny one-dimensional strings whose vibrations in 10 different dimensions create all that exists (So, where did the strings come from? Did they always exist?); then there's M theory which adds the dimension of time (if I understand it correctly); probability theory creating one of many universes that happens to be conducive to life (as we know it), i.e. a "Goldilocks" universe (just right). a Quantum Gravity Loop (don't ask!)
The thing that makes my head explode is to imagine people actually translating these theories into mathematical calculations (or, in the case of String Theory, creating a theory from the mathematics).
Clegg is kind enough to eliminate the physics/math calculations and formulas, and even then, it causes me brain fatigue. I can't imagine how there are people who are actually conversant in these areas! (and whose brains remain whole).
It begins as a history of theories of the origin of the universe and then moves on to new theories of a multiverse, with many alternatives. These include giant membranes that leak gravity causing them to attract and eventually crash into each other and so spawning a new universe; one composed of tiny one-dimensional strings whose vibrations in 10 different dimensions create all that exists (So, where did the strings come from? Did they always exist?); then there's M theory which adds the dimension of time (if I understand it correctly); probability theory creating one of many universes that happens to be conducive to life (as we know it), i.e. a "Goldilocks" universe (just right). a Quantum Gravity Loop (don't ask!)
The thing that makes my head explode is to imagine people actually translating these theories into mathematical calculations (or, in the case of String Theory, creating a theory from the mathematics).
Clegg is kind enough to eliminate the physics/math calculations and formulas, and even then, it causes me brain fatigue. I can't imagine how there are people who are actually conversant in these areas! (and whose brains remain whole).
February 11, 2017
Culture
In Francis Fukuyama's Trust: The Social Virtues and The Creation of Prosperity, he makes the argument that it is primarily culture that determines how successful a society is. So, while people are equal as far as their inherent worth is concerned, cultures are not. Essentially, he argues that it is the degree of trust between members of a society that is the determining factor.
He also points out that the way multiculturalism is taught in American universities is to promote the idea that all cultures are equal in terms of their promotion of prosperity and happiness.
This reminded me of an old Bob Hope movie called (I believe) Call Me Bwana. He and his cohorts are captured by a tribe of cannibals. Hope asks the chief what is going to happen to them. I believe the chief's answer was, "Well, first we're going to torture you, then we're going to cook you and eat you. You understand, it's nothing personal, it's just a part of our culture."
He also points out that the way multiculturalism is taught in American universities is to promote the idea that all cultures are equal in terms of their promotion of prosperity and happiness.
This reminded me of an old Bob Hope movie called (I believe) Call Me Bwana. He and his cohorts are captured by a tribe of cannibals. Hope asks the chief what is going to happen to them. I believe the chief's answer was, "Well, first we're going to torture you, then we're going to cook you and eat you. You understand, it's nothing personal, it's just a part of our culture."
January 29, 2017
Miriamne the Magdala
I'm generally sparing of five star reviews, but there many reasons for loving this novel. First, the sheer audacity of the author in creating a very plausible story of the "lost years" of Jesus is something to behold. And for the secular, the story is still absolutely engrossing. (It might come under the rubric of "magical realism" for them).
Secondly, there is the love in telling the story that explodes from every page. These are two very close-knit families with devotion that expresses itself in such a variety of ways. The characters are so well-defined that I felt I could almost touch them. The relationship of Yeshua's four older brothers is so familiar it's astonishing. All of the other characters are equally rich.
Told from the point of view of Mary Magdalene, the agony of having a power you cannot use to save one you hold so dear is excruciating. But there is also much joy in this novel. It is the joy of that familial love that causes such heartache and such ecstasy. It is truly a celebration of life.
Secondly, there is the love in telling the story that explodes from every page. These are two very close-knit families with devotion that expresses itself in such a variety of ways. The characters are so well-defined that I felt I could almost touch them. The relationship of Yeshua's four older brothers is so familiar it's astonishing. All of the other characters are equally rich.
