BOLLYWOOD OFFERS HUMOR TO SUPPORT GAYS

India is considered a socially conservative country.  With a very diverse population they have learned (except for some riots) to be more tolerant.  In many nations it is the artistc community that leads the way on progressive issues and Bollywood is stepping up to the plate (or maybe I should say wicket).

There have been a few serious movies about homosexuality, such as "My Brother...Nikhil" (2005) but a little humor often softens the hatred and anxiety more effectively.          
                                    
"Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga" (2019) received a relatively low rating, partly, I think because of the subject matter, but the subject matter made it more interesting.  If you were unsuspecting they take awhile to alert you to the main theme, that of a lesbian couple trying to join together despite family interference.  We are sidetracked a little with a possible suitor, an unsuccessful playwright who gets dragged into the heroine's struggle.  We learn that he fails at trying to create fictional romances, but does have talent for what he really believes in.  Eventually the two lesbian lovers are accepted by her family and we assume they continue in their relationship.

"Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan" (2020) is pretty open from the beginning that the two gay friends are lovers.  The one has a father who is very upset about the relationship, but at the time is enmeshed in some wedding problems involving a niece.  Some of the younger people are supportive of the relationship.  An arrangement has been made for a bride for one of the two gay men and surprisingly she was pleased to learn of his sexual preference as she wanted to marry a man of a different caste not approved of by her parents.  She suggested the marriage would be a fake and the two could live with their preferred partners.  After lots of feuding and misunderstandings everyone comes to accept the relationship.

A key to understanding such films is with the background of the film makers.

The title "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga" I understand translates to "How I felt when I first saw her."  It relates to the notion that normally when a boy first sees the girl that he loves, his body reacts in a unique way.  For most of us in real or reel life this is understandable and normal.  But some people and not all that uncommon feel the same way when they see someone of their own sex that they love.

P.G. Wodehouse is credited with inspiring the movie.  Only vaguely familiar with him, but my guess is that the mechanism in the story of a play within a play has something to do with it.  To change people's minds about other people it is often suggested you should walk in their shoes.  In this movie a play is presented to demonstrate how "normal" feelings can be different, but "normal" for them.  In the movie a play is presented that at first seems like a traditional romance, but before too long the focus changes and many in the audience feel uncomfortable and some start to leave in disgust.  Others remain, some may even identify with some of the emotions presented and others seem open, perhaps recognizing behavior of someone they know.  In reality it doesn't usually convert a lot of people immediately, but it does open up minds.

Shelly Chopra Dhar was the director and co-writer in her first film.  She was associated with a very popular tv talk show, "The Kapil Sharma Show" that hosted many Bollywood celebrities, including from both films.

Gazal Dhaliwal was a co-writer, responsible for developing the story and dialogue.  She wrote dialogue for "Lipstick Under my Burkha." (2016) that dealt with gender inequality.  In "Qarib Qarib Singille" (2017) with Irrfan Khan and Parvathy Thiruvothu, a Malayalam actress.  I  mention Parvathy because she was the female lead in my second favorite movie of last year  "Uyare" was about a woman wanting to be an airline pilot and had a concern about men throwing acid on women for revenge.  Check it out, it is a better movie than either of the two hi-lited in this post:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/08/uyare-unexpected-gem.html

Anil Kapoor played a wealthy widower father, upset when he realizes his daughter loves another woman.  The climax of the movie comes when he accepts his daughter's choice.  Anil has over 100 films to his credit including some Americans might be familiar with: "Slumdog Millionaire" (2008) and  "24" (2010).  He has also been a producer including "Gandhi, My Father." (2007).  According to the director he was the most enthused about the film.

Sonam Kapoor, Anil's real daughter plays the lesbian daughter and has been accused of not being a good actress, but to my mind she does a credible job and was a  big hit with "Neerja" (2016) about the stewardess who thwarted an airplane terrorist act.

Rajkummar Rao is a very busy actor  in demand and a big award winner.  He plays the unsuccessful playwright who finally achieves success when he writes a play he really feels.  Some of his successful films are: "Queen" (2013), "Kai Po Che" (2013), "Newton" (2017) and "Bareilly Ki Barfi" (2017 with Ayushmann Khurrana).

