C. Henry Martens's Blog, page 3
February 21, 2019
The Passing
©2019 C. Henry Martens
Warning: graphic details of an unpleasant experience.
Phoebe didn't want to get out of the truck. I'd like to think that it was because she had become much less inclined to get out as her age had crept up on her. We would go for drives and increasingly she elected to remain inside when invited to go for a walk.
It wasn't like her.
But today, I had to wonder if she knew what lay in store. I had to pull her out, and I bundled her in my arms to carry her to the tailgate.
She was lighter than I expected. Over the course of the last year or so she had bouts of malaise, sometimes accompanied by a lack of appetite. Her rear end had become so weak that when I scratched her over the hips, a favorite spot, she would sink down to sit. She would fall on the slippery kitchen floor, often enough that we placed a rug down for her to stand on as she ate or drank. At first, she was embarrassed and would look up at us as though apologizing for her infirmity. But over time it happened so frequently that she got over her shame and hearing her fall and scramble to get up became normal.
The veterinary technician and a helper were waiting. Phoebe had been an incredibly healthy dog her entire life, so this was only the second visit we had ever made to a vet. The woman helping stood holding the syringe and a bottle of pink fluid, slowly drawing a specified amount into the cylinder. The man reached to cup Phoebe's paw in his hand, shaving a spot on her leg.
Australian shepherds are hairballs. Literally... We rarely found any hair around the house that wasn't in a clump. We often exclaimed, “Phoebe exploded again.” because a newly vacuumed room would have ten clumps of hair in it within minutes. But we actually liked this feature of the breed because the accumulations were easy to see and easy to pick up.
The shaving done, the woman handed the male tech the syringe. He took a moment and inserted the needle. I held Phoebe, trying not to cry. Both techs made noises meant to be sympathetic, but I'm one that finds words hard in a situation like this. I'd rather they say nothing.
I watched as the technician drew a black stream of blood into the syringe, and then forced the plunger home slowly.
There was no going back now.
Beneath my hands my dog flinched. She let out a startled whimper, and then she went limp. I placed my hand on her chest and felt her heart racing. It skipped a beat, and almost immediately Phoebe's body stopped working completely. She was gone.
I have to wonder...
In that last instant, did she know I had betrayed her? More importantly... did she think I had betrayed her?
I think so.
I'd always thought she deserved better than me.
I've seen other dogs put down. This time was rougher than most. The other euthanasia I have witnessed have always had the animal exhibit an obvious and sudden lessening of pain, and an obvious feeling of excitement and joy, and then they would collapse. This time it was not like that.
We had found Phoebe in an animal shelter. There was a dog there that I'd brought my wife in to see, and after taking the dog for a walk and the dog being completely uninterested in people, we'd decided to keep looking. Phoebe was in one of those light, portable fences that people put in their homes, sunken into a blanket on the floor. You could see she was unhappy, very depressed. I asked and the people said she was available, being brought in be placed for adoption. We took her for a walk and she barely paid attention to her surroundings. She focused on us.
Our little Aussie turned out to be a mystery. She came to us as well trained a dog as we have ever owned... and I train my dogs. We just can't understand how she ended up in a shelter. When we first brought her home we let her out of the truck and within minutes she proudly brought us a chicken, still alive, in her mouth. I despaired, as every dog I've ever had that tasted chicken blood had never been dependable from then on around chickens. But I forced the chicken from her mouth and told her, “NO!” firmly, and she never touched a chicken again. She was death on anything small and furry she could get hold of but left the house cats alone. We could go anywhere and leave Phoebe outside the door, and she would be waiting for us on the front mat, never wandering more than twenty feet. The perfect hiking dog.
The only problem I had with her was that she didn't know how to bark. She did, but so infrequently that she startled herself. She would get a small, “Woof.” out, and look back at us as though asking, “Did that just come out of me?”
I pulled Phoebe's bed from the truck interior and placed it in the back. Then I put Phoebe's body, curled up as though sleeping, in it.
There was a freshly dug hole in our back yard.
But I couldn't go there. I just could not go there. There was something un-right about it.
The mountains and back trails beckoned. The places we had walked together.
The day was cold and it was trying hard to snow. As I drove into the familiar hills the gravel road became snow packed, without a track on it.
We had come this way a couple of weeks ago. There had been a Golden Eagle perched above the road, and as we stopped it took off and flew to another rock outcropping across the canyon.
An old reservoir built long ago and filled completely with sediment provided a parking area for many of the hikes we had experienced together.
I parked the truck and got out.
Huge flakes of white fell in the silence. I looked around and knew this was the right decision, the right place. Phoebe would not be covered by cold, damp dirt.
I left Phoebe's body on her bed, amongst and under a thicket of those red-barked willow-like shrubs that grow in low areas. Her two chew toys lay wrapped inside her feet and under her head. She looked like she was sleeping. The snow was already flecking her fur like it had so often when she was out for a walk. Now she had taken the long walk... and it felt right to leave her in a spot she had enjoyed so much.
On the way back to the truck I stopped and looked around, feeling the bitterest of emotions and appreciating the silence that surrounded me.
I screamed “I love you, Phoebe!” into the growing storm.
I'm pretty sure Phoebe is our last dog. I just don't think I can do it again. My wife avoided picking up the hairballs for quite a while.
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To comment, scroll down and type in your comment. Under Comment As, you can select Anonymous or Name/URL (you don't need to enter a URL). Then hit Publish.
Warning: graphic details of an unpleasant experience.
Phoebe didn't want to get out of the truck. I'd like to think that it was because she had become much less inclined to get out as her age had crept up on her. We would go for drives and increasingly she elected to remain inside when invited to go for a walk.
It wasn't like her.
But today, I had to wonder if she knew what lay in store. I had to pull her out, and I bundled her in my arms to carry her to the tailgate.
She was lighter than I expected. Over the course of the last year or so she had bouts of malaise, sometimes accompanied by a lack of appetite. Her rear end had become so weak that when I scratched her over the hips, a favorite spot, she would sink down to sit. She would fall on the slippery kitchen floor, often enough that we placed a rug down for her to stand on as she ate or drank. At first, she was embarrassed and would look up at us as though apologizing for her infirmity. But over time it happened so frequently that she got over her shame and hearing her fall and scramble to get up became normal.
The veterinary technician and a helper were waiting. Phoebe had been an incredibly healthy dog her entire life, so this was only the second visit we had ever made to a vet. The woman helping stood holding the syringe and a bottle of pink fluid, slowly drawing a specified amount into the cylinder. The man reached to cup Phoebe's paw in his hand, shaving a spot on her leg.
Australian shepherds are hairballs. Literally... We rarely found any hair around the house that wasn't in a clump. We often exclaimed, “Phoebe exploded again.” because a newly vacuumed room would have ten clumps of hair in it within minutes. But we actually liked this feature of the breed because the accumulations were easy to see and easy to pick up.
The shaving done, the woman handed the male tech the syringe. He took a moment and inserted the needle. I held Phoebe, trying not to cry. Both techs made noises meant to be sympathetic, but I'm one that finds words hard in a situation like this. I'd rather they say nothing.
I watched as the technician drew a black stream of blood into the syringe, and then forced the plunger home slowly.
There was no going back now.
Beneath my hands my dog flinched. She let out a startled whimper, and then she went limp. I placed my hand on her chest and felt her heart racing. It skipped a beat, and almost immediately Phoebe's body stopped working completely. She was gone.
I have to wonder...
In that last instant, did she know I had betrayed her? More importantly... did she think I had betrayed her?
I think so.
I'd always thought she deserved better than me.
I've seen other dogs put down. This time was rougher than most. The other euthanasia I have witnessed have always had the animal exhibit an obvious and sudden lessening of pain, and an obvious feeling of excitement and joy, and then they would collapse. This time it was not like that.
We had found Phoebe in an animal shelter. There was a dog there that I'd brought my wife in to see, and after taking the dog for a walk and the dog being completely uninterested in people, we'd decided to keep looking. Phoebe was in one of those light, portable fences that people put in their homes, sunken into a blanket on the floor. You could see she was unhappy, very depressed. I asked and the people said she was available, being brought in be placed for adoption. We took her for a walk and she barely paid attention to her surroundings. She focused on us.
Our little Aussie turned out to be a mystery. She came to us as well trained a dog as we have ever owned... and I train my dogs. We just can't understand how she ended up in a shelter. When we first brought her home we let her out of the truck and within minutes she proudly brought us a chicken, still alive, in her mouth. I despaired, as every dog I've ever had that tasted chicken blood had never been dependable from then on around chickens. But I forced the chicken from her mouth and told her, “NO!” firmly, and she never touched a chicken again. She was death on anything small and furry she could get hold of but left the house cats alone. We could go anywhere and leave Phoebe outside the door, and she would be waiting for us on the front mat, never wandering more than twenty feet. The perfect hiking dog.
