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Writing Update

What? He’s starting with a writing update? Yep! The news is that I’ve been on yet another distractive hiatus working on other Maslow Hierarchy Level One and Two projects. DUST’s sequel is well into drafting and developing nicely, but I must stress that I’m not concerned with a release date as much as I prefer—no, demand!—that it be a good book. I’m totally ripping that line from Roger Daltrey’s recent interview (see below), but that’s always how I’ve felt about it. Yes, we’re what, six or seven years into this due to tangents and distractions? Well, it happens. I’m over it. D2 will arrive sooner or later. I promise to draft more manuscript later this year.

Wait! There’s more news. I’ve transferred publishing to a new company called CineCapture Press, and a special edition of DUST will accompany the sequel’s release. For now, it boils to this: “more” and “better”.

Spoon Control

My guess is that if I mentioned the latest school shooting, most of my readers would click out after the first sentence. (Before you get started on me, I’m not the type of person that falls prey to either/or logical fallacies. The tired “You’re either for *more* guns, or you want all guns banned entirely” argument is for simpletons. Please…) This bit is not an argument for or against gun control, it’s about the media’s automatic inclination to feature that discussion before positing the other more obvious causations. Are they asking the right questions? I think not. What caused them to pick up a weapon in the first place?

 Consider these factors in homicide profiling :

• Chemical Imbalance: How many mass murderers had pharmaceutical prescriptions for psychological treatment? Were they taking at the time of shooting, recently quit taking the medications, or stopped long ago? Depression, SSRI drug withdrawals, etc.
  
• Suicidal: How many ultimately kill themselves or suicide by cop? Was this the planned intent?
• From Broken and/or Dysfunctional Families?
• Lacking Attention: Lashing out with social media and other public outlets. How much influence did increased attention have?
• Following a Martyr: Where they inspired by someone who they sympathize as a victim of society?
• Desensitized by Media? Exposure to violence via media reports, movies, violent video games, etc.
• Bullied in School?
• External Loci Type?
• Has there ever been a case of a mass killing by use of other weapons?

Okay, okay—you get it, right? Unfortunately, CNN, BBC, FOX, CBS, MSNBC and so many other outlets seem hell-bent on the causation as being first and foremost the access to guns. I won’t deny that guns are in fact tools that make the job of killing people easier, but to me it’s akin blaming diabetic deaths on table spoons. One could argue that table spoons contribute to the deaths of **millions** each year in the USA. Sounds rather silly, doesn’t it? The logic’s the same, and before anyone spouts “but people aren’t killing other people with spoons!” BZZZZ. Wrong. We get invited to dinner and go out for a meal all the time. We are always provided the tools that might eventually cause your coronary. The trick is self-restraint … sanity … spoon control.  

Yes, it’s true: people with poor mental health probably shouldn’t have access to a fully stocked pantry. As soon as they’re diagnosed and placed on a psychological prescription, their diet should be regulated and monitored. Additionally, any other threats to public safety should also be considered. Driver’s licenses, flammables and explosives, sharp objects, rope, elastic bands and rocks, and very long words that require a dictionary.

Can’t you see? Any person, for whatever reason—clinical, historical or otherwise—has the potential for harm if they wish to cause it. Removing access to the tools of harm doesn’t solve the root issue. "What ever happened to crazy?" as Chris Rock put it. Eventually, long after the anger part of grief settles, most reasonable folks begin to understand that the first line of defense will be good mental health.

(This article was actually written several months ago after the Umpqua Community College massacre in Oregon. My thoughts are with the victims of all these heinous crimes.)

Cuba Libre-ish?

Many have posted their disgust over Obama in Cuba. Being that some of my family’s ancestors originate there, and that much of my wife’s family also came from Cuba—before and after Castro’s revolution—our own feelings are mixed. I can agree that the sudden detente has all the appearances of an American capitulation: What about all those nationalized properties confiscated by the Castros? The political executions reportedly in the thousands? All those criminals sent as political refugees in the Mariel Boat Lift? The Missile Crisis? Yeah, the list is exhaustive, but guess what? The folks who stand to rule after Raul and Fidel are buried are also named Castro. Yes, to any red-blooded democratic society, it stinks. Shaking hands with the devil? (I know to some of you the devil in the Obama-Castro video is subjectively plural – fair enough.)