Juhi Chawla was a key reason why I watched "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga" despite its low rating.  She used to be a very big star twenty years ago and I would say has aged well.  She was a leading lady for the likes of Shah Rukh Khan, but afterwards she veered off comedy roles (not entirely) such as "My brother...Nikhil" (2005) in which she played the sister that supported her brother who developed AIDS.  Later as a producer, she was involved with "I Am" that included a segment on a gay victim.  In this movie she plays a comedic character, but one who helps support Sonam playing the lesbian daughter. 

The director/writer Hitesh  Kewalya  of "Shubh Mangal Zyada Savdhan" had earlier written and won awards for  "Shubh Mangal Saavdhan" (2017) about a man with erectile dysfunction.  Before that he had written for a tv series and short movies. 
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Ayushmann Khurrana, the big name star, has a history of movies with social themes.  In this movie he plays the gay man trying to win over the father of his lover.   His first feature was "Vicky Donor" (2012) that was mostly humorous, but dealt with infertility in a moving manner.  Recently that movie was remade in Tamil with less humor and was effective.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/04/vicky-donor-cf-dharala-prabhu.html  which also links to more Ayushmann movie blog posts.  Ayushmann gravitated to movies with social concerns such as  "Dum Laga Ke Haisha" (2015) about a romance with an overweight leading lady and "Badhaai Ho" (2018) about sex with "elderly" parents and "Article 15" (2019) which was deadly serious about caste discrimination.

"Jitendra Kumar played the gay with the father.  He had leading roles in a number of successful tv series.

Gajiraj Rao, played the disapproving father.   He played Ayushmann's father in "Badhaai Ho" who got the mother (played  by Neena Gupta who also played his wife in "Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan"pregnant in their late 40's for which they both won awards..  He also played in the very highly rated "Talvar" (2015).

For many years, Bollywood male leads would never kiss on the mouth (called liplock) the leading ladies.  That has broken down and is very common and some movies are very suggestive.  For "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Ko Aisa Laga" the two female lovers hugged a lot, but never actually kissed on the lips.  In Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan" the two men had prolonged kisses that shocked onlookers. 

I would agree that neither film exhibited the highest professional standards, but were enjoyable.  Humor will probably have a more positive effect as viewers learn gays and lesbians are not a whole lot different than the rest of us.

Movies have been bolded that I have actually seen to indicate an appreciation of the talents involved.

EARTH DAY DURING THE COVID 19 SHUTDOWN

As part of the Covid 19 shutdown rituals I try to go for a walk, take a few photos exploring my neighborhood.  One of my Facebook friends, Peter Ormond arranges a few giveaways to commemorate Earth Day.  It is popular so I decided to go early and somehow ended up being his first visitor.  We were able to maintain social distancing, but Peter was very helpful in his explanations.  He is putting art in eARTh day.








Peter has set a good example of how to live a green lifestyle--note his Green House.  He has solar panels on his roof and rain barrels in his back yard.  This year he was giving out bird houses, and seed packets of arugula, sunflower (for pollinating), garlic, peas and anise.








Peter lives in a neighborhood that has become one of my favorites for taking photos.  Here are a few.

Living near Hamilton Harbour I have taken some other favorite photos.

This is of metal sculpture done a few years ago by a team, Dam de Nogales.  Veronica is from Barcelona, Spain and Edwin is from Hamilton, Ontario.  They do sculptures on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.

 Hamilton Harbour Queen

 View of High Level Bridge


         Parkette for a Peace Garden







Swan in Hamilton Harbour.

Pathway off Bay St to Hamilton Harbour.

 

 

 

 

Check on previous walk with more local photos:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/04/more-walks-and-musings-from-covid-10.html

Connect to other walks with more photos:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/04/the-shutdown-continues.html 

 

 

More walks and musings from the Covid 19 shutdown

Almost any situation no matter how bad has some benefits.  Getting to know my neighborhood is one.
Mankind has battled hard to carve out a modern lifestyle.  We need to pay attention to nature as it has its own way of re balancing.

