PUBLISH YOUR BOOK TODAY - Peace Poetry & Brain Health Exercises Daily Words

Peace in 5000 Languages

1/1/2022

This page is part of the upcoming book, The Traveler’s Brain: The Word For Peace, Paix, Paz, Damai, and Heping in 5000 Languages

To contribute to this project or provided funding please contact Kimberly Burnham, PhD (Integrative Medicine) at NerveWhisperer@gmail.com

ǂgou (peace)—!Kung: !Kung (knw-001), !Kung (ktz-001), !O!Kung, !'O!Kung, Okung, Kung, Ekoka !Kung, Ekoka Kung, Sekele; Ju/'hoan, Ju, !Kung (knw) (ktz-003), Bushmen, !Xuun, Ukualuthu, Ukuambi, one of the larger click languages and belongs to the Kx'a language family; Kung-Tsumkwe (ktz); Kung-Gobabis, Akhoe, Oung, !Xu, Auen, Gobabis, Dialects (Dzu, 'Oasi, Nogau), ǂKxʼauǁʼein (ktz-003); !Kung: Aukwe, West !Kung; Kung-Gobabis (aue), East !Kung, Kung Gobabis; Xu, !Xu, Ekoka-!Xu, Kung-Ekoka (knw), a Northern Khoisan; !Kung: NIIc a dialect near Ukualuthu, NIII !O!Kung; Northern; Ekoka-/Xu; Ekoka-!xû; Ekoko-!Xû; !Hu; Kaukau; !Khung!Kung; !Ku; Kung-Ekoka; North Bushman; Qxû; Qxü; Xu; !Xu; !Xun; !Xung Grootfontein ! Kung (ktz-002), NII !Kũ, !Kuŋ from Grootfontein to the Okavango, NIIa Hei||kum, Heikum--"ǂgou" (to be at peace), "ǂgou:wa" (to be at peace, quiet, silent), "Sekisaha" (to make peace), "/ui" (calm), "/wi" (to be light (not heavy), easy, calm), "| kau kakho" (peace), "!kanahe" (peace), "||gan kakho" (peace), "Karikuse" (quiet), "Goo" (to be silent), "Ka kao" (to be silent), "ǂgau" (peace, silent)—Africa, South Africa (San people of the Kalahari Desert in Southern Africa), Namibia (Northeastern Namibia), Angola (Southwestern Angola), and Botswana (Northwestern Botswana). [Read more about !Kung]

The Sunflower Diaries

11/10/2021

The Sunflower Diaries
Upcoming Book, Spring 2022 by Kimberly Burnham

Mary Wester lives in Wichita, Kansas and grows all kinds of sunflowers, tall and dwarf, yellow and red, and some the color of cherry chocolate. Explore Mary’s garden, a bit of her life, and why she now wants to trade sunflower seeds for medicinal plant seeds. The rest of the book engages with the people who receive her sunflowers, what they send to Mary in return and why they grow what they grow. Interspersed are recipes for teas, tinctures, herbal medicines, and growing tips, as well as stories from the point of view of Red, the sunflower who grew all the red sunflower seeds, Mary is about to send out to one man in particular and many soon to be friends all over the United States.
A free download will be available for a limited time on Amazon once it is published.

World Peace Energy and World Peace Dictionary

5/16/2021

Words have energy and power. Peace in English is being sent out in service of world peace and world healing.

The Dragon Garden for Bearded Dragon Owners Free Today

3/31/2021

Do You Have a Bearded Dragon?

If you have a #pet #beardeddragon, now is the time to start planting. "The Dragon Garden, Feed Your #Bearded #Dragon From The Garden All Summer Long" is on free eBook download Today Wednesday March 31. Check it out at https://amzn.to/3snsJ3K Share with anyone who has a #beardie and wants to start #gardening for food.