Thing is, the ones suffering our differences are the Cuban people and their stateside families who are restricted in travel and financial assistance, not to mention all the business and travel opportunities lost in the last several decades. Folks, after 50+ years, the embargo is a failed policy. We must admit that. To continue the status quo out of spite is asinine hypocrisy. Why no sanctions on their trading partners, U.K., Mexico, Canada, China, Russia, and so many others throughout Europe?

Real change will come from economic engagement. Fidel won’t admit it publicly, but Raul and their sons know the truth. We need each other economically and strategically. To be sure, there’s more at play here in the geopolitical than simply USA and Cuba. You can post your memes (camera angles to create a context, mocking still photos to demonstrate a certain point), but this is one of the extremely rare times that I believe Obama and Kerry are actually attempting to do what’s best for the people, however awkward, painful, and ideologically abrasive. There’s no such thing as perfect diplomacy. Ask any robber-baron!

I know; there exists a certain degree of bias here. My wife has visited Cuba twice, but to my knowledge, none of my family have stepped foot on the island to trace its roots, and we hope to make that trip someday soon. Nobody’s getting any younger. Oh, and music. MUSIC! The dream sojourn... Yeah, many reasons, but Cuba must be ready for us. I’ve read too many articles corroborating inadequate hospitality infrastructure and security, but the sooner we all make the effort, the better.

Forget the Castros and the worn-out political posturing. I don’t see anyone yackin’ about China or publicly boycotting their wares. We do quite a bit of business with Russia, Venezuela and Vietnam too, not to forget the numerous monarchy-run Arab countries with brutal civil rights issues. Don’t ask why, you either know the ugly answer or you’re an ostrich. Change is a process, and I don’t believe it starts with isolation. Cuba has so much to offer, and we can’t wait our entire lives for The Egos to sort it out. They won’t. It takes a little prodding (thanks due to Pope Francis and Nelson Mandela), a little courage, and a few friendly overtures.

Rogering the Music Industry

Did you happen to catch this Rolling Stone interview with Roger Daltrey? Loved it for many reasons, but once again, another legend bashes the state of the recording industry. He says he can’t make a record without paying for it. I suppose he means that he can’t make a profit from a new album. I’m not so sure there. My guess is that Mr. Daltrey hasn’t explored crowd-funding or the likely army of studios and engineers that would bow their mighty facilities just for the street cred. Sure, there’s the whole professional methodology at play when doing a proper job of a new project, but honestly, can he really say he’d have to personally pay for a record? It’s a beard-stroker for certain … if you’re still wearing a beard, that is. Are beards still in? Hmmm …  oops tangent … 

I’ve already spent my two cents on this subject, and I’m sticking to it. What else is there to say?

On the Outside Looking Up

Oh, to fly again… <looks at old flight log>

24 Years. That’s how long it’s been since I last carried the moniker of “Pilot in Command”. It seems like a long time—okay,it is a long time—but once you get the bug, it’s awfully hard to suppress. I still think about it at least once a month. I’ll spend time perusing Plane & Pilot or FLY mags, practice landings on a simulator and, once a year or so, I’ll look at the going prices for a decent Mooney M20-something. <sigh> But as much as I enjoyed it, flying continues to be an economic and common sense challenge. Even 24 years ago, planes were expensive, maintenance costs insane, and insurance premiums, well, insert hysterical laughter. Not much has changed with the notable exception being that flying is—relative to inflation and income growth—more expensive than ever. Couple accessibility hurdles with failure to keep a relative pace with progressions in common highway driving, and you begin to understand why general aviation has seen cataclysmic decline.

Something’s got to give!

Well it has. Sort of.

The relatively new US FAA regulations regarding light sport aircraft and the somewhat recent new Sport Pilot License have indeed fostered entrepreneurial adventures in aviation.

Icon A5 convertible folding seaplane.
(Photo via Wikipedia)

More innovative designs such as the Icon A5 are upcoming, but take a look at the bigger picture. These are recreational aircraft not meant to fulfill the dream of speedy personal (or family) transportation for the masses. Okay, Pandora’s Box (reportedly a jar, actually) opened. Arguments: Is flight really meant for masses? Training involved similar to a calculus final exam? What about the surge for self-driving land vehicles. Can we not (and more easily) devise automated aircraft? Some observations over the years are thus: When flying was relatively attainable for (at least) the middle class, say, in the mid-1960s, there seemed to be no shortage of funds for airport infrastructure nor lack of John Qs frothing—checkbooks in hand—for flying instruction. 