Until I was about 24 I looked down upon the city that I have lived in for over half of my life. Read about the background and my conversion.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2013/09/hamilton-ontario-was-not-my-first-choice.html

Working I spent a lot of time in many different cities and so except by car I didn't walk too much except downtown around my home.  Now I have been checking out wherever I can walk.  Walking helps clarify thinking.  Beauty is waiting to be seen.

This house is where I first boarded in Hamilton.  To park I had to drive through an alleyway behind the house.

This stone tells a story about how some vacant land was turned into a Parkette with a garden arranged by the local Chinese community.  There are displays with markers in over ten languages.







Heard story on radio about elephants in Thailand.  They are not directly in danger of Covid 19, but impacted indirectly.  These ones are used to attract tourists, but now there are no tourists.  The elephants have to be fed and tended to, but there is no money.  They cannot be free to the wilds as they have been domesticated.  More locally heard of a family zoo who counted on two big months in the summer to earn enough money to feed the animals all year.  Only a year or two ago, my son Michael and his girl friend Haley were in Laos and each took an elephant ride.

An artist I discovered on one of the Art Crawls was Lester Colomo.  He has done a number of murals around town and also out of town.  One was for a restaurant in Kitchener where I had a memorable experience being rewarded for reaching a newspaper circulation goal.

This first example is for a restaurant that had the approach that many couples and families have one person who is vegan and it is very difficult to find a place where they can all eat.  Unfortunately the Vegan and the Butcher closed awhile back.

 This one is for a dental office and actually covers another full side of the building and a bit around a corner.  You might notice the apples that are supposed to help keep your teeth healthy.

 This is one of the more recent ones covering
 three floors.

 Theatre Aquarius has presented many plays my wife and I have enjoyed.  The Covid 19 has forced them to close, but they still have a message for us all.










 The vanity of one man Donald Trump is hard to comprehend.  Actually such people exist but most people do not vote for them.  There was plenty of evidence he was not fit before the election.  I have detested this man long before he was elected and can only hope that some of ill informed supporters finally see the light.  Earlier thoughts:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2017/07/trump-enablers.html

A painting on what looks like a duplex wall overlapping with a fence.








Palliative care is being neglected.  Many victims are suffering away from their families, but hopefully our collective experiences will make changes for the future.  Sarah Palin many years ago created a stupid reaction to palliative measures in proposed Medicare.  In fact she represented the true death panels which were the profit oriented insurance companies

One of many home made signs supporting front line workers.












Two choices for takeout--Portuguese chicken (with poutine) and Ukrainian pierogies.  We love restaurants and are afraid they might not all survive.  Both on James St N.





What will happen after it all settles down?  Nobody knows, but Gwynne Dyer had a few observations.  We know more people can work at home and the trend is likely to continue.  As many stores are closed people are discovering the advantages of online buying.  In many cities people are noticing the air is way cleaner and the contrast is likely to spur future efforts. 

We live only a very few blocks from both the Hamilton General Hospital (with a landing spot for emergency helicopters) and the Hamilton Jail.  Both on Barton St.




Perhaps you have interesting places near where you live?  I will continue to explore and welcome the results of your explorations.  Not sure what the new normal will bring, but determined to make the most of it.

An Addiction to Korean Tv mini series

It took awhile to develop an interest in Korean films, even though they are well organized to promote popular arts.  My son spent 18 months in Korea and that spurred an interest.  Roger Ebert had publicized a few films before.  Before all that I had developed an interest in sub titled movies from Bollywood and eventually many different nations with a little boost from my sister Rebecca.

When Korea hosted the Winter Olympics I was fascinated by the closing ceremonies for the Paralympics.  One musical group with some sort of connection to the disabled community, Bae Hee Gwan Band made an impression.  Even more so when they were joined by a singer Ailee who I assumed was a popular singer of the hit parade variety.  I went looking on YouTube and iTunes with little success, but discovered Ailee sang for the tv serial shows and I quite liked one of her tunes.

The local library provided many subtitled movies from all over the world.  Once you get on Netflix a lot of doors open, but mostly I searched for movies including those from Korea, some of which left a very strong impression. (check http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2014/04/a-slice-of-korean-cinema.html ).  The promo for "Crash Landing on You" got my attention and on an impulse decided to give it a trial.  It had been touted as second top Korean tv series on cable.  My son had shown us a photo of him with one foot in South Korea and the other in North Korea so I was aware of the border tensions.