The only problem I had with her was that she didn't know how to bark. She did, but so infrequently that she startled herself. She would get a small, “Woof.” out, and look back at us as though asking, “Did that just come out of me?”
I pulled Phoebe's bed from the truck interior and placed it in the back. Then I put Phoebe's body, curled up as though sleeping, in it.
There was a freshly dug hole in our back yard.
But I couldn't go there. I just could not go there. There was something un-right about it.
The mountains and back trails beckoned. The places we had walked together.
The day was cold and it was trying hard to snow. As I drove into the familiar hills the gravel road became snow packed, without a track on it.
We had come this way a couple of weeks ago. There had been a Golden Eagle perched above the road, and as we stopped it took off and flew to another rock outcropping across the canyon.
An old reservoir built long ago and filled completely with sediment provided a parking area for many of the hikes we had experienced together.
I parked the truck and got out.
Huge flakes of white fell in the silence. I looked around and knew this was the right decision, the right place. Phoebe would not be covered by cold, damp dirt.
I left Phoebe's body on her bed, amongst and under a thicket of those red-barked willow-like shrubs that grow in low areas. Her two chew toys lay wrapped inside her feet and under her head. She looked like she was sleeping. The snow was already flecking her fur like it had so often when she was out for a walk. Now she had taken the long walk... and it felt right to leave her in a spot she had enjoyed so much.
On the way back to the truck I stopped and looked around, feeling the bitterest of emotions and appreciating the silence that surrounded me.
I screamed “I love you, Phoebe!” into the growing storm.
I'm pretty sure Phoebe is our last dog. I just don't think I can do it again. My wife avoided picking up the hairballs for quite a while.
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To comment, scroll down and type in your comment. Under Comment As, you can select Anonymous or Name/URL (you don't need to enter a URL). Then hit Publish.
February 7, 2019
Authors Need Your Love
©2019 Kari Carlisle
We love Valentine’s Day. No longer for just your romantic love, it’s an excuse to buy gifts and treats for your family, your friends and co-workers, your pets, and anyone else you want to express your love and appreciation for. Your favorite authors could use some love and appreciation, too. It won’t cost you a dime and will take less time than a run to the store. Write an author a love letter.
Okay, so when I say love letter, I mean a review of one of their books. Keep reading! Don’t run away in panic. I’m not asking for a 10-page essay. I’m going to make this really easy for you and give you five simple steps and some extra tips. Don’t worry. This will be fun!
Step 1. Think about a book you recently read or are currently reading. See? Easy!
Step 2. Jot down some notes. What do you like about the book? Here are some questions to jog your thought process:
FictionIs there something about the story that made you feel a certain way?Who is your favorite character and why? How can you relate to him/her?Do you find the writing flows well?
NonfictionDid you learn what you expected or even more?Were you able to apply what you learned? How?Was it easy to follow?
Step 3. Jot down anything you didn’t like. Don’t worry. You can decide in the next step whether it’s important enough to include in your review.
Step 4. Write your review in 1-2 short paragraphs. That’s all. You’re not in your 9th grade English class writing a book report. You don’t have to concern yourself with story arcs, themes, symbolism, or character development. This is simply a short, honest review that says, “I enjoyed reading this book because….”
As you write your review, remember who is going to read it, and write it as if you are saying it to their face. Likely, the author will read it, unless s/he’s a best-selling author with more reviews than could be read in a month. But the true goal of your review is to let potential readers know why they should read this book. If someone is going to spend money to buy a book and take time to read it, they want some assurance that it will be worth their investment.
If you decide to include something in your review that you did not like about the book, be diplomatic. That is, be nice. It’s completely fine to offer some constructive feedback.
Step 5. Post your review. This may be the hardest part because you need to add your rating (number of stars) and a headline. While determining the number of stars to give, pay no attention to the book’s ratings by other reviewers. This is YOUR review that should not be influenced by consensus. As for headline, pick the one thing you liked most about the book such as “Believable Characters!” or “Inspirational!” I’ll let you decide whether to include an exclamation point. I’m hopelessly addicted to them!
Now that your review is posted, doesn’t that feel good? It was a simple process and a nice thing to do. Make it a habit to review every book you read, and you’ll become a better reader, too! You’ll learn what to look for and get more out of your reading.
Here are a few more tips for writing reviews:
Avoid spoilers. Try not to reveal key plot moments in your review. It’s like knowing the end of a movie before you watch it. I remember standing in line to see Return of the Jedi for the first time. Some idiot came out of the previous show and said something to his companions about Princess Leia being Luke’s sister. You can’t unhear that.
Be fair. Sometimes, you have to read a book that just isn’t your thing. Maybe it was a gift, or “everyone’s” reading it. If you review such a book, don’t necessarily give it a bad review because it wasn’t what you typically like to read. Review it on its own terms. You can say this isn’t usually the type of book you like to read, but… it had interesting characters, unique story line, well written, or other nice things. This book may be right up someone else’s alley.
Be balanced. Your rating should reflect your review. Absolutely loved it and couldn’t put it down? 5 stars. Really enjoyed it and would recommend it? 4 stars. Had some things going for it, but a thing or two troubled you? 3 stars. Had some serious problems but one or two redeeming qualities? 2 stars. Cannot recommend without major revisions? 1 star. I’ve seen too many 3-star reviews with nothing but praise in the body of the review. It’s confusing. If you score below a 4 or 5, you need to include some reason why.
Review only the book. Maybe you’re a big fan of the author or the movie based on the book. You can’t help yourself, and you go on about how great the author or movie are. That is no help to the potential reader. This is also not the place to complain about other books, independent publishing, Amazon or other sites, shipping problems, your reading app, how the book compares to the movie, or anything else that isn’t a true and honest review of this book on its own merits.
Reviewing bad books. There are some stinkers out there. Independent publishing has opened the door for millions of would be, shouldn’t be, authors who publish, I’ll just say it, crap. You owe it to those authors and their potential readers to provide an honest review.
First, understand what’s going on here. Is the author intentionally throwing marshmallowy content out there hoping to make a few bucks? Call him/her on it. You can give 1 star and say the book was too short, gave fluff content, and offered no entertainment/learning value. Then add what you would have liked to have read. What would have made it worth the money and time you spent?
Perhaps the author gave the book everything they had, putting forth genuine effort to get their story out to the world, and the book is poorly written, demonstrates ignorance, is plagued with poor spelling, punctuation, and grammar, or is badly formatted. Go ahead and give it 1-3 stars and explain what the problems are and that perhaps it could be a good book if the author invests in a good editor.
There is nothing worse for an author than to put his/her heart and soul into their work and… crickets. Please don’t pick up another a book without taking 5 minutes to post a helpful review of the last one you read.
Click here to receive the Apocalypse Observer Newsletter in your inbox
www.readmota.com
To comment, scroll down and type in your comment. Under Comment As, you can select Anonymous or Name/URL (you don't need to enter a URL). Then hit Publish.
We love Valentine’s Day. No longer for just your romantic love, it’s an excuse to buy gifts and treats for your family, your friends and co-workers, your pets, and anyone else you want to express your love and appreciation for. Your favorite authors could use some love and appreciation, too. It won’t cost you a dime and will take less time than a run to the store. Write an author a love letter.
Okay, so when I say love letter, I mean a review of one of their books. Keep reading! Don’t run away in panic. I’m not asking for a 10-page essay. I’m going to make this really easy for you and give you five simple steps and some extra tips. Don’t worry. This will be fun!
Step 1. Think about a book you recently read or are currently reading. See? Easy!
Step 2. Jot down some notes. What do you like about the book? Here are some questions to jog your thought process:
FictionIs there something about the story that made you feel a certain way?Who is your favorite character and why? How can you relate to him/her?Do you find the writing flows well?
NonfictionDid you learn what you expected or even more?Were you able to apply what you learned? How?Was it easy to follow?
Step 3. Jot down anything you didn’t like. Don’t worry. You can decide in the next step whether it’s important enough to include in your review.
Step 4. Write your review in 1-2 short paragraphs. That’s all. You’re not in your 9th grade English class writing a book report. You don’t have to concern yourself with story arcs, themes, symbolism, or character development. This is simply a short, honest review that says, “I enjoyed reading this book because….”
As you write your review, remember who is going to read it, and write it as if you are saying it to their face. Likely, the author will read it, unless s/he’s a best-selling author with more reviews than could be read in a month. But the true goal of your review is to let potential readers know why they should read this book. If someone is going to spend money to buy a book and take time to read it, they want some assurance that it will be worth their investment.
If you decide to include something in your review that you did not like about the book, be diplomatic. That is, be nice. It’s completely fine to offer some constructive feedback.
Step 5. Post your review. This may be the hardest part because you need to add your rating (number of stars) and a headline. While determining the number of stars to give, pay no attention to the book’s ratings by other reviewers. This is YOUR review that should not be influenced by consensus. As for headline, pick the one thing you liked most about the book such as “Believable Characters!” or “Inspirational!” I’ll let you decide whether to include an exclamation point. I’m hopelessly addicted to them!
