We would like to welcome Jack H. Jones, author of "Impact with Intent." This certainly is a novel with a purpose! – Thank you for talking with Reader Views today Jack.
Juanita: "Impact with Intent" is a fictional novel with a clear message. Please tell us the plot of your book.
Jack: Basically, it's a story about a very bright young man, a scientist, who has a driving curiosity about how things work and the truth behind why things in the world are as they are. He comes to believe that pretty much everything is traceable to human actions and fundamentally to the way humans make decisions. As a result, he studies, then develops a mathematical model of the human decision-making process. He calls it his "Intent Theory" because all of our actions start with the "intent" to do something.
Most of the book is about his efforts to prove that his theory is correct by using it to predict future events that will result from current decisions. In the mean time life happens, and he deals with a variety of situations and relationships while he pursues his goal. Many of his challenges don't have anything to do with his talents or goals, but rather the day to day grind of meeting personal needs dealing with the world around him.
Juanita: What is meant by the statement "impact with intent?"
Jack: I must confess, Juanita, that I owe the invention of this title to my wife, Ilene. It means two things: (1) The impact on the world we live in as a result of the creation of a theory of human intent so accurate it can actually predict future events; and (2) John Thomas' intent to have an impact on the world around him. From volunteering to support the HOPE Food Pantry and Free Clinic to assignments that take him to Russia he wants to deliver a positive impact with his work and with the relationships he establishes.
Juanita: This really is a purpose driven novel. Now, the equation goes – Human Intent – Leads to – Action Decision – Modified by – Influencing Factors – Equals – Action Results. Is this a Jack Jones original and if so, how did you develop this "intent theory?"
Jack: It could be a Jack Jones original in that I do believe that what has happened to mankind throughout history and the current situation throughout the world is largely traceable to what people do and have done. If this is true, that means our future and our children's future will be directly the result of what we are doing now. Basically the equation does represent the logical steps we go through before we take an action. Also, it says we are what we actually do. What we intend to do only starts the process.
Juanita: That really speaks clearly of the importance of accountability and responsibility. Speaking of the turbulent situations we are finding in the world today, why do you think we have seem to have lost the connection between intentions, actions and results?
Jack: I think it's those devilish "Influencing factors" that keep our good (or sometimes bad) intentions from becoming what we want to achieve as action results. That, of course, can range from greed, revenge, physical rewards and penalties, to the human desire and need to be useful and helpful. In my opinion the key challenge for someone who has good intentions is the absence or difficulty in finding the "truth" on which to base your "action decision."
In our data-rich and information-poor world, "fact" from the highest positions in government, in business, in education, even among writers is twisted and manipulated so that it is very difficult to get a correct understanding of a situation we want to act upon. Voting in a national election is a simple example of this. I'm just now reading a book entitled, "Lies My Teacher Told Me," by James W. Loewen. I'm finding out that even Thanksgiving isn't the way I was taught. When we find out that our Government can't get the truth and we go to war based on false information, we have to hope that John Thomas, or someone, will soon determine a way to test for truthfulness or at least identify false intention.
Juanita: Jack, what are the gifts the lead character, John Thomas, has to share with the world?
Jack: John Thomas was born with exceptional intelligence, a driving curiosity to understand the true nature of things and a belief that there is right and wrong – a moral dimension to human behavior that doesn't exist with any other life form we know. He wants to use these abilities to further understanding about why people do what they do and why we don't do better.
Juanita: How does he use these gifts to achieve his life goals?
Jack: Well, his intelligence allows understanding, the ability to grapple with complexity and to reduce data to fact. He speaks five languages, not just as an amusement but rather as a means of expanding his world to include alternative cultures and the knowledge available from those cultures. This allows him to penetrate people and their environments to get at the real reasons, the rules, behind why things are as they are and what can be expected in the future. It allows him to see through the surface explanations and false facades that are accepted by others. He sees things other don't notice.
The fuel for this unrelenting need for understanding is his driving curiosity and thirst for knowledge. It provides energy and purpose behind what he wants to accomplish. It keeps him unsatisfied with where he is versus where he wants to go. That coupled with a true belief that humans are different, that they are special in the universe, makes him want to be empathetic and understanding with others and their situations. He wants to be fair in his relationships. The result makes him aggressive in pursuing his goal but recognize in his heart that we have to answer for misdeeds and bad behavior.
Juanita: Jack, what message would you like to convey through your book "Impact with Intent?"
Jack: I appreciate that question, Juanita. I'm always afraid that it won't come through by just reading the book. Perhaps that is a lack of confidence on the part of a new author. Of course, I want it to be an interesting enjoyable read for the people who like a suspenseful story, realizing it has a definite technical orientation that may keep it from being "easy." But, I believe every person, book, film, video game, etc. exhibits a behavior. That behavior influences those that are exposed to it. I want my book, through its characters and the way they react in different situations, to set a good example of how people should be. That doesn't mean they don't make mistakes and do things we shouldn't do. It does mean that if that happens they should come to regret it and be sorry for any harm to others. It does mean that there is a right and a wrong whether or not you are caught in the act.
