Through the Glass

Today's topic is a repost from April 30th, 2013

Has anyone seen the new invention GOOGLE GLASS? It is the first step in the evolution of an invention I have envisioned in our future within my Science Fiction Trilogy The Morian Trilogy. I call this device an INPUT Individual Personal Uplink Transmitter. It’s a small device implanted inside the human skull behind the left eyeball upon birth. This apparatus emits a signal that communicates with the brain waves of the user allowing utilization to a planetary database, which, in this future time has developed its own persona. Our planet’s database, known as MOTHER EARTH, has a nurturing and tranquil personality.

In this distant future (300 years hence) we have established a colony on Mars within a large sprawling metropolis known as NEW SARDONIA. On the Red Planet the database is known as BROTHER MARS. Being developed by the original tenants of the colony, miners, it’s personality is very brash and gritty (curses like a sailor). The unique result is that these databases become characters on their own, being intrical to the story.

The INPUT, being in sync with the possessor’s brain frequency, projects a screen before the user’s eyes providing an interface to control information type and volume accessed from the database. Because the device is tuned in to a unique frequency the screen’s images are only visible to the user. The result being, everything humanity does, communicating with one another, reading a book, accessing the news, is all done through this device. No TV, no phones not a movie theater to be found.

Sounds kind of cool, right? Hold the phone (if there were any in the future). If this great invention transmits, can it not also receive? The question of privacy immediately comes into question. Who is to say that the controlling element cannot access information from the client using the same system in reverse? This is the dilemma encountered by the future governmental entity (known as The United States of North America).  Their solution is a security filter built into the INPUT programming…working like a firewall of sorts. Anyone who has been hacked (recently I had a run in with the FBI virus) knows that these security devices do not always work.

What is not known within this paradigm is that the INPUT is not a human invention at all, but was developed by aliens that have existed on this planet for tens of thousands of years. These off-worlders invented the apparatus for the sole purpose of using it to control humanity for their own diabolical needs steering our social progression for centuries.

Am I insinuating that GOOGLE GLASS is developed by aliens? Of course not. But, does not anyone else see the potential future problems this product may hold in its eventual evolution? Is the GOOGLE GLASS user (unknowing to us) taking pictures and spying on us for some malevolent purpose? Or, maybe I know something you don’t and these are the aliens of my Science Fiction Series and this is just the beginning of their attempt to take our world from us.

What do you think?

 

Moral Erosion of America

Considering recent events within the United States there is no doubt that there is a direct correlation between the increase in violence and the gradual decline of morals, ethics and parenting within this country. We are cultivating a kind of mental illness and breeding a dangerous apathy and entitlement within the youth of our nation.

I remember growing up with Television sitcoms like Leave it to Beaver, I Love Lucy and the Andy Griffith Show. These shows always aired in the afternoons after we got home from school and always dealt with social problems and life's issues in a mature and ethically responsible manner. Every episode seemed to include moralistic lessons to be learned making them helpful in instilling values in my generation. You see, there were few channels to select from, so we had very little choice in what we viewed. Believe it or not there were video games back in those days, but they had to do mostly with pulverizing asteroids or batting a square ball back and forth in very low pixel resolution.

Conversely, there is a huge disconnect in our society today with most parents leaving our children in the company of television and violent video games instead of being actively involved in their lives. As a result our kids are being desensitized to violence and are becoming prone to aggressive behavior. And we, as a society, have stopped taking responsibility for the consequences blaming it on everything and everyone but the liable parties. Ourselves.

Those early sitcoms have been replaced with shows like The Simpsons, South Park and Family Guy. Most are now available in the afternoons, but for a completely different reason. In the environment of divorced parents or because of today’s economy most mothers and fathers both have to work leaving our kids home alone in those few hours after school. We called them latch key kids in my day. These shows are conveniently placed in this time slot to avoid parental complaints to the watch dog groups about their content. Not only that but, with iPads, iPhones and computers kids have access to material with viewing choices and times always possible. I recall hearing my kids giggling away, on endless occasions, while viewing clips of Family Guy and The Simpsons on their smart phone from the back seat riding along in the car.  
 