Jason Shulman's Beyond the Now; Essays On The Heart of Enlightenment - Author Interview

1/11/2021

Jason Shulman is a wonderful spiritual teacher and prolific writer. I caught up with him just as he was releasing his most recent book, Beyond the Now; Essays On The Heart Of Enlightenment.

Kimberly Burnham: When did you start considering the concepts in Beyond the Now; Essays On The Heart Of Enlightenment? Why is this the right time to bring this material forward in a big way?

Jason Shulman: I think there was a book some years back called “All I really needed to know I learned in kindergarten.” It turns out that the goal of the spiritual path, whether it is a path of surrender to a higher power or one of nonduality, is the integration of our personal, mortal, human side with all its flaws and limitations, with the transcendent, forever-ongoing aspect that is not personal but universal.

When those two possibilities of human potential are joined in awareness—leaving neither out—the answers to life become very simple. You might even say they are the kindergarten-level “commonsensical” things we learned as we interacted with the world as a young child. We need to re-learn those simple things which have gotten lost in many of the approaches to spiritual learning which have taken on the coloration of our acquisitive approach to living, perspectives that have gotten more and more immaterial and substituted abstract concepts for the down-to-earthy thing that enlightenment and awakening actually are. It is always the time to set the record straight.

KB: Your work has been compared to other American teachers of nonduality. In what ways is that true and where do you see the biggest differences?

Jason Shulman: One of the great differences between my approach to nonduality and other teachers is that I try not to confuse an “experience” of universal consciousness (which is always nice to have) with what enlightenment or awakening actually is. Here is an example: many teachers—without making it explicit—confuse awakening with timelessness, a sense of the eternal that removes the person from the cycle of life and death, we could even say that “saves” the person from this mortal round of being.

But nonduality contains everything, including time. This means that while our brief, mortal life, is imbued with eternity, eternity is simultaneously imbued with the mortal and time-bound. This understanding of the co-arising of both of these perspectives changes everything and brings about an awakening that is not simply a self-concerned experience but a life that focuses on the small and humble as much as the large and transcendent. The idea is not to stay forever in a single experience of some concept of unity when the “world-actual” is offered to us.

KB: What are you reading these days?

Jason Shulman: Hmm. I’m re-reading Isaac Asimov’s robot books; a book on the philosophy of Phenomenology and doing a lot of composing and songwriting as well!

KB: How has the COVID pandemic changed how you think about life and living?

Jason Shulman: I’ve thought to myself “who has ever conceived that they will live a life and then, in this modern era, die of a plague, alone in a hospital room?”

This thought breaks my heart. And yet it has happened to over 300,000 human beings. So that gives me pause. It gives me pause to think about children growing up seeing everyone in masks, missing hugs and faces, missing mingling and play. I am lucky enough to live on a few acres of land and have a life partner with whom I share deep interests and love. But what about people who are alone in an apartment in a city?

I also think about some of the good things that might come from this: less travel to work; more social interaction in family units and so on. We could say that this devastating period is also so fertile and rich that it might take years to unfold and years to fully understand. It has uncovered some of the worst in us and some of the best as well. And I think it brings a calling—maybe faintly in the distance right now—to be better people, kinder people, more in touch with this tenuous mortal coil.

KB: Wonderful. Thank you Jason Shulman.

Beyond the Now; Essays On The Heart Of Enlightenment by Jason Shulman is available in bookstores now. https://amzn.to/3oEslfp

Take Your Cookies When They're Passed by Jean Galt Coblentz

12/16/2020

Reviews:

“An inspiring history of an extraordinary woman, Jean (Galt) Coblentz shares her life’s lessons of seizing opportunities (‘taking your cookies’) for success and happiness. Her journey endows wisdom of love, laughter, friendships, family and community.”
― Dr. Joan K. Vrtis, an honored recipient of Jean’s valuable guidance and friendship

“Take Your Cookies When They’re Passed is a remarkable book by an even more amazing woman. From her early life in China to all her work at Stanford University, Jean has led an exemplary life of service and leads by example when it comes to overcoming challenges.”
―Kimberly Burnham, PhD (Integrative Medicine).

