That men do not learn very much from the lessons of history is the most important of all the lessons that history has to teach.

Aldous Huxley

GHOST IN THE WIRES by Kevin Mitnick

To a lot of people, understanding the motivation of America's most wanted hacker is always outweighed with a bucketful of doubt. Given the events that took place way before Windows 95, years before MS Office became a household name, my understanding of Kevin Mitnick's motivation is as simple as what he claims---he did it because he could and to maintain at the top of his game within the community earning the respect of his peers. He did it not really to earn but to learn more about the craft, given his childhood fascination with magic tricks and his gift of gab--talking his way out of troubles.

These days, a professional hacker is highly motivated---financially, and knowing a piece of their history is every technology consumer's first defense. In this age of the selfie and global selfishness (how ironic is that, for the I-me-myself gadget addict?) reading this book is your first defense.

This story of a phone phreaker transforming into a black hat and eventually, luckily as a white hat is very entertaining and insightful. I would consider Mr Mitnick a very lucky man for being advanced in his time in using computer and modern technology and for being skillful with social engineering. Being advanced is a singular trait of a lot of savants in technology and I can still remember the Filipino programmer who wrote the notorious "I Love You" virus and walked away from it because that time the law against coding and proliferation of a computer virus does not exist in the Philippine Constitution.  

Mitnick's insider views and exploits of the bureaucratic processes to hide his identity and land a job after another across cities before finally being caught by the FBI is highly detailed. From breaking the security codes of Nokia, to accessing the NEC servers, and using the USC servers as a storage locker, up to befriending Steve Wozniak the co-founder of Apple and meeting one of his fans the uber-geek filmmaker J.J. Abrams in the days of his captivity, watching him win, struggle, and transform with his obsession is very insightful indeed. 

An excerpt of the author's bio:

Kevin Mitnick, the world's most famous (former) hacker, is now a security consultant. He has been the subject of countless news and magazine articles and has appeared  on numerous television and radio programs offering expert commentary on information security. He has testified before the U.S. Senate and written for Harvard Business Review. Mitnick is the author, with William L. Simon, of the bestselling books The Art of Deception and The Art of Intrusion. He lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.

  

Genre: Science & Technology, History, Autobiography

Rating: 4 iterations of Purdy Polynomial

Find Yourself

Art © David Palumbo

Every reader finds himself. The writer's work is merely a kind of optical instrument that makes it possible for the reader to discern what, without this book, he would perhaps never have seen in himself.

Marcel Proust

The Man Also Said

Life is like riding a bicycle. 

To keep your balance, you must keep moving.

Albert Einstein

Success

image © Bill Watterson Estate

Cross Genre Writing: a reader's view

RELATIVITY by M.C. Escher, 1953

Just after breakfast this morning, I stumbled upon this great post from the Komikero talking about how to make it in the field of comic book writing. It was a very good piece of advice for both the dabbler and the aspiring pro dreaming to finally see their fantastic, wicked, or kick-ass stories in graphical form and be recognized by the reading world. For writers out there trying to test the waters of comics and graphic novels, this is a must read.

In connection with his ideas and insights, I also remember a certain post by a British blogger and writer talking about his views and disagreement on the current preference in the publishing world: to stick to one genre if you're a beginner. They say that you're doomed if you don't stick to one since you can only be known in one genre. Only an established and popular writer may break that law if you're not a genius.

There's a grain of truth in that commandment especially for budding writers trying to make it in the commercial publishing today. This is probably the best and shortest path to success given the current demand for genre-specific reads (like YA and graphic novels). The message they give is Don't go any further if you haven't established your name yet. This is agreeable. JK Rowling's new adult book is out but it's perfectly okay, since she's already popular-- a household name. But sometimes, the only way to establish your name is to discover a genre or two that reflects your character as a creator.

I think this "genre confinement" for a newbie is basically an artistic restriction that limits the author himself, not resorting to experiments and not discovering new or less known methods by just sticking to the current strategy bounded by illusion of "commercial success." My take on this as a reader is simple. If you want to become a pro, you can start by being a good writer first. It's okay to experiment and skip genres like skipping stones in a pond. From variable perspective you will discover a lot of bad, but also something good and worthwhile.