I could write a whole blog on the issues each of these shows contribute to moral decay, but I will generalize. These shows entice children in with their animation then expose them to adult situations and concepts with nary a consequence. They deal with sex, drug use and violence, things that younger generations of Americans were sheltered from within our entertainment. On mainstream television couples weren’t even pictured sleeping in the same bed until the mid-seventies. And it even took longer for the first toilet to be shown in primetime.

Mentioning the violence in video games today would be pointless for we all have experienced their sadistic evolution. Since the invention of the FirstPerson Shooter Engine, we have gone to the lengths of putting the weapons into the hands of our kids. A study done by the NY Times concluded that 80% of violent killings within the US were perpetrated by adolescents addicted to these kind of video games, desensitizing them to the violent nature and consequences of wartime battle sequences. Games like Call of Duty, Killzone 3 and Assassins Creed all top video games sales consistently.

What are we teaching our children? Where is our country headed? What do you folks think?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repost: Haunted Places

This weekend is a busy one, so I have no time to post anything new. But, I still would like to stimulate discussion so I am reposting an earlier entry hoping to create some interaction...


Every town has one. They are rooted in culture and loosely tied to faint wisps of mysterious history. Over years of telling and retelling they become more extraordinary and outlandish, but deep down they romantically tantalize our belief that there is more to this life than just this physical plane we exist within.

They are haunted places.

These locations stir fear within one's soul and defy reality by playing tricks on the rational mind. I grew up in South Carolina, which has more than its fair share of ghostly places and haunting tales. What are some of the scariest tales you have heard about your hometown or state?

Wagon Train to the Stars

I am a loyal Trekie, having my young impressionable adolescent mind nourished on the enchanting science fiction series throughout my childhood. The intelligent story lines wove a romantic account of a perceived evolution of humanity that had our species adventuring among the stars encountering aliens with social issues mirroring our own. It was full of amiable characters who were heroic and were impeccably moralistic representatives of the human race, except when under the influence of some alien evil agenda. It made a futuristic life venturing among the stars easy to comprehend and, when all was said and done, utter fun. It was Gene Roddenberry’s concept of "wagon train to the stars." Check out my Buddy James Kirk's article: Ten Best Star Trek Episodes of the original series.

When I went to the theater to see the 2009 manifestation of the series I was extremely apprehensive. I had experienced perversions of the pure individuality of the TrekCept within many of the later motion pictures being disappointed that producers had strayed from the original formula that had worked so well. As these fresh frames played out on the silver screen before me I was enamored with director J.J. Abrahams’ new vision of the Star Trek concept as we are reacquainted with the series’ delightful characters long before they come together on the bridge of the USS Enterprise. Abrahams took painstaking precaution to remain true to the sanctimony of the original series. 

Not only did this new version protect the theology of Star Trek, but it reinvented and modernized it for a new generation who have never had the privilege of experiencing the original TV series. With genius foresight Abrahams crafted a story line creating an alternate timeline giving future efforts freedom to expand into fresh stories without having to face consequences form the Star Trek purists (often zealots at times). The brash James T. Kirk tries to live up to his father's legacy with Mr. Spock keeping him in check as a vengeful, time-traveling Romulan creates black holes to destroy the Federation one planet at a time.

 That being said, this version remained true to the many concepts that made Star Trek so endearing for those of us who grew up on the show. Who can forget anyone who wore a red shirt was doomed on an away mission? I love how Wikipedia explains the concept:“A "redshirt" is a stock character in fiction who dies soon after being introduced. The term originates with fans of the Star Trek television series (1966–69), from the red shirts worn by Starfleet security personnel who frequently die during episodes.^[1] Redshirt deaths are often used to dramatize the potential peril that the main characters face.” In the 2009 adaptation the homage is paid early on in the first away mission as a skydiving red uniformed officer is burned up in a Romulan plasma drill. Other concepts include Chekoff's troubles pronouncing "W's", Kirk's affinity for having relations with alien women (especially those of the green hue) and Scotty's mantra of, "I'm giving it all's she got Cap'n." These all are included in loving homage within this picture.

