LIFE AS A HUMAN https://lifeasahuman.com The online magazine for evolving minds. Wed, 30 Oct 2024 15:55:04 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 29644249 On the Road of Life Long Learning https://lifeasahuman.com/2024/mind-spirit/inspirational/on-the-road-of-life-long-learning/ Wed, 30 Oct 2024 15:55:04 +0000 https://lifeasahuman.com/?p=406919 In his book Notes For The Children: A Journey Through Life’s Broken Road, Pat Priestner offers a candid reflection on his remarkable rise in the automotive industry and the personal struggles he faced along the way. Beginning his career washing cars, Priestner eventually founded one of the largest dealer groups in Canada, CanadaOne Auto, but his path was far from smooth.

Notes For The Children - A Journey Through Life’s Broken RoadDrawing on thousands of notes from team meetings at his dealerships, the book was initially a professional reflection. However, with encouragement from his wife Diana and one of his daughters, Priestner added deeply personal stories, revealing a side of himself his children barely knew. In the opening chapter, Priestner recounts a chaotic childhood marked by alcoholic parents and financial instability. Despite these challenges, he says, “If the book helps anyone, I’m thrilled.”

In an interview, Priestner shared how his personal journey mirrors the hidden struggles many others experience, particularly the challenges that often remain unspoken. “We all have a story,” he said, noting that his transparency about his past was motivated by a desire to help his children and grandchildren understand his life better.

Priestner’s entrepreneurial journey began when he dropped out of university to sell cars, determined to avoid the financial hardships his parents faced. His determination quickly paid off—he became the top Chrysler salesman in Canada within his first year. From there, his career took off, and at the age of 26, he and his twin brother Mike bought into a struggling Chrysler dealership in London, Ontario. Within a year, the dealership turned around, and new car sales tripled.

However, the pressures of success took a toll. Priestner battled alcoholism, saw his first marriage end, and experienced a rift with his brother. But over time, he sought mindfulness practices and Buddhism, finding peace and balance in both his personal and professional life. He attributes much of his growth to working through his emotions and stresses the importance of this ongoing effort: “If you’re not working on that, your life is going to be pretty tough.”

Having founded AutoCanada, Priestner left the company in 2017. His book not only recounts his business success but also serves as a testament to his personal growth and journey toward contentment. All proceeds from the book go to Well-being Canada, a mental health initiative founded by Priestner and his wife Diana, which focuses on providing youth with wellness tools.

For more information, or to purchase the book, visit www.notesforthechildren.com or find it on Amazon.

 

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Why The More You Judge Others, The More You Judge Yourself https://lifeasahuman.com/2023/arts-culture/books/why-the-more-you-judge-others-the-more-you-judge-yourself/ https://lifeasahuman.com/2023/arts-culture/books/why-the-more-you-judge-others-the-more-you-judge-yourself/#respond Wed, 12 Jul 2023 11:00:06 +0000 https://lifeasahuman.com/?p=404884 What is it about judgment that makes it so common, and yet, I don’t feel good when doing it! At the same time, we all have made judgments about someone else at some point in our lives.

Have you ever found yourself commenting about the clothes someone is wearing? I bet! I wonder how that makes you feel? Have you ever considered that the more you judge others, the more you judge yourself?

Maybe you don’t do that with clothes, but with other things such as life choices, judgment is society’s norm and not so easy to detect or overcome. One that is really common is parenting styles!

How many times have we judged other parents for certain actions that we think they should do to make their children’s lives better? How they dress, how they discipline, how they bring the kids to school, what they give them to eat…

It can also happen in a professional environment. We judge how others accomplish their goals and for example, as a PR, it’s really easy to start judging your clients. Also, in psychology, we tend to judge based on the life experiences we already have seen or about the theories we know.

You can think that by judging others, you can obtain some other kind of benefit, such as feeling more empowered. It can seem counterintuitive, but Kristina Mand- Lakhiani’ s new book, “Becoming Flawsome“, that launched on July, 10th, 2023, opens a new light on this subject and proves that you can feel better about yourself and your own choices without judging others.

