THE STORY SO FAR: PART 225

THE DEEP END

Marvelous to be back working with words again. Mind you, there are surprisingly few words in a screenplay.

You may have a page a minute – say 100-120 for a feature film – but the layout of each page is such that you just cannot fit in that many words. DIALOG, for instance, is written in a slim column to distinguish it from ACTION which is set much wider. I guess that is a gentle hint. Long conversations are rare things in movies. Film is a visual medium.

Yes, we all know that intellectually, but if one is a book-writer, it feels—at first—if you have put your head on backwards. Fortunately, I have a highly visual mind for which I give many thanks. Also, I have been a movie addict from the age of about four. If my mother wanted to go shopping (or whatever) she would dump me in a news theater where I would watch the same program again and again—without the benefit of popcorn or anything similar. This was just after WW II and rationing was still in progress.

I can still remember the first two feature movies I saw. One was THE THIN MAN and the other was THE CHRONICLES OF CAPTAIN BLOOD with Errol Flynn. I was completely fascinated by the latter and couldn’t imagine anything more exciting. Of course, I hadn’t discovered reading at that stage. Or women, now I think of it.

ACTION does not necessarily mean violence (although it is scarcely rare). Instead, it covers the visual aspect—what the camera has to convey. That covers a multitude—everything from mood to movement—yet you have very limited space at your disposal.

You have to train yourself to write tightly—and that the director will have the talent and vision to follow through.

Writing a screenplay can be rough on the ego. Typically, a book author hogs most of the glory (if there is any). Where a movie is concerned, though the screenplay is the foundation of the whole enterprise, the writer becomes disposable once the screenplay is delivered—and it may even be re-written multiple times. The glory goes to the stars and the director.

By the way, the Captain Blood movie featured a hanging—an image which has stayed with me ever since. Little did I know that a real hanging was subsequently to play such a significant role in my life.

THE STORY SO FAR: PART 224

TWO WEEKS IN

I have now been in my new home for two weeks and I’m settling in surprisingly well. I don’t have everything organized quite the way I want it, but at least I now know what I want to do, and what I’m likely to need.

Next action will be to tackle a screenplay that needs revising and shortening. Here my first move will be to break the thing down into scenes and summarize each one. The classic way of doing this is on index cards, but I have no problem in cutting and pasting in Word so that is what I will use initially. Later on, for the writing itself, I’ll use FINAL DRAFT which is pretty much the industry standard. That said, there other screenwriting programs or one can use SCRIVENER which has a screenwriting mode.

SCRIVENER comes highly recommended and costs only $40, and is on my list to try out – but I hate parting from tools I know well, much as a soldier prefers a familiar  weapon.

I have seen editors, red pencil in hand, whip through manuscripts at a rate of knots – pouncing on each suspect word, phrase and sentence with sadistic intensity (all editors have a sadistic side). Personally, I tend to work in a series of iterations and my first read-through is more to answer the fundamental question: Does it work? I’ll then go though the screenplay as many times as is necessary, marking it up as I go.

I’m quite excited about getting to work on this project. Moving has been all very well, but I feel the urge to get back to work. Also, I’d like to pay my dues. It was thanks to a movie connection that led to finding my present location.

THE STORY SO FAR: PART 223

OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM—AN AMERICAN HORRROR STORY IN COST TERMS

AND NOT SO GOOD WHEN IT COMES TO QUALITY

It is nothing new to say we have an extraordinarily expensive system which not only fails to cover something like 40 million Americans, but also has severe quality problems. At its best, it is the best—which is wonderful (if you can afford it). For most people it does not show up too well compared to other developed nations. When it comes to longevity, we do not fare well—and we tend to be sicker that the populations of other nations as we age. In short, not only do Americans have shorter lives, but the quality of those lives is not what it might be.

Why is this? Healthcare deficiencies are not the only cause—lifestyle choices, the poor quality of our food, and environmental pollution are factors—but healthcare is still a serious cause for concern.