Now that your review is posted, doesn’t that feel good? It was a simple process and a nice thing to do. Make it a habit to review every book you read, and you’ll become a better reader, too! You’ll learn what to look for and get more out of your reading.
Here are a few more tips for writing reviews:
Avoid spoilers. Try not to reveal key plot moments in your review. It’s like knowing the end of a movie before you watch it. I remember standing in line to see Return of the Jedi for the first time. Some idiot came out of the previous show and said something to his companions about Princess Leia being Luke’s sister. You can’t unhear that.
Be fair. Sometimes, you have to read a book that just isn’t your thing. Maybe it was a gift, or “everyone’s” reading it. If you review such a book, don’t necessarily give it a bad review because it wasn’t what you typically like to read. Review it on its own terms. You can say this isn’t usually the type of book you like to read, but… it had interesting characters, unique story line, well written, or other nice things. This book may be right up someone else’s alley.
Be balanced. Your rating should reflect your review. Absolutely loved it and couldn’t put it down? 5 stars. Really enjoyed it and would recommend it? 4 stars. Had some things going for it, but a thing or two troubled you? 3 stars. Had some serious problems but one or two redeeming qualities? 2 stars. Cannot recommend without major revisions? 1 star. I’ve seen too many 3-star reviews with nothing but praise in the body of the review. It’s confusing. If you score below a 4 or 5, you need to include some reason why.
Review only the book. Maybe you’re a big fan of the author or the movie based on the book. You can’t help yourself, and you go on about how great the author or movie are. That is no help to the potential reader. This is also not the place to complain about other books, independent publishing, Amazon or other sites, shipping problems, your reading app, how the book compares to the movie, or anything else that isn’t a true and honest review of this book on its own merits.
Reviewing bad books. There are some stinkers out there. Independent publishing has opened the door for millions of would be, shouldn’t be, authors who publish, I’ll just say it, crap. You owe it to those authors and their potential readers to provide an honest review.
First, understand what’s going on here. Is the author intentionally throwing marshmallowy content out there hoping to make a few bucks? Call him/her on it. You can give 1 star and say the book was too short, gave fluff content, and offered no entertainment/learning value. Then add what you would have liked to have read. What would have made it worth the money and time you spent?
Perhaps the author gave the book everything they had, putting forth genuine effort to get their story out to the world, and the book is poorly written, demonstrates ignorance, is plagued with poor spelling, punctuation, and grammar, or is badly formatted. Go ahead and give it 1-3 stars and explain what the problems are and that perhaps it could be a good book if the author invests in a good editor.
There is nothing worse for an author than to put his/her heart and soul into their work and… crickets. Please don’t pick up another a book without taking 5 minutes to post a helpful review of the last one you read.
Click here to receive the Apocalypse Observer Newsletter in your inbox
www.readmota.com
To comment, scroll down and type in your comment. Under Comment As, you can select Anonymous or Name/URL (you don't need to enter a URL). Then hit Publish.
January 24, 2019
How Writers Can Justify Watching Reality TV
©2019 Kari Carlisle
courtesy of imdb.com
Can you imagine if they made a reality show in which writers competed against one another in weekly writing challenges? It would make a terrible TV show, awfully boring for viewers. The only way it might work is to make writing more fun for students (teachers take note). Thankfully, one could argue that reality TV is more interesting than watching people write and read.
Reality shows have nothing to do with reality for the most part. What goes into a reality show is driven by ratings, so even if the show is not scripted, multiple takes and careful editing create the drama and excitement that you see on the screen. Having watched a reality show being filmed a couple of years ago, I can personally attest to this.
A few years ago, I would have said (and maybe I did) that reality TV is frivolous and a waste of time. Especially when writers struggle to make time to write, spending an hour every week watching The Bachelor is irresponsible. I’ve changed my tune a bit.
Now, keeping in mind that reality shows only reflect a biased view of reality, they are still a guilty pleasure for millions. For writers, they can actually be a great tool for inspiration and for honing their craft. If you’re a writer who doesn’t watch reality TV, or you do and feel guilty watching, here is your justification for diving in head first.
A show that piqued my interest so much that I started watching was SyFy channel’s Face Off. It hooked me right off, and after a while, I realized the show could be a wealth of information on world-building for science fiction and fantasy writers. Though now canceled after 13 seasons, you can stream the show, and I recommend it. Each weekly competition posed scenarios on which to base unique characters. Though the focus was on the make-up, the models made the characters come alive, and the artists created interesting back stories.
So that got me thinking that writers of any genre could glean ideas from all kinds of reality shows. Some may be a little on the nose (romance writers could watch The Bachelor), but if you dig a bit, you can find many redeeming qualities in a lot of shows.
I have been watching the new singing competition, The Masked Singer, purely to enjoy the music and assuming my interest would wane sooner than later. I was wrong. They hooked me in with its fast pace and plethora of clues to help identify who may be behind each ornate mask and costume. I’m certain I know who Bee is and pretty sure who Peacock is. How do you hook your readers? No matter what you write, take lessons from this show. I’m literally (yes, literally) on the edge of my seat every week. And if you’re a mystery writer, this is how you develop your story and include your clues to keep your readers on the edge of their seats (figuratively).
Paranormal reality shows such as Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures started as a guilty pleasure of mine. I was intrigued by the evidence collected by paranormal investigators, skeptical of them as proving paranormal activity but fascinated by evidence not easily explained away. What really hooked me, though, were the introductions to each location. The historical information is interesting, so while horror writers might gain inspiration from the investigation itself, historical fiction writers may be inspired by the setting – the history, the people who lived (and died) in the place, the architecture and furnishings, and other details that flesh out a story.
A little brainstorming can give you all the justification you need to watch (or start watching) any reality show you would like:Survivor – action, adventure, apocalypse scenarios, drama, conflict, character developmentShark Tank – dialog, futuristic gadgets, problem-solvingChopped – unique cookbook recipes, character development, mysteryCurse of Oak Island – mystery, historical fiction, adventure, tragedy, treasure hunting
If this was the justification you needed, you are welcome. Just be sure to take notes during each show so that you can enjoy them with minimal guilt. I don’t know that I can really help you justify watching sitcoms, but I’ll work on that.
Are you a writer who has gotten inspiration from reality TV? Tell us in the comments about your favorite shows and how they help you be a better writer.
Click here to receive the Apocalypse Observer Newsletter in your inbox
www.readmota.com
To comment, scroll down and type in your comment. Under Comment As, you can select Anonymous or Name/URL (you don't need to enter a URL). Then hit Publish.
courtesy of imdb.comCan you imagine if they made a reality show in which writers competed against one another in weekly writing challenges? It would make a terrible TV show, awfully boring for viewers. The only way it might work is to make writing more fun for students (teachers take note). Thankfully, one could argue that reality TV is more interesting than watching people write and read.
Reality shows have nothing to do with reality for the most part. What goes into a reality show is driven by ratings, so even if the show is not scripted, multiple takes and careful editing create the drama and excitement that you see on the screen. Having watched a reality show being filmed a couple of years ago, I can personally attest to this.
A few years ago, I would have said (and maybe I did) that reality TV is frivolous and a waste of time. Especially when writers struggle to make time to write, spending an hour every week watching The Bachelor is irresponsible. I’ve changed my tune a bit.
Now, keeping in mind that reality shows only reflect a biased view of reality, they are still a guilty pleasure for millions. For writers, they can actually be a great tool for inspiration and for honing their craft. If you’re a writer who doesn’t watch reality TV, or you do and feel guilty watching, here is your justification for diving in head first.
A show that piqued my interest so much that I started watching was SyFy channel’s Face Off. It hooked me right off, and after a while, I realized the show could be a wealth of information on world-building for science fiction and fantasy writers. Though now canceled after 13 seasons, you can stream the show, and I recommend it. Each weekly competition posed scenarios on which to base unique characters. Though the focus was on the make-up, the models made the characters come alive, and the artists created interesting back stories.
So that got me thinking that writers of any genre could glean ideas from all kinds of reality shows. Some may be a little on the nose (romance writers could watch The Bachelor), but if you dig a bit, you can find many redeeming qualities in a lot of shows.
I have been watching the new singing competition, The Masked Singer, purely to enjoy the music and assuming my interest would wane sooner than later. I was wrong. They hooked me in with its fast pace and plethora of clues to help identify who may be behind each ornate mask and costume. I’m certain I know who Bee is and pretty sure who Peacock is. How do you hook your readers? No matter what you write, take lessons from this show. I’m literally (yes, literally) on the edge of my seat every week. And if you’re a mystery writer, this is how you develop your story and include your clues to keep your readers on the edge of their seats (figuratively).