“Becoming Flawsome” by Kristina Mand-Lakhiani

If you think of others as lazy or unmotivated, you could ask yourself: what bothers me about being lazy and unmotivated? It makes us feel better to dive into what is our bother because we can actually do something about it! And changing our inner landscape is far easier!

You might think that makes us vulnerable, but it’s the reverse! It makes you more vulnerable because it makes you think others are not friendly. The book gives us valuable hints on why the more we judge others, the more we create a negative mindset and environment for ourselves.

Also, how to create a supportive mindset for ourselves, where we accept ourselves with our flaws and shortcomings, that we take as opportunities for growth, acceptance, and honesty. Kristina urges us to cultivate acceptance, honesty, and gratitude to create a more supportive mindset for ourselves and those around us in her book, and gives us clues on how to do it!

It’s about building a really strong foundation for self-esteem instead of building from a judging standpoint. Because self-esteem includes embracing those unique parts of ourselves, including what we might think are flaws. Those can turn into opportunities, sometimes, if you don’t judge them and accept them!

Many singers and artists take their flaws and use them in their performances to inspire others to do the same! So-called flaws can be the standpoint for creativity, connection, and success! And it starts with embracing a less judgemental attitude.

#BecomingFlawesome

Photo Credit

Photo used with permission

 


Guest Author Bio
Olivia Stern

Olivia Stern, a freelance writer from North Dakota passionate about personal development, psychology, and the nature of our habits and decisions. She covers topics that are currently relevant to her own personal growth journey and features entrepreneurs and creative thinkers that currently inspire her.

 

 

 

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SEND IN THE CLOWN https://lifeasahuman.com/2022/arts-culture/books/send-in-the-clown/ https://lifeasahuman.com/2022/arts-culture/books/send-in-the-clown/#respond Fri, 09 Dec 2022 12:00:44 +0000 https://lifeasahuman.com/?p=404315&preview=true&preview_id=404315 SEND IN THE CLOWN is a brand new and refreshing take on Canadian golf legend Moe Norman. He is considered the best ball striker in the game’s history. Many of the greats have said it including Tiger Woods, Tom Watson, Lee Trevino, Vijay Singh, Ben Crenshaw, Mike Weir, and this list goes on and on.

So, the question is…why have so few heard about him?

And before you think you would never enjoy a book about golf, stop right there!

Just as the highly popular The Queens Gambit wasn’t about chess (or your chess knowledge) this is not simply a book about golf or just for golfers. Far from it. Yes, it is about a golfer and his remarkable life story, and the sport of golf might be the vehicle, but it is a journey anyone can relate to.

Have you ever had to change or hide a part of your true self just to fit in, belong, or be accepted? Did you ultimately regret it? Have you wondered what if you had resisted change instead? If so, this book is for you.

Do you know someone who has mental challenges or has faced them? Perhaps even yourself? Are you familiar with the complexities that can encompass that? Real and imagined? If so, this book is for you.

Do you like the story of an underdog and enjoy witnessing the relentless desire and strength of someone who stays true to themselves, overcoming all odds, despite the costs? If so, this book is for you.

Moe Norman’s story is truly a remarkable one. A rollercoaster ride of ups and downs, successes and failures, both self-imposed and from being plagued by obstacles thrust upon him by society. It is heartbreaking, incredibly humorous at times, and ultimately inspiring and uplifting.

Best of all, his story has never been more appropriate than right now.

Sadly, we live in a world today where if the person next to us doesn’t look like us, act like us, think like us, love like us or share the same beliefs; they are the enemy. They are to be destroyed. At the very least, suppressed. Perhaps, even hidden away.

The bulk of Moe’s story takes place in the 1950-70s and it is plain to see that we have not yet come far enough. That we still have room to improve upon how we treat individuals different than us. That the fear is still there. And because of that, we all lose.

We can do better. We can all learn from Moe’s story.

As Canadian great Mike Weir once said: “The world missed out on a little bit of genius.”

*The book is now available on Amazon and Kindle.

Photo Credits

All Images Are © Andrew Stelmack


Andrew Stelmack
Artist Bio

Andrew lives in Toronto, Ontario Canada. You can see his ever-evolving artwork through his various solo and group shows in Toronto as well as through the many galleries carrying his work in Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Prince Edward County, Gananoque and Oakville. His works are found in many private and corporate collections and his work has been presented as gifts to Ministers and Members of Canada’s Federal Parliament.