In the past, authors like Thomas Hardy, Charles Dickens, and G.K. Chesterton became successful not because of their chosen genre. They were known because of their style of writing that became perfectly distinct from each other's style. They were not thinking of any massive, commercial, return on investment; only basic patronage from people of their communities who love to read. The basic readership by loyal and trusted fans, in short. There is no greater motivation than the possibility doing what you love and they succeeded for knowing it once in their lives.

Looking at the legion of modern writers the past two decades, how did Dan Simmons, Stephen King, and Neil Gaiman became popular and established authors while crossing genres? By becoming effective and believable storyteller, regardless of the genre.

Stephen King is loved by his fans (and loathed by his critics) as an horror author, but he is best when he wrote On Writing -a non fiction work that's becoming a reference for students of the art.

Dan Simmons' first novel Song of Kali won the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel in 1986. It was a magnificent modern horror novel. But when he published the sci fi Hyperion (the first in Quadrilogy) in 1989, nobody cried foul when he crossed over into the sci fi genre especially after winning both the Locus and Hugo Award for Best Novel the following year. These days, Simmons is writing in the genre of historical fiction and thrillers.

Neil Gaiman started writing late, but it was a good "late realization" for him. I don't have to discuss all his merits as a good writer, the success of Coraline and The Graveyard Book as children's literature and Sandman as adult fantasy and horror literature in the comic book form are enough.

This ruckus will never end between "writing as a profession" and "writing as a passion," as much as the classic debate between "commodity" and "art" that lies in the soul of writing. If you want to write for a living, you can learn a lot by skipping between genres and studying the differences. There are many paths to success as much as paths to failure. There are the hidden paths, some short ones, as well as the best one.  The point here is, since there are many paths to success you can just follow the suggested ones, or you can make your own unique path towards it. The choice is in your hands.

point-blank shot #2

You are only as healthy as you feel.

Travis Bickle

point-blank shot #1

source: minusproject

Filipino Friday 4: Books and Friends

''Are you a part of a book club? If yes, what made you join one? What’s your favorite activity that you have with them? If you’re not a part of one, will you consider joining one? Why or why not?''

Before creating this blog, I was already part of an online book club. It's cool to reach out to somebody who also share the same passion of reading. Even if I can only do it online, it's still a favorable choice than having no one to talk to about my recent adventures with a novel. Online book clubs come with each member's whim, style, and preferences as hosted by specific server or platform. There's the Sci Fi Group (my favorite group of them all), Flips Flipping Pages, and A to Z Reading Challenge Group at Shelfari. There's The Filipino Group at Goodreads (where my status is supra delinquent) and recently, Read Philippines.

99% of the time I lurk and sometimes I share and discuss. Sometimes, I'm a big nuisance to all. For my past memberships, I miss those no-holds barred discussions and impromptu exchanges and recommendations between members regardless of educational background, career, or nationality. I also miss the endless debate between members that became very amusing in the end. Having a book club opens up your eyes to new worlds that you've never been and also you learn something priceless from other people. Though I've never joined a face-to-face discussion, it's a worthwhile experience even to learn online a tip or two from someone who is an experienced and accomplished reader.

If you've never been a member of a book club, I suggest you try joining one and enjoy the full experience while it last. People may come and go but you'll find your book stash endlessly expanding; you will spend time and resources (I'm talking from a plain reader's perspective here, no monkey business involved) and end up needing for more. But the point here is, you are able to live at the moment. And probably help another lonely and helpless reader too. Like this lurker below.

Online discussion is enough bro. Because I bite!

source

The Man Said

“Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the Gods.”

Albert Einstein

simplify your life

"As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness weakness." 
Henry David Thoreau

The trouble with fiction is that it makes too much sense. Reality never makes sense.