Paranormal reality shows such as Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures started as a guilty pleasure of mine. I was intrigued by the evidence collected by paranormal investigators, skeptical of them as proving paranormal activity but fascinated by evidence not easily explained away. What really hooked me, though, were the introductions to each location. The historical information is interesting, so while horror writers might gain inspiration from the investigation itself, historical fiction writers may be inspired by the setting – the history, the people who lived (and died) in the place, the architecture and furnishings, and other details that flesh out a story.
A little brainstorming can give you all the justification you need to watch (or start watching) any reality show you would like:Survivor – action, adventure, apocalypse scenarios, drama, conflict, character developmentShark Tank – dialog, futuristic gadgets, problem-solvingChopped – unique cookbook recipes, character development, mysteryCurse of Oak Island – mystery, historical fiction, adventure, tragedy, treasure hunting
If this was the justification you needed, you are welcome. Just be sure to take notes during each show so that you can enjoy them with minimal guilt. I don’t know that I can really help you justify watching sitcoms, but I’ll work on that.
Are you a writer who has gotten inspiration from reality TV? Tell us in the comments about your favorite shows and how they help you be a better writer.
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January 10, 2019
SF Ranks in Best Cinematography of the 20th Century
©2019 Kari Carlisle
courtesy of imdb.comWhat is the most important part of a movie? Is it the plot? The caliber of the acting? The quality of the direction? Certainly, music and editing play important roles. I move that while all these elements are important in the making of a good film, the cinematography ultimately tops the list in a motion picture’s ability to move its viewers, its power to bring you right into the world, not merely a viewer of it.
This week, the American Society of Cinematographers recognized its 100th anniversary and published its list of the top 100 films of the 20th century that mark achievements in cinematography. As I read through the top ten, as well as the remaining unranked 90 films, I could see why many of them were selected. I have seen quite a few of them, and while many are not well-known, they are imprinted on my memory because of the amazing cinematography.
I took special interest in the diversity of genres which even included one documentary. Of particular note are the science fiction and fantasy movies, as well as two horror, totaling more than 10% of the list.
But first I want to recognize the #1 spot, even though it is a historical drama. Lawrence of Arabia is one of my all-time favorite movies. I’ve watched it many times on VHS and DVD over the years, and when a local theater offered a single viewing of the movie on the big screen late one night for 25 cents, I could not pass up the opportunity. The cinematography, the music, and Peter O’Toole’s piercing blue eyes fairly leap out from the big screen so much more powerfully than the television. Unless you have seen Lawrence of Arabia and been so moved as I have, you cannot appreciate the homage to O’Toole’s T.E. Lawrence in Prometheus in which the artificial intelligence, David, emulates him.
In the number two spot on ASC’s list is Blade Runner. Its cinematic qualities copied many times since, Blade Runner set the stage for the modern dystopian zeitgeist.
Also in the top ten (at #9) is 2001: A Space Odyssey. Though we may still debate the film’s meaning, there’s no debate over the revolutionary quality of the film to transport us to space effectively for the first time in movie history.
Though the bottom 90 are unranked by ASC, I took the liberty of assigning my own ranking of the rest of the SFF and paranormal films on the list. I letter them so as not to confuse with ASC’s top ten.
A. Alien . Having seen this both when it first came to theaters and 25 years later on the biggest screen in Phoenix, the timelessness of its cinematography is evident. My visceral reaction as an adult to the chest-popping alien scene was nearly identical to my reaction seeing it for the first time as a teenager.
B. The Shining . Admit it... you cannot separate yourself from Danny as you ride that Big Wheel around the hotel corridor corner and stop dead at the sight of those creepy twin girls. To this day, it's hard for me to walk down a long hallway of an old hotel without feeling a twinge of dread.
C. The Matrix . The visual impact of finding ourselves in a reality different than the one we have known all our lives could not have been made through dialog.
D. Metropolis . By today’s standards, this movie’s cinematography still stands, especially considering they did not have computer-generated graphics available to them.
E. The Wizard of Oz . As a girl, how many times did I go skipping down the yellow brick road with my friends? Many, many times.
F. Brazil . A dystopia that is a little too close to reality for comfort, you can feel the strangulation of paperwork and ductwork, the relief of freedom through Sam Lowry’s fantasy world, the satisfaction of Harry Tuttle’s rebellion, and the frustration of Harry Buttle and his family. Not to mention the occasional bombing. One of my favorite movies.
G. Close Encounters of the Third Kind . It’s one thing to see a faint light in the sky and wonder how it could be moving erratically. It’s quite another to be driving down the road, your car stops running, everything starts shaking, and intense, multicolored lights burn your skin. Makes you want to build a mountain in your living room.
H. A Clockwork Orange . Already well-represented on the list, Stanley Kubrick envisions a dystopia uncomfortable in its psychological underpinnings. Is that all it takes to drive someone to evil and back?
I. The Exorcist . Only last on my list because I haven’t seen it! Adding to my watchlist…
Take a look at the full list HERE. Are there any science fiction, fantasy, and horror movies of the 20th century that you would add?
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To comment, scroll down and type in your comment. Under Comment As, you can select Anonymous or Name/URL (you don't need to enter a URL). Then hit Publish.
courtesy of imdb.comWhat is the most important part of a movie? Is it the plot? The caliber of the acting? The quality of the direction? Certainly, music and editing play important roles. I move that while all these elements are important in the making of a good film, the cinematography ultimately tops the list in a motion picture’s ability to move its viewers, its power to bring you right into the world, not merely a viewer of it.This week, the American Society of Cinematographers recognized its 100th anniversary and published its list of the top 100 films of the 20th century that mark achievements in cinematography. As I read through the top ten, as well as the remaining unranked 90 films, I could see why many of them were selected. I have seen quite a few of them, and while many are not well-known, they are imprinted on my memory because of the amazing cinematography.
I took special interest in the diversity of genres which even included one documentary. Of particular note are the science fiction and fantasy movies, as well as two horror, totaling more than 10% of the list.
But first I want to recognize the #1 spot, even though it is a historical drama. Lawrence of Arabia is one of my all-time favorite movies. I’ve watched it many times on VHS and DVD over the years, and when a local theater offered a single viewing of the movie on the big screen late one night for 25 cents, I could not pass up the opportunity. The cinematography, the music, and Peter O’Toole’s piercing blue eyes fairly leap out from the big screen so much more powerfully than the television. Unless you have seen Lawrence of Arabia and been so moved as I have, you cannot appreciate the homage to O’Toole’s T.E. Lawrence in Prometheus in which the artificial intelligence, David, emulates him.
In the number two spot on ASC’s list is Blade Runner. Its cinematic qualities copied many times since, Blade Runner set the stage for the modern dystopian zeitgeist.
Also in the top ten (at #9) is 2001: A Space Odyssey. Though we may still debate the film’s meaning, there’s no debate over the revolutionary quality of the film to transport us to space effectively for the first time in movie history.
Though the bottom 90 are unranked by ASC, I took the liberty of assigning my own ranking of the rest of the SFF and paranormal films on the list. I letter them so as not to confuse with ASC’s top ten.
A. Alien . Having seen this both when it first came to theaters and 25 years later on the biggest screen in Phoenix, the timelessness of its cinematography is evident. My visceral reaction as an adult to the chest-popping alien scene was nearly identical to my reaction seeing it for the first time as a teenager.
B. The Shining . Admit it... you cannot separate yourself from Danny as you ride that Big Wheel around the hotel corridor corner and stop dead at the sight of those creepy twin girls. To this day, it's hard for me to walk down a long hallway of an old hotel without feeling a twinge of dread.
C. The Matrix . The visual impact of finding ourselves in a reality different than the one we have known all our lives could not have been made through dialog.
D. Metropolis . By today’s standards, this movie’s cinematography still stands, especially considering they did not have computer-generated graphics available to them.
E. The Wizard of Oz . As a girl, how many times did I go skipping down the yellow brick road with my friends? Many, many times.
F. Brazil . A dystopia that is a little too close to reality for comfort, you can feel the strangulation of paperwork and ductwork, the relief of freedom through Sam Lowry’s fantasy world, the satisfaction of Harry Tuttle’s rebellion, and the frustration of Harry Buttle and his family. Not to mention the occasional bombing. One of my favorite movies.
G. Close Encounters of the Third Kind . It’s one thing to see a faint light in the sky and wonder how it could be moving erratically. It’s quite another to be driving down the road, your car stops running, everything starts shaking, and intense, multicolored lights burn your skin. Makes you want to build a mountain in your living room.
H. A Clockwork Orange . Already well-represented on the list, Stanley Kubrick envisions a dystopia uncomfortable in its psychological underpinnings. Is that all it takes to drive someone to evil and back?
I. The Exorcist . Only last on my list because I haven’t seen it! Adding to my watchlist…
Take a look at the full list HERE. Are there any science fiction, fantasy, and horror movies of the 20th century that you would add?