We know all this—it is certainly publicized well enough—and yet we seem incapable of doing anything about it. As with so many other issues, the richest nation in the world—famous for its “can do” attitude—seems caught in the greed of vested interests.

Recently I ran across some graphics which ram home just how out of line we are. In cost terms alone, it is a horror story.

What is particularly striking is just how out of line U.S. costs are. The differences are so extreme—even compared to high cost European countries like Switzerland—that it is hard not to suppress the feeling that something is very wrong; that greed, both corporate and personal, has got completely out of hand.

By the way, these graphs come from a commendable site called Priceonomics.com There are many more graphs on the Priceeconomics site and they make chilling reading.

 

 

 

Coincidentally, an excellent article by Jeffrey Pfeffer appeared in the Business Week of May 10 2013. He places the blame on the administrative costs imposed by insurance companies. I doubt that he is entirely right--there are other culprits ranging from over-priced drugs to for-profit hospitals—but he is certainly partially right.

The following is an extract from his article.

More than 20 years ago, two Harvard professors published an article in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine showing that health-care administration cost somewhere between 19 percent and 24 percent of total spending on health care and that this administrative burden helped explain why health care costs so much in the U.S. compared, for instance, with Canada or the United Kingdom. An update of that analysis more than a decade later, after the diffusion of managed care and the widespread adoption of computerization, found that administration constituted some 30 percent of U.S. health-care costs and that the share of the health-care labor force comprising administrative (as opposed to care delivery) workers had grown 50 percent to constitute more than one of every four health-sector employees.

Pfeffer is the Thomas D. Dee II Professor of Organizational Behavior at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business, where he has taught since 1979. He is the author or co-author of 13 books, including his latest, Power: Why Some People Have It—and Others Don't (HarperCollins, 2010).

THE STORY SO FAR: PART 222

THIS CARTOON IS RATHER TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT

I LOVE IT!

It is extremely satisfying to create a home—no matter how modest. Though my personal circumstances were decidedly spartan while at my expensive boarding schools—which enforced the notion that hardship and discipline build character—I was exposed to considerable luxury both while growing up, and afterwards when I was in business armed with a generous expense account. Nonetheless, I have gradually grown to want less and less in material terms. Also, I have stayed in too many expensive hotels, and eaten in far too many overpriced restaurants, to regard them as luxury.

This hasn’t stemmed from any conscious philosophy—or religious conversion—but more from the realization that the main focus of my life is writing, and that anything which distracts from that is almost certainly unnecessary. Having time to myself to write—now that really is luxury.

It is also salutary to have to go through the belongings of someone who has died—as I have done twice in the last few years. Somehow, as you mourn the person who has passed on, material possessions seem trivial.

This isn’t to say that I don’t appreciate nice things. It is much more a feeling that I don’t need them. I admire works of art and fine craftsmanship, but if someone else wants to own them—providing I have reasonable access to some of them, so I can keep my artistic sensibilities exercised—that’s fine by me.

I make an exception where my work is concerned. There I like to be as well equipped as I need, and can afford. I also like to be reasonably comfortable.

That phrase reminds me of the story of a British Army officer who even when sleeping in the field, in a trench, insisted on sleeping in silk pajamas. If necessary, he would wear his uniform over them, but he always insisted on changing into them before closing his eyes. When asked about this eccentricity, he commented: “Any fool can be uncomfortable.” He was killed in the endless battle of Monte Cassino—and was buried in his silk pajamas. True story? Supposedly yes—but if it is not, it should be.

My friend Tim has just tend me a particularly cheering quote.

"Saints are sinners who kept on going."

--Robert Louis Stevenson,
Scottish novelist, poet and essayist

How encouraging!

THE STORY SO FAR: PART 221

US Army insignia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

SOMETIMES WE LOSE THE VERY BEST OF OUR WARRIORS

A SALUTE TO SPECIALIST RICARDO CERROS JR. OF THE 75TH RANGER REGIMENT

Back in the Nineties, I had the honor of spending considerable time with various U.S. Army units as part of research for various books. It was, without question, one of the best times of my life. The weapons and technologies were fascinating, but what made it were the people—the soldiers.