Soooo…

An intelligent person with a modicum of economic sense knows what’s happened and why. Again, an ugly truth. Inexpensive flight as an alternative means of distance transportation competes with which industries? Now look at the barriers they might lobby to raise. FAA rules, supply manipulation, fuel costs, insurance regulation and costs, stifling maintenance regimens—you name it. What’s needed here is the equivalent Ford Model T manufacturing paradigm that meets today’s transportation needs. It should be reliable, safe, modern, inexpensive to operate, fast!, and priced within reasonable reach of John Q without the need for group ownership schemes. For me, that’s a 4 to 6-seater that cruises 200+ knots quaffing less than 10 gallons per hour. Add the latest glass avionics, a 5000 hour TBO, insurance premiums less than my house, and keep the purchase price below $70K.  Who’s working on that?

Even if they were, $70,000 buys a lot of commercial airline passage. Okay, maybe not into the municipal airports mentioned previously, but I’m okay with renting a car for the final leg. Then there’s the inclement weather factor. Commercial wins again. This debate could rage for days, but I think you get the point. Private piloting must make sense. For a blessed few, it still does. For the rest of us, it’s either a super-passionate all-consuming hobby or a dream that once was.   

/T

Bananas!

Beyond Bananaland

Old Banana Railway, Moín, Costa Rica

I’m troubled by the macro complaints of the Pope, the Dalai Lama, celebrities, and the countless other pontificators in their denunciation of world poverty. Wait—I know your first thought my be that I am somehow discounting their gripes; I am most certainly not! It took a research expedition to Central and South America recently to gain a little perspective on the matter. The trip was almost everything I expected. Almost. That is, until the perceived-from-a-distance view blew up in my face. Please allow me to explain…

SPOLIER ALERT?

I’m currently researching locations for two upcoming novels. On-the-ground info is sparse for certain Latin American locations, hence the voyage. A slow ship into the southern Caribbean. Why hurry? Might as well enjoy it.

I won’t go into the research details for obvious reasons, but I can share some of the locations. We were guided through the insane city streets of Cartagena, Colombia, through the Gatun locks of the Panama Canal, into the Panamanian countryside in throughout Captain Morgan’s plunders of Old Panama City. We also traversed the mountains, jungles and plantations of eastern Costa Rica, proximate to the town of Estrada. The word “dichotomy” repeatedly materialized in my thoughts. There is a constant contrast between rich and poor in each location. The middle class is missing. The poor are dirt poor, that is. It’s awful to witness so many people suffer.

Yes, suffer.

Banana boats leaving New Puerto Límon, Costa Rica

My stomach turned at the sight of so many banana-laden cargo ships headed to global ports. It’s an ignorant bliss thing, now ruined. Previously, I didn’t think twice of the pennies we pay for each pound of the fruit. Bananas are cheap. I realize now that they are inexpensive because the plantation managers—Dole, Del Monte, Chiquita, etc.— who produce them on the backs of thousands of manual laborers who each receive maybe a couple hundred dollars each month.

Now this is the part Pope Francis et al have right. It’s a shame. Shouldn’t we pay more for those bananas, or would those greedy corporations just stick it in their coffers? We can’t be naïve in response. We know. Deep down, we know. It’s been this way since the beginning of mankind. Greed. Empires. Familial wealth and power. Dynasties. And yet, somehow, the United States of America, many European countries, Australia, and now other emerging economies, eked out a middle class through revolt and regulation. For certain, we still have dirt poor in our rich countries, but nothing on the scale of the labor regions—China, Latin America, Africa and much of the Middle-East.  It’s awful.

Límon, Costa Rica

So, yes, the Dalai Lama, Pope, etc. have a valid point. There is a reason for the poverty, certainly, and it’s oh so simple to spot and treat. Look at those shacks! Look, they have exposed or no plumbing! Look at the dirty clothes and bad teeth! Look at all the trash in the streets! Yes, it’s easy to spot. That is, until you notice that almost every one of those tiny, decrepit tin shacks has satellite dish from Claro on the roof. Eyes roll, and then that poor little kid chasing your railcar with his grungy puppy suddenly whips out a cell phone from his back pocket to snap a few parting shots.