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To comment, scroll down and type in your comment. Under Comment As, you can select Anonymous or Name/URL (you don't need to enter a URL). Then hit Publish.
December 27, 2018
Brave New World and Sneaky Little Sister
©2018 Kari Carlisle
Courtesy of imdb.com
Acme Widget Company is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.
While we were all watching out for Big Brother, along came Sneaky Little Sister. Big Brother is still a concern – we are now in his scopes everywhere we go, and it’s only a matter of time before we won’t even have the privacy of our own homes. Maybe with satellite technology, that time has already come?
Sneaky Little Sister is a different invasion of our privacy where the very nature of our being is bought and sold and discriminated against while we ignore the fine print.
We certainly live in interesting times. Many of you reading this may not be old enough to have lived through the civil rights and women’s movements. As a result of pioneers like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Gloria Steinem, we in the U.S. and other countries around the world now enjoy “equal employment opportunity.” We don’t have to worry about being discriminated against for any protected class – race, gender, religion, etc... HA!
The fact is that laws can be put in place to protect us, but it does not stop discrimination from happening. Do you think inner city youth of color feel safe? How about the women who have finally found their voice in the #metoo movement?
Have I been discriminated against? Probably more often than I’m aware, and certainly often enough to be able to describe many instances. The law does not protect us, and only in blatant circumstances does it give us an opportunity to fight back.
Now there is a new way we can be discriminated against, and I’ll wager you might not be aware of it. Did you notice the EEO statement above reads a little different than it used to? While the company is fictional, the statement is real and has become so ubiquitous, we don’t bother reading it anymore. Over the years, it’s been revised to include additional classes of people that are in danger of being discriminated against. And now the EEO promise includes genetics.
That’s a thinker – how would someone be able to discriminate against me based on my genetics? Other than my outward appearance, how would someone, how would even I, know what my genetics are? How would someone even go about discriminating against them?
You may have seen reports in the news about cold cases being solved through genetics. It’s pretty cool that suspects can be narrowed down and identified through crime scene DNA samples being compared against the growing data set of genetics being collected through commercial DNA test kits. Pretty cool, huh? In addition to finding out your ancestry, if you get your DNA tested, you might help solve a murder!
But what they don’t tell you is if you get your DNA tested, you are giving away all rights to the information gleaned to the company you pay to do the test. They can’t take away who you are, but you are freely giving them everything they can learn about you through the code of your genetics. Forever. There may be limited information they have figured out to date, but the more data they collect, over time, they will be able to learn so much more. Should we be worried?
Yes, we should be worried. If these companies own our genetic information, they can sell it. In the future, employer background checks may include genetics. Sure, it will be under the guise of determining whether you have a propensity toward violence, but there may be other traits they could discriminate against like an increased risk for health problems or whether you eat your boogers.
Science fiction such as Gattaca and Westworld have given us a peak into what could happen in a world gone amok with misuse of genetic information. Ultimately, it boils down to power and greed – if someone can gain power or make money from the information found in genetic material, they will do so.
If you think you can avoid being a victim by avoiding the DNA test, think again. Not only can they determine a lot of information from close relatives who get their DNA tested, you can’t avoid someone collecting a sample of your DNA. Employers can require drug tests, and they may just start collecting DNA samples, too. Your doctor may soon be required to include genetic information in your medical file which, by the way, will be digitized and shared in a database for any healthcare provider (or employer or government) to access. Dystopia is not far away.
So quit worrying about what information on you that Facebook is collecting and selling. That ain’t nuthin compared to what those DNA testing companies are doing.
If you just have to find out if you have any Neanderthal in you, there is a way to test your DNA without giving away your data. You can pay an arm and a leg to have an independent lab do the test. To what end? You own the data. You keep your genetics information private. But if you’re like me, you can just shrug your shoulders, get the test done, and then tell all your Facebook friends if you’re part Neanderthal because that would be too cool not to share. I will probably get the test done. I’m just waiting for the price to go down a little more. I’ll let you know what I find out.
Have you had your DNA tested? What fun fact did you learn that you didn’t know? Tell me in the comments….
Click here to receive the Apocalypse Observer Newsletter in your inbox
www.readmota.com
To comment, scroll down and type in your comment. Under Comment As, you can select Anonymous or Name/URL (you don't need to enter a URL). Then hit Publish.
Courtesy of imdb.comAcme Widget Company is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.
While we were all watching out for Big Brother, along came Sneaky Little Sister. Big Brother is still a concern – we are now in his scopes everywhere we go, and it’s only a matter of time before we won’t even have the privacy of our own homes. Maybe with satellite technology, that time has already come?
Sneaky Little Sister is a different invasion of our privacy where the very nature of our being is bought and sold and discriminated against while we ignore the fine print.
We certainly live in interesting times. Many of you reading this may not be old enough to have lived through the civil rights and women’s movements. As a result of pioneers like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Gloria Steinem, we in the U.S. and other countries around the world now enjoy “equal employment opportunity.” We don’t have to worry about being discriminated against for any protected class – race, gender, religion, etc... HA!
The fact is that laws can be put in place to protect us, but it does not stop discrimination from happening. Do you think inner city youth of color feel safe? How about the women who have finally found their voice in the #metoo movement?
Have I been discriminated against? Probably more often than I’m aware, and certainly often enough to be able to describe many instances. The law does not protect us, and only in blatant circumstances does it give us an opportunity to fight back.
Now there is a new way we can be discriminated against, and I’ll wager you might not be aware of it. Did you notice the EEO statement above reads a little different than it used to? While the company is fictional, the statement is real and has become so ubiquitous, we don’t bother reading it anymore. Over the years, it’s been revised to include additional classes of people that are in danger of being discriminated against. And now the EEO promise includes genetics.
That’s a thinker – how would someone be able to discriminate against me based on my genetics? Other than my outward appearance, how would someone, how would even I, know what my genetics are? How would someone even go about discriminating against them?
You may have seen reports in the news about cold cases being solved through genetics. It’s pretty cool that suspects can be narrowed down and identified through crime scene DNA samples being compared against the growing data set of genetics being collected through commercial DNA test kits. Pretty cool, huh? In addition to finding out your ancestry, if you get your DNA tested, you might help solve a murder!
But what they don’t tell you is if you get your DNA tested, you are giving away all rights to the information gleaned to the company you pay to do the test. They can’t take away who you are, but you are freely giving them everything they can learn about you through the code of your genetics. Forever. There may be limited information they have figured out to date, but the more data they collect, over time, they will be able to learn so much more. Should we be worried?
Yes, we should be worried. If these companies own our genetic information, they can sell it. In the future, employer background checks may include genetics. Sure, it will be under the guise of determining whether you have a propensity toward violence, but there may be other traits they could discriminate against like an increased risk for health problems or whether you eat your boogers.
Science fiction such as Gattaca and Westworld have given us a peak into what could happen in a world gone amok with misuse of genetic information. Ultimately, it boils down to power and greed – if someone can gain power or make money from the information found in genetic material, they will do so.
If you think you can avoid being a victim by avoiding the DNA test, think again. Not only can they determine a lot of information from close relatives who get their DNA tested, you can’t avoid someone collecting a sample of your DNA. Employers can require drug tests, and they may just start collecting DNA samples, too. Your doctor may soon be required to include genetic information in your medical file which, by the way, will be digitized and shared in a database for any healthcare provider (or employer or government) to access. Dystopia is not far away.
So quit worrying about what information on you that Facebook is collecting and selling. That ain’t nuthin compared to what those DNA testing companies are doing.
If you just have to find out if you have any Neanderthal in you, there is a way to test your DNA without giving away your data. You can pay an arm and a leg to have an independent lab do the test. To what end? You own the data. You keep your genetics information private. But if you’re like me, you can just shrug your shoulders, get the test done, and then tell all your Facebook friends if you’re part Neanderthal because that would be too cool not to share. I will probably get the test done. I’m just waiting for the price to go down a little more. I’ll let you know what I find out.
Have you had your DNA tested? What fun fact did you learn that you didn’t know? Tell me in the comments….
Click here to receive the Apocalypse Observer Newsletter in your inbox
www.readmota.com
To comment, scroll down and type in your comment. Under Comment As, you can select Anonymous or Name/URL (you don't need to enter a URL). Then hit Publish.
December 13, 2018
A Rich Heart
©2018 Kari Carlisle
Recently, news programs are reporting about Walmarts across the country where donors, anonymous and otherwise, are paying tens of thousands of dollars to pay off every single layaway in the store. With teary eyes, recipients learning about the gifts announce how this wonderful act will make their Christmas unusually special. It’s a heart-warming story.
Another story circulating on Facebook talks about an NFL player who has paid for homes for single mothers. Another heart-warming story.
Since the vast majority of us do not have the means to drop hundreds or thousands of dollars to help others, these stories may elicit a variety of responses, none of which includes walking into a Walmart and paying off all the layaways.
