Archive for June, 2024
WALT’S OPINIONS: INFLATION?
INFLATION?
I, like I’m sure most of you, go grocery shopping. And I still have the remnants of a memory and remember prices from one outing to the next and note the price increases.
What follows is pure conjecture on my part.
There are times when I see the price of a product increase, a large increase, at times in a week or two.
Why?
Is there a valid reason for the price increase or is there something else at play? Could it be that the manufacturer is taking advantage of the fact that inflation is constantly in the news. Could it be that there is no good reason for the increase? But, because of the constant discussion about inflation the manufacturer is relying on that fact and assuming the customer will not question the increase. The customer, because of all the inflation hype, will accept the increase as part of life. Could it be, in some cases, that the customer is being manipulated in the cause of profits?
You can try an experiment. For every product there are remarkable number of brands these days. When you buy something search the brands to see if the increase of the price of one of the brands stands out. Just an experiment.
When a company makes a tremendous increase in price, say a certain percentage in a certain length of time, they owe the public an explanation?
What do you think?
DOOMED BY PROGRESS: A SCIENCE FICTION SHORT STORY, PART VIII
DOOMED BY PROGRESS
Due to technical difficulties, I will need to postpone my posting of The Ultimate Experiment. So, for now, I will begin posting my short story, Doomed by Progress. This story was published by Aphelion in May 2010.
With the increased demand of the migrating population needing electricity, the electric grid of Alaska collapsed. Normally, the residents calmly waited for a return of power. But now, when the electricity was renewed it lasted for seconds, then was gone for good.
* * *
David asked Lisa, “When was the last you saw a blue sky? It’s always grey and at times there is so much smog you can hardly see anything around you.
“I think it’s time we move farther north. If these conditions keep up there will no place to go. It’s like a science fiction movie but we’re living it. Conditions must be better up north.”
This time Lisa was in full agreement with her husband.
David and Lisa moved as far north as they could. But they came to a point where they lacked the energy to go on.
Weak from lack of oxygen and extreme heat, David said, “I don’t think we can go farther,” and fell to the ground, his breathing labored and then stopped.
Lisa surveyed the scene around her. In the distance she could see solitary figures, walking, stumbling and then falling. Lisa knew she would not survive long in this heat. All the predictions she had read came true, although much sooner than anyone could anticipate.
Lisa lay down, and with the rest of humanity, ceased to exist.
The End
DOOMED BY PROGRESS: A SCIENCE FICTION SHORT STORY, PARTVII
DOOMED BY PROGRESS
Due to technical difficulties, I will need to postpone my posting of The Ultimate Experiment. So, for now, I will begin posting my short story, Doomed by Progress. This story was published by Aphelion in May 2010.
As the temperature began to climb across the world, many of the poorer could not escape the areas of death. Millions, and then billions died. The smell of rotting flesh hanging over cities and towns, once havens for the poor, became vast dying grounds for those populations of meager means unable to retreat the horror around them.
As the availability of food lessened, conflict broke out in proportions never seen. Looting was common for food. What else mattered? It was a war of survival, not between countries but between individuals wanting to live. The bloodshed these conflicts produced was unimaginable. To survive people would kill their neighbors, friends, even their own families so that they may live on. But in the end, all this was useless.
Strengthened by the new heat on both land and water, hurricanes, the likes of which never seen before, feeding off the warm waters, took an untold number of lives.
MY LATEST PUBLICATION: REVENGE AND REDEMPTION
I’m taking a break today from posting parts of my short story, Doomed By Progress, in order to share a link to my just published short story, Revenge and Redemption. For those familiar with my work, you will see that this is a departure from my usual fare.
WARNING
The website, YELLOW MAMA, is a mature website.
Also, my story contains some rather strong language. But this is necessary to make the character who he is.
I hope you enjoy the story.
DOOMED BY PROGRESS: A SCIENCE FICTION SHORT STORY, PART VI
DOOMED BY PROGRESS
Due to technical difficulties, I will need to postpone my posting of The Ultimate Experiment. So, for now, I will begin posting my short story, Doomed by Progress. This story was published by Aphelion in May 2010.
“You know, Lisa, I’m surprised at the temperature here in Anchorage. I imagined it would be cooler. But conditions here are okay. Better than back in Iowa.” For explanations of the change in weather David used his favorite news channel where facts morphed into opinions. The channel played to their audience which never gave a doubt about what they were being told. The vast opinion of its audience ‘Thought why check other sources when I’m being told the truth here?’
Lisa had other sources she relied on for information and knew things were not fine. All over the world heat made life unbearable. The equatorial countries initially suffered the worst. The populations of these countries migrated north and south to find a place that would sustain life. Millions sought refuge from the heat.
* * *
With worry in his voice, David said, “Lisa, have you seen how many people are showing up every day? How are they going to eat and live without affecting us?
DOOMED BY PROGRESS: A SCIENCE FICTION SHORT STORY, PART V
DOOMED BY PROGRESS
Due to technical difficulties, I will need to postpone my posting of The Ultimate Experiment. So, for now, I will begin posting my short story, Doomed by Progress. This story was published by Aphelion in May 2010.
It began slowly, then snowballed. It is difficult to use that term for there was little snow or ice left on the planet. Cities, once told of the possibility of flooding, were either flooded or completely underwater. The increase in use of air conditioners throughout newly emerging economies, with the requisite demand for greater amounts of electricity led to stronger economies.
However, none of the countries, with this new wealth, spent any money on infrastructure. The problem being that this new fortune was lining the pockets of politicians and others in power.