Panama City, Panama - The other side of it.

What just happened?

That’s the problem; they’re poor and misguided. Basics necessities, values, and dignity have been supplanted by electronic pacifiers. Unreal. Vomitus. What is to be done about that?

Here are more photos. Tell me what you think!

Panama City, Panama - you can't quite cover it up with billboards

Cartagena, Colombia (a nicer part). Expensive gasoline means motorcycles everywhere.

A trucker's digs outside Estrada, Costa Rica

A common nest of power lines in Cartagena. Not the most outrageous observed example.

Reportedly a vacation farm shack off the coast above Moín, Costa Rica. Eco-tourists or city dwellers from San Jose needing space. We saw a few of these with either hammocks or cow garages underneath.

Departing Estrada, Costa Rica

Rusted bridge in Costa Rica (missed the river name) ...too rusted.

Oops! Almost conveniently forgot.: My itinerary included a scheduled stop by Ian Fleming’s former estate “Goldeneye” in Oracabessa, Jamaica. While I managed to get his north shore vantage—and what a location to spend your mornings in front of a Royal Quiet Deluxe typewriter!—our hired transport was overly pessimistic enough to can the idea of photobombing Fleming’s seaside bunk. It’s a private resort now, owned by famed Island Records (Bob Marley, U2) founder Chris Blackwell. If you’re lucky enough to get an invite and the estate isn’t booked, fantastic. Otherwise, it’ll cost you a cool $4,500 per night to get inside.

North coast of Jamaica near Dunn's River Falls. What would Ian think of all the tourists?

 

Was Lars Ulrich Right?

Short answer: yes*

I had one of those music business epiphanies the other day while surfing YouTube. Someone posted a full-production Metallica concert recently—a live show from earlier this year in Las Vegas. I skipped through it, reminiscing the late ‘80s headbanger scene. They looked great, sounded great, and performed well. Still got it! But (and there’s always the but), the video was probably a serious copyright violation, and knowing Lars Ulrich’s litigious history in that arena, there was a smattering of guilt involved should I decide to sit and watch the whole thing. Sure, everyone does it. It wasn’t the first or last time I caught clips of the bands I dig. It made me think about the big picture though. Well, that combined with the quantum shift in music business.

source: Digital Music News

 I Ain’t Got No Money…

With the exception of the entrenched megastars, a few dozen label-manufactured pop artists, and a handful of true originals, hardly anyone is maintaining viable career as a recording/touring artist, let alone a journeyman professional. Compare today’s numbers with the ‘70s. Sales of recordings on the whole are dwindling, touring profits have dried up (even with reduced production), clubs with stages are closing, and youth interest is waning (a falsehood?). Who can blame the lack of interest if your best aspirations are akin the life and income of a transient carny? Let me get back to Metallica, though. The mess musicians are now experiencing is perhaps attributed to a problem that incited those infamous legal rants by its drummer—the silent guy sitting behind everyone else.

Lars

If you’re not familiar with Lars Ulrich, he’s Metallica’s founding drummer and a Thrash pioneer. Maybe not your cuppa, but I have respect for his honesty and statue as an influential drummer. Similarly to Keith Moon, Lars would be the first to tell you he’s no chopmaster, nor did he ever have aspirations to be a drummer’s drummer. He simply wanted to be Metallica’s drummer. Goal achieved. There is, however, the other side of Lars that most causal listeners might not be aware of: the business side. He is also known for moonlighting as their business manager. In the early days, that is. James Hetfield (lead singer and guitarist) once mentioned in an interview that part of the band’s success came from delegation of the many different jobs associated with a successful band to its member’s strengths. Lars’ acumen happens to be business. So…what happened with him?

Public the Ripper

*Rewind to late 1999. Napster. Remember them? They were a file sharing service that hosted copyrighted content on their own servers. D’oh! Metallica and several other artists filed lawsuits and, along with the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), they were shut down. All that did was legally define technology for file sharing, which was handily circumvented by the likes of Limewire’s peer-to-peer services (later busted) and now the raging torrents that rule illegal file sharing today.  The genie’s out of the bottle, certainly, so do you try putting it back in? That’s what Ulrich attempted, and he paid a hefty price with his fans. How could the anti-establishment become so greedy?

