Seems like everything you read these days mentions A.I. Even Kindle Direct Publishing, the Amazon arm one uses to self-publish, requires you to check a box if you used A.I. content when you published.
To be clear, this post doesn't use any A.I. content, and it's not about A.I. It's about H.S.T.
Unsure of the meaning?
No problem. Just take a break, put your thinking cap on, and take the quiz below:
***
H.S.T. is . . .
A) A new and controversial human resources theory developed by "experts" that's bound to upset everybody except training consultants
B) A new type of heat treatment developed in Korea and used in the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries
C) Harmonized Sales Tax: A consumption tax created in Canada as a direct result of there being too many taxes
D) Hypersonic Transport, one of Elon Musk's dream technologies
E) None of the above
***
Stumped? The answer is E.
The real answer is H.S.T. = Harry S. Truman, the thirty-third president of the United States:
He became president in April 1945 when F.D.R. died. When he ran for president in 1948, his campaign slogan was "Give 'em hell, Harry!" He was known as a straight-shooter, and he put a sign on his desk that said, "The Buck Stops Here."
One day in June 1950 the buck stopped when he decided to intervene after North Korea attacked South Korea. Because of that decision, thirty years later I went to Korea as a Peace Corps volunteer, fifty-four years later I met my future Korean wife, and sixty-eight years later we moved to Korea after I retired. Thanks H.S.T!
Now back to the post not about A.I.
Below is some actual hell he gave to a critic for the Washington Post who had reviewed his daughter Margaret's singing performance (Note: Margaret Truman Daniels became a successful mystery author in 1980 and I recommend her books!):
***
THE WHITE HOUSE
Dec. 6, 1950
WASHINGTON
Mr. Hume: I've just read your lousy review of Margaret's concert. I've come to the conclusion that you are an "eight ulcer man on four ulcer pay."
It seems to me that you are a frustrated old man who wishes he could have been successful. When you write such poppy-cock as was in the back section of the paper you work for it shows conclusively that you're off the beam and at least four of your ulcers are at work.
Some day I hope to meet you. When that happens you'll need a new nose, a lot of beefsteak for black eyes, and perhaps a supporter below!
Pegler, a gutter snipe, is a gentleman alongside you. I hope you'll accept that statement as a worse insult than a reflection on your ancestry.
H.S.T.
***
Sorry to bore you to death by repeating history you obviously already know.
Wait. How do I know you know?
Well, what else could explain why most people who bought my book and read it have not written a review? You're obviously worried that, following the precedent H.S.T. set, I'll write a scathing reply to your less-than-stellar review of my baby and possibly even go beefsteak on you! 🥩
Worry no more.
Go ahead. Write a review about Float the Boat. One-star, five-stars—I don't care. I know it won't float everyone's boat! 🤣😂😭.
Maybe the plot didn't seem plausible to you. Or maybe you found yourself feeling sorry for a serial killer and that gave you a bad case of the heebie-jeebies. Or maybe you're a member of P.E.T.A. and Chapter 82 turned you off.
On the other hand, maybe you enjoyed the twists, turns and thrills and can't wait to read the sequel.
In any case, don't worry. Say whatever you like, or say nothing. It's your call.
Sharing your opinion is important. Don't just take my word for it. Here's what some other famous people had to say:
Thomas Jefferson:
— When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
Abraham Lincoln:
— Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt.
Oops! Sorry, wrong quote and wrong Lincoln.
Mrs. Lincoln:
— So, Mrs. Lincoln, besides that how was the play?
Seriously, if you read my book, thanks! 🙇
I'd love it if you awarded me some ✨ and wrote even a one-sentence review. Reviews will help me develop my continuous self-improvement plan as an author. Also, I'm thinking about buying Amazon advertising time, and the ads work best when you have at least ten reviews. Can't bear to do it, or you're too busy? No problem. I understand. I still appreciate that you bought and read my book! 😊👏👍
Some of you are like me, disappointed in Amazon's vaunted supply chain and still waiting to receive your paperback or hardcover. Thanks for your patience! If you can, share your opinion after you read it by awarding ✨ and writing a review. I wish I could run the presses myself and get your book to you tomorrow. Dock that cruise ship, Mr. Bezos, and get those books out already! 🚫🚢🖨️
All the best to you,
Mark
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