Told from the point of view of Mary Magdalene, the agony of having a power you cannot use to save one you hold so dear is excruciating. But there is also much joy in this novel. It is the joy of that familial love that causes such heartache and such ecstasy. It is truly a celebration of life.
January 11, 2017
Demoralized
iews > The Run of His Life : The People versus O.J. Simpson
I read this on a recommendation from my friend Caroline across the pond.
There is no question that this is a riveting account of one of the saddest episodes in American jurisprudence. It is the most damning indictment of the system of justice in the United States and, in my opinion, an equally depressing portrait of the disintegration of American society. It seems to me that there was only one member of the jury with even the barest hint of integrity, and, unlike the play 12 Angry Men, she folded with hardly a squeak.
The ego, vanity, self-serving cynicism, amorality, arrogance and sheer mendacity of the defense team is so beyond appalling that I actually feel a bit sick having finished the book. This is not to say that I am in any way disappointed with Mr. Toobin's account. Although I knew little of the actual evidence and strategy of the attorneys involved, it strikes me that Mr. Toobin does a remarkable job recounting and analyzing the events and their implications.
However, the egregious nature of the racism and hatred (on both sides), and the plain cynicism and misanthropy, leaves me so pessimistic concerning the future of this country that I feel completely disillusioned.
I read this on a recommendation from my friend Caroline across the pond.
There is no question that this is a riveting account of one of the saddest episodes in American jurisprudence. It is the most damning indictment of the system of justice in the United States and, in my opinion, an equally depressing portrait of the disintegration of American society. It seems to me that there was only one member of the jury with even the barest hint of integrity, and, unlike the play 12 Angry Men, she folded with hardly a squeak.
The ego, vanity, self-serving cynicism, amorality, arrogance and sheer mendacity of the defense team is so beyond appalling that I actually feel a bit sick having finished the book. This is not to say that I am in any way disappointed with Mr. Toobin's account. Although I knew little of the actual evidence and strategy of the attorneys involved, it strikes me that Mr. Toobin does a remarkable job recounting and analyzing the events and their implications.
However, the egregious nature of the racism and hatred (on both sides), and the plain cynicism and misanthropy, leaves me so pessimistic concerning the future of this country that I feel completely disillusioned.
January 8, 2017
Ludwig von Mises
Socialism: An Economic and Sociological Analysis
by Ludwig von Mises, J. Kahane (Translator), Friedrich Hayek (Foreword by)
12121037
Jan Notzon's review Jan 08, 2017 · edit
it was amazing
Read from December 22, 2016 to January 06, 2017
A quite challenging read, it took me a good while to finish. It describes socialism in all aspects: with respect to property, politics, economics, ideology, philosophy, etc. and demonstrates, remarkably clearly, its unworkability (the translator uses the word "impracticability"). I must admit I winced a bit at von Mises description of the romantic (in his view, socialism being a romantic dream) because it so closely described me as a young man: "the romantic imagines the pleasures of success but does nothing to achieve them. He has a grudge against reality because it is not like the dream world he has created."
If you're up for a challenge, I highly recommend this book. If you just want to hear your preconceived ideas regurgitated to you, I can't.
But I do believe every voting member of a democracy should.
by Ludwig von Mises, J. Kahane (Translator), Friedrich Hayek (Foreword by)
12121037
Jan Notzon's review Jan 08, 2017 · edit
it was amazing
Read from December 22, 2016 to January 06, 2017
A quite challenging read, it took me a good while to finish. It describes socialism in all aspects: with respect to property, politics, economics, ideology, philosophy, etc. and demonstrates, remarkably clearly, its unworkability (the translator uses the word "impracticability"). I must admit I winced a bit at von Mises description of the romantic (in his view, socialism being a romantic dream) because it so closely described me as a young man: "the romantic imagines the pleasures of success but does nothing to achieve them. He has a grudge against reality because it is not like the dream world he has created."
If you're up for a challenge, I highly recommend this book. If you just want to hear your preconceived ideas regurgitated to you, I can't.
But I do believe every voting member of a democracy should.