As well, Andrew has recently launched his first novel called SEND IN THE CLOWN which is available on Amazon and Kindle.

Blog / Website: astelmack.com

Follow Àndrew Stelmack on: Facebook | Instagram | My Other Artistic Side

 

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Books That Will Make You a Great Strategist https://lifeasahuman.com/2021/arts-culture/books/books-that-will-make-you-a-great-strategist/ https://lifeasahuman.com/2021/arts-culture/books/books-that-will-make-you-a-great-strategist/#respond Wed, 13 Oct 2021 15:19:46 +0000 https://lifeasahuman.com/?p=402654 Strategy isn’t something that we’re taught in school; the vast majority likely couldn’t tell you the difference between “tactics” and “strategy” (or even know there is a distinction). This lack of understanding is unfortunate, to say the least, as strategy is something fundamentally applicable to us all. We all have goals, and various obstacles to those goals, and we live in a world we don’t control. Those things combine to create a need to improve your strategic thinking.

Closeup of very old books on a shelf

The better we are at strategic thinking, the better we do what we need and want to do. This isn’t necessary due to a fault of your own. Nobody showed you unequivocally how to do things another way. Fortunately, such guidance is out there. Insightful masterminds have been composing and teaching strategic skills for thousands and thousands of years. The issue is knowing where to begin.

You will see the absolute best books about strategy in the list below. Used appropriately, they will assist you with developing a strategic mind.

1. History of the Peloponnesian War – Thucydides

This book about a long-forgotten war truly works as a memoir and strategic analysis of some of the best minds throughout the entire history of warfare. We have Pericles, Alcibiades, Brasidas, and numerous others.

A bookshelf filled with books

The stories and the anecdotes in this book are ageless. If you advance through it, we guarantee you won’t fail to remember it. Since the war went on for so long, involved countless countries and was so varied (land, sea, siege, politics), it essentially covers each kind of circumstance you can imagine. Consider this book as a textbook.

2. Rules for Radicals + Reveille for Radicals – Saul Alinsky

Both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton thoroughly studied Alinsky as they planned their unique paths to power. He is the originator of the idea of community organization.

Alinsky was likewise a die-hard pragmatist, a man who had goals yet, in addition, a sense for working with and through the framework to get what he required. His best examples in these books are actually how to use the framework against itself to get what is needed. These two books are works of art and tragically underrated.

3. The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York – Robert Caro

Arguably the most comprehensive and definitive story of power that has ever been written, this book maps the whole career of the city planner, Robert Moses. That may not appear to be an especially illustrative case study for strategy and power; however, Robert Moses lived and breathed power. He controlled the development and the building of civilizations’ generally cutting-edge and significant cities – and he did this because he was a strategic genius (and obviously, addicted to power).

Closeup of a book and a diary on a desk with books in the background

This book will take a long time to read, but is totally worth it. After you’re done, you won’t neglect or at any point underestimate the significance of hidden influence, power and even levers.

4. How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone To Take Action – Simon Sinek

There are pioneers, and there are the people who lead. This book introduces readers to a concept named, ‘Start With Why’ which is about a naturally occurring design that enables leaders to inspire people around them. The more people and organizations learn how to also begin with why, the more people will feel fulfilled and satisfied by their work.

The book dissects this idea in a manner that can assist you with shifting your thinking, from zeroing in such a significant amount on what you do, to more on the why.

The actual book is a genuinely short read and will inspire you to reevaluate your strategy from a different lens, so if you’ve been battling with your vision statement, this is a must-read.

5. Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable – Seth Godin

Making your particular purple cow is tied in with being remarkable around your marketing, so you can stand out in the oversaturated marketplace and be unique compared to the competition around you.

That said, this is not just about making advertising that sticks out. Marketing IS the ideal product, and it is incorporated right into the product. Sounds somewhat implausible? Godin will walk you directly through the concept for some stunning ideas and practical examples.

If you’re tired and frustrated about swimming in a red sea (see the Blue Ocean book), this is a fantastic read. It will surely assist you with reviewing your approach to dealing with the market from an alternate lens that will ideally invigorate your marketing and help you stand out.