Juanita: Is there any of you in the character of John Thomas?
Jack: That is a question my daughter, Lynn, has asked me, "Is this you saying that or is it John Thomas?" He certainly has abilities I would like to have such as his knowledge, the ability to speak five languages, his talent for seeing things and truths others don't notice. He does things I can't do, and in some cases wouldn't do, but I must say his sense of values and beliefs are pretty much like mine. He does want to be a good example of a human being for his family and for others; so do I.
Juanita: You have had a thirty-eight year career in Information Systems and Computers, with writing being limited to technology reports and articles for industry journals. What inspired you to write a full fledged novel at this time?
Jack: Doing anything significant I guess takes desire and opportunity. Throughout my career I've liked reading and liked writing as well. I like science fiction, the old stuff like Jules Verne or not so old like Isaac Asimov. I do like Harry Potter. J. K. Rowling is my champion for what she has accomplished both for herself and the reading public. So I wanted to try and write a novel similar to the ones I've like to read. I also wanted to see if I could persevere all the way through to the end. It was a goal I set maybe ten years ago. The opportunity came after I retired from industry and had the time and freedom of choice to do it. It's been a three year effort so far. I'm finding out ways to improve what I have so I still consider it a work in process.
Juanita: With your deep history in the computer field, you tie into "Impact with Intent" the possibility of computers being able to predict human behavior and future events. This is a very interesting hypothesis. Give us a little of your insights, and what is the likelihood of this?
Jack: That's a pretty philosophical question, Juanita, but maybe not as much as one would think. Certainly, we would all hate to see a world like Fritz Lang's 1927 movie, Metropolis, where we are very predictable automatons marching off to work the same menial job for most of our life. Indeed, there are many people in poverty situations throughout the world who live lives so limited that their behavior could be predicted with an old Apple II computer. The opposite of this is humans being aware of the truth about their potential and the amazing diversity of capability that resides in every person.
That starts with what we are taught. If we are taught to be subservient or limited, as many classes of people have been over the centuries, then we will be predictable to the point where, like the weather, supercomputers will in general be able to predict how populations will behave and therefore how they can be controlled. If we are taught to have a curiosity, like John Thomas, about how things work and the truth about why things are the way they are, then we'll always be able to free our imaginations and creativity to break through tradition and routine to do new, unpredictable things. A computer would predict the future by extrapolating from the present. The first information it would need is the
truth about the current situation. Think of the impact on our legal system, and way of life, if a computer could assure that any subject of an interrogation delivered nothing but the truth.
Juanita: Who have been your influences along the way?
Jack: Well, I mentioned three of my favorite authors. I like adventure or historical fiction such as John Jakes stuff or more modern stories like Grisham and Clancy. I have enjoyed many of the classics as well. I've been blessed with pretty broad interests which started with reading Zane Gray books on my grandfather's farm when I was a kid. All these people made reading, and, as a result writing, an adventure of pleasure for me. My parents and family have always been pro-education as well as pro-do-the-right-thing oriented. The "golden rule" statement by my uncle on the book back cover is obviously not an accident.
Juanita: What do you do to keep yourself inspired and 'in action'?
Jack: This is an interesting question, Juanita. Thinking about it, I don't believe I do anything specific to get inspired or energized. I do enjoy reading a good story. That is always inspiring. I do have some of John Thomas' curiosity, and interest in knowing the true reasons behind what happens in the world. That is sometimes more discouraging than energizing as it often comes out be "follow the money" or "what's in it for me." I'm fortunate to have a wife, Ilene, who is a true partner in what I do and is different enough from me that she is often pushing me out of my comfort zone. Success of course is the great motivator. We have had an important victory in getting the book published. The next step is now that we have the book, what have we got and where can we go with it.
Juanita: Well Jack, congratulations getting this far with "Impact with Intent." You have written a thought-provoking adventure which will undoubtedly catch the attention of your readers. We wish you all the best and continued success. Please let your readers know how they can get in touch with you and find out more about your endeavors.
Jack: More information about the book is available at www.impactstories.com I can be reached via email at Impactstories@aol.com.
Juanita: Thank you Jack, any final thoughts you'd like to share with your readers?
Jack: One thing I think all writers want for their readers is that they are entertained by the book and encouraged to read more. On top of that I do hope that they get a message, by example, from the book that makes them better, or smarter, or more informed, or at least more thoughtful than they were before they read it.
Juanita Watson is the Assistant Editor for Reader Views. http://www.readerviews.com |
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