Comments for Myke Cole http://mykecole.com Comms Tue, 15 May 2012 15:25:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Comment on The change is accelerating by John Wiswell http://mykecole.com/blog/2012/05/the-change-is-accelerating#comment-357 John Wiswell Tue, 15 May 2012 15:25:00 +0000 http://mykecole.com/?p=998#comment-357 I don't see why the appeals of these systems have to be exclusive from each other.  The appeal of a local store like the farm three streets over from me is that I know they don't use hormones, they grass-feed, and everyone is entirely accountable and paid properly. The transparency of the small local business is easier to verify than Amazon, which it's come out, takes advantage of a lot of people who don't have many other choices. The stories of their packing facilities sound like something I'd rather not put money into where possible. The desire to pay as little as possible can be weighed against the desire to keep good businesses and artists afloat. That's part of the appeal of Kickstarter, I guess - if you know the author, and they post all these updates are upfront about costs, then you get what you want out, for what you want to pay, while supporting a business you want to exist. I don’t see why the appeals of these systems have to be exclusive from each other.  The appeal of a local store like the farm three streets over from me is that I know they don’t use hormones, they grass-feed, and everyone is entirely accountable and paid properly. The transparency of the small local business is easier to verify than Amazon, which it’s come out, takes advantage of a lot of people who don’t have many other choices. The stories of their packing facilities sound like something I’d rather not put money into where possible. The desire to pay as little as possible can be weighed against the desire to keep good businesses and artists afloat. That’s part of the appeal of Kickstarter, I guess — if you know the author, and they post all these updates are upfront about costs, then you get what you want out, for what you want to pay, while supporting a business you want to exist.

]]> Comment on The change is accelerating by John Wiswell http://mykecole.com/blog/2012/05/the-change-is-accelerating#comment-356 John Wiswell Tue, 15 May 2012 15:25:00 +0000 http://mykecole.com/?p=998#comment-356 I don't see why the appeals of these systems have to be exclusive from each other.  The appeal of a local store like the farm three streets over from me is that I know they don't use hormones, they grass-feed, and everyone is entirely accountable and paid properly. The transparency of the small local business is easier to verify than Amazon, which it's come out, takes advantage of a lot of people who don't have many other choices. The stories of their packing facilities sound like something I'd rather not put money into where possible. The desire to pay as little as possible can be weighed against the desire to keep good businesses and artists afloat. That's part of the appeal of Kickstarter, I guess - if you know the author, and they post all these updates are upfront about costs, then you get what you want out, for what you want to pay, while supporting a business you want to exist. I don’t see why the appeals of these systems have to be exclusive from each other.  The appeal of a local store like the farm three streets over from me is that I know they don’t use hormones, they grass-feed, and everyone is entirely accountable and paid properly. The transparency of the small local business is easier to verify than Amazon, which it’s come out, takes advantage of a lot of people who don’t have many other choices. The stories of their packing facilities sound like something I’d rather not put money into where possible. The desire to pay as little as possible can be weighed against the desire to keep good businesses and artists afloat. That’s part of the appeal of Kickstarter, I guess — if you know the author, and they post all these updates are upfront about costs, then you get what you want out, for what you want to pay, while supporting a business you want to exist.

]]> Comment on The change is accelerating by Joshua A.C. Newman http://mykecole.com/blog/2012/05/the-change-is-accelerating#comment-355 Joshua A.C. Newman Mon, 14 May 2012 20:23:00 +0000 http://mykecole.com/?p=998#comment-355 I couldn't agree more. If all you're selling is that you'll go out of your way to whisper something to someone and the promise that you'll sue them if they whisper it to someone else, that's not much of a product. Conversely, Mobile Frame Zero will be Creative Commons because a) there's no way to keep it from being shared, and b) obscurity is by far the greater to my bottom line than piracy. It also means that I don't have to treat my customers and fans like criminals, which sits with me juuuuust fine. I couldn’t agree more. If all you’re selling is that you’ll go out of your way to whisper something to someone and the promise that you’ll sue them if they whisper it to someone else, that’s not much of a product.

Conversely, Mobile Frame Zero will be Creative Commons because a) there’s no way to keep it from being shared, and b) obscurity is by far the greater to my bottom line than piracy.