6. The Art of Strategy: A Game Theorist’s Guide to Success in Business & Life – Avinash K. Dixit and Barry J. Nalebuff

This book gives simple guides to the game hypothesis, in addition to the math behind each principle. As is commonly said, “Game theory implies thorough strategic reasoning.” They share what steps we ought to expect in various models, from yacht racing to game shows and even politics. The best thing from the book is the discussion on how the time has come to go to the gym to exercise your brain. (We wouldn’t recommend this as an audiobook, as you have to read this book to see and analyze the different models.)

Having the ability to anticipate somebody’s next move is exceptionally intriguing. Along these lines, learning a portion of the fundamental theories to the more mind-boggling can assist us with becoming better managers and leaders, in business, games, and life. However, one ought to be cautious that it’s still a “game”, and the future can never be predicted altogether.

 

Photo Credits

Photos are from Shutterstock


Guest Author Bio
Ben Smith

Ben Smith  is an entrepreneur and strategist who enjoys sharing his extensive knowledge with others.

 

 

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6 Amazing Benefits of Reading Fiction Books https://lifeasahuman.com/2019/arts-culture/books/reading-books/6-amazing-benefits-of-reading-fiction-books/ https://lifeasahuman.com/2019/arts-culture/books/reading-books/6-amazing-benefits-of-reading-fiction-books/#respond Thu, 05 Sep 2019 11:00:53 +0000 https://lifeasahuman.com/?p=398552 Time and time again we have been told how amazing it is to read and that it will surely benefit us well into our future. Many claim that reading is the key to success. I agree with these claims but I will have to add a little caveat; reading smartly is the key to success. What this means is choosing the content you consume because let’s face it, not everything you read these days has value.

So let me be the first to say that when it comes to reading, fiction is a great entry point. It’s actually what draws young children into appreciating literature first. Fiction has so much appeal to young readers that they are easily drawn into the world of the story and fantasies. I know for my part that the first books I ever read were fiction books for boys. I later grew to consume adult-themed books but I never forgot those amazing stories of adventure, friendship, and epic battles. So let me share some of the benefits you get from reading fiction books.

An Improved Vocabulary

Let’s get the obvious out first. Reading is a great way to enhance your language skills by introducing you to new words. Your expanded vocabulary will be evident in how you write essays and letters for school and business dealings. Through reading fiction books, or any book for that matter, you are introduced to many new words that you would never have come across. You will become a more eloquent speaker and writer because of it.

Amplified Creativity

We all have the capacity for creativity, but it is through reading that we expand and broaden it. Because fiction books have so many colorful characters and fantastical stories and settings, it stretches our imagination beyond what we’re capable of. Reading forces us to visualize what we read, taking our creativity to its limits and bringing it further than ever before.

Capacity for Empathy

Our capacity to empathize is largely based on our upbringing and how well we socialize. But through reading, we are able to practice empathy because we are taken from one character’s point-of-view to another’s thereby giving us a glimpse of what they are thinking and the motivations behind their actions. We are then better suited to understand how the story is progressing through these insights.

For De-stressing

At the end of a particularly grueling day, talking about work is the last thing I want to do so I try to immerse myself in novels. It’s a fantastic way to get away from the stresses in life and just get lost in the wonder and awe of a good fiction book. You get to explore far-off places, meet zany characters, and follow the adventures of your favorite hero all within the confines of your couch.

Increased Focus

When you read, you basically tune out everything around you. I can’t count the number of times I’ve had to be shaken a little to get my attention when I’m reading a book. You get immersed in the story and what you’re reading which greatly helps you to focus.

Achieve Inner Peace

I save this last benefit because it truly has a profound effect on my well-being. Reading and reading fiction in general has really given me a state-of-mind where I am able to feel calmer and more relax. I’m able to manage my stress better and see a different perspective on life which gives me the insight to know that bad moments pass and also to cherish the good ones.

 

Photo Credits

Images are pixabay creative commons


Guest Author Bio
Evelyn Paulson

Evelyn Paulson is a passionate blogger who loves to write about travel, books, personality development, lifestyle, productivity, and more. She spends her spare time hiking, camping and reading adventure, fantasy, mystery stories, and young adult fiction books for boys and girls. Everything she talks about ends in books.

