Bells and Whistles

"We probably could have saved ourselves, but we were too damn lazy to try very hard . . . and too damn cheap," (Kurt Vonnegut, 1993).

Opening his book by quoting Kurt Vonnegut's bleak assessment of the fate of humans dealing with rapid climate change was a bold and powerful kick off to a bold and powerful ebook addressing a mind-boggling subject. Reading Al Gore's Our Choice on my iPad has been one brain blowing experience. Kudos Al, you and your team have published one hell of an impressive ebook (must have cost you a bundle).

Please, no matter how you feel about the man politically, don't fool yourselves. We best kneel down and pray; first, that his science is flawed; and second, that the Lord please give us the willpower to correct our flawed ways. Myself, I've eaten the magic mushroom, and believe the science. It looks like there's a storm coming and it's going to be a hot one, if you know what I mean. Pardon me, I digress.

This is one impressive ebook loaded with all the bells and whistles. If only for the technical side, it is a digital publishing masterpiece. Al's ebook comes with striking options an animated global map, touch activated embedded videos and moving graphics. I particularity enjoy the index slide bar that instantly delivers any chapter or page to my finger tips.

I purchased Our Choice on a suggestion from our Little Pond Publishing's Creative and Marketing Director, Naomi Mayhue. I can't recall ever being more satisfied with reading anything on my iPad. Reading Gore's ebook has ignited a spark of desire in me to publish multimedia ebooks. This masterpiece is not only a must read for its vast information and insight, but also reset the bar in the digital publishing world. As a storyteller, I can tell you that seeing, reading and using this ebook shows how the world has changed in such astonishing positive ways for all of us.

From here on out, the toolbox of all digital storytellers will include words, images, sounds, videos, graphics, maps and other tools not yet established.

The future is here!

Until next time ... Fodder Away!

Fodder Away (A combination of interesting, informative musings)

The inevitable finally happen. I gave my Moleskine journal a digital prompt. I tapped the page, twice! Immediately my eyes scanned the room to see if anyone was watching. Thankfully, not!

Muscle memory is one thing, but come on, what was I expecting? Maybe I'm less crazy than I think? Maybe I'm getting ready for the future? Imagine a journal or notepad where you can write or type. Heck, we know the application is out there—somewhere.

As much as I obsess at typing away on my iPad at times, I prefer jotting down notes and such things (fodder) in my pocket -size, handy black notebook. Noteworthy thoughts, some masterpieces, others duds, find their way into my daily scribble. Over time I've found that it's these types of ideas, the ones often collected in haste that gain traction, leading to better, lasting clarity. 

It is without regrets or doubts that we enter the incredible renaissance era we face. This will be a period of time that will be judged for being fascinatingly full of unimaginable opportunities for artist, storytellers and purveyors of knowledge. All of us are now confronted by an new age of digital publishing, an exciting and creative period of time that will help storytellers and artist read their works.

Yes, we're facing an 'aha' moment in the world of publishing and communications. It will surly change our worlds.

Until nextime . . . Fodder Away!