“Jean had a sharp wit to go with her sharp mind. She loved a good book, a nice glass of wine and a good movie. But mostly, she loved people - - helping them along their paths in life. Just a brief warning: when you start this book, make yourself comfortable, because it is truly unputdownable! “
―Michael Wright, Photographer, Photo Editor

Finding Santa by Paul Burnham with Artist Jessica Carlson on Free Download Friday after Thanksgiving.

9/27/2020

Wonderful Christmas book available on free download Friday November 27 after Thanksgiving at https://amzn.to/37i2T8e

Interview with my brother Paul Burnham, author of Finding Santa.

Robbie is only five years old when Jeff decides it’s time for his son to leave Santa Claus behind. But when a near-fatal automobile accident leaves Jeff stranded and lost, He must rely on a stranger in whom he doesn’t even believe. While Jeff frantically searches for a way back to his family, this stranger invites him to discover another way home.

But now Jeff must choose between what he thought he knew and what Robbie already knows. And only one path will lead him home.

Finding Santa touches a familiar Christmas tradition, but doesn’t relegate Santa Claus to a children’s myth. This story continues through a world of magical realism and returns the reader to a real place and a real Santa Claus.

From the author, Paul Burnham: Why did I write this book? After my own son and I—and Santa Claus—delivered presents to a children’s hospital, I wondered how to explain Santa Claus to him, how to guide him through the story of Santa Claus into a real life of kindness and generosity. Finding Santa is a tale of discovery—a transformation of story to real life, of belief to practice.

Click below on Nov 27, 2020
(Friday after Thanksgiving) for a free download.

The Calmness and Peace Needed to Rest and Eat

9/25/2020

Reindeer Peace

"Raeffie" is peace in Åarjelsaemien gïele
Southern Saami spoken in Sweden and Norway
while "seadtoe" is calmness
the kind of profound calmness
when reindeer can graze in peace

Raeffie Daily Peace Challenge Day 1363

Picture Daily Peace Challenge Raeffie (peace) in Sami: Åarjelsaemien gïele (sma-000), Åarjelsaemiengïele, Southern Sami, Saami méridional, Saamí meridional--

Ráffe Peace Interupted in Arjeplog Sweden

9/25/2020

Fast Cars On The Snow

Arjeplog Sweden a popular place
winter test site for Asian and European cars
peace and stillness "ráffe" in Arjeplog Saami
interrupted by revving engines
in this language called by the locals
Bisumsáme giella or Pite Saami’s language

Ráffe: Daily Peace Challenge Day 1364

Picture Daily Peace Challenge Ráffe (peace, stillness) in Sami: Pite Sami (sje), Pite Saami, Arjeplog Saami, Saamí de Pite, Bidumsáme giella, Bisumsáme giella (Pite Saami’s language)--

Paz (Peace) in Spanish

9/18/2020

Dawn of Peace

Look to the mountains and the low lands
far in the distance
the colors are changing
emotions lifting shining
like the first morning light
or a new era of enlightenment
"alboreaba la paz"
in Spanish "peace is dawning"

(c) Kimberly Burnham, 2020
Peace Dictionary, The Meaning of Peace and Calm in 4000 languages
Looking for grant money to complete my peace project

"Paz"-Day 1357 Daily Peace Challenge: Paz (peace) in Spanish.

Daily Peace Challenge: Rukun (peace) in Javanese

9/17/2020

Day 1356 - Rukun (peace, inner peace) in Javanese.

"Rukun agawe santosa", a Javanese expression for "social harmony creates peace."