 

 

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Zines: An Impactful Alternative To Expression On Social Media https://lifeasahuman.com/2019/arts-culture/zines-an-impactful-alternative-to-expression-on-social-media/ https://lifeasahuman.com/2019/arts-culture/zines-an-impactful-alternative-to-expression-on-social-media/#respond Mon, 15 Apr 2019 14:23:27 +0000 https://lifeasahuman.com/?p=397816 Years ago, the only outlet for personal expression was getting your comments published in the local newspaper. If you were living the life of a writer, you could get a guest column in the paper or have a guest article published in a magazine with one exception: your opinion couldn’t be political or too controversial.

In the 1970s, zines became a popular alternative to professionally published magazines because they allowed for controversial and politically oriented opinions. In the 1990s, zines saw a revival in the punk scene, and thousands of zines became available through zine distributors worldwide. Many libraries worldwide have zine archives, and some colleges circulate archived zines.

Zines remained popular through 2011 when they hit a mainstream high. In 2019, zines remain popular, but only to those who know they exist. The younger generations who grew up with Facebook and Instagram don’t know what they’re missing.

UK and US Zines

Social media changed the face of self-expression

Thanks to social media, everyone has the opportunity to express themselves 24/7 and project those expressions to a hungry audience of their peers. Whenever the urge strikes, people can express their own ideas or share other people’s content, adding their own thoughts to expand the conversation.

To the younger generation, printed forms of self-expression – like zines – are unknown territory, and it’s time for another revival.

The limits of expression on social media sites

People love the idea of self-expression, but social media is hardly the place for expression when your views aren’t mainstream. Each time you post something controversial, you risk getting your account deleted. Contrary to popular belief, freedom of speech doesn’t apply to social media platforms. Freedom of speech isn’t even a right, although many believe it is.

When social media sites ban popular commentators, it seems unfair – and it probably is – but it’s not a First Amendment issue.

Freedom of speech is a grossly misunderstood concept. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution doesn’t give anyone the right to speak freely under any and all circumstances. It simply prohibits the government from establishing laws that abridge a person’s right to free speech. Non-governmental entities like employers and private organizations can create whatever rules they wish.

Social media platforms also have the legal right to censor content and control what users can and can’t say on the platform.

Zines provide an outlet for truly free expression

If you have an opinion mainstream media won’t publish, chances are, there’s a zine that will.

If you can’t get your content published in someone else’s zine, why not start your own? If your opinions and ideas are too controversial for other zine owners, create a niche with your own zine.

Want to start a new zine?

To familiarize yourself with the zine scene, start collecting zines with a similar theme. Browse the zines on Zinenation.org. Each description provides a link to buy a copy or contact the owner. Another way to get familiar with the scene is to attend a zine fest. There aren’t many, but they can be found with a little research.

The process of crafting a zine

While many zine owners make quick copies using their copy machine at home, others opt for professional printing. Although the messy nature of hand-folded zines was a draw in the 1990s, today, a professionally bound zine will stand out more.

This zine creation guide describes the steps involved in producing a high-quality zine, and offers free zine templates to help you get started. Traditionally, zines are saddle stitched. The benefit to saddle stitching is you never have to deal with any staples at home. It’s not worth folding your zines by hand and trying to staple them together.

Zines keep the underground movement of free expression alive

People are tired of magazine ads and fake news articles. They’re tired of getting censored on social media. People want substance, but don’t know where to get it. They want to talk about controversial topics and that’s not happening on social media.

Underground zines like these discuss a wide range of topics including art, culture, women’s issues, race, immigration, and gender. They provide a platform for activists to spread their message and make a difference in the world.

Zines combat censorship

If you’ve got ideas to share with the world, a zine is the best place to express yourself. Unlike magazines, you don’t have to ask for anyone’s permission before creating and publishing a zine. Once you dive into the zine scene, you’ll be glad you abandoned the censorship of social media.

Photo Credit

Photo is Wikimedia Creative Commons


Guest Author Bio
Jamie Lansley

Jamie is a freelance writer who covers trends in business, technology, and health. She loves to go skiing, camping, and rock climbing with her family.