Also, the 2009 film preserves the relationships between the characters, which I found the most enjoyable in the movie. When I heard Bones' rapport with Spock, calling him a "Green Blooded Goblin," I spit the soft drink from my mouth. The only deviation was the Vulcan Spock's relationship with Ohura.

My hopes are that this 2013 adaptation of Star Trek due for release next month stays as true to the original show's theology as the 2009 version did.

 

 

Attn: Caffiene Crazed Citizens!

Late last year, to the dismay of many Lexingtonians,  Jamestown CoffeeCo closed its doors in our traffic choked municipality. The oasis from bumper to bumper turmoil dried up leaving many caffeinated crazed customers jonesing for the eye-opening stimulant. You can still get your fix up the road a piece at that national chain know as… well, can’t use their name, but if anyone remembers Battlestar Galactica, you can deduce the brand. If you are a Jamestownite you will find the antiseptic persona of that cookie cutter franchise insensitive compared to the amiable personality of our hometown coffee shop. Unlike that other store, Jamestown Coffee Co is owned by South Carolina’s own James Kirk (not to be confused with the Starfleet Captain).


But, fear not citizens, the beanery has risen like a phoenix from the spent coffee grounds in a new and exciting location just down the road from our old township. Teaming up with a Midlands Staple, Cromer’s Peanuts, Jamestown has provided its own aromatic emanations to mingle with the heavenly scent of popcorn and candy within the walls at 1700 Huger St. in downtown Columbia, SC. So, come on down and rediscover the little coffee shop with tons of personality and say “hello” to James Kirk and Brandon Wilks. Be sure to tell them that author David Lee Jones sent ya.

 

 

 

Bartender Guy (Ep3)

 

This morning's blog is something fun. This is episode three of a series I call the Bartender Guy, my attempt at writing satirically. I hope y'all enjoy and, always, feel free to comment.

 

 

Hey folks,

Once again it's Dave, your buzz specialist.

I serve alcohol.

Alcohol is defined as any of a series of hydroxyl compounds, the simplest of which are derived from saturated hydrocarbons, having the general formula CnH2n+1OH, and include ethanol and methanol. The effects are well known to any human who has experienced:

 

Loss,

Love,

Pain,

Sorority/Fraternity life,

First date anxiety,

First date,

Procreation (successful enabling of)

Political Career,

Bachelorism/Bacheloressism,

Marriage,

Divorce,

Barmitsvah,

Birth of child,

Graduation of child,

Imprisonment of child,

Loss of Job,

Loss of spouse,

Loss of pet...

 

I could go on for days with excuses for the modern person in our society to ingest this volatile colorless liquid. Just typing the above list made me want to take a stiff shot, but I digress from my point. I like to look on alcohol as life's little laxative. It helps you slide through this world just a little bit easier easing the pain of the before mentioned experiences.

 

But did you know that this little molecule disguised as a simple sugar to our human physiology has a far greater purpose and affect than our collective consciousness comprehends? There is a war being waged within our planetary society as a common foe is vanquished on a nightly basis all over our planet.

 

The first line of defense is not the mighty militaries of our superpower countries, or the technological prowess of the world's combined scientific community with their "all seeing" layer of spying

satellites pulled snugly around our planet's atmosphere. Nor is it, my fellow planetary inhabitants, a secret society of plasma cannon totting, brain erasing black clad suited men protecting us roaming our city and town streets in anonymity.

 

Do not fear though my brethren and sleep safe tonight for there is a force far more powerful than all of these entities combined. We tirelessly ward off the continuous onslaught of swarming off

planet-ors keeping our mother Earth firmly seeded with our humanity. No conquering alien force will ever take our world as long as there is breath enough in the last of our number to purvey our wares and fend these would be invaders off.

