Bold War 2020

by Redemption

  "There were two major consequences of the court case. Firstly, huge damages were awarded against First State. Secondly, to defend themselves they had to fully investigate Smiles and found it totally valid and valuable. Consequently they did an about-face and after using it in a comprehensive manner couldn't speak highly enough of it."

  "The class action - was that mounted in the Negligence Commission?" asked Andrew.

  Startled, Christiana asked "How do you know about the Negligence Commission?"

  "We'll leave that for later," was all he would say, happy in a boyish way to be able to surprise her again.

  =

  "Positive results for industry and learning in UK were quickly evident," Christiana continues, looking at him carefully. "World-wide interest was intense, spurred by selective promotion and Smiles injection (and infection) through centres of international influence. The spread of Smiles was contagious, virus-like, a kind of positive social epidemic."

  "What part did the Book play in all this?"

  "The Book was a substantial factor. It raised public awareness and created interest. Here is a copy for you. I'll set its CD in the VC so you can dink it when you have spare time and feel the urge to read.

  "Readers began to see how mind-sets affect actions, and recognise their own buried potential, and know that many things are possible. For the person-on-the- street who had thought 'Why can't I…' or 'Why hasn't anybody…' there were answers. Readers, ordinary people, looked into the future and, unlike the experts and naysayers who ask 'why', asked 'why not?' Some examples, some feedback," she offers, touching her keyboard.

  V

  D: Browns (1):

  A group of people appears on screen. It is the Brown family in 22AB:

  * Chancy, aged 18, in third year of university.

  * Harrison, her older brother, working in communications technology.

  * Mother, Eleanor, social worker.

  * Father, Leonard, company executive.

  * Grandfather, John B., ex-publisher, formerly irascible and incorrigible.

  John B: "I first heard about Smiles in my mid-forties. I was getting along reasonably well in 2020. After a hard start in life and a lot of work and my share of luck I'd got myself into a position in a company with reasonable prospects for the future. So I didn't have a lot of incentive to bother with this newfangled thing. Like anybody else I didn't like change and didn't see the need to re-wire my brain at that age.

  "But then Leonard here took it up, just after he finished university in 16AB. It wasn't that you'd been a problem child before, old son - bit of a smart-arse at times - but to the amazement of us all it galvanised you in remarkable ways. But I still held back. I didn't want to be 'elevated' by someone else; I was going to climb my own steps in my own good time."

  Chancy: "Oh Grandpa, you've always been so cautious. What made you change your mind?"

  John B: "I read about two people by the name of Buchanan and Phillips. If it worked for two hard-bitten guys like that, who were spending a fortune to put it through their companies, it had to be good."

  Leonard: "And then you really zoomed ahead, as I remember."

  John B: "You bet. Some of my friends had pooh-poohed Smiles - they didn't understand it and didn't want to. But that was their problem and their loss, as they came to find out. They eventually followed suit when the idiocy and career suicide of not doing so became painfully obvious. Now they're as happy and fulfilled as the rest of us. Mental inertia is such a drag."

  Harrison: "Yes, typical reactions against something new, which you wouldn't find today. We go along with W James, which I'm sure you could have, Grandpa, when he said, all that time ago, 'A new idea is first condemned as ridiculous and then dismissed as trivial, until finally, it becomes what everyone knows.'"

  John B: "I agree. The Book was so 'way-out' that Kent had to self-publish because my old mates in the publishing industry didn't want to touch Bold War. Too idiosyncratic. Part of their"Publishing Problem'"

  =

  VV

  D: The Publishing Problem (Pub Prob)

  "In the old days, particularly as TV, DVD, computers, e-books and the Web took hold, publishing was increasingly a business of marginal profitability. Print runs were small,slush piles high and readers unfulfilled.

  "It was after I retired that Pisces IV was developed. It scanned manuscripts electronically and classified them as to subject, content, style and a dozen other characteristics. The flip side of Pisces IV analysed book sales and reader response for the same characteristics. Demand and supply profiles could then be matched for rapid assessment and proceeding to editing, publishing and assured sales.

  "The process was dubbed 'Rapt' - Readers, Authors, & Publishers Triangle. Interaction between the three entities with coordination by the publishers led to a burgeoning in the book world. What was called in the old days a win-win-win situation.

  'The visible form to the public was 'Barcode Books' . For readers rapid identification and selection of books to their chosen bar code profile - from bookshelves or the Web. For publishers, aggregate profiles from sales and readers to guide choice of manuscripts for publishing. Commissioning of writers changed from a spasmodic risky practice to being sure fire and widespread. Writers use their skills and creativity knowing in depth what appeals to readers. Publishers accrue double profits from a quarter of the books sold at half the price."

  ==

  V

  Leonard: "I read the Book first. It made sense and attracted me to the concept, especially with F(r)ee. I didn't have the build-up of preconceptions and self-justifications that you did Dad, thankfully. Before Smiles I didn't know what I wanted to do in life; by the time I finished the course I had defined goals and the energy to achieve them. And I was mad that I had spent thousands of hours doing my study the hard way, unnecessarily."

