1st Book: HP

Let's be honest, reading books and buying books are two completely different hobbies.

Access, Access, Access

Today is the last day of the original “Libby app” free book club reading of “After The Flood” by Kassandra Montag ends. Along with the freedom, increased access, and connection this personal book club brought there are also many advantages provided by libraries who have set up electronic lending of books.

First, the access greatly increases. There is approximately one library for every 173,224 people in Japan, 15,932 people in the UK, 12,011 people in Switzerland, 58,178 people in Canada, 6,875 people in Norway, 2,799 people in the United States, for every approximate 600,000 people in China, 29,500 people in the Netherlands and 15,100 people in Australia. Some of the discrepancies can be understood as some countries have institutions similar but not considered traditional public libraries. For other countries, (UK and Japan) people are close enough to each other where for the most part a smaller number of libraries doesn’t necessarily mean less access as it does for other countries (China, the US). Countries with public libraries that aren’t able to be as spread out may increase the access to residents through downloading and while a good portion of these areas may also have issues with internet access mobile libraries or programs that can take back the books once the due date occurs will give residents opportunities they otherwise didn’t have.

Second, it should not come as a shock to many that have been in school that the books students are required to have for school are massive, cumbersome and have been somewhat linked to posture and other spine difficulties. Electronic books, even strictly for entertainment or so you can take many when going on a trip because traditional books would add too much weight to your luggage allow you more freedom and access by taking away both a physical and space-related con.

Finally, a great instance with electronic books (depending on the library), is that it’s right there! You don’t have to wait to get home, get in the car or the bus, get your card, travel to the library or have to wait a few days to get the book. You can get it right when you’re in the mood to read it (I believe, that is how it should be set up—I go traditional)

Curriculum is about preparing minds to think and reason, it's not about parental control and subordination. Banning books is small-minded.

The Power of Fear

In his inauguration speech, President Franklin D. Roosevelt stated, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”. He followed this with gratitude, that the fears that were plaguing the nation at the time was not a disease, but financial constraint and that we as a nation could overcome if we worked together.  

Fear, is not all bad. In moments of danger, fear can kick start your reflexes allowing us a greater advantage and even in non-immediate danger fear can bring about clarity and a different way of thinking. But fear can also be blinding, and when left unchecked it can grow until it becomes all-consuming. It is important when dealing with one’s fear that you truly think about what you are fearing and where that fear comes from—choosing only to work with the fear of an actual threat.

Franklin D. Roosevelt explained in his speech that the fear people were feeling could paralyze them and make things worse if they let it, in these current times it is important to understand how these small fears can grow and manipulate and take over. There are the fears of many Americans are based in the unknown, fears of potential violence and financial loss. But those who are coming to this country have true fear, fear that powers them through hundreds of miles of desert, and starvation. Fear of starvation and violence, death and disease. They show how fear can produce action over insurmountable odds.

What we also must remember is again how this fear can grow and how it can be stopped. The United States entered World War II after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, but by then, fear of the unknown and fear of an uncertain future had killed hundreds, thousands and millions throughout the world due to famine, panic and genocide. While we all have our fears, we must also think about how we can act when that fear is small, easier to conquer and what it may mean for others who are living in more present danger than ourselves.  

 My family and I are alive today thanks to the countries that rose above their fear of the unknown to help those who were running for their lives, and the members of my family who were able to use that fear of death and persecution to empower them to walk at least 2,000 miles to start to a sanctuary, Tehran. We must not let our fear blind us to our potential and the true victims of hate and violence and the unknown.

And some days--I can't handle it. Books are entries to other worlds, but sometimes the brain is just fried, and on those days I watch tv, just listen to music, or with recent trend, color.

To taking it easy!

20th Year of Harry Potter

Nineteen years ago in the US (September 1st, 1998) Harry Potter was released. Hearing of it’s success in the UK, my mother ran out and got it for us to read together. While It would not become more common in my community for another few years, it quickly became very important to me. My mother read it to me at night the first time around, miss-pronouncing Hermione until my dad who grew up for a time in England corrected her, and then I read it many times over to where the book started to fall apart. 

The Harry Potter series is a big deal for many reasons, and has shaped our world and helped us connect with more than just the theme parks, midnight book releases, Emma Watson, movies and expansions such as Quidditch Throughout the Ages. The story of Harry Potter has shown the ridiculousness of racism, the promotion of helping those less fortunate, of doing what is morally right and reminding us that what we see is not always accurate as with depression or social differences. The Harry Potter world created by J.K. Rowling (who I also first assumed was a male) was the first apocalyptic universe where everyone was fighting to survive, but also win the world for good; and make the world better. Hermione Granger might not have been the main protagonist as with following series that all became about the sole female heroine, but she was the first to be brave regardless of her fears, rely on her smarts, and always be there for her friends. In studies the Harry Potter series have been noted as a large influence on combating race and social-class status as the absurdity of separation on these qualities were shown in the books with werewolves, elves and with half-bloods and muggles. While not the sole supporter or eye-opener, it is a reason why younger generations believe it is their responsibility to make sure everyone is treated with equality and respect. 