It also means that I don’t have to treat my customers and fans like criminals, which sits with me juuuuust fine.

]]> Comment on The change is accelerating by Shecky X http://mykecole.com/blog/2012/05/the-change-is-accelerating#comment-354 Shecky X Mon, 14 May 2012 14:28:00 +0000 http://mykecole.com/?p=998#comment-354 Ideally (and more commonly for me as I go), purchases are simultaneously meritocratic and clientelist - for example, once I find a product that is the best intersection of price/value/customer-service/intangibles that I can find, I stick with it like grim death. Case in point: there's a local mechanic who WILL get all of my business as long as I live in the area. They're not the cheapest (not by a long shot, though they're also not insanely expensive, relatively speaking) and they're not overall the best (they've missed the mark now and then), but what they do have is the absolute desire to stand behind their work and BE THERE for the customer. They're friendly people who are 100% honest about their work; they'll tell you, in plain language, exactly what they've found wrong, the different options in fixing/replacing/ignoring/stopgapping the problem and how each option will cost AND benefit you. And they don't pull the standard trick of finding something that's a little off (i.e., something that is not at all dangerous, that may not even present a problem any time soon) and then saying you "must" entirely replace the whole damn thing at a massive cost of materials and labor; they'll tell you what they've found but they'll also tell you exactly what risks it may or may not pose. So, the initial outlay of money is a bit higher than I could almost certainly find with a little bit of shopping around, but with such a high level of personally-satisfying dedication to the customer, they will ALWAYS get my business. Because, to me, it's worth every extra penny to 1) ensure that the problem WILL be dealt with (usually sooner than later, but never "never") and 2) help do what I can to encourage that kind of behavior by a business. They may not be technically the best or the cheapest, but because they stand behind their work, they deliver the best overall package. I'm the same way with my entertainment. I've been outrageously fortunate to have found authors who 1) do highly enjoyable work and 2) are just plain good folks outside of their writing. So while I'm supporting the meritocratic aspect of their work by buying it, the clientelist aspect is so strong that I also go above and beyond that base to support that work as much as I can. Utterly worth it to me to 1) ensure continuing good reading and 2) help support people who are straight-up fine folks. Ideally (and more commonly for me as I go), purchases are simultaneously meritocratic and clientelist — for example, once I find a product that is the best intersection of price/value/customer-service/intangibles that I can find, I stick with it like grim death. Case in point: there’s a local mechanic who WILL get all of my business as long as I live in the area. They’re not the cheapest (not by a long shot, though they’re also not insanely expensive, relatively speaking) and they’re not overall the best (they’ve missed the mark now and then), but what they do have is the absolute desire to stand behind their work and BE THERE for the customer. They’re friendly people who are 100% honest about their work; they’ll tell you, in plain language, exactly what they’ve found wrong, the different options in fixing/replacing/ignoring/stopgapping the problem and how each option will cost AND benefit you. And they don’t pull the standard trick of finding something that’s a little off (i.e., something that is not at all dangerous, that may not even present a problem any time soon) and then saying you “must” entirely replace the whole damn thing at a massive cost of materials and labor; they’ll tell you what they’ve found but they’ll also tell you exactly what risks it may or may not pose.

So, the initial outlay of money is a bit higher than I could almost certainly find with a little bit of shopping around, but with such a high level of personally-satisfying dedication to the customer, they will ALWAYS get my business. Because, to me, it’s worth every extra penny to 1) ensure that the problem WILL be dealt with (usually sooner than later, but never “never”) and 2) help do what I can to encourage that kind of behavior by a business. They may not be technically the best or the cheapest, but because they stand behind their work, they deliver the best overall package.

I’m the same way with my entertainment. I’ve been outrageously fortunate to have found authors who 1) do highly enjoyable work and 2) are just plain good folks outside of their writing. So while I’m supporting the meritocratic aspect of their work by buying it, the clientelist aspect is so strong that I also go above and beyond that base to support that work as much as I can. Utterly worth it to me to 1) ensure continuing good reading and 2) help support people who are straight-up fine folks.