As a result, electric grids in these counties with new wealth began to fail. And after a few years, because of the dramatic increase in temperature due to the vast amount of heat from air conditioners, in conjunction with the pollution contributed by the coal burned power plants to produce the demand for electricity, areas once appreciating the benefit of cool air, became too hot for human habitation.
Initially, people living in these areas of ever-growing heat sought out any place providing comfort. Malls, stores and movie theaters were crowded beyond belief. But as electricity became more expensive and unreliable, these “oases slowly disappeared.
It began slowly, then snowballed. It is difficult to use that term for there was little snow or ice left on the planet. Cities, once told of the possibility of flooding, were either flooded or completely underwater. The increase in use of air conditioners throughout newly emerging economies, with the requisite demand for greater amounts of electricity led to stronger economies.
However, none of the countries, with this new wealth, spent any money on infrastructure. The problem being that this new fortune was lining the pockets of politicians and others in power.
As a result, electric grids in these counties with new wealth began to fail. And after a few years, because of the dramatic increase in temperature due to the vast amount of heat from air conditioners, in conjunction with the pollution contributed by the coal burned power plants to produce the demand for electricity, areas once appreciating the benefit of cool air, became too hot for human habitation.
Initially, people living in these areas of ever-growing heat sought out any place providing comfort. Malls, stores and movie theaters were crowded beyond belief. But as electricity became more expensive and unreliable, these “oases slowly disappeared.
DOOMED BY PROGRESS: A SCIENCE FICTION SHORT STORY, PART IV
DOOMED BY PROGRESS
Due to technical difficulties, I will need to postpone my posting of The Ultimate Experiment. So, for now, I will begin posting my short story, Doomed by Progress. This story was published by Aphelion in May 2010.
Another ten more later.
David shouted with anger and hopelessness, “I can’t live like this. I’ve asked for a transfer to Alaska where it must be cooler. The company has offices in Anchorage. What really pisses me off is why hasn’t the government done something about this weather? Politicians just sit on their dumb asses take large contributions, and who knows what else, and vote how they are told. To hell with the public and everything else. The only thing important to these crooks is their careers.
David had not consulted Lisa before making the decision to move to Alaska. But she knew that voicing an opinion would only result in a huge argument. As much as she wanted to speak her mind she held her thoughts and anguish to herself for she loved this guy, but it was getting harder and harder to keep that love alive. She said to herself, Fine, David, you have a job already set up. But what about my career. I love my children and don’t want to leave them. Yet, in some ways, Lisa was looking forward to the move. She also found the increasing heat beyond comfortable. She felt caught in a trap with no escape. Blindness to what was happening to the weather existed for too long. She honestly felt that nothing could be done to change the direction in which the world was heading.
DOOMED BY PROGRESS: A SCIENCE FICTION SHORT STORY, PART III
DOOMED BY PROGRESS
Due to technical difficulties, I will need to postpone my posting of The Ultimate Experiment. So, for now, I will begin posting my short story, Doomed by progress. This is an unpublished story.
Twenty years later
With sweat on his brow, David said to Lisa, “Isn’t this heat unusual for November?” His brow and the armpits of his shirt added proof to his question.
“I know, David, I know.” She had the air conditioner turned up to full, yet the house was uncomfortably warm. Lisa said, “This is just Iowa weather. You know we’ve had snow earlier than expected too.
Life went on. The acquisition of air conditioners spread to populations in dire need of life-saving cool air to defeat the killing temperatures. There, air conditioners were not considered a luxury but a lifesaver. At the same time enormous amounts of heat, the product of air conditioners, were released into the extreme heat outside their homes every day.
SHORT STORY PROGRESS UPDATE
SHORT STORY PROGRESS UPDATE
First, I was wrong in stating that The Ultimate Experiment was not published. It was published by Aphelion in issue 143 in May 2010.
So much for my record keeping.
I know I posted that I would not continue to post The Ultimate Experiment dure to technical problems. Well, I have managed to rescue a copy of the story. What I intend to do is continue to post Doomed by Progress until the completion of the story. Then I will begin reposting The Ultimate Experiment.
I hope you enjoy both stories.
DOOMED BY PROGRESS: A SCIENCE FICTION SHORT STORY, PART II
DOOMED BY PROGRESS
Due to technical difficulties, I will need to postpone my posting of The Ultimate Experiment. So for now, I will begin posting my short story, Doomed by progress. This is an unpublished story.
The United States had decided to turn back to coal for the main source of power, primarily based on politics. Also decided was to relax pollution standards also the product of a weak president bowing to industry. The coal industry, auto industry and whatever industry had been closely regulated in the past to prevent pollution were overjoyed. However, lurking in the future was a development no one could have anticipated. A development which would drastically alter the Earth’s atmosphere. This change would result from countries known for their rapidly growing economies and lack of regulations. They were on the road to an improved life.
The circumstance which no one could predict was precipitated by increased income. With new money flowing to those who once had little was the spread of air conditioners. Populations in countries such as India, who once suffered unbearable heat, with a devastating toll to the population, now found relief through air conditioning.
Other countries also embraced this source of comfort unaware that this new luxury was creating great amounts of heat and sending it into an already fragile atmosphere. After all, other countries enjoyed the comfort of cool air although they experienced only moderate temperatures. Why should countries experiencing life-threatening temperatures be denied a way to a better life? This development of improving their lives also required an increased amount of electricity in India and China, and other countries experiencing new wealth. All these countries rely on coal to produce their electricity. As a result, there was a new cycle of our changing planet was established.
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