Javanese: Javanese (jav), Basa Jawa [bɔsɔ dʒɔwɔ] (jav), Javanese [dʒɑːvəˈniːz]; ꦧꦱꦗꦮ, Basa Jawa, باسا جاوا, Javanese pronunciation: [bɔsɔ d͡ʒɔwɔ]; colloquially known asꦕꦫꦗꦮ, Cara Jawa, Javanese pronunciation: [t͡ʃɔrɔ d͡ʒɔwɔ])—"Têntrême" (peace, peaceful, safe), "Tentrem-rahayu" (peace), "Rukun" (peace, inner peace), "Kalêm" (calm, tranquil, at peace) or លស ខ្ស (peace), "Katentreman" (peace), "Larasati" (a derivation of the Javanese phrase "larasing ati" (at peace in her heart), "antu" (spirit), "asih" (love), "ati" (heart), "ati" (liver), "awak" (body), "badan" (body), "bagia" (happiness), "bagia" (well being), "cinta" (love), "jantung" (heart), "katresnan" (love), "manah" (liver), "timbangan (balance), "trisno" (love), "urip" (soul), "utak" (brain), "utek" (brain)—Indonesia (central and eastern parts of the island of Java, in Indonesia), Bali by 75,500,800 for 11th place on the most spoken languages list. Indonesian Tribal Language.

The Second Largest Spanish-Speaking Country in the World after Mexico: the United States

9/16/2020

Spanish Words of Peace

Spanish "paz" to English "peace" is

"Paz"
peace, time of peace
silence, quiet

"Tiempo de paz"
peace, time of peace

"Tranquilidad"
serenity, peace of mind
tranquility of mind
composure, inner peace, calm, inner calm
peace, silence, quiet, appeasement, relief
soothing, relaxation, appeasing, quieting
allaying, steadying, pacifying, calming down

"Calma"
tranquility, calmness, quietness, tranquility
serenity, peace of mind
tranquility of mind
composure, inner peace, inner calm
peace, silence, quiet, taciturnity, reticence
cold-bloodedness

"Calmarse"
cool down, cool off, become quiet, chill out
calm down, relax, subside, allay, soothe
restrain, moderate

"Calmar"
calming down, soothing, calm reassure
set at ease, soothe, allay, placate
restrain, moderate

"Calme" quiet, tranquil

"Sosiego"
appeasement, relief, soothing, relaxation
appeasing, quieting, allaying, calming
steadying, pacifying, calming down

"Tratado de paz" peace treaty

"Armonía"
harmony, consciences, consonance, concord
consensus, accord, solidarity, unanimity, equality
equilibrium, balance, communality, community

(c) Kimberly Burnham, 2020
Peace Dictionary, The Meaning of Peace and Calm in 4000 languages
Looking for grant money to complete my peace project

Paz - Day 1355 Daily Peace Challenge

Experiencing Bilingual Emotions and Feelings

9/15/2020

Have I Experienced?

In Spanish
"He tenido sentimientos de amor
gozo
paz
paciencia
mansedumbre
ternura
fe
esperanza
y consuelo?"

In English
Have I experienced feelings of love
joy
peace
patience
meekness
gentleness
faith
hope
and comfort?

(c) Kimberly Burnham, 2020
Peace Dictionary, The Meaning of Peace and Calm in 4000 languages
Looking for grant money to complete my peace project

"Paz" Day 1353 Daily Poetry Challenge "Paz" Peace in Spanish

Interview on Movie Actors for Division of Labor by Bruce Labenz

9/13/2020

Free eBook version of #DivisionofLabor on September 13, 2020. Please share, read and review. [Click Here on Sunday Sept 13].

Kimberly Burnham, Publisher: When Division of Labor by Bruce Labenz is made into a movie, who do you want to play the main characters?

Bruce Labenz, Author of Division of Labor: This is a fun question. Some of the roles are for people from The Office. The Office was a great show depicting a modern-day office setting. It would be fitting to have those people in different roles showing a work environment in the future. A work environment that would be at least as absurd as their TV show work environment.

While not being an expert on choosing actors, that doesn’t stop me from having an opinion of such things. Here is a list of actors and actresses I think would be a good fit for the characters in the book.