]]> Comment on When to Speak Up by mia http://mykecole.com/blog/2012/05/when-to-speak-up#comment-353 mia Mon, 14 May 2012 03:57:00 +0000 http://mykecole.com/?p=989#comment-353 Few people practice restraint, tact, sensitivity and thoughtfulness these days. Many are quick to voice their beliefs and opinions, often unsolicited and without much thought. I don't begrudge anyone their views. The sharing of informed opinions coherently and respectfully is the lifeblood of dialogue and progress. I will not stop reading a book simply because I disagree with an author. What I cannot abide is uninformed, condescending, judgmental and vitriolic speech. While some may reject a book for the author's personal views, others may read it for the same reason. Reader behavior is difficult to predict. Besides, the more you share of yourself, the more points of connection others may find with you. Speak out or keep silent, that's your decision. Just don't decide based on what readers may or may not do. Few people practice restraint, tact, sensitivity and thoughtfulness these days. Many are quick to voice their beliefs and opinions, often unsolicited and without much thought.

I don’t begrudge anyone their views. The sharing of informed opinions coherently and respectfully is the lifeblood of dialogue and progress. I will not stop reading a book simply because I disagree with an author. What I cannot abide is uninformed, condescending, judgmental and vitriolic speech.

While some may reject a book for the author’s personal views, others may read it for the same reason. Reader behavior is difficult to predict. Besides, the more you share of yourself, the more points of connection others may find with you.

Speak out or keep silent, that’s your decision. Just don’t decide based on what readers may or may not do.

]]> Comment on When to Speak Up by Justin Watson http://mykecole.com/blog/2012/05/when-to-speak-up#comment-352 Justin Watson Fri, 11 May 2012 17:50:00 +0000 http://mykecole.com/?p=989#comment-352 Myke, I don't think there's anything wrong with being circumspect with your opinion.  I think there's a place for literature with a clear partisan bent and a place for stories that just don't get into it.  I would say, however, that perhaps you're fighting a losing battle there.  You're writing about the military and therefore the government.  Even in a fantasy setting, people are almost inevitably going to draw at least general conclusions about your politics by how you portray the system and the people in the system.  That being said, being an Army officer myself, I agree that it's important we follow Article 88 and good sense in being impartial servants of the country.  We're going to have our opinions, but I agree we don't need to beat people to death with them or express them in a way that's guaranteed to plolarize. On a separate note, I think it's important to be able to read and perhaps even enjoy work from folks who disagree with you.  Politics in this country are dangerously polarized and it takes real effort not to fall into the trap of dismissing everyone who disagrees with you as stupid or treasonous or bigoted or whatever.  America's place in the world, the role of government in social welfare, education, health care, etc, these are real and important issues but we shouldn't allow the discussion to degenerate into the contempt and hatred that it so often spawns.   I think one of the most dangerous aspects of public discourse today is that our most vocal and active citizens often only consume political monologue from pundits they agree with anyway. In which case, people with reasoned and sane arguments, even ones with which I disagree, need to be more outspoken...  Myke,

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being circumspect with your opinion.  I think there’s a place for literature with a clear partisan bent and a place for stories that just don’t get into it.  I would say, however, that perhaps you’re fighting a losing battle there.  You’re writing about the military and therefore the government.  Even in a fantasy setting, people are almost inevitably going to draw at least general conclusions about your politics by how you portray the system and the people in the system. 

That being said, being an Army officer myself, I agree that it’s important we follow Article 88 and good sense in being impartial servants of the country.  We’re going to have our opinions, but I agree we don’t need to beat people to death with them or express them in a way that’s guaranteed to plolarize.

On a separate note, I think it’s important to be able to read and perhaps even enjoy work from folks who disagree with you.  Politics in this country are dangerously polarized and it takes real effort not to fall into the trap of dismissing everyone who disagrees with you as stupid or treasonous or bigoted or whatever.  America’s place in the world, the role of government in social welfare, education, health care, etc, these are real and important issues but we shouldn’t allow the discussion to degenerate into the contempt and hatred that it so often spawns.   I think one of the most dangerous aspects of public discourse today is that our most vocal and active citizens often only consume political monologue from pundits they agree with anyway.