"Crash Landing on You" left a very strong impression and I watched it a second time and even persuaded some friends to watch it.   Before too many months passed I had actually gone through 6 series.  Mind you I had started one or two that I didn't complete because they seemed too frivolous.  They all had 16 episodes each averaging a little over one hour in length and despite the length I found myself binging  Read more: http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/02/crash-landing-on-you-very-addicting.html

I noticed a few patterns.  First they introduced some sort of dilemma and the following episodes piled on with complications and sub plots.  They used a lot of flashbacks which I appreciated as initially you were confronted with occurrences that were mysterious and intriguing.  The flashbacks gave the background and opened up understanding.  They were generous with previews of the next episodes which spurred curiosity.  They blended humor into the stories.  I suspect it was a challenge to fill over 16 hours per series, but they did a good job of time filling as your curiosity was always active.

Sex is relatively pristine, especially compared to some of their movies.  In a few cases you see the leading characters in bed and there are a few allusions to it.  American and Europeans streaming films leave less to the imagination.  Romance is key to their attraction. with very likable would be couples.  Music plays a stronger role than in most American or European series, but not as much as most Bollywood features.  I discovered more songs by Ailee and even discovered more likable tunes, singers and instrumentalists.

A short synopsis of the five additional series for you to decide if any interest you.

"Something in The Rain"  (2018) was watched as it starred the heroine from "Crashing Down on You", Ye-jin Son.  She is not quite the most attractive woman, but she has such a likable personality.  In this series she plays a thirtyish woman who is pursued by her best friend's younger brother, (Hae-In Jung) younger by about ten years.  She also is a supervisor in a chain of coffee shops and gets involved in a sexual harassment case.  It drags on as she has to deal with age and class issues   I learn that Ye-jin is a fitness buff and in one brief segment we can watch her dance).  She has definite ideas about glamour.  She avoids a hair dresser for early morning scenes getting out of bed of which there are a few in this series.  We get a feel for the Korean masculine culture that has been resistant to feminist trends.  They actually play an American song so often it becomes annoying.

"Chocolate" (2019) was promoted for foodies.  Two young children start, with the young boy wanting to take over his mother's restaurant and the girl who eventually does become a world class chef.  The plot is classic misunderstanding with the girl pursuing the childhood aquaintence, but is interrupted by his close friend and then the childhood friend ignores her and she leaves for Greece as she can't handle being too close to someone who can't return her interest.  A lot of circumstances combine to bring the girl back to Korea after the childhood friend becomes a surgeon and eventually after an accident is demoted to the same palliative care facility.  Lots of interesting food, family intrigues and unfortunately a lot of deaths.  A charming couple acted by Ji-won Ha and Yoon Kyesang who had started in a K pop group.  Beautiful song by Ailee.

"Itaewan Class" (2020) is a lot of about class conflict   It has rival restaurants and a love triangle with the viewer rooting for both women.  The hero played by Seo-joon Park is likable, but very stoic. Seo-joon can be seen in the Oscar winner "Parasite."  Nara plays one of the leading ladies.  One character is a transgender who over time wins over a lot of support.  Another is a black man hired because it was assumed he spoke English, but in fact he spoke French. 

"Memories of Alhambra" had the leading man from Crash Landing on You," Hyun Bin playing a very different role as he is not stoical,   Caught Hyun on Youtube singing (very well) the Lady Gage song, "Shallows." The leading lady is played by award winner Shin-hye Park.  I recommended this film to a science fiction lover.  The music conveys a sense of history for Granada and there are impressive scenes in Barcelona as well.  The visual effects are outstanding.  The  romance seems awfully one sided.  Another good song by Ailee.

"Hyena"  with humor well spaced and about lawyers reminded me of "Suits," but I understand there is an actual Korean remake of the popular American series.   Egotistical lawyers, office politics, romance and some social injustice are common elements.  The first episode with quite the twist itself leads up to contrast to the fifteenth that gave me my biggest laughs of the year. The main romance offers a age difference and class contrast.   A few interesting songs over the course of 16 episodes, but I was most intrigued by a clip of a Paganini song which I have been unable to locate.