Clyde: A 58-year-old man who has seen a lot, is world weary, and realizes the sham of the system: Denzel Washington, Steve Carrell or Adam Sandler.

Sophie: innocent, honest, vulnerable young woman: Ellie Kemper (from the Office) or Julianne Moore.

Luigi, a heavy man who was a pastry and food reviewer and experience maker: Leslie David Baker (Stanley from The Office) or Kevin Baumgartner (Kevin from the Office) both large men who could be made up to be 500 pounds.

Frank, not a humorous role but the likable average guy: John Krasinski (from the Office)

Jasmine, attractive temptress who has secrets: Eva Longoria.

Goldman, also not a comedy role, but an aging man who is comfortable in who he is and where he is in life, but he has some regrets: Ron Howard, Steve Martin, or Pierce Brosnan.

Ben Phillips, a likeable persona for a caring third grade teacher: Matt Damon.

Gwen Goldman, an attractive middle age lady who is living the good life and enjoying it: Heidi Klum, Sandra Bullock, Scarlett Johansson or Selma Hyek.
Connie, a likeable wholesome everyday lady: Jenna Fischer.

Morton, a scumbag: Will Ferrell or Mark Walberg.

Meredith, a swimsuit fashion model: Rosie Huntington Whiteley, Emily Ratajkowski, or Kate Upton.

Artificial Intelligence Robots and Robotic Bus Drivers ( Marty and Henry) Jim Carrey

For Interviews contact Bruce Labenz, author of Division of Labor at bruce.labenz@gmail.com

#DivisionOfLabor is available on free download on Sunday, September 13, 2020.

Ekphrastic Poetry and Fiction for Marketing

9/13/2020

For Artists and Poets:
Using Ekphrastic Writing for Marketing ....
Free Download October 24-25
Free Download November 8, 2020.

Artists: Please contact Kimberly Burnham if you would like to have some Ekphrastic writing to go along with your art or a book of Ekphrastic writing that includes your artwork. She is taking on new writing projects to be completed in 2021.

Kimberly Burnham has lived in tropical Colombia; in Belgium during the Vietnam War; in Japan teaching businessmen English; in diverse international Toronto, Canada, and several places in the US. Now, she’s in Spokane, WA with her wife, Elizabeth, two sets of twins (age 11 & 14) and three dogs. Her recent book, Awakenings: Peace Dictionary, Language and the Mind, a Daily Brain Health Program includes the word for peace in hundreds of languages. Her poetry weaves through 60 + volumes of The Year of the Poet, Inspired by Gandhi, Women Building the World, A Woman’s Place in the Dictionary, Tiferet Journal and more. She is currently working on two ekphrastic writing projects. One is a novel, Art Thief Cracks Healing Code for Parkinson's Disease and the other is a how-to non-fiction book, Using Ekphrastic Fiction Writing and Poetry to Create Interest and Promote Artists, Writers, and Poets. Both will be published by the end of 2020 and be available on free download.

Vision, The Brain and Leadership Presentation

9/7/2020

Vision, The Brain and Leadership, Knowledge development and skill enhancement
Kimberly Burnham, PhD (Integrative Medicine)
Organized by: Parul Institute of Business Administration-BBA, Parul University.

Vision, The Brain and Leadership
Vision, The Brain and Leadership Knowledge development and skill enhancement Guest Speaker: Dr. Kimberly Burnham Adjunct Faculty, Akamai University, Washington, USA. Organized by: Parul Institute of Business Administration-BBA, Parul University.
Posted by Puwebinar on Sunday, September 6, 2020

Daily Peace Challenge: Rukun (peace) in Basa Jawa

8/31/2020

Rukun (peace in Basa Jawa spoken in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Rukun Negara 50th Anniversary

August 31, 2020
the 50th anniversary of Rukun Negara
formulated after the May 13 incident in 1969
upheld by every Malaysian citizen
important pillars of peace, prosperity and development