If your first reaction to hearing these kinds of stories is “I wish someone would pay for my Christmas presents or my house,” I suppose that’s normal human nature. Where’s my sugar daddy/mama? But if that thought includes an attitude of expectation and/or feelings of jealousy, anger, and resentment, well, that’s entitlement. Sorry, but expecting a rich stranger to give you lots of money because it happened to someone else is unreasonable.
Another potential response is to say, “I wish I had the means to do that for other people.” It feels good to think that if only I were rich/won the lottery, I would do X, Y, and Z for others. The reality is you aren’t, so you won’t. Too bad for all those people (and yourself) you could have helped.
A third response to hearing extreme generosity stories is “It’s too bad I can’t do that, but what can I do to make someone’s day today?”
A couple of days ago, I was checking out at a department store, and the cashier told me about something that happened earlier in the day… A man with several items to purchase suddenly realized he didn’t have enough money to pay for it all, and he apologized and said he had to put some of it back. The man in line behind him insisted on paying for his entire purchase. He was grateful and insisted he should at least put back the 6-pack of beer. The man said absolutely not – you’re getting the beer. After paying for the man’s purchase and his own, he waited to pay for the purchase of the elderly woman behind him, too. I don’t know how much that man paid for two complete strangers, but I bet it was maybe $100, give or take. But the reaction was priceless. That man generously gave to two strangers, but he made a lot of people feel good that day – himself (I hope), the cashier, witnesses, and everyone the cashier told, including other customers, other employees, her family and friends, and me.
Maybe you can’t even afford that? Do you have an hour? Visit folks in a care center. Volunteer to read to kids in a library. Clean house or cook a meal for an elderly neighbor.
Don’t have a million dollars? There are still a million things you can do to help others. Quit waiting to become a millionaire before you enrich someone’s life, including your own.
Click here to receive the Apocalypse Observer Newsletter in your inbox
www.readmota.com
To comment, scroll down and type in your comment. Under Comment As, you can select Anonymous or Name/URL (you don't need to enter a URL). Then hit Publish.
Recently, news programs are reporting about Walmarts across the country where donors, anonymous and otherwise, are paying tens of thousands of dollars to pay off every single layaway in the store. With teary eyes, recipients learning about the gifts announce how this wonderful act will make their Christmas unusually special. It’s a heart-warming story.
Another story circulating on Facebook talks about an NFL player who has paid for homes for single mothers. Another heart-warming story.
Since the vast majority of us do not have the means to drop hundreds or thousands of dollars to help others, these stories may elicit a variety of responses, none of which includes walking into a Walmart and paying off all the layaways.
If your first reaction to hearing these kinds of stories is “I wish someone would pay for my Christmas presents or my house,” I suppose that’s normal human nature. Where’s my sugar daddy/mama? But if that thought includes an attitude of expectation and/or feelings of jealousy, anger, and resentment, well, that’s entitlement. Sorry, but expecting a rich stranger to give you lots of money because it happened to someone else is unreasonable.
Another potential response is to say, “I wish I had the means to do that for other people.” It feels good to think that if only I were rich/won the lottery, I would do X, Y, and Z for others. The reality is you aren’t, so you won’t. Too bad for all those people (and yourself) you could have helped.
A third response to hearing extreme generosity stories is “It’s too bad I can’t do that, but what can I do to make someone’s day today?”
A couple of days ago, I was checking out at a department store, and the cashier told me about something that happened earlier in the day… A man with several items to purchase suddenly realized he didn’t have enough money to pay for it all, and he apologized and said he had to put some of it back. The man in line behind him insisted on paying for his entire purchase. He was grateful and insisted he should at least put back the 6-pack of beer. The man said absolutely not – you’re getting the beer. After paying for the man’s purchase and his own, he waited to pay for the purchase of the elderly woman behind him, too. I don’t know how much that man paid for two complete strangers, but I bet it was maybe $100, give or take. But the reaction was priceless. That man generously gave to two strangers, but he made a lot of people feel good that day – himself (I hope), the cashier, witnesses, and everyone the cashier told, including other customers, other employees, her family and friends, and me.
Maybe you can’t even afford that? Do you have an hour? Visit folks in a care center. Volunteer to read to kids in a library. Clean house or cook a meal for an elderly neighbor.
Don’t have a million dollars? There are still a million things you can do to help others. Quit waiting to become a millionaire before you enrich someone’s life, including your own.
Click here to receive the Apocalypse Observer Newsletter in your inbox
www.readmota.com
To comment, scroll down and type in your comment. Under Comment As, you can select Anonymous or Name/URL (you don't need to enter a URL). Then hit Publish.
November 29, 2018
Merry AI Apocalypse
©2018 Kari Carlisle
The AI apocalypse is here.
Okay, maybe I’m being a bit melodramatic, but we do have a problem. The problem is not with Artificial Intelligence. Robots are not taking over. AI has not developed consciousness and is systematically eliminating the human race from existence. The problem, once again, is humans. Particular nasty humans are using (misusing) AI for their own selfish greed.
As you know, unless you are a hermit living in a cave, many people around the world are currently swept up into a buying frenzy. The holidays are the excuse, but it’s just an excuse. People like buying things whether they have the means or not. Magic plastic cards enable people without money in the bank to keep buying.
Many of the items being purchased are gifts for children. We want our kids and grandkids to have everything they want during this magical time of year. I’m guilty. My dogs probably have as many toys as your kids.
All this buying seems to be the thread that our economy is dangling from. I’m sure that’s not really true, but I’m no economist. Judging from news about holiday spending and the origin of the term, Black Friday, the day many retailers finally get into “the black” (making a profit) for the year, holiday spending is clearly important to retailers at least.
Here’s where AI fits in. People are using algorithms to purchase popular toys online, all of them, and then resell them at a higher price. Great for retailers – they sell their stock faster than anticipated, and customers, who desperately need to buy something, buy other things that are still in stock, increasing sales (and revenues) for the retailer. Now, the retailer can buy more stock and give more dividends to their stockholders, another winner.
Who loses? The consumer. After Mrs. Consumer doesn’t find Popular Toy that Consumer, Jr. will just die if he doesn’t get, Mrs. Consumer buys five other toys on MajorRetailer.com, hoping that will make up for Consumer, Jr.’s disappointment. After a sleepless night, Mrs. Consumer goes back online in a desperate attempt to find Popular Toy, because she just can’t bear to see the disappointed look on Consumer, Jr.’s face. To her delight, she finds Popular Toy for sale on MajorResaler.com. It’s considerably more expensive, but she’s too happy and excited to care. Consumer, Jr. gets six toys and never learns to deal with disappointment.
When you saw on the news that consumer spending is up and record sales are being made, and therefore, consumer confidence must be up, did it make you happy? Sure! It means the economy is improving, right? I don’t think so. I think that consumers are being screwed. And I doubt it’s an anomaly. I think bad people will continue to find new and dangerous ways to use AI to profit, and this is only the beginning.
It’s not necessarily bad people doing all the damage, either. Wall Street is using algorithms to automate stock exchanges. The more we rely on AI to do economic “labor,” the more we risk catastrophic damage to the economy across the globe before humans recognize the failure and pull the plug.
What can we do about it? Not much, I fear. Sit back and watch the show. But at least be aware of the potential problems and teach Junior something about disappointment. And buffer yourself from economic troubles ahead. Stay away from the magic plastic. It will ruin you, AI apocalypse or not.
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www.readmota.com
To comment, scroll down and type in your comment. Under Comment As, you can select Anonymous or Name/URL (you don't need to enter a URL). Then hit Publish.
The AI apocalypse is here.
Okay, maybe I’m being a bit melodramatic, but we do have a problem. The problem is not with Artificial Intelligence. Robots are not taking over. AI has not developed consciousness and is systematically eliminating the human race from existence. The problem, once again, is humans. Particular nasty humans are using (misusing) AI for their own selfish greed.
As you know, unless you are a hermit living in a cave, many people around the world are currently swept up into a buying frenzy. The holidays are the excuse, but it’s just an excuse. People like buying things whether they have the means or not. Magic plastic cards enable people without money in the bank to keep buying.
Many of the items being purchased are gifts for children. We want our kids and grandkids to have everything they want during this magical time of year. I’m guilty. My dogs probably have as many toys as your kids.
All this buying seems to be the thread that our economy is dangling from. I’m sure that’s not really true, but I’m no economist. Judging from news about holiday spending and the origin of the term, Black Friday, the day many retailers finally get into “the black” (making a profit) for the year, holiday spending is clearly important to retailers at least.
Here’s where AI fits in. People are using algorithms to purchase popular toys online, all of them, and then resell them at a higher price. Great for retailers – they sell their stock faster than anticipated, and customers, who desperately need to buy something, buy other things that are still in stock, increasing sales (and revenues) for the retailer. Now, the retailer can buy more stock and give more dividends to their stockholders, another winner.