Ji-Hoon Ju plays the younger lawyer who is attracted to the older female lawyer played by Hye-su Kim.  The bad guy is played by Keong yeong Lee.  Hye-su is a big award winner and has been in two movies I enjoyed,; "The Thieves" and "My 11th Mother." She is even older than the age gap suggested by the script, but she pulls it off very well.

I enjoyed them all, but if you wanted to give them a trial I would recommend "Crash Landing on You" or "Hyena."  If you get kicks out of visual effects, "Memories of Alhambra" would be a good choice, even in comparison to American products.

I have enjoyed a lot of mini series.  I went after "Indian Doctor" at the library, but will have to wait for the final season same with    Two from India both different from the usual Bollywood films I love.  "She" has more sex than is normal, but from a different perspective.  "Sacred Games (I bought the book over a decade ago) starring Saif Ali Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, has both way more sex and even more violence than used to from India.

Mini series have the advantage of more detailed plots and character development, however in danger of boring or distracting elements.   Flashbacks bring new facts or remind you of details you might have forgotten, but too much is annoying.

Another worthy part of my addiction:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/04/heavens-garden-cheonsangui-hwawon.html

VICKY DONOR COMPARED TO DHARALA PRABHU

Remakes are often predictable and often not as good as the original and even if they are, one still feels a loyalty to their first impression.

"Vicky Donor" (2012) was a favorite movie and very unique.  It launched Ayushmann Khurrana and Yami Gautam.  The story contained a lot of comedy, but had a very touching ending.  It dealt with Indian prejudices.  "Dharala Prabhu" (2020) was brought to my attention by Access Bollywood.  It is really a Tamil language film based on the "Vicky Donor" film.  As I started to watch it, I felt it was a cheap copy, but at the end I was even more touched.  "Vicky Donor" really cleaned up in the awards and nominations and deserved it for the fresh approach.  I suspect "Dharala Prabhu" will win some awards especially in the Tamil cinema, but in my mind deserves more.

In both films a doctor started out as an exploiter of an opportunity to make money off the sperm donor, but he became a very concerned friend.

There were ethnic differences with one bride being of Bengali background which supposedly liked fish and the other bride having a Kannada background had a fondness for chicken.  In "Vicky Donor," the groom's family snuck in liquor for a wedding, but in "Dharala Prahu" it was the bride's family that wanted liquor, but had a restrained approach at the wedding.

Both brides had been divorced and this was treated as an obstacle.  Neither movie was very explicit with sex, but "Dharala Prabhu" showed a pre-marital bed scene.

Both movies initially, but especially "Dharala Prabhu" showed/hinted that the women were upset that their spouse was the natural parent and not them.  "Good Newz" (2019) sort of dealt with these concerns, but the problem there was more that the male sperm got mixed up so they were used on the other wife.  A slightly different perspective on parenting/masculine/feminine attitudes:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/02/good-newwz.html

The subject of sperm donating was shameful in both films, but in "Dharala Prabhu" there was also a concern from the fathers that they be credited with impregnating their wives, although to please their wives and in one case desire for an heir they co-operated

Shoojit Sircar director after a career in advertising did "Vicky Donor," as his second movie.  His first movie was a rare one; a inter-religious romance set in Kashmir, "Yahaan" (2015).  Also directed "Piku" (2015)  and "October" (2018).  He supplied the story for "Pink" and as the creative producer was very active in promoting the film including with local police departments.  He also produced "Running Shaadi" (2017).  Read more about the outstanding film, "Pink," the excllent film on consent.
http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2016/11/pink-sensitive-film-to-deal-with-consent.html

Juhi Chaturvedi who wrote the original script is credited with the story for the remake  The original had more humor whereas "Dharala Prabhu" handled some issues more seriously.  She worked for ad agencies as a creative director with Shoojit Sircar with the two working together on some movies.  She debuted with "Vicky Donor" writing the story, dialogue and even some lyrics.  She has had success with "Piku" (2015),  "October" (2018).  Soon will be releasing "Gulabo Sitabo" with Ayushmann Khurrana and Amitabh Bachchan with Soojit Sircar as director.  She also wrote some of the dialogue for my top movie viewed in 2019, "The Sky is Pink."  Read more
http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/12/the-sky-is-pink-my-top-movie-for-2019.html

Krishna Marimuthu, director and script adapter gave screen credit to Shoojit Sircar for inspiring him.  The adaptation was brilliant--taking many of the events and motivations from the original and twisting them for even more impact.  Smart enough to leave a core plot and even dialogue.  He certainly deserves a best adaptation award.