Five principles Belief in God
Loyalty to the King and Country
Supremacy of the Constitution
The Rule of Law
and Courtesy and Morality

Daily Peace Challenge ... Javanese: Javanese (jav), Basa Jawa [bɔsɔ dʒɔwɔ] (jav), Javanese (/dʒɑːvəˈniːz/; ꦧꦱꦗꦮ, Basa Jawa, باسا جاوا, Javanese pronunciation: [bɔsɔ d͡ʒɔwɔ]; colloquially known asꦕꦫꦗꦮ, Cara Jawa, Javanese pronunciation: [t͡ʃɔrɔ d͡ʒɔwɔ]) —"Têntrême" (peace, peaceful, safe), "Tentrem-rahayu" (peace), "Rukun" (peace, inner peace), "Kalêm" (calm, tranquil, at peace) or លស ខ្ស (peace), "Katentreman" (peace), "Larasati" (a derivation of the Javanese phrase "larasing ati" (at peace in her heart), "antu" (spirit), "asih" (love), "ati" (heart), "ati" (liver), "awak" (body), "badan" (body), "bagia" (happiness), "bagia" (well being), "cinta" (love), "jantung" (heart), "katresnan" (love), "manah" (liver), "timbangan (balance), "trisno" (love), "urip" (soul), "utak" (brain), "utek" (brain)—Indonesia (central and eastern parts of the island of Java, in Indonesia), Bali by 75,500,800 for 11th place on the most spoken languages list. Indonesian Tribal Language.

Division of Labor by Bruce Labenz on The Future of Work and the Detroit Car Industry

8/21/2020

Free eBook version of #DivisionofLabor, A New Sci-Fi Novel. September 13, 2020. Please share, read and review. [Click Here on Sunday Sept 13].

Division of Labor is set in 2048 America. In this world, automation and artificial intelligence have progressed to the point where humans have been replaced in most jobs. To maintain a compliant society amidst the frustrations of permanent unemployment, the majority of workers are now “Standers.”

These displaced workers have been reduced to standing on a mat to earn their pay. Despite the vast improvements in efficiency, excellence still goes unrewarded, power is still often abused, and the battle between human greed and decency rages on. The main characters, two men and two women, each face challenges, frustrations, and possibilities in this more efficient, but completely stifling world.

Clyde, the cynic, realizes the absurdity of this society.
Luigi, once a member of the elite class, is now reduced to being with the unwashed masses.
Sophie, who believes she can advance through hard work and integrity, has her dignity and honor put to the test.
Frank, a typical Stander, finds a golden opportunity through sheer happenstance.

It’s the chance to grab the brass ring, no matter how slim the chance, that keeps these characters and society intact.

Bruce Labenz has worked for over forty years in the automobile industry. This experience has given him a unique view, from near the bottom, of how manufacturing and our overall society are rushing toward a world of ever-increasing automation and the resulting ruthless reduction in human labor. Division of Labor projects these trends and shows a world we may not desire, but one we will ultimately have to face in the fast approaching near future.

The Spirit of India with Gabriella Brunel

8/16/2020

Gabriella Burnel read Sanskrit, including Ramayan and Mahabharat, at Oxford and has become a pasionate Sanskrit singer. She says, “Sanskrit is much more than just a language. It has the ability to use powerful sounds giving them capacity to change things on a psychological, emotional, spiritual and physical levels. It connects the listener with the essence of that which is being described."

She has sung the song, Priyam Bharatam, a poem by Shri Chandrabhanu Tripathi.
The poem is meant for all those who have ever been inspired by the beauty of the land, the beauty of the people, the beauty of the culture, the spirit of India.