September 1st is widely known in the Harry Potter Universe as the day that those who were fortunate enough to receive their Hogwarts letters would get on the Hogwarts Express and get to begin their official journey into the wizarding world, and while intended enough, it is when those in the US were able to join as well with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. In this story, we were Harry, we were learning everything as he did--something that would continue for the rest of the series (very eloquently referenced with each new book I might add) that entranced us. But more than with the wizarding world, we were like Harry in learning about the problems arising and feeling that we had to stop it, how it was our duty to stop it, part of what has spread outside the pages to common activism and empathy in our day to day lives. Again we were Harry Potter, we were young, new to this world and with our humbled experience prior, we wonder if this world we were growing into was as magical and perfect as we were led to believe. This is what this Harry Potter journey taught us and continues to remind us, that not everything perfect or fair but that we can all, individually make a difference 

me, with a vague plot idea, 1 (one) character name, and an outline that consists of mostly question marks:

The Giving Tree

The Giving Tree is one of those books where I’m shocked there so much controversy with it and shows my how different people’s perspectives can be. Looking at the same situation people believe that The Giving Tree shows a selfish boy who just takes and takes and takes: promoting narcissism and selfishness. In this scenario, the tree may also represent unrealistic goals to new mothers who are supposed to give and give to their child and expect nothing in return or environmentalists who have the boy as a symbol for our destructive pillaging of the planet.

When I read I naturally and by force try to focus on the relationships between characters and how their wants and feelings dictate their actions (as is the case with most humans). I focus on the aspects of the story where the boy and tree are together and how the tree just wants to make the boy happy, and is always happy when he is happy. While I see it as a story of parental love, it really represents all true love, where you want the other person to be happy whether or not that happiness includes you—you want what’s best for them, even if it’s not what’s best for you.

My experiences with parenthood reflect those in the book but only in a simplified version. In the beginning, the boy loves the tree so much, yes he takes from her: her energy, her time, her snacks—but he’s also there with her sharing his time and his laughter and love. As a teen the boy just uses the tree and as a young adult, the boy creates a home, from the foundation of the tree and his own plans and efforts. The last two moments: where the boy is lost and tries to get away and the ending when he just wants to sit on the stump; these are the moments I don’t know we always get to see with our children, unfortunately. Even those who become parents while their own parents are around still say they didn’t appreciate or tell them enough how much they love them—things only realized after they’re gone. It’s sad, of course it’s sad. It’s depressing and shows that people can be too loving and too selfish. As with any book, you can take from it what you want to take from it, from the Giving Tree, I choose to see the relationship as a boy and his Momma, who in the end will be perfectly happy just spending time together; young or old.

The Common folk, Contribute to their Community

Australia has approximately 25.2 million people but because of the size that equates to only approximately 3 people every square kilometer (8 people every sq.mile). Similar population countries are Taiwan with 23.7 million (671 people every square kilometer) and North Korea with 25.6 (213 people every square kilometer). Countries with a similar people per mile are Iceland (3 people every square kilometer) and Canada (4 people every square kilometer). (1) Because it is so spread out, Australia has had to make some adjustments to how they hand local libraries.

Increased use of university libraries, high priority of public libraries supported by local state and government endeavors are only combined with school libraries when the community or local communities are not large enough for individual need. Ensuring all residents have at least one local library of access. Similar to the Netherlands, there are also specialized libraries that focus on art, feminism, Indigenous people, Lesbian and Gay history and legislative history and procedure. What is most telling about the importance, care and thought of those in Australia is the introduction page about how Australian’s public libraries and the Australian Public Library alliance meets” at least 10 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals” that do not focus on just environmental book policies

The Alliance itself is also a note to the goals of the country as it was only formed about ten years ago, July 2009, to work towards creating a national goal and concentration on resident’s free, equal and diverse access to information  

(1)    https://www.worldometers.info/

(2)    https://www.alia.org.au/node/184/public-libraries

Movies that make you think--if you let them

There are many movies that with a final scene turn the whole show on its head, make you try to figure things out as you go along, or fit so well together –these movies aren’t for the night at the end of the week where you’re tired or trying to relax, these are movies that make you think, keep your heart pounding not with action or violence but just suspense and intrigue (yeah, some of them also have those but that’s not what keeps people talking)

Gone Girl (2014)

Gone Girl was mentioned to me by one of my best friends whose really into movies and is a pretty smart guy all around. Knowing me, he also knew I’d like the question of the relationship between the married couple and the truth. While it was on my list, his recommendation pushed me to get to it sooner.

While the movie is good and has you thinking from the start, along with growing sympathy, the true story shoots up halfway thru with the wife’s reveal—something that could have but should not have been slipped in earlier (obviously). Here we delve further into the gray area, who is right, who is wrong, is there absolution for the husband and how can he get out of all this and how guilty is he really in everything that occurs.

There were many things I didn’t like about the movie, especially the character of the wife, but while it’s a movie I can’t bring myself to see again, I may one day as I still think about it.

Gattaca (1997)

Gattaca was a movie, that due to personal circumstances, I saw many, many time. Focused on how genetics shape our lives, this movie becomes more realistic every day and jumped back into my head late last year with the Chinese scientist who (may) have genetically engineered twins to be HIV resistant. A simple plot, lightly explained how genetics impact everything and how much of our DNA is everywhere—but more so it brought out the core questions related to humanity and the many levels of how our genetics should be used as decisions about our lives. The main character has been able to lead a superior life, regardless of his inferior genetic makeup, but also exceed beyond the identity his has assumed. Forget heart and effort, will and perseverance—he promotes the idea that he the genetics test provides nothing but statistical probabilities, not absolute facts (in how they are used in this film, there obviously very clear cut yes and no things with genetics).

On another level, which you may choose to explore, is the reminder that the law hardly ever is equal with society—it is always behind, and how while genetics may allow for a “higher chance” of success for the human race, it will not rid people of their human qualities. But again, the work is on you