  Eleanor: "I learned about Smiles through several other sources, at the same time. In one week I saw advertisements about and endorsements of Smiles by women I admired and respected - a top athlete, an opera singer and a fashion model. That was good enough for me. I was so thankful I did it, and told my friends. 'Cameo' helped pass on the message."

  Harrison: "What's Cameo?"

  Eleanor: "Don't you use it these days? I'm surprised, although I suppose you appreciate Buried Treasure without having to have a story to bring home the point."

  Leonard: "Caesar, Aristotle, Mozart, Queen Elizabeth I and Ovid were invited to the twentieth century. In appreciation for their contribution to history they were each given a gift and observed for their responses. Caesar was flattered by the red Ferrari but couldn't find where the horses would attach to his new chariot. Aristotle was overcome by his penthouse but scathing as to the absence of water buckets. When night came he was dismissive for not having candles or oil-lamps to read by. Mozart was puzzled by the CD player and shiny discs bearing his name. He used the player as a doorstop. Elizabeth I thought the submarine curious, mostly sunken, no cannons and no possible use against the Spanish Armada. Ovid fiddled with his word processor for a while and then put it beside Mozart's doorstop."

  Eleanor: "At the time it helped get a message across. Those gifted people didn't realise the value of what they had. They weren't ignorant, they just weren't capable, with their mindsets, of comprehending the tremendous possibilities in front of them. In the same way that we didn't understand or appreciate the abilities of our minds and the skills inherent within us, our PP2 possibilities, our Buried Treasures."

  Chancy: "Pretty obvious."

  John B: "Not then it wasn't. I was the perfect Mr Unaware. He fitted me like a glove - or straight jacket. Kept me from full participation in my PPartnership. Wasted a lot of my life while the so-called movers and shakers of the world pontificated."

  Leonard: "Yes, the millions of hours and billions of dollars that went down the drain. I'd like to have seen some of those stuffed shirts hauled before Negcom."

  Eleanor: "But you know that wasn't necessary. Since the P
rovolution we hardly need deterrents, and vindictiveness has died out."

  Chancy: "I don't know what all the fuss is about. Smiles is so logical and obvious. All you are talking about is in the past, like lecture theatres - let's get on with life. With the AAA's and Poww and networking it all works smoothly - we don't even use the Book now."

  Leonard: "Ah, but the Book did perform a function at the time in catching interest and drawing attention to the possibilities. It stimulated my 'get up and go'. Half way through the Book I got up and went."

  =

  "But how could they possibly have condensed all the information into one book without making it interminably long and complicated?" asks Andrew.

  "That was a big challenge but there were ways and means. One way was 'built-in', so to speak. The Book contained sections with details that not all readers needed or wanted to read. By insetting those sections readers were given the option of by-passing them and returning later if they wished. It speeded up the story and facilitated reading, thus catering for a wide variety of interests and prior knowledge. A variation of the dinking process.

  Andrew looks at the cover, filled with eye-catching shapes and colours. "The title 'Bold War' I understand, but it says 'as / for / by Redemption'. What on Earth is that supposed to mean? Who or what is that? Is it the author or authors? Or a nom de plume, a pseudonym, or perhaps an acronym, seeing this age is so prolific with them? Or just a gimmick?

  Christiana smiles. Yes, yes, Andrew. Most of the above and more. It's also indicative of the contents and message of the book. As well as a nom de plume it could be called a nom de guerre, with connotations of secrecy, undercover and anonymity.

  On the screen appeared a dictionary definition:

  Redeem: (a) Recover by expenditure of effort.

  (b) Deliver from sin and damnation

  (c) Save from (a defeat)

  (d) Purchase freedom

  (e) Save or rescue or reclaim

  (f) Fulfil (a promise)

  Christiana enlarged: The 'As' refers to the tycoon redemption of Kent Buchanan - (b), (d) and (f). The 'For' is the aim and the result of the Bold War - (a), (c) and(e). People of the world had to, they found out eventually, redeem themselves with Gaia(31). They ever so nearly destroyed the planet, and pulled back just in time. 'By' refers to the authorship of the book. You might be able to work out who wrote the book. Go on, have a try."

  Andrew, after a long pause trying to get his creative mental faculties working at a higher level asked "What was Rose's middle name?"

  "Elizabeth."

  "Aha! So one author could be R.E.Danne." Pause. "And then,yes, another could be Ed May!"

  "Yes!"

  "And then I run out of ideas."

  "Think about it, let your subconscious work on it," she says teasingly. "While you do that, let me say that the contribution of Rose and Ed was the major part. They convinced Kent the book should be published anonymously because neither were recognised as skilled writers. With their names on the book it could attract unfavourable reviews, or be ignored. Rose noted that even Thomas Hardy gave up writing at one stage because of criticism of his work.

  "The subject wasn't fashionable in literary circles at the time, and they thought many critics would be sceptical or challenged by the contents. They felt there would be natural pressure for reviewers to be judgemental, and it would be easier and safer for them to be negative rather than positive. They didn't want to risk their baby being still-born, so without a known writer on which to focus criticism they hoped the book would be judged by its contents and outcomes - potential and actual - rather than receiving a cold shoulder or hot daggers arising from issues of personality or background or perceived bias or jealousy or professional hauteur or whatever."