Who loses? The consumer. After Mrs. Consumer doesn’t find Popular Toy that Consumer, Jr. will just die if he doesn’t get, Mrs. Consumer buys five other toys on MajorRetailer.com, hoping that will make up for Consumer, Jr.’s disappointment. After a sleepless night, Mrs. Consumer goes back online in a desperate attempt to find Popular Toy, because she just can’t bear to see the disappointed look on Consumer, Jr.’s face. To her delight, she finds Popular Toy for sale on MajorResaler.com. It’s considerably more expensive, but she’s too happy and excited to care. Consumer, Jr. gets six toys and never learns to deal with disappointment.
When you saw on the news that consumer spending is up and record sales are being made, and therefore, consumer confidence must be up, did it make you happy? Sure! It means the economy is improving, right? I don’t think so. I think that consumers are being screwed. And I doubt it’s an anomaly. I think bad people will continue to find new and dangerous ways to use AI to profit, and this is only the beginning.
It’s not necessarily bad people doing all the damage, either. Wall Street is using algorithms to automate stock exchanges. The more we rely on AI to do economic “labor,” the more we risk catastrophic damage to the economy across the globe before humans recognize the failure and pull the plug.
What can we do about it? Not much, I fear. Sit back and watch the show. But at least be aware of the potential problems and teach Junior something about disappointment. And buffer yourself from economic troubles ahead. Stay away from the magic plastic. It will ruin you, AI apocalypse or not.
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November 15, 2018
Glass Half Empty?
©2018 Kari Carlisle
I’ve always been a glass half full kind of person. An optimist who is always looking for the benefits in the worst of circumstances. When I first heard the question, many years ago, if the glass has water at the halfway mark, is it half full or half empty, I was surprised to learn that anyone would automatically think of it as half empty. It still took years more to realize that some people are wired that way.
And that’s a good thing! We need people who see the possibilities in life, and we also need people who “play the devil’s advocate” so to speak. We need the people who always say “Yes!” to be tempered by the people who say, “Wait a minute….” We need to look at life from all angles.
If you’re a glass half empty kind of person, thank you for keeping me in check and giving me things to think about. I hope that I, in turn, can encourage you to see hope and exciting possibilities. Let us be yin and yang, never sinking to the depths of despair nor blindly skipping into dangerous conditions. Let us have the kind of relationship that continually builds growth. The only way we can do that is to be willing to understand each other and accept each other’s perspective.
I have dramatically oversimplified the situation. The fact is we are all much more complicated creatures. I may be generally optimistic about most things, but I can be pessimistic and even despairing, too. Pessimists, likewise, and not all doom and gloom. Life can hand us roses one day and kick our asses the next. Sometimes, everything is rosy for long stretches, and other times, we just can’t catch a break. How we deal with our situation varies from one day to the next and from one person to the next. Navigating life and relationships is not simple or easy, regardless of mindset or circumstances.
As Thanksgiving approaches, I’ve been thinking about what I’m thankful for. It’s easier for optimists than for pessimists, I believe, to conduct this exercise. Life’s crap may outweigh the good stuff in quantity but never in quality. I have a husband who loves me, friends who care for me, dogs that ease my anxiety and provide a fun distraction from my troubles. And believe or not, I love doing dishes, and there are always dishes.
So my advice to you this Thanksgiving, whether you’re an optimist or pessimist, whether or not life is kicking your ass, if you’re struggling to find gratitude in your heart, there are two things you must do. First, do what I do and focus on what is quality in your life. No matter how bad it is, there must be people, pets, activities that bring you some happiness. Second, do something to be the “quality” in someone else’s life. Help a friend, donate, volunteer, pay a compliment, and make someone else’s day. It will make your day, too.
And there is one thing you must not do. You must not compare yourself or your situation to others. Every person is on their own journey. Comparing only leads to negativity. Even the “harmless” thought that others have things worse than you diminishes the importance of your own circumstances and leads to guilt over having bad feelings. Remember that your feelings are valid, but you should never make decisions based on them.
If what I am saying does not resonate with you, if you are dealing with loss, anxiety, depression, or if you are having thoughts of suicide, you are not alone. And there is help. Whether or not you have thoughts of suicide, if you are in emotional distress, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-8255.
For many, the holidays are a time of celebration and joy, but suicide rates go up during the holidays. Don’t get caught up in the holiday spirit so much that you miss helping the person who needs you. If you go out of your way to help someone in need, you will find one more thing to be thankful for, and you will have given someone else something to be thankful for – YOU!
Click here to receive the Apocalypse Observer Newsletter in your inbox
www.readmota.com
To comment, scroll down and type in your comment. Under Comment As, you can select Anonymous or Name/URL (you don't need to enter a URL). Then hit Publish.
I’ve always been a glass half full kind of person. An optimist who is always looking for the benefits in the worst of circumstances. When I first heard the question, many years ago, if the glass has water at the halfway mark, is it half full or half empty, I was surprised to learn that anyone would automatically think of it as half empty. It still took years more to realize that some people are wired that way.
And that’s a good thing! We need people who see the possibilities in life, and we also need people who “play the devil’s advocate” so to speak. We need the people who always say “Yes!” to be tempered by the people who say, “Wait a minute….” We need to look at life from all angles.
If you’re a glass half empty kind of person, thank you for keeping me in check and giving me things to think about. I hope that I, in turn, can encourage you to see hope and exciting possibilities. Let us be yin and yang, never sinking to the depths of despair nor blindly skipping into dangerous conditions. Let us have the kind of relationship that continually builds growth. The only way we can do that is to be willing to understand each other and accept each other’s perspective.
I have dramatically oversimplified the situation. The fact is we are all much more complicated creatures. I may be generally optimistic about most things, but I can be pessimistic and even despairing, too. Pessimists, likewise, and not all doom and gloom. Life can hand us roses one day and kick our asses the next. Sometimes, everything is rosy for long stretches, and other times, we just can’t catch a break. How we deal with our situation varies from one day to the next and from one person to the next. Navigating life and relationships is not simple or easy, regardless of mindset or circumstances.
As Thanksgiving approaches, I’ve been thinking about what I’m thankful for. It’s easier for optimists than for pessimists, I believe, to conduct this exercise. Life’s crap may outweigh the good stuff in quantity but never in quality. I have a husband who loves me, friends who care for me, dogs that ease my anxiety and provide a fun distraction from my troubles. And believe or not, I love doing dishes, and there are always dishes.
So my advice to you this Thanksgiving, whether you’re an optimist or pessimist, whether or not life is kicking your ass, if you’re struggling to find gratitude in your heart, there are two things you must do. First, do what I do and focus on what is quality in your life. No matter how bad it is, there must be people, pets, activities that bring you some happiness. Second, do something to be the “quality” in someone else’s life. Help a friend, donate, volunteer, pay a compliment, and make someone else’s day. It will make your day, too.
And there is one thing you must not do. You must not compare yourself or your situation to others. Every person is on their own journey. Comparing only leads to negativity. Even the “harmless” thought that others have things worse than you diminishes the importance of your own circumstances and leads to guilt over having bad feelings. Remember that your feelings are valid, but you should never make decisions based on them.
If what I am saying does not resonate with you, if you are dealing with loss, anxiety, depression, or if you are having thoughts of suicide, you are not alone. And there is help. Whether or not you have thoughts of suicide, if you are in emotional distress, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-8255.
For many, the holidays are a time of celebration and joy, but suicide rates go up during the holidays. Don’t get caught up in the holiday spirit so much that you miss helping the person who needs you. If you go out of your way to help someone in need, you will find one more thing to be thankful for, and you will have given someone else something to be thankful for – YOU!
Click here to receive the Apocalypse Observer Newsletter in your inbox
www.readmota.com
To comment, scroll down and type in your comment. Under Comment As, you can select Anonymous or Name/URL (you don't need to enter a URL). Then hit Publish.
November 1, 2018
Five Things to Do with Leftover Halloween Candy
©2018 Kari Carlisle
What has happened to Halloween? Judging from television, nothing has changed from the glory days of dressing and walking up and down every street in the neighborhood, knocking on every door (except for the obligatory “haunted house” found in every community), and collecting gobs of candy upon screeching “trick or treat!” But judging from reality, parents are finding alternative, safer(?) methods of giving their kids sugar comas. Which leaves those of us who decorated the house, dressed up, and bought bags of candy in preparation to both scare and delight the throngs of Deadpools and Harley Quinns in the lurch to clean up and somehow dispose of pounds of candy. What to do?
Return it. If you have unopened bags and a store receipt, you may be able to return the candy. If the candy is specifically Halloween themed, you may be turned away or only receive current retail price which is probably 10-50% of the price you paid.
Donate it. Check with a local food bank to see if they can use the candy. Also consider the kids in the hospital who didn’t get to participate in Halloween festivities. Or just ask around your friends and family to see if there’s a family in need. Yes, I know no one NEEDS candy, but candy can make someone happy in unfortunate circumstances.
