D.E.I. Diversity Equity & Inclusion

Trump is upset about D.E.I. (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion), maintaining that it is unfair.  Some of us feel the MAGA followers really want to take advantage of privilege.  The goal is supposed to be the best person for each position gets hired.

The original signers of the U.S. Constitution were landowning white males of a certain age.  Their rights to own slaves was respected.  Voting rights were determined by the states.

Over the years voting rights were extended to blacks (mostly former slaves), women, younger people, indigenous and even poor people.  Prejudice and legal tools were used to limit actual voting by minorities. 

It takes many years including generations for prejudices to lessen in society.  It involves heroes and martyrs like Martin Luther King Jr. or Harvey Milk.  Forced to work with minorities some whites came to appreciate the "other" was not evil or incompetent.  Adjusting to having women as bosses was hard for men, but some got used to it.  Making judgments when confronted by hijabs, turbans, skullcaps or even baseball caps is still normal for most of us.  Handicapped people are often ignored, although they are generally reliable employees.  Society too often takes it time to mature, but more of us are making the effort.

All of humanity is not equal, but generally complement one another.  Opportunity is also not equal and in effect means we do not always get the best mix.  The offspring of wealthy successful parents are not necessarily as talented or even as ambitious.  

In the meantime society controlled by those with power is able to protect their position against outsiders.  Here are a few areas that make a difference to who gets opportunities or real choices.

Home ownership is actually the basis for many family fortunes, but denied to many blacks as they could not get affordable credit.  Minorities are discouraged from the better neighborhoods.

Education is supposedly the tool for poor people to arise and it can work.  However the quality is not the same in all neighborhoods.  Not every student comes to class equally rested and nourished.  

Jobs are not only a measure of talent, but also a mark of status.  Discrimination based on race, gender  religion or class ensure there is not true competition.  Income affects the whole family.

Health is vital.  Statistics have pointed out that blacks die more frequently than whites at childbirth and have a shorter life span.  They receive poorer quality care from doctors.  

These factors are going in the right direction, but still have a way to go.   Despite the listed obstacles many black and other minorities have succeeded, but that seems to alarm many whites.  Population trends point that racial minorities will be the majority within only a few decades. 

Undoubtedly some deserving whites lose out and in a sense we all lose when that happens.  Competition often is used a a decider.  Being privileged means a lot is taken for granted.  Over time the ideal should be to find the best fit for every human.  Fairness is another ideal which means that society should not judge merely by outside features, but examine more closely the talents and merits of individuals. 

A legitimate concern is that we hire the most suitable.  At the same time those in power make the rules that suit them.  Donald Trump has appealed not only to bigots, but to other aggrieved groups such as Evangelicals, gun owners, fossil fuel investors, etc.

D.E.I .has served America well, in fact better than privileged decision makers of the past.  In the future it will be less and less necessary, that is if allowed to further prove its worth. 

A bit on how Trump got to be Trump

 Trump is a very powerful man.  What he has done with his power is noted everyday.  How he got to be powerful was not in a vacuum.  "The Apprentice" (2024) attempts to cover a key part of his life.

The details are disputed by Trump and his legal team, but seem roughly aligned with the current perspective.

The film is introduced by a speech from Richard Nixon, proclaiming he is not a crook.

Trump meets Roy Cohn who disposes of a legal problem by blackmailing.  He imparts 3 rules:  1.Attack ,  2.never admit wrong doing, and 3 claim victory.  He brags about his connection to Richard Nixon

Trump uses Cohn as a mentor and with moral support builds Trump Tower behind his father's back.

He meets Ivana and after an arduous courtship marries her.  She is well liked and there seems a dose of jealousy from her husband.  We do not get to his divorce, but a rape is reenacted (dependent on court records, but her version is modified afterwards).  We are also made aware that he is unfaithful.

Against Cohn's advice Trump gets involved with Atlantic City gambling casinos.  It seems to go well, but we hear of bankruptcy charges.  I think it likely that Russians were enablers for his recovery, but this is not hinted at.