Greed? I think Lars nailed it with this statement: “People used the word ‘greed’ all the time, which was so bizarre. The whole thing was about one thing and one thing only – control. Not about the internet, not about money, not about file sharing, not about giving s— away for free or not, but about whose choice it was. If I wanna give my s— away for free, I’ll give it away for free. That choice was taken away from me.”

But… music should be free, right? Isn’t that what the public decrees? As it turns out, no, it should not.

The Price Paid

Check these 2014 STATS:

- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 39,260 people in the United States classified as "Musicians and Singers."  This is down by 27% from 53,940 in 2002. (source: Digital Music News)

- According to the Nashville Songwriters Association International, the number of full-time songwriters in Nashville has dropped by 80% since 2000. This was a new low point since data started tracking in 1991. (source: Digital Music News)

Anecdotally, an acquaintance lamented across one of the local musician forums that he could no longer support himself—let alone his family—with his music profession. He’s now looking for another job. A consummate professional with a lengthy performance and instruction background? He plays as many dates as he can along with a thousand other professionals—all vying for gigs that are both disappearing and/or compensating less. Why? Older married couples don’t have the time for live music (“..been there…and what’s new, anyway?”) and the millennials generally aren’t interested real honest-to-God live music. Just ask any wedding planner. Many of these people value half-melted ice sculptures and uplighting more than a live band. (“Just download it and play it on a PA…it’s the same, right?”). Okay, that’s sort of tangential to the recording industry, but it trickles down to the little guys attempting to make a living off of people who value live performance. The previous example used a typical local club/wedding player. What about touring pros? I don’t know if there were other considerations (creative, personal, etc), but when Spock’s Beard’s longtime frontman, Nick D’Virgilio, quit in 2011—stating that he couldn’t support his family—that hit home hard. Here’s a guy with decent discography and plays globally in medium venues (1,000 to 2,500+ seats). He can’t scratch a decent living on that? Yikes! (He still records and tours occasionally, but his anchor is now a sales job at Sweetwater). Seriously, it’s discouraging.

Music Business?

It would appear that the entire industry is in a death spiral from lack of financial health to lack of entrepreneurial creativity.

In essence here’s what happened: Before the golden age of record sales, live performances were the best way to hear a musical act. Once the fidelity of the recordings matched or bested the live listening experience, creating a new experience altogether, record labels spared no expense on promoting a tour to bolster those record sales. That’s when concerts became shows. Once file sharing took off, record sales plummeted along with corresponding profits, ergo less tour production budget. (You’ll notice the big pop acts selling tons of recordings still put on big productions). So now, the bands are simply gracing a stage to play their music—a concert with considerably less show. Touring is still the major component of a recording star’s income, but that is also on the downswing. Lack of interest?

The Lie—It’s About Access

I mentioned earlier that youth interest in music is waning. That’s a fib, actually. Well, sort of. The chart at the top of this article would have folks believe that file sharing and piracy were the major culprits in declining sales. Certainly, downloading and streaming have cut into traditional deliveries, but it’s the entitlement and access factors that I believe to be the major culprits. Sharing, piracy, and lethargic enforcement are the results. Cyclical doom.

Music has never been more popular across all demographics. It’s in everything we do, TV, apps, games, contests, school bands, garage bands, talent shows, cars, restaurants, theaters, toilets…list goes on. And consider that today's teenagers grew up in a completely plugged-in era (more on this below). The problem is the ECON 101. Large supply, large demand, little valuation. Musicians are everywhere. Good ones too. Recording studios are everywhere. Also good, and now quite cheap. You can make a quality recording in your bedroom or on the back of a bus! Don’t know how? Learn on YouTube. There’s no shortage of instructional videos for pretty much anything there. In fact, YouTube has become quite a valuable tool in almost every trade. And that brings me full circle to my opening quandary with copyrighted material so readily available on sites such as YouTube—sites that justify and defend themselves with endless legal disclaimers.