  V

  D: Authorship:

  Kent: "I referred to a case of wine judging. For decades, if not centuries, the label was a major factor in judging the 'quality' of wine. French vignerons invariably took the lion's share of prizes. Until someone had the temerity to suggest 'blind tasting'. Suddenly upstart companies from California and Australia started winning prizes for the high quality of their produce, judged on merit alone. I wanted the Book to have the same impartial treatment.

  Xena: "It was hilarious when I went to a fashion parade where the dress labels were removed. Creativity and quality came to the fore, young designers won prizes and the top fashion houses hardly got a look-in. The Emperors had no clothes worth wearing that day.

  =

  "Christiana: "The Team postulated that an element of mystery about the book's origins might intrigue the media and gain exposure - and that's exactly what happened. The Book was rushed into print under strict secrecy while the group was readying the Institutes so that it landed on bookshelves in 3AB a month before the AAA's opened their doors, at the time advertising commenced.

  "The publisher released progressively a series of clues about the identity of the authors. That kept interest up, the public guessing and the media intrigued for months. Publicity, word-of-mouth and the Internet fuelled demand for the Book till it exceeded expectations while confounding the critics."

  "Critics. Was that the experts, the naysayers or the book reviewers?"

  "All of the above, and more."

  "OK, well I'm confounded as to who were the other authors. I give up. Who were they?"

  "There was only one other It was Pisces III. Giving Redemption as Ruth Elizabeth Danne, Ed May (and) Pisces Three In One Novel."

  "That's corny."

  "And you are Procrustean. Always wanting things to be done the same way. This is a 'new' book, remember?. And of course the public and critics weren't ready for a computer-written book - yet another reason for the nom de guerre. Pisces III was programmed in the style of several authors from whom they obtained permission. A great deal of the book was thereby written quickly (a matter of hours), with further contributions by members of the team and editing by Rose and Ed.

  "Kent sent a copy to every 'rich' person he could find. The team queried: 'Most of those people won't be interested in reading "just another book", or will not understand or will depreciate or deprecate it or not want to risk change to a new direction. So why do it? Are you masochistic?'

  "'Not at all,' was his reply, giving his look that signalled he never wasted his money. 'The key word is "most", as in "not all". We only need a few to be activated. With their drive and influence, others will follow on a "sure thing" when they see the transformation.'"

  "What did the Browns think of Smiles?"

  V

  D: Browns (2):

  Harrison: "Smiles is enlightened self-interest in action. It's an essential part of everyone's life. The fact that it wasn't a generation ago never ceases to amaze me. It's fundamental to our lives, and a basic oversight on the part of our grandparents to have ignored it."

  John B: "We didn't know it (the potential) was there. At least I didn't. I always thought, vaguely I suppose, that we had more in us than we used, but not that much and not that accessible. The thing that amazed me then is that we can all achieve 10Q, and the huge difference it makes."

  Chancy: "Well, not all of us Grandpa. Through something genetic,…" looking at them meaningfully, "… I can only attain 9.5Q. Not that I mind, as I can still keep within distance of an older brother by self-paced learning (is there any other kind?) and a bit of extra work. Whereas a generation ago I would have had a 'disability' and been 'disadvantaged'."

  Leonard: "My laborious studies before I found Smiles ensured I had no foundation on which to build lifelong learning. Luckily Smiles came to the rescue and changed my attitudes. Now I see that same improved outlook and skills and motivation in graduates, which makes my task of employing them and giving them meaningful careers so much easier - and satisfying - for me and for them."

  John B: "When I look at graduates today they are so articulate, confident, creative, balanced, productive, effective - I could go on and on. And they enjoy life more. How much simpler to get
results in business than before! Smiles opened doors, shed light, exposed, clarified, stimulated. And, let's face it, once the concept was fully understood and accepted the battle was half won. Smiles makes young people wise, and wiser people (now that I am one) young."

  Leonard: "Sed is a debilitating phenomenon but an important concept to understand. Smiles and Des penetrate, undermine, destabilise and destroy Sed. They stimulate positive and proactive approaches towards constructive goals. They open whole garage doors of opportunity (Gdoo's) through you can begin journeys in the driver's seat of life."

  Eleanor: "Smiles is knowing ourselves deeply and using that knowledge in the best interests of ourselves and society. It informs us, frees us and empowers us in our PPartnership and life. We are able to make sense of the world and our place in it, and have the tools to build a meaningful and rewarding life."

  Harrison: "Because it is not subject to economic scarcity, Smiles keeps on multiplying its effect without diminishing its force. It causes a therapeutic re-examination of materialism. It helps latter-day homo sapiens to be adaptable (and survive) and develop - compared with the recent Neanderthals who are dying out because they can't adapt to change. Although, looking back, maybe some of them did survive in 20C institutions.

  Chancy: "As Smiles is available to all, and F(r)ee, it enhances social equity and social justice. Total access and full choice, raising the ceiling for everybody else as well as for me. And if you can manage Smiles you can manage your life. How could you have lived without it? It must have been like trying to water-ski below the surface."