We are aware of personal dynamics.  He brother Fred is insulted by his father and sinks to alcoholism.  We watch Trump try to take advantage of his father's dementia to increase his share of inheritance. 

He has medical work done on his scalp and he has surgery to lessen his abdomen.

Roy Cohn is a constant advisor, but deteriorates and acquires Aids.  Trump avoids him as much as possible, but holds a dinner in his honor.

 A lot of the dialogue and actions have to be improvised, but looking at the consequences and Trump's own words it is very believable. 

Much was filmed in Canada including Toronto and Hamilton.  As a Hamiltonian I have long watched in awe the Scottish Rite building where some scenes were filmed.

Scottish Rite Building in Hamilton, Ontario.

 Distribution was hindered by Trump's legal team; the film has a limited release in the U.S. on October 11, 2024   Trump wins in November.  Despite adoration of the public Trump is heavily dependent on lawyers

It takes a ton of talent to make such a film.  Here are a few of the people.

Ali Abbasi was the director and a producer.  He was born in Tehran and has made one film highlighting female discrimination in Iran.  As a young man he went to Sweden to study architecture.  He next went  to study at the National Film School of Denmark.  He lives in Copenhagen.  He has 8 directing credits, 5 for writing and 2 for producing.

Gabriel Sherman was one of the writers.  He wrote the biography of Roger Ailes, "The Loudest Voice" which was the basis for the movie in 2019.  He has 3 credits as producer and 2 for writing.  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/11/the-loudest-voice.html

David Holmes wrote music.  He was a DJ in Belfast, Northern Ireland and was involved in the music scene.  He has 62 composing credits, 16 for the Music Department and 5 for producing including "Ocean's Eleven" (2001), "Ocean's Thirteen" (2007) and "The Fall" (2013).

Kasper Tuxen was the cinematographer.   Lives in Copenhagen.  He has 63 cinematography credits, 26 for the camera and electrical department and 2 for additional crew including "Beginners" (2010), "Hateship. Loveship" (2013) and "The Worst Person in The World" (2021).

Olivier Bugge Coutte was the editor.  He has 57 credits for editing, 1 for producing and 1 for directing including "Reprise" (2006), "Oslo, August 31st" (2011) and "The Worst Person in the World" (2021).

Sebastian Stan played Donald Trump.  He was born in Romania and once spoke that language in a film.  He has 57 acting credits, 2 for producing and 1 for soundtrack including "I, Tonya" (2017) and "Sharper" (2023).

Jeremy Strong played Roy Cohn.  He attended Yale where he acted in their theatre.  He has won a Tony Award and one Prime Time Emmy.  He lives in Copenhagen.  Jeremy has 30 acting credits and 7 for additional crew including "Robot & Frank" (2012), "Zero Dark Thirty" (2012), "Parkland" (2013), "The Judge" (2014), "Detroit" (2017). "Molly's Game" (2017), "Serenity" (2019), "Succession" (2018-2019) and "The Trial of the Chicago 7" (2020).

Martin Donovan played Trump's father, Fred.  He has 123 acting credits, 1 for directing and 1 for writing including "Insomnia" (2002) "Indian Horse" (2017) and"Tenet" (2020).  See about the book "Indian Horse" which was the basis for the film...http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2017/09/indian-horse-by-richard-wagamese.html

Maria Bakalova played Ivana Trump.  Born in Bulgaria she has performed in that language.  She had an interest in music, being part of a touring choir as a youngster and also playing the flute at the university level.  Maria has 26 acting credits and 3 producing including "Borat Subsequent MovieFilm" (2020).

Mark Rendall played Roger Stone.  A Canadian, at age 10 with no acting experience he auditioned and won a role with a touring "Oliver" company.  He has 65 acting credits including "The Exploding Girl" (2009), "Victoria Day" (2009), "Transplant" (2019-2022) and "Departure" (2019-1022).   