As much as I hate to be a Lars and say it, I think there exists a high degree of entitlement to free content stolen from artists. That entitlement devalues them. As much as YouTube and other exhibition sites hide behind lengthy terms of service statements—the extreme legalese nobody reads or largely understands—they are ultimately responsible for their users that violate copyrights. Problem is, for now, I just don’t see how they can police it without shutting down. Everyone loses. Okay, maybe not everybody. The websites make advertising money on the traffic, and well, I did see part of a Metallica concert I would not have seen unless I bought a ticket. I'm still a fan, but that doesn't pay Metallica's bills. For all the good that YouTube does, there is the dark side of it.

Overexposed Much?

A person can pretty much post anything on a social network until there’s an official complaint or public mandate. These are cases of “we’re responsible for what others post on our site, and we will remove it if there’s a problem.” So, they’ve become sites that copyright holders (content providers) must investigate regularly? I don’t believe that’s quality prevention from YouTube and many other sites, not that they are genuinely interested in prevention. They want as many attractors as legally possible, right? Whatever the tussle, it’s not fair to the artists who must now use expensive production time in fraud detection. Where’s the deterrent? Hmmm…. It seems nobody wants to be the bad guy, least of all the artists.

So, what’s to become of the music business?

My guess is that we’re at a time where consumer desires and lackluster sales transform the industry. I’m not exactly sure what direction the changes will take, but it must change. My personal fantasy has music returning to detailed conception and showmanship—acts improving their game by offering truly unique sonic experiences that can’t be downloaded or streamed in low-fi to be properly enjoyed. “You gotta see them!” Maybe the recordings themselves make return to high fidelity? “You gotta hear this!” What’s worth the price of my coin? If it sounds like it was made in a bedroom…well, you see my point. It may sound terrific on the tin cans of an iPhone, but what about a real listening room?

If you look at streaming stats, you might think it not important. Streaming now comprises about a third of all music sales, according to the RIAA. I’d like to think that streaming is actually an FM radio replacement for casual listeners, and not a preferred listening experience. Who’s to say? Quantity over Quality? Hmmm...

A Cult of Personality Problem or Poor Creativity?

Take a look at these links and see if any of it rings a bell:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0fqgq6ZMZY (see 1:40+)

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/bruce_dickinson_celebrities_who_are_famous_for_being_stupid_seem_to_have_more_value_than_people_with_real_talent.html

In previous blogs, I’ve posted the gripes of other artists: Ian Anderson, Gene Simmons, Tony Bennett, etc. The list of malcontents is growing, but I have to wonder what they think of consumer demand. My guess is they would accuse today's youth of blissful ignorance, but my second guess would look at the average age of the complainers.

And what about file sharing and piracy? Maybe YouTube and other social outlets will get busy defending copyrighted material after a costly legal fight. Maybe a new detection and tracing technology scares the poo out of peer-to-peer file pirates. Or maybe a third-party solution such as Rightscorp is the way to go (similar to a bill collector). Or perhaps international laws become enforceable in prosecuting copyright and patent violators. Ha! That’s what it would take, but… It’s a long road.

Five Random Thoughts:

1) Guitar Center rumored to shrink, if not Chapter 7. Another take. Can’t be a good thing, right?

2) Gotye comes to mind as a modern networking success story, and perhaps Bruno Mars represents the traditional path. Bruno’s a hard-working performer who interested a major label because he’s good. There simply aren’t many of those going around these days. Those two artists might have The Police in common, and there’s an entire discussion there, but I would believe that it would culminate with familiarity—safe marketing as opposed to risk-taking A&R. The book industry has undergone the same transition. Safe bets on celebrity-derived tomes or impactful current affairs, that’s it. New novelists’ query letters reside en masse in the wastebaskets of Madison Avenue (where most of America’s publishing agents roost).

3) Should part-timers like me quit? Nah. Adapt, adapt, adapt! (and wait for the legal solution to materialize)

4) What’s the next popular genre? If there’s one constant, it’s that popular music is constantly redefined by the young, and the other age groups stick to what they knew when they were young. But…

5) I was given a ray of hope this past year, overhearing not one, but two separate conversations involving teenagers stating that, with a few exceptions, today’s music is junk; “my parents collection is much better” (referencing the 1970s and ‘80s). Agreed!