Receptacle of wealth, ever flowing
This India, equal with paradise
Whose fame, shining, a song among foreign lands
Beloved India, always to be worshipped

Many regions Many apparels
Many forms Many languages
Where we all are Indians
Beloved India, always to be protected

Where the people are wise, heroes in battles
Offering their bodies, They protect the country,
Where the People are of good conduct, fond of their own dharma
Beloved India, always to be praised

We bow to the land, to India,
The one supreme dharma, we always esteem,
For which we offer our wealth, our life,
Beloved India, always to be respected

Om Shanti Peace

Multilingual Om Shanti Peace
Om shanti cánti śanti
shánti shaanti shanti
peace in many languages

Sanskrit the Rohingya people of Burma and Bengali
Caribbean Hindustani Maithili and Nepali
peace all over Southeast Asia

Om santi in Koch spoken in Bangladesh
santipap in Thai Khmer and Laotian
śāntī in Punjabi

Shánti with nature
the green trees huffing out oxygen
ecological shaanti

Om shanti or aman in Marwari
shānti in Bhojpuri spoken in India
shānta in Bengali

Peace with society
cánti between human beings
selectively seeing friends and neighbors everywhere

Om salamti in Hindi
shāntatā in Gujarati spoken in India and Pakistan
shaamti in Kannada or Kurumba

Shanti within a spiritual peace
a sense of pride in actions
riding the flowing of emotions

Om śāntātā or śāntī in Marathi
shanti in Telegu
sānti in the Oriya of India

Environmental peace
encompassing them all
food shelter connection

(c) Kimberly Burnham, PhD (Integrative Medicine), 2020
Peace Dictionary, The Meaning of Peace and Calm in 4000 languages
Looking for grant money to complete this peace project
Author of Awakenings: Peace Dictionary Language and the Mind, a Daily Brain Health Program and the upcoming On Seeing and Being Human

Daily Peace Challenge Shanti (peace) in Telegu.

Division of Labor by Bruce Labenz Dystopian Sci-Fi Set in Detroit

8/1/2020

Free eBook version of #DivisionofLabor on September 13, 2020. Please share, read and review. [Click Here on Sunday Sept 13].

My friend Bruce Labenz, who worked for many years in the Detroit car industry and then in the healing arts, published Division of Labor, a dystopian futuristic book set in 2048 Detroit’s industrial center. I caught up with him recently and this is what he had to say about the book writing experience.

Kimberly Burnham: What from your work life in Detroit influenced your writing of this book and what changes have you seen in the car industry over the last 40 years?

Bruce Labenz, author of Division of Labor: Having worked in the auto industry for over forty years, and two of the Big Three car companies, I have witnessed a lot of changes in the industry. When I started, American cars were the leaders and foreign cars were laughed at. As more people bought foreign cars it became unpatriotic, at least for many, to buy a foreign car. “Buy American” was the slogan, especially in Michigan and the Midwest. Foreign cars improved in quality and in many cases surpassed American made cars. The Big Three started taking quality lessons from the foreign car makers, mostly the Japanese, on how to improve the overall quality of their cars. Over the years, the quality of the cars is now about even, and it is really a personal choice as to what a person buys and drives.

KB: How have foreign car makers changed during your time working in car manufacturing?

Bruce Labenz: The foreign makers have made plants and employ thousands here in the United States, and the Big Three have invested in those foreign countries and employ thousands there. Now, there are partnerships between the once mortal enemies. All the manufactures use the same supply base companies. Parts and cars are shipped all over the world. The hunt for the “low cost producer” is now a worldwide hunt. That’s why China was first a manufacturer of parts, then of entire cars. Now, China may be on the verge of pricing themselves out of many markets. Vietnam, Thailand, India, and others are gaining in the manufacturing areas. These trends are happening across all industries. Most call centers are now outside of the US. This will continue, and I wonder how long it will be before manufacturing plants begin springing up in Africa.

KB: What changes would you make if you were in charge of the auto industry and how would you make the future better for industrial workers?