Available on Crave.

Do I recommend this film?  Yes, but only so you might better understand how such a powerful person developed.  

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  They are not necessarily a recommendation, but generally I found them worthy of my time.  If you follow the links you might be able to determine if a particular film is worth following up.

Mad Unicorn, Exciting Series fromThailand

Thailand is upping its international prospects, partly due to Netflix.  

"Mad Unicorn" is based on a true story, a rags to riches tale based on a local hero.  Jira Maligool, the executive producer interviewed Kamsan Saleen who started poorly and built a delivery express business that became very huge.  From there the story was developed by a team.

In the series Santi starts off as a worker in a sand pit, but is able to negotiate money for a bigger opportunity in Bangkok.  Working for a touring company he helps a wealthy Chinese man have sex with a Thai woman by translating each to the other.  He gets invited to Shanghai where he gets embroiled in a drinking challenge.  There he meets up with an older mentor, Kanin and is given an opportunity.  He also meets up with a Chinese Thai woman, Xiao who seems very sophisticated.  You sense a romance, but it doesn't end the way you would hope.

Between Kanin and Xiao he does get started on an Express company, but soon finds himself betrayed and up against formidable obstacles.  The focus on the series is how he innovates and steels himself.  Constantly looking for investors with the major ones being Chinese.  Tension mounts, but he is a tough cookie.

Basically it is a business story with lots of crookery and determination to overcome it.  A little more physical action than might be typical.  Santi is a very likeable as is Xiao, but Kanin is evil.  It is engaging--one of the most intense bingeing adventures for me.

The cast and crew are key to its success.  Here are a few contributors.

Jira Maligool, was the executive producer who started the ball rolling.  He has 40 producer credits, 4 for directing and 8 for script and continuity including "How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies" (2024).  See  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2025/04/how-to-make-millions-before-grandma-dies.html

Nottapon Boonprakob was the director and one of the writers.  He studied Social Documentary Film in New York.  He has 4 directing credits, 5 for writing and 3 for the camera and electrical department.

Tanida Hantaweewatana was a key writer.  She has 7 writing credits including "Bad Genius" (2017).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2018/06/bad-genius-out-of-thailand.html  

 Vichaya Vatanasapt was the music composer.  He got a degree in architecture, but had joined a band and  soon helped form a music producing company.  He has 30 composing credits and 3 for the music department including "Bad Genius" (2017).

Phalao Jiraungkookun was the cinematographer.  He has 7 cinematography credits including one of my favorites, "Bad Genius" (2017).

Natara Nopparatayapon played Santi.  He studied Mandarin for two months and was able to master a two page monologue in that language.  He has 8 acting credits including "Delete" (2023).

Jane Methika Jiranorraphat played Xiao.  She was once a runner up for Miss Teen Thailand.  She joined a girl band and has been involved with singing.  Methika  was part Taiwanese and didn't have to learn Mandarin.  She has 23 acting credits.

Thaneth Warakulnukroh played Kanin, a ruthless business man.  He was a singer and also record producer.  Thaneth has 10 acting credits including "Pop Aye" (2017), "Bad Genius" (2017) and "Thai Cave Rescue" (2022).

Thailand has produced a number of memorable movies and is developing the necessary multitude of skills. "Mad Unicorn" is available on Netflix, subtitled or dubbed.

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  They are not necessarily a recommendation, but generally I found them worthy of my time and if you follow the links you should be able to determine if any film is worth following up.

Forget You Not--something from Taiwan not to be forgotten

Standup comedians are not people that attract my attention.  I saw the trailer for "Forget You Not" several times before making the decision to actually watch.  It wasn't what was expected, but left a strong impression.

It is not until the second episode that we learn how she got into being a standup comedian.  Prior to that we watched her wedding that took place after her comedy career had started. 