Take it to work. Share your leftovers with your coworkers. A little mid-day sugar rush may brighten the mood and relieve strained office politics.
Gift it. If the candy doesn’t scream Halloween (see what I did there?), put it in a nice container, wrap it up, and give it as a birthday or Christmas gift.
Eat it. Not all at once. Limit yourself. Especially with Thanksgiving and Christmas around the corner, we don’t need the extra calories. Get creative with the candy. Consider what you might use it for before tearing into it and gobbling it up like a pterodactyl. Bake it into holiday cookies and brownies. Chop it up and use it as an ice cream topper. Add it to your trail mix. It should last for months, so don’t panic. Too bad there isn’t a time-release device to parse it out until Easter.
One thing NOT to do with Halloween candy is let it sit on a shelf for months if it’s not in sealed wrappers. I once opened a mini peanut butter cup two months after Halloween, and a moth flew out.
What super ideas have I missed for using leftover Halloween candy? Let me know in the comments….
Click here to receive the Apocalypse Observer Newsletter in your inbox
www.readmota.com
To comment, scroll down and type in your comment. Under Comment As, you can select Anonymous or Name/URL (you don't need to enter a URL). Then hit Publish.
What has happened to Halloween? Judging from television, nothing has changed from the glory days of dressing and walking up and down every street in the neighborhood, knocking on every door (except for the obligatory “haunted house” found in every community), and collecting gobs of candy upon screeching “trick or treat!” But judging from reality, parents are finding alternative, safer(?) methods of giving their kids sugar comas. Which leaves those of us who decorated the house, dressed up, and bought bags of candy in preparation to both scare and delight the throngs of Deadpools and Harley Quinns in the lurch to clean up and somehow dispose of pounds of candy. What to do?
Return it. If you have unopened bags and a store receipt, you may be able to return the candy. If the candy is specifically Halloween themed, you may be turned away or only receive current retail price which is probably 10-50% of the price you paid.
Donate it. Check with a local food bank to see if they can use the candy. Also consider the kids in the hospital who didn’t get to participate in Halloween festivities. Or just ask around your friends and family to see if there’s a family in need. Yes, I know no one NEEDS candy, but candy can make someone happy in unfortunate circumstances.
Take it to work. Share your leftovers with your coworkers. A little mid-day sugar rush may brighten the mood and relieve strained office politics.
Gift it. If the candy doesn’t scream Halloween (see what I did there?), put it in a nice container, wrap it up, and give it as a birthday or Christmas gift.
Eat it. Not all at once. Limit yourself. Especially with Thanksgiving and Christmas around the corner, we don’t need the extra calories. Get creative with the candy. Consider what you might use it for before tearing into it and gobbling it up like a pterodactyl. Bake it into holiday cookies and brownies. Chop it up and use it as an ice cream topper. Add it to your trail mix. It should last for months, so don’t panic. Too bad there isn’t a time-release device to parse it out until Easter.
One thing NOT to do with Halloween candy is let it sit on a shelf for months if it’s not in sealed wrappers. I once opened a mini peanut butter cup two months after Halloween, and a moth flew out.
What super ideas have I missed for using leftover Halloween candy? Let me know in the comments….
Click here to receive the Apocalypse Observer Newsletter in your inbox
www.readmota.com
To comment, scroll down and type in your comment. Under Comment As, you can select Anonymous or Name/URL (you don't need to enter a URL). Then hit Publish.
October 18, 2018
Your Vote Counts. Even If You're An Idiot.
©2018 Kari Carlisle
When we’re not being divisive over politics, we’re talking about how divisive we are over politics. Tiresome, isn’t it? So, when I attended an academic symposium last week, I wasn’t sure it wouldn’t turn into a political rally. It did. But I stayed. I stayed because I was interested in learning what people’s perspectives were, and I learned a lot about an issue that I didn’t know much about… K-12 Education.
Arizona passed a law allowing tax dollars to be taken from public schools and given to parents as vouchers to use for private schools. I’ve seen firsthand the damage being done to public schools on Indian reservations and just didn’t know what the cause was. While I like the idea of freedom of choice for families, I can see that most families, especially in rural areas, have no choice. There are not a lot of private schools on the reservations that make up a good chunk of Arizona. Nor am I super keen on my tax dollars being handed over to affluent families who have the resources to pay for private schools without vouchers.
A grassroots movement of parents and teachers is underway to undo the voucher law, yet there’s an initiative is on the ballot in the current election to actually expand the law. The initiative is significantly up in the polls and seems likely to succeed. According to the speakers at the symposium, Arizona is not alone. This is a nationwide effort by billionaires making a lot of money from the private school system to eliminate public schools by defunding them and then denigrating them as ineffective. Me loves me a good conspiracy theory, and this one rings true.
Why, if the law is so clearly damaging to public schools and their students, is the initiative succeeding? One reason, I believe, is the billionaire backing to fight it with cleverly-worded ad campaigns that twist the issue around. People who vote based on slogans will vote for the initiative because it sounds like they are voting for “empowerment” and “choice” and “freedom.” The other reason is that the issue has been clearly cut on party lines. People who vote based on their political party’s stance without giving it another thought are idiots. Sorry, but if you have a brain and don’t use it, you’re an idiot. Don’t let others make your decisions for you.
While I’m far from understanding all the nuances of the current law and the upcoming ballot initiative and their impacts on children, from what I do understand, the voucher system as it currently works does seem to be a bad way to go about providing families with freedom of educational choice. Like I said, I’m all for freedom of choice, but our freedom should not be at the sacrifice of innocent others.
As you head to the polls, please, I’m begging you, take the time to research candidates, understand the issues, and consider how your vote will affect people, our freedom, the environment, the economy, and everything that matters to you. It’s just plain lazy to vote on party lines, on slogans, on gender, on looks, on how you like a candidate’s name or not (there’s a candidate with last name Schmuck, and I wonder how that will affect voter decisions).
We’re not voting for prom king and queen. We’re voting for our future. Do it right.
Click here to receive the Apocalypse Observer Newsletter in your inbox
www.readmota.com
To comment, scroll down and type in your comment. Under Comment As, you can select Anonymous or Name/URL (you don't need to enter a URL). Then hit Publish.
When we’re not being divisive over politics, we’re talking about how divisive we are over politics. Tiresome, isn’t it? So, when I attended an academic symposium last week, I wasn’t sure it wouldn’t turn into a political rally. It did. But I stayed. I stayed because I was interested in learning what people’s perspectives were, and I learned a lot about an issue that I didn’t know much about… K-12 Education.
Arizona passed a law allowing tax dollars to be taken from public schools and given to parents as vouchers to use for private schools. I’ve seen firsthand the damage being done to public schools on Indian reservations and just didn’t know what the cause was. While I like the idea of freedom of choice for families, I can see that most families, especially in rural areas, have no choice. There are not a lot of private schools on the reservations that make up a good chunk of Arizona. Nor am I super keen on my tax dollars being handed over to affluent families who have the resources to pay for private schools without vouchers.
A grassroots movement of parents and teachers is underway to undo the voucher law, yet there’s an initiative is on the ballot in the current election to actually expand the law. The initiative is significantly up in the polls and seems likely to succeed. According to the speakers at the symposium, Arizona is not alone. This is a nationwide effort by billionaires making a lot of money from the private school system to eliminate public schools by defunding them and then denigrating them as ineffective. Me loves me a good conspiracy theory, and this one rings true.
Why, if the law is so clearly damaging to public schools and their students, is the initiative succeeding? One reason, I believe, is the billionaire backing to fight it with cleverly-worded ad campaigns that twist the issue around. People who vote based on slogans will vote for the initiative because it sounds like they are voting for “empowerment” and “choice” and “freedom.” The other reason is that the issue has been clearly cut on party lines. People who vote based on their political party’s stance without giving it another thought are idiots. Sorry, but if you have a brain and don’t use it, you’re an idiot. Don’t let others make your decisions for you.
While I’m far from understanding all the nuances of the current law and the upcoming ballot initiative and their impacts on children, from what I do understand, the voucher system as it currently works does seem to be a bad way to go about providing families with freedom of educational choice. Like I said, I’m all for freedom of choice, but our freedom should not be at the sacrifice of innocent others.
As you head to the polls, please, I’m begging you, take the time to research candidates, understand the issues, and consider how your vote will affect people, our freedom, the environment, the economy, and everything that matters to you. It’s just plain lazy to vote on party lines, on slogans, on gender, on looks, on how you like a candidate’s name or not (there’s a candidate with last name Schmuck, and I wonder how that will affect voter decisions).
We’re not voting for prom king and queen. We’re voting for our future. Do it right.
Click here to receive the Apocalypse Observer Newsletter in your inbox
www.readmota.com
To comment, scroll down and type in your comment. Under Comment As, you can select Anonymous or Name/URL (you don't need to enter a URL). Then hit Publish.