Fahrvergscrewin’

I just don’t know how Volkswagen will survive it. If you’ve read some of my earlier posts, you might know that I am, or was, sort of a fan of the company’s products. The diesel fuel consumption figures and available options lauded in Europe, I mean, were simply outstanding. Now, I fathom that those figures are in fact questionable due to the consideration that they might have been achieved by onboard computers easing the restriction on carbon emissions. Yikes. All those customers—millions of them worldwide—deceived by a company preaching the Green. Unreal.

Damages? I suppose the first order will be to reprogram (flash) or replace the onboard engine management computers. That likely means less performance, so now it means that VW sold products which don’t meet the advertised performance figures. Many won’t like that. I wouldn’t. The cars will certainly be devalued, and the owners might be stuck with them. VW can’t afford to buy them all back. What to do?

There Will Be Lawsuits

Unbelievable lawsuits. We’re talking multiple class actions from consumers all over the planet, not to mention gargantuan fines from the many offended governments with needy treasuries. Yes, VW must pay and pay dearly. But to what extent? Should it be dissolved and thousands of jobs tossed? I suppose the other car manufacturers won't mind the loss of a major competitor, but what about the consumers? What about the workers with families to support? Should they be made to suffer for the actions of a few dozen? Hundreds? How many knew?

No Golden Parachutes.  Give Them Iron!

I’ve known a few sociologists who simply don’t believe in deterrents. I believe in deterrents, wholeheartedly. Why should ex-VW CEO Martin Winterkorn escape with a fat severance package when he should instead face prison? Is that the preferred modus in modern society? It shouldn’t be. Well…>IF< he knew about the emissions avoidance.  My guess is: he’ll face a grueling interrogation for the cameras, then disappear to some whitewashed Greek idyll. Nice deterrent. He should start a file sharing site.

Now What?

It’s tough to say how or if VW will survive. My guess is they will somehow gloss this over with slick damage control, promising to right the wrongs and play nice with the consumers’ damages. Congressional hearings will ensue—public anger management by finger waving representatives.  “Shame on you Volkswagen!” BP comes to mind, here. Thing is, did any of them see the inside of a prison?

To the many VW owners affected by this egregious fraud, I hope you’re compensated properly. Not just an apology and a recall, but a punitive award that covers your anger and your pocketbook.

As for me, no more serenades for VW efficiency. Fool me once…

Snap Out of Depression, Baby

A personal congratulations to new author Ray B. Rogers on the recent publishing of Depression Baby! Some may perceive no shortage in the anthropological and colloquial documentation of Appalachian life—from the time of colonization through today—but there can be simply be no less weight given to a mountain man (note: not hillbilly!) born to a long-gone era who took the time to put official ink to paper. Who else could (or would!) relate historically relevant anecdotes ranging from applied macroeconomics of Depression-era federal policies and their effects on mountain civics, to the hardships of familial mountain life—farm chores and technologies, the ways they passed time, the foods (including the adhesive qualities of pressure-detonated rice!), the architecture, the horticulture… the list goes on and on. Ray does a fabulous job of voicing his book as though he’s sitting across from you at the breakfast table, slathering a wood oven-baked buttermilk biscuit with his favorite apple butter. You can almost smell it in the pages he wrote.

Thank you for writing it, Mr. Rogers. Without folks like you taking the time and effort, our finer history might be lost.

Check out Depression Baby on AMAZON’s Kindle, or grab a collectable hardcover on LULU. If you want the real personal touch, order an autographed hardback directly from Ray himself at www.RayBRogers.com.  And don’t forget to follow him on social media!

http://twitter.com/RayBRogers

https://www.facebook.com/RayBRogers

A Parting Thought…

I caught an interview with Buzz Aldrin recently. I think it was Gear Knob presenter James May that conducted it a few years ago. Nice piece. It reminded me of the late 1960s to early ‘70s when I was just a hopeful lad. One of Aldrin’s lines was “… a time where anything was possible.” I still want to believe that we still live in a time where anything is possible. Certainly, it is, but lately one gets the sense that we are missing a certain level of optimism. When asked about returning to the moon, so many seem to say “meh” instead of “cool!” Maybe they deserve an Aldrin Knuckle Sammich, too.

Thank God for folks like Elon Musk and Sir Richard Branson—those inspired to TRY for greatness. More of them, please!

/T