There is laughter, but a lot of sadness.  We learned about her mother abandoning her when Le-Le was only 8.  She learned English to look for her (she thought in the U.S.) and ended up a tour guide, but that career did not work out.  Her father seems forgetful, but gradually descended into dementia.

Ultimately the story is about the relationship of a father and daughter.  We follow right through his decline into dementia.  She has other relationships notably with two female friends and a husband.  Her husband was a successful lawyer from a wealthy family and although he tried to be understanding their marriage didn't last.

To create such an interesting film takes a number of talented people.  Here are some of the key ones.

Rene Liu was the director and one of the writers.  She graduated from California State University with a degree in music and went on to sing  on 20 music albums.  She has 35 acting credits, 2 for directing and 4 for writing. including "Us and Them" (2018).  

Shing-Ming Ho was another writer.  He graduated from Boston University.  Recently he was involved writing a mini series in main land China.  Shing-Ming has 8 writing credits, 1 for directing and 3 for the Sound Department including "Us and Them" (2018).

Ju-Feng Yeh was one of the producers.  She has 46 producing credits, 3 for additional crew and 2 for Production Manager including "A Sun" (2019).

George Chen is credited with music.  Not able to learn much about him except he has been a prolific music album producer and that much of the music in this film is enjoyable.  I am trying to track the song played during the closing titles.

Ying-Hsun Hsieh plays Cheng Le-Le,  the main character.  She has 35 acting credits including "Dear Ex" (2018), "Little Big Women" (2020) and "Wave Makers" (2023).  A favorite actress.

Chin Han plays the father, Cheng Kuang-chi.  He has 115 acting credits, 1 as a director and 1 as a writer.  

Esther Liu plays a close friend Huang Su Fei.  She also has been a prominent singer.  She has 34 acting credits including "Light the Night" (2021-2022).  

Wallace Huo plays her husband, Chang Kai.  He has 35 acting credits, 1 for producing and 4 for soundtrack including a cameo in "Light the Night" (2021-2022).   

Bo-Chieh Wang played the younger Cheng Kuang-Chi.  He has 43 acting credits including "Life of Pi" (2012) and "Light the Night" (2021-2022).

Chen Yiven plays Mark, the manager who hired  Le-Le for a stand up comedy platform and encouraged her telling personal stories, but not to the point of deflating the audience.  He has 42 acting credits, 5 directing and 3 for writing including "A Sun" (2019) and "The Falls" (2021)

Some of the listed Taiwanese films are covered in a previous blog:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/08/taiwan.html

You can watch "Forget You Not" subtitled or dubbed on Netflix.  I highly recommend it, but you might need a strong stomach.  At the same time you will find many moments very touching

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  They are not necessarily a recommendation, but generally I found them worthy of my time.  If you follow the link you might be able to determine if a particular film is worth following up.

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  They are not necessarily a recommendation, but generally I found them worthy of my time.  If you follow the link you might be able to determine if a particular film is worth following up. 

Abundance

Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson describes themselves as liberals, but in examining the future realize that liberals have gotten mired in regulations trying to make everything fair and environmentally friendly.  They don't spare conservatives very much either. 

The future has its share of problems caused in part by how we have muddled this far.  The title "Abundance" is meant to contrast with Scarcity.  Problems might be solved by restricting or expanding.  This post deals with a few issues, but there are many others discussed and more in depth how to approach them.

Home ownership as an investment depends on scarcity.  Zoning laws have been designed to exclude.   Home owners are careful about who and what they allow in their neighborhood.   These factors have contributed to an increase in homelessness in developed countries.

Although manufacturing productivity has dramatically increased construction has not.  Many construction projects not only end up costing more, but many of them are not completed.  The reason is for the increase is regulations and procedures.  Important adjustments will have to be made, but many of them will be very difficult if we aren't able to cut through a lot of red tape.  "There will be billions of equipment and appliances that will have to be replaced with renewables."