 

 

 

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Bond & Bang Bang: The Life and Work of Ian Fleming https://lifeasahuman.com/2018/arts-culture/books/bond-bang-bang-the-life-and-work-of-ian-fleming/ https://lifeasahuman.com/2018/arts-culture/books/bond-bang-bang-the-life-and-work-of-ian-fleming/#respond Tue, 15 May 2018 11:00:04 +0000 https://lifeasahuman.com/?p=395600 James BondIan Fleming, born May 28, 1908, is a 20th Century author best known for creating the James Bond series. Alongside three brothers, Fleming grew up in a particularly influential family in an affluent area of London as his father Valentine Fleming served in Parliament. Sadly, Ian was just 9-years-old when his father died in World War I, having chosen to fight for his country.

Following his father’s unfortunate death, Fleming went on to attend Eton College, by far one of the top schools in all of Britain, and Sandhurst, an elite military academy. After graduating, he briefly worked at Reuters news agency before attempting a career in high finance. However, as World War II began it became clear that Fleming’s interests lay somewhere else.

Throughout the war, Fleming paid close attention to the role of espionage in world conflict. He was able to do this after receiving a commission in the Royal Navy and work in British Naval Intelligence before eventually becoming the assistant to Admiral John Godfrey, director of Naval Intelligence. During this role, Fleming was given private information on how Britain planned to win the war, travelling around the world on numerous occasions to manage intelligence operations.

James Bond

Almost immediately after the war ended, Fleming began writing a novel using all the experience he had garnered over the last decade. The influence is clear throughout the James Bond novels, even down to the inspiration behind the character. For instance, ‘M’ is clearly modelled after Fleming’s own boss Admiral Godfrey. As to whether the plots of James Bond books were inspired by true events we will never know, as Fleming was sworn to secrecy.

The series began in 1953, with the release of Casino Royale. Although Casino Royale received little attention at the time, it went on to inspire numerous movie adaptations and has become one of the best-known instalments in the franchise. It has everything; suspense, thrill, triumph and, according to online casino Betway, an unforgettable game of baccarat. Fleming soon released a sequel to his first novel in 1954, entitled Live and Let Die, which was swiftly followed by both Moonraker and Diamonds Are Forever.

As the tales kept on coming, more and more readers began picking up copies to see what their favourite bad guy-busting, women-wooing, card-playing British spy was up to. It’s even rumoured that American president John F. Kennedy was one of Fleming’s avid readers, alongside Prince Philip. In total, Fleming released 12 James Bond novels as well as a number of short stories based on the spy. He even saw Sean Connery bring his beloved character life in 1962’s Dr. No. It’s even possible that Fleming’s input in this first Bond movie helped cement Bond as the protagonist in one of the world’s most famous, lengthy film franchises, which has starred the likes of Daniel Craig, Pierce Brosnan and Roger Moore.

To this day, new generations of authors continue Fleming’s legacy by publishing new chapters in the James Bond story. On the official Ian Fleming website, alongside the classic tales penned by the author himself, there are new series, such as Young Bond written by Steven Cole, which many readers now consider canon. Moneypenny even has her own spin-off created by Kate Westbrook, in addition to numerous graphic novels created by some of the most talented illustrators and authors of our time including Andy Diggle, Luca Caslanguida and Van Jensen. Arguably the most impressive modern series though is the continuation of Bond, which already features 28 accepted novels by a number of well-known authors such as John Gardener, Sebastian Faulks and Anthony Horowitz.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Of course, avid readers will know that the James Bond novels aren’t Fleming’s only popular releases. Sometime before the release of the first James Bond novel, Fleming had married his beloved wife Anne Rothermere. In 1952, the couple had welcomed their only child Caspar into the world. It was for his only son that Fleming wrote Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Magical Car.

Released on October 22, 1964, and illustrated by John Burningham, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is the last book Fleming ever wrote, though he did not live to see it published. It is said that Fleming took his inspiration for the 48-page story from a series of aero-engined cars created by Louis Zborowski at Higham Park in the early 1920s, no doubt wanting to inspire his young son once the magnificent author passed away.

Like the James Bond series, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was adapted into a film, which was released in 1968, having been penned by Roald Dahl and Ken Hughes. It also inspired a musical, produced by Albert R. Broccoli, pitched as “The Most Fantasmagorical stage musical in the history of everything”.