They were ordinary people doing extraordinary things to keep us safe. I found that a sobering thought. These people were prepared to die for us if necessary—and die they do—for us.  If you pause to think about it, such a sacrifice is breathtaking.

When I was in the Mojave Desert, watching a brigade of 3ID (Mechanized) maneuver their tanks, and my guide, BG Dale Nelson commented to me: “You have got to love soldiers,” I could not but agree.

Somehow, the Army—though far from a perfect institution (it is human after all, though generals will deny the fact) seems to be able to attract some particularly fine human beings and then to develop them to their fullest potential. In that context, I have always liked the old Army slogan: “Be all you can be.” It conveys the essential truth of the matter. It trains people to do the remarkable under any and all conditions with stoic good humor in a way the civilian world largely does not.

Specialist Ricardo Cerros Jr. made a point of living up to that slogan. His photograph is above, and well demonstrates the American soldier at his best—together with the humor and camaraderie which are two of the most attractive aspects of Army life.

Ricardo, a man with a phenomenal work ethic, was someone who pushed himself to the limit—and beyond. While at school, he served for four years in the Navy’s Junior ROTC, he excelled academically at UC Irvine and he gained a black belt in taekwondo. His friend, Mike Clark described him as “Just a ball of energy.”

After graduation in 2009, he joined the Army and eventually made his way to the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment—one of the most storied units in the U.S. Army and extremely hard to get into. Beyond that, the operational tempo of the Rangers is quite extraordinary. Their talents are at a premium. Currently, they are much used on raids in Afghanistan—going after high value targets and generally keeping the enemy confused and on the defensive. Though relatively few in number, they excel at this extremely dangerous task, as at many others. They also jump out of perfectly good aircraft.

Ricardo was killed on October 8 2012 during a firefight in Afghanistan’s Logar province south of Kabul. He was 24. It was his first deployment.

“Spc. Ricardo Cerros was incredibly talented and a well respected member of this battalion,” said Lt. Col. David Hodne, Commander of 2nd Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment.  “He was a warrior who lost his life while fighting courageously alongside his fellow Rangers.  We will honor his service to our country and never forget his sacrifice.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Cerros family.”

When I look at Ricardo’s photograph, I found it hard not to be moved by his humor and vitality, and be much saddened by his death. But, he was doing what he loved to do while wearing the uniform of an extraordinary regiment. It was a noble death, a righteous passing. He died with honor for his country and will long be remembered.

He and his family deserve both our thoughts and our thanks.

Cerros is survived by his father Ricardo Cerros Sr. and stepmother Deborah A. Cerros of Salinas, Calif. and his mother Maqueirte D. Cuevas of Gary, Ind.  He is also survived by his brother Nicholas Cerros, sister Theresa Cerros, and stepbrother Marko Cerros all of Salinas, Calif.

I wish I had met the man. I was asked to write this tribute by a friend, a fellow Ranger—and it is an honor to do so. Now he too is deploying shortly (after numerous previous deployments).

Keep safe, friend. Keep safe, guys.

You are America’s finest. I salute you all.

 

 

 

THE STORY SO FAR: PART 220

THE WORLD IS FLAT—OR WOULD BE IF I HAD MY WAY

The illustration is the logo of the Flat Earth Society—but, of course, you knew that.

No, I haven’t suddenly lost it—as best I can determine. I’m merely writing about my obsession with flat surfaces; and how this eccentricity tends to give me a very particular outlook on life.

Yes, I did consider using the word ‘peculiar’ instead of ‘particular, but, fundamentally, I believe my concerns are rational (in the context of being a writer).