Science research is mired in bureaucracy, yet it has been fundamental to the economy.  Immigrant scientists have been an important part of American progress.  The book was published after the 2024 election and since then Donald Trump has made a big point of cutting a wide range of programs including for science research and attacked universities including foreign students.  Scientists and science students are starting to look elsewhere.

Operation Warp Speed illustrates contrasting perspectives.  It was one of the most successful national projects that saved countless lives, but Republicans who could take much of the credit for implementing it do not want to credit government with managing anything that important and it also ran into a segment of their supporters who were against vaccines.  Democrats do not like to credit Trump with anything good. 

The over riding reason that it worked was that key decision makers realized the Covid Pandemic was a real emergency and were able to cut through a lot of procedures.  

Republicans have been criticizing government- as "the problem"  and not a desirable place to work.  This contrasts with a very progressive Singapore where there is heavy competition for government jobs

Some new pathways to solve our current issues are discussed and I hope that more people become aware of the choices to be made.  We will need more than a few intelligent decision makers.

Both authors have attracted my attention and brought up worthy ideas for blogging.

Another post on Ezra Klein:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/05/why-were-polarized.html

Another post of Derek Thompson:   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2018/02/hit-makers.html

Immigration Has Become a Politcal Football

Politicians have too often felt anti-immigration to have been an important lever to win elections.  Easy for us to blame vote seekers, but much blame should be laid at voters. 

Yet we in Canada and the United States are nations of immigrants.  Even the indigenous are immigrants from Asia.  The development of needles was essential for Asian migrants to sew together furs to survive the bitter bold of the Arctic.  Immigrants are always looking for something better and most of them deliver benefits for most of us.

Migration is a very complicated.  We have a good idea how many people legally cross a border and a crude idea how many sneak across.  Stats aren't kept for how many people return to their home base or pass onto another destination.  There has always been internal migration, usually from rural areas to the bigger cities or between cities.  Life can be pretty rough for many and a few are determined enough to migrate.

Migration started before the very beginning of history.  Our earliest ancestors soon found a need to move either to find a more reliable source for food or to escape danger. 

America is a classic example of migrations.  When the Europeans first encountered the indigenous they were at first co-operative and later different European leaders aligned with different indigenous tribes.  Over time they overwhelmed the indigenous partly by force of arms, but just as important by disease.   America had been a dumping ground for undesirable Brits (also done to Australia).  Others saw America as an opportunity to get rich or at least get a new start.

Migration is essential for western societies that all have declining birth rates and aging populations.  Immigrants tend to be hard working, innovative and entreprenurial.  Their crime rates are lower than established citizens.  They end up paying taxes at least when they purchase items, but get very few benefits.

As happens the establishment resents intruders, especially if they are "different".  Slavery wasn't invented by Americans, but some ambitious people saw it as a vehicle for riches.  It was morally justified by the notion black Africans were inferior beings.  A driver of migration is the desire for cheap labor by wealthy individuals.  Chinese workers were brought to North America to help build national railways, but forbidden to bring women.  Although Mexicans bravely sneak across the southern American border there is a demand for their willingness to do menial jobs cheaply.  Britain brought large numbers of people from India and the West Indies to provide medical services.    

Another motive for empire nations is to control outlying areas.  Watched a film "Everything will be Alright" (2023) about a third generation family living in Latvia.  This was from a Russian attempt to control other nations within the Russian empire.  This has also been the case in Ukraine and the Russians have found sympathetic reception from some parts of Ukraine.

Donald Trump who had hired illegal migrants identified immigration as a big issue and has succeeded in stirring up hatred which helped win two elections.  Fertility rates and migration had indicated that whites would be in a minority position within a few decades.  He has gone so far as shipping some "illegal" immigrants without due process, but recently allowed a group of white South Africans refugee status.

Unlike the recent Trump regime some Canadian politicians see immigration as a tool for development.   I recall reading about Clifford Sifton encouraging Ukrainians  (and others) to settle western Canada before Americans moved in.  From my youth I remember my country welcoming Hungarians and later Vietnamese and Syrians and more recently Ukrainians.  Personally I benefited from them all.  But too much rapid immigration has caused problems for providing housing and education. 