In which case, people with reasoned and sane arguments, even ones with which I disagree, need to be more outspoken… 

]]> Comment on The Anticlimax by Andy Sherbo http://mykecole.com/blog/2012/03/the-anticlimax#comment-351 Andy Sherbo Fri, 11 May 2012 05:26:00 +0000 http://mykecole.com/?p=867#comment-351 I ran into that after every promotion - there's only been one major tectonic shift in my life, and that was earning my commission.  I suspect marriage will be similar, but I guess we'll see ... The reality always falls short of the hollywood image, but that doesn't make it any less awesome, I think.  When people ask me if I'm glad I joined the Army, I say, "Yes, but it's nothing like what you think it is.  When it sucks, and it sucks in ways you don't think it will.  When it's awesome, it's awesome in ways you don't think it will be awesome.  It's very different from what anyone outside thinks it is, but it is STILL the business of defending the country, and that is worthy work - no matter what it looks like." I have no idea what it's like to be an author, but I've read your book and I know you're doing worthy work.  You've brought out THE most REALISTIC image of the military I've ever seen in sci fi or fantasy - something that we both know is sorely lacking.  And, apparently, you've done it well enough that every review I've seen is waiting for your sequel. So ... I dunno.  Good job, LT!  Keep it up! I ran into that after every promotion — there’s only been one major tectonic shift in my life, and that was earning my commission.  I suspect marriage will be similar, but I guess we’ll see …

The reality always falls short of the hollywood image, but that doesn’t make it any less awesome, I think.  When people ask me if I’m glad I joined the Army, I say, “Yes, but it’s nothing like what you think it is.  When it sucks, and it sucks in ways you don’t think it will.  When it’s awesome, it’s awesome in ways you don’t think it will be awesome.  It’s very different from what anyone outside thinks it is, but it is STILL the business of defending the country, and that is worthy work — no matter what it looks like.”

I have no idea what it’s like to be an author, but I’ve read your book and I know you’re doing worthy work.  You’ve brought out THE most REALISTIC image of the military I’ve ever seen in sci fi or fantasy — something that we both know is sorely lacking.  And, apparently, you’ve done it well enough that every review I’ve seen is waiting for your sequel.

So … I dunno.  Good job, LT!  Keep it up!

]]> Comment on Challenge Coin Exchange — 6 by Andy Sherbo http://mykecole.com/blog/2012/02/challenge-coin-exchange-6#comment-350 Andy Sherbo Fri, 11 May 2012 05:16:00 +0000 http://mykecole.com/?p=836#comment-350 It was awesome meeting you, Myke!  The coin sits on my desk, right now, next to the OIF one my dad gave me and another I got from a Colonel back in ROTC.  Love your book, by the way! It was awesome meeting you, Myke!  The coin sits on my desk, right now, next to the OIF one my dad gave me and another I got from a Colonel back in ROTC.  Love your book, by the way!

]]> Comment on Challenge Coin Exchange — 6 by Andy Sherbo http://mykecole.com/blog/2012/02/challenge-coin-exchange-6#comment-349 Andy Sherbo Fri, 11 May 2012 05:16:00 +0000 http://mykecole.com/?p=836#comment-349 It was awesome meeting you, Myke!  The coin sits on my desk, right now, next to the OIF one my dad gave me and another I got from a Colonel back in ROTC.  Love your book, by the way! It was awesome meeting you, Myke!  The coin sits on my desk, right now, next to the OIF one my dad gave me and another I got from a Colonel back in ROTC.  Love your book, by the way!

]]> Comment on Author D&D Game by 3D Game Company – Ground Rules for the Best Company | Games Testing Ground http://mykecole.com/blog/2012/01/author-dd-game#comment-348 3D Game Company – Ground Rules for the Best Company | Games Testing Ground Fri, 11 May 2012 05:05:00 +0000 http://mykecole.com/?p=718#comment-348 [...] Statement on Technology and Young Children : National Association for Media Literacy EducationAuthor D&D Game .aa6b_box {font-size: 14px !important;font-style: normal !important;font-weight: normal [...] […] Statement on Technology and Young Children : National Association for Media Literacy EducationAuthor D&D Game .aa6b_box {font-size: 14px !important;font-style: normal !important;font-weight: normal […]

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