Bruce Labenz: The auto executives failed to make the smart, and tougher, decisions back in the 1970’s. Instead of realizing there was a quality problem with American cars they chose to play the patriotic card. This caused many unneeded hardships. The average worker bore the brunt of the changes, downsizing, and cost (wages and benefits) reductions. The executives were well insulated from any real hardship and even the ones who did leave the companies were often given handsome packages, regardless of their performance. They were in the club and were taken care of as a result of their membership.
         I see the same think replaying today. The out-sourcing continues, and the average worker is no better off, and in many cases worse, than the people were forty years ago. Pensions are almost a thing of the past. Healthcare is extremely expensive, and loyalty is non-existent. Companies will cut employees without thinking twice as evidenced by the many contract workers in most large corporations. With these changes, and an amazing public opinion against unions, the average worker has even less leverage than before.
         A phrase I use in my book, Division of Labor, “If you don’t like it, leave. There are several people waiting to take your spot.” Is back in vogue. Most people just have to be quiet and exist.

KB: How will this affect automation and artificial intelligence?

Bruce Labenz: This trend will only continue as automation and artificial intelligence continue to increase. More people will be lined up for fewer jobs. Unless the people in charge at all levels of government and business start planning for the future, we as a country will be running into huge problems. My frustration is that they are not planning, and seemingly have no interest in doing so. A large social tsunami is coming and while those in charge can see the factors, they choose the easy way, again, which is to do nothing. No planning. No training in the works. All the while our infrastructure crumbles. It has been said that when the semi-trucks are self-driving there will be four million drivers out of work. Something tells me those four million drivers won’t be too happy about it.

KB: It sounds like you have thought a lot about the future. What prompted you to write the book?

Bruce Labenz: The question of how to best use automation and artificial intelligence to help human beings was what prompted me to write the book. Perhaps a seeming lack of compassion and humility from the very people who should have it. Perhaps the “little guy” always taking it on the chin while the top few continue to get richer. Perhaps a never-ending thirst for more from those who certainly have enough, at the expense of that “little guy.” Perhaps the amazing short sightedness of those who should be looking at the long-term problems and possible solutions and doing something positive about it.
         Division of Labor paints a world where the rich are still the rich, and the average person is still just trying to make ends meet and pay their bills and keep some amount of dignity. Perhaps the only way I can contribute to the solution is to point out the problem. It’s another example, despite all the major changes described in the book, of “the more things change, the more they stay the same.”

KB: What can people do today to ensure a better future than the characters in 2048?

Bruce Labenz: Organize, vote, get involved. The world needs honest people who will take the long-term view and make the tough plans. Unfortunately, I see greed and stupidity as the two main things holding us back from seriously making the necessary changes and planning. We are a study in moronic behavior and attitudes. The people at the top are getting richer at the expense of the vast majority. Yet, the vast majority seems to be fine with it. We cut off our own noses to spite our face.
We can’t even get people to wear masks without them crying their rights are being violated. Really?
We have the craziest conspiracy theories, and many believe them.
We face a lot of problems right now to handle before we can get to the problems facing us in the near future. Unless there is an amazing change in a lot of things, we will continue along this path and eventually end up in the ditch.
         But, what can people do? How about getting money out of politics? Have the candidates be publicly funded. Each candidate gets the same money and that’s it. More TV time, not more TV ads, so people can listen to the candidates. I just saw that one donor is expected to give over $100 million to the re-election campaign. It is impossible to believe there isn’t some back scratching going on there.
         Another thing is a change in attitude toward our fellow Americans. Fringe hate groups are increasing. I view these groups and their rise as a partial result of the changes society has been experiencing.
         Minorities are saying “Hey, we’re Americans, too. Remember what the pledge says…’Freedom and justice for ALL.’”
         Will we as a nation be smart enough to analyze ourselves and make personal changes? I desperately hope so, but based on what I’m seeing right now, I’m not so sure.

For Interviews contact Bruce Labenz, author of Division of Labor at bruce.labenz@gmail.com

Division of Labor is available on free download on Sunday, September 13, 2020.