The future is unpredictable with climate change and tumultuous global politics.  Many people will try to move to safer places.  We all need to understand migrants also have things to offer us.  It is unfortunately a global need, but there is competition between countries and different strategies and ignorance.  

"The Shortest History of Migration" (2024) carries lots of details.  It is not a particularly "short" account, but explains an important part of world history.  The author's family had traveled from Lithuania to England to South Africa and back to England.  He has a very good understanding of migration which will be an ever increasing world phenomenon.

"You're Not Listening"; Me Either

"You're Not Listening" was brought up at a birthday party where one husband carried the book seemingly acknowledging that he needed to be reminded to pay more attention to his wife.  Actually he always seemed more attentive than most.  Sneakily copied the title and author and a few days later picked up from the library.

Listening is a neglected skill.  Your life will improve when you improve your listening. 

 One is never too old to learn new things.  Bad habits hinder one's enjoyment of life.  I have plenty of them and suspect that most of you do as well.  It is not all your fault as you have learned them from your family and friends, plus society makes it difficult to always pay attention.

Stephen R Covey's 5th rule is "Seek first to understand then to be understood".   Why?  Because understanding enriches our lives.  It is natural to judge people on superficial awareness, but better to listen to what they are willing to tell you.  If you are really listening to them they will be more inclined to listen to you.

Are you guilty of interrupting, responding vaguely or illogically, looking at your phone or away from the speaker or fidgeting?  Most of us have done these and other poor habits.   What holds back really listening?  Our mind provides distractions.  Planning your response, thinking of another problem or something you would rather do are some of the things we do instead of listening.  

Talking with someone close to you creates a communication bias.  Familiarity too easily causes complacency.

Were you clearly able to hear what was being said?  Society subjects us to loud noises that damage our ears and interfere with conversations.  It is natural to guess or assume what was said, but you are not always correct.  Don't be shy, ask for a repetition which could be like asking for a clarification.   

There is more to listening than hearing.  Facial expressions and body language can reinforce what you are hearing or contradict the words.  When you are talking keep your eyes on your audience to see how they are reacting.

We fool ourselves into thinking we can do different tasks at an acceptable level of competence at the same time.  A favorite example of why this is wrong is a very common practice that I indulge in myself; listening to music while eating.  It certainly is more pleasant than gobbling food between tasks. If you are really honest you will admit that you are not quite catching all the music which might be better enjoyed laying down in the dark with earphones.  On the other hand the music can distract you so that you eat more than you might otherwise or you don't chew as thoroughly as you might otherwise or you might not savor the flavors quite as much.  That doesn't mean you shouldn't do it, but don't kid yourself, you are not getting the most out of the two activities.  Listening and daydreaming don't mix well.  See  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/05/stolen-focus-you-need-to-focus-before.html

Distractions are everywhere.  At a party, at home and at work.  When you really want to understand someone it is ideal to get away from the crowd.  At an open office you may need to get out or find an empty office.  

An effective response could be to support what was just said.  For example after the other person makes a statement you could support them by asking how they feel about it or how they reached that stage.

Sometimes an effective response is silence.  You are trying to digest what has been said, but another benefit is the other person feels compelled to say something.  This has worked for salesmen.

Learning what you are up against will help to mitigate negative results.  Ideally know about your audience and before expressing strong opinions try to assess their opinions.

Instead of "Acknowledgements" the author used "Gratitude" and refers to people who have helped her understanding of listening.  She obviously listened well to thousands of people and admits she has made a few mistakes herself.

"You're not listening" contains many ideas with some research to back them up.  The ideas I have squeezed out for my post are really just a few examples.  To understand her philosophy and get the most of the book you need to read it.  You will find it worth while.  I have found it with much needed advice which I may struggle to execute.