Hopefully, Fleming would have enjoyed the musical thoroughly, as well as the numerous spin-off novels and movies that his James Bond series has received. It truly is a credit to him that so many new generations want to pick up his novels and propel them forward into the future, despite the original author no longer being with us.

References & Sources

Betway Casino: Casino – James Bond Highlights
War History Online – Ian Fleming’s Service in the British Intelligence During WWII
Ian Fleming – Official Site
007 – All the James Bonds

Photo Credits

Bond – Johan Oomen on flickr – Some Rights Reserved


Guest Author Bio
Matthew Wright

Matthew Wright is a content editor who graduated from Kings College in London. A writer by day and reader by night, he enjoys cooking and cycling on the weekends.

 

 

 

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Books are Making a Comeback While Ebook Sales Plunge https://lifeasahuman.com/2018/arts-culture/books/books-are-making-a-comeback-while-ebook-sales-plunge/ https://lifeasahuman.com/2018/arts-culture/books/books-are-making-a-comeback-while-ebook-sales-plunge/#respond Thu, 19 Apr 2018 11:00:09 +0000 https://lifeasahuman.com/?p=395339 It’s no secret our world is becoming increasingly digital. Everything from banking to dating has moved online, and people are rarely surprised when a new service appears in this realm. But there is at least one item that might not be so easily turned digital: print books. When ebooks and e-readers hit the market nearly a decade ago, it seemed like print books would become a thing of the past. After all, ebook devices are lighter and can store multiple books, but this doesn’t mean that they’re better.

The Decline of Ebooks

When ebooks first made an appearance, many experts predicted that they would essentially replace traditional print books. For a while it looked like that they were right, but recent book sales are telling a different story.

Ebook sales began to decline in 2016, while print book sales were on the rise in The UK and North America. This is a trend that has continued over the past couple of years.

The Return of Print Books

It looks like the best way to read involves old-fashioned print books, books that you can really feel. Reading a physical, printed book is a very different experience from an ereader device. Each book has a distinct material, scent and cover, as if it embodies a personality of its own. Readers can also see how far they’ve read and where they’re at as they turn each page.

As well, children’s book sales have been on the rise because cuddling up with an e-reader at bedtime does not have the same appeal. Ebook devices like tablets, computers, and laptops also easily distract readers with their other features. These frequent interruptions make it more difficult to focus on the story itself. Another common complaint is that these devices tires readers’ eyes far quicker because of the light emitted from the screen.

In fact, Sony discontinued it’s ereaders and Waterstones stopped carrying Kindles outside of the UK due to its lack of success.

It seems as though much of the decline in ebook sales comes down to a preference in favour of print.

Online Book Sales Are On the Rise

While print book sales are on the rise, how customers are buying these books has changed. There has been a lot of chatter about the resurgence of independent bookstores. What was once a dying area of work has seen a small renaissance with plenty of support from their communities. This indicates that customers are moving away from the traditional big-box bookstores.

The most common way readers are purchasing their books now though is online. Digital sales make up over half of all sales of print books with retailers like Amazon becoming the first stop for many avid readers. Amazon has become so successful in this regard that its opening two bookstore locations in the USA. Amazon is adapting its approach to better suit the current retail climate.

Unlike traditional bookstores of the past, Amazon is using these locations to aid its online sales. Customers will not be pressured to buy the book in store and are encouraged to read as much as they like at the storefront, in which they are directed to the online store if they prefer to wait.

How to Buy Books in 2018

Buying books online is the future of book sales. Amazon often comes to mind, but there are a number of different book buying websites to explore. For instance, Bookoutlet.com offers the best deals for any book that you can think of. Make sure to check websites like this out before making your purchase.

Print Books Are Here To Stay

Reading print books is a pastime that still offers numerous benefits in today’s digital age. Physical, print books are infinitely more satisfying to read than their electronic counterparts and are much more pleasing to look at on a shelf. Although our shopping habits have changed, traditional print books are here to stay.