 

We are known by many names all over the world. Cantinero, barista, barmenis, baarimikko. With every nationality, race, creed, gender and color our task remains true despite our diverse ideologies

and political beliefs. To protect our world from alien domination...and to get fellow human beings plastered.

 

We are the proud,

We are the well versed in Mixology,

We are the world's bartenders.

Our secret weapon is one of disastrous and dastardly destructive power throughout our crowded corner of the universe. We protect the sanctity of our secret weapon hiding its clandestine

formula in devious mixtures with odd names like "Screwdrivers", "Royal Flushes" and "Harvey Wallbangers".

 

There are those amongst us that even tauntingly named offensive recipes "B52's", and "Sidewinder Missiles" endangering the anonymity of our well kept secret weapon. But fear not because we

have always managed to keep the molecular mix in the middle muted to the vigilant ears of our off world enemies.

 

For the tantalizing formula that numbs our brains and keeps our sanity barricaded against the tribulations of our mundane everyday stressful lives has a far more diverse effect on our freakish

foes. It renders them entirely brain dead sending them back to their home worlds with fractured minds and drooling babbling tongues. You may have even personally seen an alien life form bested by one of your planetary defenders before your very eyes without even knowing it....think about it.

 

In closing I would just add this one tidbit. Next time your brain has been professionally numbed by your preferred buzz specialist be sure to thank them personally with a bow or shake of the hand. TIP YOUR BARTENDER WELL for they are not just responsible for that peaceful warm and fun feeling you are leaving with within your belly. They are the reason man still rules this planet unhindered by alien invasion and domination!

Highlander

Highlander the movie, released in 1986, was an epic achievement in motion picture history. Of course, this is just my opinion and I encourage debate if anyone cares to contribute to this thread. The movie made a huge impression on me and stirred my passion for SciFiction/Fantasy. I found the interweaving of flash backs very intriguing and utilized this plot device  in my first book (MoriaVaratu) patterned after this technique. It was a stroke of genius to "back fill" the history of the story's plot and made the story line brilliantly beautiful. What can I say, this movie had a major impact on my adolescent mind. It is one of those motion pictures that has stuck with me to this day.

An immortal Scottish swordsman must confront the last of his immortal opponent, a murderously brutal barbarian who lusts for the fabled "Prize". The casting was excellent, as was the acting. Sean Connery's contribution was superb, and his character was amiable and so heroic. Clancy Brown's performance as The Kurgan was terrifying, one of the best villians ever. Who can forget the scene in the church? "Forgive me Father but I am but a worm!" Awesomely evil.

Christopher Lambert was such a great hero. His journey was believable from being thrown out as an outcast by his Scottish clan, to the loss of his love to the coming of terms with his immortality. Add in a dash of comedic respite here and there and the haunting musical stylings of the rock band Queen and you have a compelling and unforgettable experience.

How romantically mysterious to have immortals born into a human society that has no concept of their existence. There is no wonder why this movie had a cult-like air around it.

Then came Highlander 2. What the hell happened there? It totally sucked. The story line completely destroyed the mystique of the first movie. Making the immortal aliens? What kind of morons did they have in the think tank for this movie. It was painful to watch them wreck something that was so intriguingly exquisite.

I just learned that Sean Connery was threatened into working on the project by the producers. It was pointed out that he signed on for the sequel within the initial contract and, when he refused to act in the second installment, he was threatened with a law suit that would have made him responsible for a cash sum of "projected revenue" this next movie would have supposedly made. They gave him little choice.

The Highlander franchise has endured, but I am sad to say, it will never compare to the original effort released in 1986. The destruction of the original concept is a travesty and has left me disillusioned with the production powers that be in Hollywood. Just a further example throughout recent history that tinsel town has lost their touch on the pulse of the American public.

What do you think?