Ayushmann Khurrana started on tv at age 17 and later won a television Survivor like program and went on to be a disc jockey and tv host.  He also did street theatre.  "Vicky Donor" was his film debut and he won numerous awards and nominations for it.  He played the title character, Vicky Arora.  He also made a number of other socially conscious films such as "Dum Laga Ke Haisha" (2015), "Shubh Mangal Savdhan" (2017),  "Badhaai Ho" 2018) "Article 15" (2019 in his most dramatic role) and "Bala" (2019).  Read more:
http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2018/12/ayushmann-khuranna-actor-to-watch.html

Harish Kalyan played the title character, Prabhu who in the film was also a soccer player.  He has acted in Tamil cinema since 2010.

Yami Gautam  played Ashima Roy in "Vicky Donor" as a bank employee.  She has been in Telegu, Tamil and Kannada as well as Bollywood.   Disappointed she was killed off early in "Kaabil"(2017)  and "Badlapur" (2015 renamed "City of Revenge") "Uri: The Surgical Strike" (2019).  Reunited with Ayushmann Khurrana in "Bala" (2019) a movie I am looking forward to.

Tanya Hope who played the leading lady has acted in Tamil, Telegu and Kannada movies starting in 2016.  Graduated from university in England.

Anupama Kumar plays Prabhu's mother who operates a beauty salon.  She has been active in the Tamil cinema since 2010.  She is a costume designer for "My Son is Gay" where she also plays the mother who has rejected her gay son and then decides to look for him

Dolly Ahluwalia played Vicky's mother who owned a beauty salon.  She was also a costume designer working on three films with Deepa Methta, "Earth," (1998) "Water," (2005 also acted)  and "Midnight's Children" (2012).  She won costuming awards for "Bhaag Milka Bhaag" (2013) and "Haider" (2014).   She also won supporting actor awards for "Vicky Donor."  She was in Shoojit's first film, "Yahaan." 

Vivek  plays Dr. Kannadaasan, the fertility specialist  starting off with many comic scenes but is required to take a serious tone towards the end and does it well.  He has won a few comic awards including "Sivaji" (2007).  He started in Tamil cinema back in 1987.

Annu Kapoor played Dr.Baldev Chaddha, a fertility specialist desperate to find a reliable donor.  He won several comedy awards for this role.  He won a negative character award for "Jolly LLB 2."  His film career started in 1983.

Musically, Ayushmann won an award for backup singer/lyricist for Paani da Rang."  One of my favorite singers, Shakthisree Gopalan has a song in "Dharala Prabhu."

Both movies are enjoyable and well worth watching and if you like to study differences in plotting they offer an interesting lesson.  Both movies despite comic roles are definitely very moving.

CHARITIES AND ENTERTAINMENT IN DESPERATE TIMES

Ideas are a luxury in desperate times.  A core function of society is agriculture (while its predecessor hunting and gathering is still a sub set) and it might be argued that energy is even more basic.  The Covid 19 pandemic is reminding us that survival cannot be taken for granted.  Focusing on survival shunts aside many endeavors that we now better appreciate are really luxuries.  Luxuries are what we are able to indulge in when we have created a surplus of what is needed to survive

A confession before pontificating.  I find beggars very annoying and guilt inducing.  My experience has taught me that we live in an inequal society that favors the wealthy and the powerful.  I can now better appreciate there will be some adjustments in society's power arrangements with a lot of little people further marginalized.  Ideas are a luxury, but they are what make us a civilization and I hope we can survive as one.  This more or less summarizes my attitude for this post.