For instance, if I enter a room and there happens to be a Van Gogh on the wall—and I like the man’s work—I will give it scant attention until I have scoured the room for flat surfaces. Whereupon I will try and work out how to steal it. Mind you, I’m not preoccupied with just any kind of flat surface. Primarily, I tend to look for tables or desks which I can use to write on—and shelving for books, files, and papers. I do this even if I am adequately provided for at home. One never knows. Writing is scarcely a stable occupation.

It is an unusual obsession, I will grant you, but I submit it is entirely reasonable in the context of my profession. We writers need such things—and the world—shame on it—does not seem to appreciate that fact. Indeed, where such resources do exist, they are frequently wrong in some way. Tables are set at the kind of heights which will give you terminal back ache. Shelves are designed for china ornaments or not adjustable. If I was king I would make it a crime to own shelves which were not adjustable to varying book heights; and people who produced wobbly tables would be shot frequently and often.

I loathe, hate and detest wobbly tables, and am amazed how many of them there are. In fact, whenever I encounter a table or desk—say in Office Depot while buying paper—I normally check out the flat surfaces in the furniture department and tend to be thoroughly depressed at what I find. We live in a wobbly world. This fact may explain a great deal.

Do you know I wrote much of my first book, GAMES OF THE HANGMAN, with the aid of an oak coffin lid? It was agreeably solid, stable, and flat.

Death may have its downside, but it doesn’t appear to be wobbly.

THE STORY SO FAR: PART 219

WHICH COUNTRY DOES WHAT BEST—AND WHY DON’T WE LEARN FROM THEM?

I’m a believer that the answers to most of the problems that this country faces are out there, but we don’t solve them—or even try to solve them—in most cases because:

• The assumption is that the American Way is always best—even if the facts flatly contradict such a viewpoint.
• Despite possessing many remarkably talented people—the track record of American innovation is extraordinary—as a nation, we are just not intellectually curious; and we certainly are not internationally oriented. The U.S. Government may want to police the world on behalf of American business, but most Americans are internally focused.
• As a culture, we are notoriously poor with languages. This makes it much harder to study what other countries are up to in any detail.
• Ideology dominates our political system to the exclusion of consideration of factual evidence. Here, statements like: “Private enterprise is always better than government” simply fly in the face of the evidence. It may, indeed, be better under some circumstances. Under others, it may be a great deal worse (look no further than reconstruction in Iraq and Afghanistan). Also, much as there is contrast between well run corporations and badly run corporations, there is a vast difference between effective government and inefficient government.

Following this theme through, and limiting this exercise to a small number of fundamental areas, I have been trying to work out which country—or group of countries—does what best. The categories I have chosen are relatively small in number, but they cover the majority of the essentials.

BEST HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

TAIWAN

This was set up with the help of American expertise and shows what could be done if we adopted a single payer system and designed it from scratch. In brief, it offers a very high level of service at half the cost of the current U.S. system.

BEST K12 EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

FINLAND

The Finnish system is drastically different to the American—and yet year after year it delivers superior results. Yet, if anything, we are evolving in the opposite direction. The U.S. system is authoritarian and test oriented. The Finnish system is focused on encouraging the student to develop at his or her own pace, allows great flexibility and depends on outstanding teachers.

BEST COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY SYSTEM

U.S.A.

This a heavily qualified judgment because though U.S. universities, at their best, seem to be the best in the world, many universities and colleges seem to be little more than mediocre—and there are serious concerns about the private sector. Add in the student debt issue—now up to a trillion dollars—and the dropout rate—and there is serious cause for concern. Quite how is a good thing to launch each generation laden with debt?

BEST AT INNOVATION

ISRAEL

This crown used to go to the U.S. automatically but we have lost considerable ground over the last few decades. Various reasons have been put forward: Short-term thinking by U.S. corporations. The poor quality of much of our educational system. The loss of much of our manufacturing base together with the innovation that goes with manufacturing.

An additional point is that, since WW II, much innovation in the U.S. has had its roots in government initiatives. However, since government investment has been cut back since the Reagan administrations, the effects have rippled through the entire economy.