Aldous Huxley

Into the Wild

"You are wrong if you think that Joy emanates only or principally from human relationships. God has placed it all around us. It is in everything and anything we might experience. We just have to have the courage to turn against our habitual lifestyle and engage in unconventional living. My point is that you do not need me or anyone else around to bring this new kind of light in your life. It is simply waiting out there for you to grasp it and all you have to do is reach for it. The only person you are fighting is yourself and your stubborness to engage in new circumstances."

Christopher McCandless

When words connect, dreams can become real

After updating my database of a fresh batch of acquired books, it's always a habit that I ponder the future scenario of my archive. What will happen to these books if I cannot read them all, or read them to someone from the younger generation? Will I be able to pass on that reading habit? Books live longer than people. What will happen if books continue to multiply as much as the rise in number of children who cannot read and write? Shall I hoard some more and care only about my family and turn my face away from the real, current situation of global illiteracy?

This thought is actually more than just an imagined scene. Especially if you consider the current 793 million illiterate people. New and old books are published in traditional and digital format annually but the current number of people who can't read and write is still huge. There has to be a way to cut their numbers by making our government policymakers and the common people to notice and take action. My solution for this is based on being a reader---we only need to share our love for reading.

This is essentially the same sentiment with the global aims of LitWorld:

"On March 7, 2012, LitWorld, a global literacy organization based in New York City, will be celebrating World Read Aloud Day. World Read Aloud Day is about taking action to show the world that the right to read and write belongs to all people. World Read Aloud Day motivates children, teens, and adults worldwide to celebrate the power of words, especially those words that are shared from one person to another, and creates a community of readers advocating for every child’s right to a safe education and access to books and technology. By raising our voices together on this day we show the world’s children that we support their future: that they have the right to read, to write, and to share their words to change the world."

To learn more about LitWorld and to register to participate in World Read Aloud Day, please visit: http://litworld.org/wrad

The Gospel of Art According to Mr Vonnegut

Source

What's Better Than Choosing Your Blog's Platform?

Recently I joined Book Blogs and one member asked for a better blog format (or blog platform---to be exact) in the discussions. Looking at other sources with comparative stats between varied platforms and providers (not counting out that most online statistical data can be manipulated) and looking at my own experience since 2004, I think it's becoming a subjective inquiry since choosing your platform depends entirely on what you want and need to do with your blog.

CLICK THIS IMAGE FOR IMG SOURCE

There's a platform suitable for free hosting as well as for paid hosting. The latter is good if you want to own your content but you have to pay for it. Some like to earn money from their blogs while others choose to be free from ads (like this blog). Another criteria is the design. Some would prefer the professional look, others choose personalized (widget/gadget intensive) look, while some would prefer the simplified text-heavy look. Some would consider user popularity of the provider like this list did. Considering the boom in the social media sphere by Facebook and Twitter, and in the geek sphere by iTunes Podcast and Technorati, integration between domains also is a big factor. If your platform can easily link to potential readers, the better for your blog. Additionally, it's also important to choose a secured and spam-free platform and a provider that continues to improve and evolve to suit every user's needs. User support and forum is also a good criteria, with the current trend in "cloud" communities. Choosing a provider to keep a constant eye on what sites link to your blog and the detailed statistics of your blog (crawl errors, live feeds, search queries, etc.) will also give the blog owner a sense of control and overview.

Now if you ask me what's my choice in blog platform, I will answer its Blogger. Sorry to disappoint you Google haters, but this platform worked for me since 2004. I have current blogs in Tumblr and Posterous but for a book blog, Blogger is the platform that suits well with my needs. But this is actually, not relevant. There's something more important than merely choosing a platform.

The choice of specific criteria stated above will not guarantee a quality and loyal readership for your blog. The bottom line is still about what you write in your blog. Content is more important than  platform. I have seen a lot of blogs with professional looking templates but the content speaks differently (mostly candy-coated childish posts and memes). I saw a blog with an old and simplified template but the writing is very good and very informative. I saw a blog loaded with graphics but what I like about that blog is not the graphics but what the author consistently writes about.