Entertainment is a luxury that is already being curtailed.  The major sports businesses have all been shut down and all gatherings of spectators for music and theatre are locked out.  We can still eat, but not so much at restaurants.  Much of our entertainment has filtered down to electronic which ultimately means fewer and fewer people will be required as we will be able to view the best of the best rather than the corner bar singers for example.  You can see read paper books, but as I am learning more of that is electronic.  Entertainment of all sorts was very critical during the Depression of the 1930's, but there was no concern about large crowds so we will be making different adjustments

Charities boil down to begging.  These are the causes that we are concerned about, but not enough to distract too far from many other human endeavors.  We have assuaged our guilty conscience by allowing the government to fulfill some of these functions, but are careful to make sure our taxes don't cramp our lifestyle too much.  Many of us have personal concerns often where a disease has harmed our loved ones and many of  efforts have been partially taken over by governments, but not enough to solve the problem.  Perhaps it is better to maintain a role for the individual conscience.  For others they are conscious of discriminated against either their own group or that of another.  Still others feel society would be better off if awareness of some cultural activity were better appreciated.

In times of desperation as right now, charities are minimized.  Many of those who have asked for assistance now feel guilty for asking.  There are reasons we should give what we can afford if we really want to keep our civilization functioning.  Charities perform functions that we all benefit from.

Jobs are important.  We live in a world where it takes fewer and fewer people to supply the necessities and even luxuries.  We still have beggars who somehow slipped through the cracks (and in some cases as many suspect, are deceptive) but they do in fact help circulate revenue.  Some employees of charities got the job as they weren't able to get a better one, if any.  Some specialize and have developed skills for raising revenues in a competitive world, even for charities.  Like the rest of us they may well have to sacrifice some of their income and some likely will lose their job and have to seek another way to make their ends meet.  Still those making a living appealing to our conscience not only help our economy, but can feel good as they are lessening the burden of others.

Research (thinking of charities for diseases primarily) also provides jobs, but not just any job, ones that are value added.  While scientists discover something to better deal with one disease they often find applications to others.  I recall learning that research for Parkinson's has overlapped with research for Alzheimers (something more people fear).  The understanding gained through scientific research helps us all appreciate how everything is connected.

Another function of charities is advocacy.  The disabled have most often been cast aside as not only not able to function productively, but disturbing for the rest of us have to work with.  With disabled legislation gradually making life more tolerable for them it has also made them more productive and everyone has benefited.  This also applies to those who have suffered discrimination and been denied a more suitable role in society.  Causes such as climate change, refugees, endangered animals, etc. are deemed important by individuals and groups.  Even those promoting cultural activities have (mostly) enriched the lives of those who appreciate something otherwise unknown.

Some people get paid to advocate for special interests (including charities) and we call them lobbyists.  They form a useful function, although much abused.  Some thoughts on their role at:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/03/coronavirus-lessons-how-one-makes-money.html

Caregivers have either been forgotten or taken for granted.  Charities can relieve some of this burden and help make some people more productive.  Much of care giving is voluntary such as family and friends or just concerned citizens.  For others care giving is a paid job that someone has organized for the necessary resources and persuaded someone to provide money.

Survival is no trivial thing and we all will be looking at what we now better appreciate are limited  resources.  But if we want to retain a sustainable and satisfying civilization we need to be open to ideas.  Charities are an idea that is part of society and that benefits everyone.  Hoarding resources may seem necessary to survival, but human survival demands a more open and sharing society.  Earlier I blogged about how it seems this pandemic will make us more conscious of how we all make money:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2013/04/lobbyists-do-deserve-more-appreciation.html

FUNNY YOU DON'T LOOK AUTISTIC

According to author Michael McCreary us neurotypicals have probably met more ASD people than we realize.  ASD stands for Autism Spectrum Disorder and includes a wide range of functioning and not so functioning people.  He also warns that reading his book may make us think that as we share some characteristics of Autistic people and be on the spectrum ourselves.  He reassures us that all people share overlapping characteristics and we need not fear.  By the way neurotypicals are what "they" call us "normal" people.

For me the value of the book lies in trying to understand a significant number of my fellow humans.  From what seems like an unusual perspective, that of a stand up comedian Michael does a good job.