Generally speaking—subject to notable exceptions like Google—large corporations are risk averse. Faced between delivering poor quarterly results and cutting back on research, research invariably suffers.

BEST HOUSING POLICIES

Here, I don’t know the answer, but I would like to because housing is so fundamental to our quality of life. What I can say is that it is not the U.S. Additionally, it is virtually certain that the most cost effective system includes significant government involvement.

Singapore, for instance, whose economic performance has been astonishing, made a point of ensuring all its population was properly housed from the beginning.

MOST COST EFFECTIVE YET FORMIDABLE DEFENSE SYSTEM

ISRAEL

Compare the U.S. and Israeli defense budgets and weep. The Israelis get so much more for their money, we should be ashamed of ourselves.

The U.S. has evolved the most expensive way of making war in the world. This benefits the deeply corrupt Military Industrial Congressional Complex and provides well paid retirement jobs for generals and other senior officers, but it is highly questionable if it serves the national interest. Consider also that we have bases throughout the world (over 1,000) and troops in something like 150 countries. How exactly does such a bloated structure really serve the U.S.?

BEST TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

EU (NORTHERN EUROPE)

It is popular to denigrate Europe at present, but much of the EU (and associated countries) actually work extremely well. This region includes Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Holland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland. You can argue about France—which remains highly successful in some areas. I would normally include the UK, which is a highly developed economy, but its current austerity policies are proving to be questionable. Still, let’s include it.

The point here is that the total population of the above countries is roughly that of the U.S. Accordingly, the argument that something which works in Europe wouldn’t work in the U.S. because America is so much larger in population terms is specious.

BEST ENERGY POLICIES

EU (NORTHERN EUROPE)

Europe uses half the energy we do on a per capita basis and is highly advanced in developing renewable resources. In addition, massive investment in rail and public transport in general has paid energy dividends.

BEST LABOR RELATIONS

EU (NORTHERN EUROPE)

Europe made its peace with labor after World War II—ironically with American help. In contrast, the U.S. approach to labor relations is essentially adversarial to the point of active hostility. Worker rights are minimal, benefits such as defined pensions are being dropped, and there is an ongoing and successful campaign against unions. Such management hostility constitutes a significant weakness when it comes to economic development, and there is currently growing evidence that worker dissatisfaction and disillusionment is impacting the economy.

BEST SOCIAL SAFETY NET

EU (NORTHERN EUROPE)

This is a matter of different philosophies. The EU, regardless of political orientation, is committed to a Social Safety Net. Much of the U.S. is not.

BEST ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES

EU (NORTHERN EUROPE)

Recent research shows that Americans get ill more as they age than other developed nations—and die sooner. Why is this? There is increasing evidence that environmental pollution of various kinds—including pollution of our food chain—may have a great deal to do with it.

In contrast, Europe has been environmentally concerned for decades and environmental regulations are enforced. The results speak for themselves.

BEST ECONOMIC SYSTEM

EU (NORTHERN EUROPE)

Given Europe’s current troubles, this judgment will be considered contentious. However, I am talking about Northern Europe, not Europe as a whole.

It is my belief that an economic system must yield balanced results for the benefit of all the population. The U.S. system is not yielding anything like balanced results. Healthy growth which neglects the welfare of much of the population is not a satisfactory result. Similarly, booming corporate profits coupled with low wages and high unemployment are unacceptable. Further negatives are rising poverty and hunger (which government now refers to as food insufficiency).

CONCLUSION

Some may regard this piece as negative because it is critical of the U.S. I see it rather differently because its orientation is towards identifying solutions. It would be nice to think we would try some of them. It is depressing to say so, but the likelihood is that we will not.

Experimentation would be a helpful approach. Could the Taiwanese healthcare system work in the U.S? Lets find out by trying it out in a single state.  Would massive investment in transport infrastructure pay off? Lets find out by trying it out in another state—or perhaps we should try regions (as in multiple states).

Above all, it would be a fine thing if we would be willing to place evidence ahead of ideology.

But that does not seem to be the American way.