Photo Credits

Photos courtesy of the author


Guest Author Bio
Steffen Ploeger
Steffen1Steffen is a bilingual (German/English) content writer who likes to speak his mind. He enjoys sharing his thoughts—and there are many—online through blogging and social media. To inspire readers to share their own opinions is one of his ambitions.

Follow Steffen: Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn

 

 

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Paradise and Promises https://lifeasahuman.com/2016/arts-culture/books/paradise-and-promises/ https://lifeasahuman.com/2016/arts-culture/books/paradise-and-promises/#comments Wed, 10 Feb 2016 12:00:28 +0000 http://lifeasahuman.com/?p=388849 Paradise and PromisesI started writing stories shortly after I left Andrew Cohen’s spiritual community in 2001. At first those stories were an attempt to preserve the most profound and transformative experiences that I had as a student of this charismatic guru. Over time, writing became a way for me to also remember experiences that were so traumatic that I had blocked them out. After I had regained some of my confidence, I saw many of these stories from a new perspective – what had once seemed wonderful now looked terrifying.

This memoir represents the evolution of my understanding about why I joined the community, why I stayed, what I got out of it and the last straw that caused me to leave. This is a story about idealism abused and power used to control and manipulate. My story is not unique – most of us from this or other cults have similar stories, some with profoundly tragic results. Paradise and Promises – Chronicles of my life with a self-declared, modern-day Buddha is a testament to what we experienced, both up-lifting and damaging. While still valuing the precious nature of spirituality, it is my hope that this will serve as a warning to those considering following a spiritual teacher and help in the healing process for those that have escaped this life.

Marlowe Sand recollects 15 years pursuing spiritual freedom as a student of guru Andrew Cohen. For a wife and mother from the remote English countryside, meeting a modern-day, radical Buddha bore extreme consequences. Sand captures the interior experience of being drawn ever deeper into the cult of a charismatic and despotic guru. She invites the reader to share her journey from love and liberation to painful alienation and, finally, disillusionment. Sand doesn’t blame; instead she paints a picture of a complex, dangerous phenomenon. While she is unambiguous about the destructive nature of the community and each participant’s responsibility for its co-creation, Sand’s reckoning is ultimately with herself. Paradise and Promises is a spiritual memoir only by coincidence. More importantly, it is a reflection on choices, consequences and reconciliation.

Learn more about Marlowe Sand’s memoir at amazon.

Follow Marlowe: Facebook

 

 

 

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CAN WE SAVE THE HUMAN RACE? https://lifeasahuman.com/2016/arts-culture/books/can-we-save-the-human-race/ https://lifeasahuman.com/2016/arts-culture/books/can-we-save-the-human-race/#comments Sat, 23 Jan 2016 21:39:26 +0000 http://lifeasahuman.com?p=388487&preview_id=388487 PortadaThe world is on the brink of destruction. Problems of overpopulation, inequality of income, corrupt governments, pollution and climate change have become insurmountable. Countries around the world have become uninhabitable. Can anything be done?

The country of Torcia has created clones at one of its forensic center´s to explore and develop a new world order. A journalist follows the story of the country’s attempt to save the human race. She enters a dystopian world and finds a meeting place of good and evil. She witnesses atrocities of brain modification and mind control experiments as well as sexual and physical abuse of clones. Will she overcome the hurdles encountered in her attempt to gather and distribute the news about what is happening at the Center? For the journalist this has become a matter of life and death.

A book about the past and the present intended to guide the future.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaEB_mxZLS8

Photo Credits

Photo cover courtesy Charalee Graydon 

YouTube Video by Jesus Jesus


Guest Author Bio

Charalee Graydon
Journalist Charalee Graydon was born in Alberta, Canada.She is a writer and journalist. Charalee holds degrees in arts and law. Following receipt of a Rhodes scholarship in 1982, she pursued post-graduate legal studies in Oxford, England. She held academic positions in England, New Zealand, and Canada and has practised law in Canada. She developed programmes for students, judges and the public on legal issues and published academic works on crime and punishment. She created and taught a course at the University of Alberta on sentencing and has given radio and television interviews on this topic. She has published books of literary fiction, “The Judgement Game” and “Can We Save the Human Race”. She is involved in mediation and collaboration organizations in environmental and human rights issues and makes presentations in these areas.

Blog / Website: http//www.charaleeg.com

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