Earlier this year we were steered to watch three full seasons of "Atypical" which in one sense provided a lot of laughs, but also hit deeper more than a few times.  It attempts to explain how and why the main character responds to the world as he finds it.  Also it boosted my understanding of the people who live with Autistics including family, the general public, work and school mates.

Michael was the middle child and was not diagnosed until after his younger brother with a less functioning disorder had been diagnosed.   His parents were supportive.  He went to school in Orangeville where he was given opportunity to be involved with school plays.  At one time participated in a program at Theatre Orangeville Young Company.

While a student Michael mentioned he once wanted to put a display in the middle of the main street in Orangeville and acknowledged that there was something already impressive in the middle of the street.  Many years ago when traveling as a salesman I was struck by this display to the left which Michael described. 




At age 13 he took part in a program run by a standup comedian, Dave Granirer called "Stand up for Mental Health."  His parents encouraged these type of opportunities and Michael sparked.  Over time he gained more opportunities and I suspect he was identified as someone who could represent what Autistics could achieve if given a chance.  He took a course at Second City Training Centre.  At first he was given opportunities to perform in front of those involved with autistics, who might be assumed to be sympathetic, but eventually he was given a chance to perform in mainstream audiences, including Toronto's Massey Hall.

As he writes this book he is 22 and recognizes that might seem a bit arrogant.  I would add that he does everyone a service not only by making us laugh, but also to understand a little bit better.  A few years ago (2014) I read "The Spark" about a child who for many years was non communicative, but later turned out to be a genius.  Read more:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2014/01/the-spark.html

Michael was careful to point out that it is a common myth that autistics are math whizzes, but many are like him and not good at math at all.  Another myth was that autistics are incapable of lying.  While it is true they are very literal in their thinking and that lands them in awkward situations, when they are unable to explain what they are thinking a lie sometimes seems the only way.

Autistics seem to attract those who make fun of them and bullies.  Michael did not know when he was being made fun of for a long time, but gradually understood.  He also is able to observe how autistics can annoy neurotypicals and has advice to us on how to handle it.  We also can benefit from understanding some of their habits such as what he calls "stimming."  Stimming is often expressed as repetitive actions such as rocking, spinning objects or flapping hands.  Often it is their way of handling over stimulation while conversely sometimes it is used to get stimulated.  The action is not the problem, but may indicate an underlying concern.

As he became more involved in performing he encountered some interesting people.  As a 7 year old helping his mother at a trade show booth he demonstrated for Temple Grandin who ended up buying some items.  Ten years later, again at the Toronto Convention Centre he performed before Temple made her presentation and his mother arranged for a photo of the two together.  Still three years later in Whitehorse, Yukon he was again set up as an opening act for Temple and this time he inter acted.  For the morning performance he was criticized by Temple for his sloppy clothes, but in the evening he changed to something else and commented it was because of her.  She liked his choice and they had a more serious conversation where she gave him some friendly advice, critiqued a Batman movie and sang the song from the tv series.  Temple Grandin is a big deal to me, but I only heard of her when I sold an ad to a feed store (not too far from Orangeville) that was sponsoring her at a show.  Out of curiosity I watched the movie,  "Temple Grandin" (2010) that is also recommended by Michael and saw that Temple is still another example of an autistic that has contributed significantly to neurotypical society.

From one of his performances Michael attracted the attention of Chris Hadfield's son who organized another project.  Through this experience Michael met Chris Hadfield, the astronaut and through him met author Neil Gaiman.

The book is very easy to read.  I got it through an e book process at my local library.  Your understanding of another slice of mankind will grow.

Near the title page the book is dedicated to Matty and I wondered who he was.  It was his younger brother who had a much more difficult time.  Michael in fact did not relate to him very well until after hearing a comment that if you want to get along with an autistic you should seek common ground.  For Michael it turned out to be trampolining that was the breakthrough.  Michael suffered a gran mal seizure and drowned as Michael was writing his memoir.

To end this review the last words from the Acknowledgements:  "Finally thanks to anyone I've ever had an awkward exchange with.  Without you I would not have had enough material to meet the quota."