So once again, what's better than choosing your blog's platform? It's what you write in your blog.

Text Brigade and More

If you're still planning to buy a book this Xmas, better skip it and donate the money instead to help our ravaged countrymen in the South. The easiest way is to send it to Philippine National Red Cross via SMS/text here:

SMS
Text RED<space>AMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4143 (Smart) 
G-Cash (Globe)
Text DONATE<space>AMOUNT<space>4-digit M-PIN<space>REDCROSS to 2882 

You can donate the following denominations:
Globe: 5, 25, 100, 300, 500 or 1000 
Smart: 10, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500 or 1000


Click images for more donation particulars.

Image courtesy of Philippine Daily Inquirer

Pag-iilaw: Xmas 2011 at UPD

This place has been my home for 7 years and whenever the month of December looms in the horizon, that unique atmosphere of excitement leading to inevitable basking in festivity of the Lantern Parade is one unforgettable event for any alumni. Pinoy Theme is an undying trademark and this constellation of "parol"---lanterns glimmering in darkness is simply nostalgic.

source:
pag-iilaw
image ©upd.edu.ph

Book Review Rule # 1

Stop whining, bourgeois reader!

Finish the book first, and stop whining.

A book review is not a book review if you can't read through the whole book. If you want to write a review, make sure you read the book from cover to cover and go through the whole reading experience. If you don't like the experience and cant finish it, better not make a review and give the book to somebody else. The point in writing a review is you must finish the book first to prevent prejudgements and observe protocol to give the author the benefit of the doubt. Who knows if it turns out good in the end, or the hardship is intentional until you reach a certain revelation point---an "Aha!" moment? It's as important as studying first before taking an exam; if you failed the test 'coz you cant read through the book, it's your fault. You can't blame Shakespeare, or Newton.

I have often seen a lot of book reviewers endlessly complaining and whining like "This book sucks 'coz I can only read the first five pages!" or "I cant finish this book for the author's weird, political, and misogynistic foreword. Ergo, I rate this book one star! Blah blah blah" Partial reading leads to an incomplete and incompetent judgement. What they are doing is not a book review but only a book warning. As self-confessed bookworms and avid readers, they just displayed their laziness and stupidity in choosing the wrong book.

What's the point of "reviewing" if you never made the "viewing" first? As the saying goes, "Learn to ride the bicycle BEFORE you drive the motorcycle." Don't try to put the cart before the horse.

Revisiting Reboot

Four to five years ago, we saw the birth of this trend in commercial film making (i.e. Hollywood) and now we can feel the effects in the world of literature. This can't be prevented, given that a lot of films base their stories from books and comics, and vice versa. Insiders would say it was justified given the success of reboot works like Nolan's Batman Trilogy (I already expect the upcoming Dark Knight Rises a success) and Rob Zombie's Halloween, while others remain skeptic after failed attempts of Superman Returns and Dukes of Hazard.

Those who fell in love with the original and classic works say there's no need for reinvention, we just need to create something new. But the problem with this is writers are running out of original idea these days. It's all becoming common, and it's all been done before. JK Rowling's Harry Potter is similar to Neil Gaiman's Tim Hunter, Suzanne Collin's Hunger Games is directly comparable to Koushun Takami's Battle Royale. Even in the narrative and the character structure, Joseph Campbell's "Monomyth" hypothesis or commonly known as The Hero's Journey/Cycle has been used and re-used (coincidentally or not) over and over again by writers of fiction. It can be seen in Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Neverwhere, American Gods, Stardust, The Earthsea Cycle, Enders Game, and other successful mythologies for both the young and old.

Others would just see "reboot" as primarily a financial move for producers and publishers due to global recession, while for authors it's just an experimental attempt, a tinkering of past creativity like a circus move, tiptoeing on a very sharp edge of a sword. But the people's verdict is still, out there. Producers must never count the consumers out since people are becoming smarter. We just have to wait if this trend will turn out good or until reaching a saturation period (3-5 years from now) when the need for a new trend is imminent. Waiting for a resolution, perhaps?

choose your own definition