The Truth in Fiction

I like to read.  I also like to watch movies.  I have to admit that among some of my female friends, it is considered odd that I do not care for the traditional "chick" movies or books.  I like a good shoot 'em up, and science fiction.  Do not ask me to read or sit and watch a sob story or some touchy feely thing.  The last "chick" movie I truly enjoyed was "Steel Magnolias".  And it was full of strong willed women doing good.

Golfer and I have been Star Trek and Star Wars fans since the beginning.  I can't wait for the new Star Trek movie to come out to see what is next in the alternate Trek universe.  (FYI -this morning I heard that Chris Pine - aka the new Capt. Kirk - is also going to be the new Jack Ryan!)  In Star Trek stories, beings of all races, nationalities, colors, and origins work together for the common good.  Isn't this better than hearing about idiots just driving by and shooting each other on a whim?

But, back to my main thought here... there is truth in fiction.  Because I read and watch what I do, I get a glimpse of possible futures.  And since I choose to try to be a happy, content person, I often avoid watching the news.  Let's be honest, isn't it just darn depressing a lot of the time?  I'm sitting around with my head in the sand.  I read the paper and do listen to the news, but I don't want to dwell on it constantly.   My heart goes out to those affected by the bombings and shootings and other disasters and if there was something I could personally do, I would surely try. 

I have often thought that the public is often just clueless about their surroundings and what is going on.    But then I was raised by a  mother who was a people watcher.  Some of that rubbed off, or was hereditary or something.   Please people, let's all be more observant.  The new U.S. motto is "see something, say something".  The difficult part might be finding someone to say it to, but make the effort.  A former pastor always said, "it is better to be told something more than once than not at all".

In the aftermath and investigation of the Boston bombings, the authorities pieced together pictures from  cell phones and private cameras.  They also used the security cameras from streets and businesses.  You know, the ones that some folks still say are just fake boxes.  And others rant against for invasion of privacy.   Golfer and I watch "Person of Interest".  I think it is a great show.  If you are not familiar, the main characters are given information on someone who is either going to be the cause or the victim.  The computer spews out information and causes the cameras to track the person.  The main characters then stop or rescue.   This show is presumably fiction.  But is it?  When you consider Boston, I think there is more truth there.

Is this an infringement of privacy?  Maybe.  But if you are trying to live a good life and doing what is right, what do you have to hide? 

I am a fan of J.D. Robb's  (Nora Roberts' pen name) "In Death" mystery series.  I have read all of the books and am waiting for the next to be published later this year.  The main character is a detective in the New York City of the future.  Cars fly, guns with bullets are illegal, but the police all have stunners.  And wrist communicators!  Besides the wonderful characters and the fun glimpses of a possible future society, there are frequent mentions of future gadgets.  In one of the latest books, clues to the murder were found on memory cubes.  Guess what I saw an email ad for!  A memory cube!  Leave yourself or someone else a recorded message or reminder.  The thing looks like a thick pad of post-it notes, but it's a mini recorder.  Did someone read the book and develop one, or did Nora Roberts know someone and get advance info? 

This is probably enough of my rambling.  In short, I think there are infinite possibilities in our world.

Keep your eyes open and stay safe!