Blog Archives
The Paradox of Progress: Book 2: The Roses and Thorns of Artificial Intelligence
Michael M. Karch’s The Paradox of Progress is a thoughtful and personal exploration of artificial intelligence and the tangled web of benefits and risks it brings to modern life. The book is framed around the central idea that progress never comes without a price. Each chapter highlights a paradox, such as self-driving cars that promise safety yet pose new dangers, batteries that drive clean energy but scar the environment, and AI in war that might save lives but could also escalate conflicts. Karch skillfully balances the roses with the thorns, using vivid historical parallels, personal anecdotes, and contemporary case studies to show how every leap forward reshapes society in both hopeful and unsettling ways.
Karch’s writing feels conversational, even playful at times, yet it never loses sight of weighty ethical questions. I especially liked how he wove his own experiences into the narrative. The self-checkout story, his Ironman accident, and his work as a surgeon with AI-driven tools. These moments gave the book texture and heart, reminding me that discussions about AI are not just technical but deeply human. The prose is clear, free of jargon, and sprinkled with humor, which makes even the most complex topics easier to digest.
What I liked most was the author’s mix of optimism and unease. His fascination with AI’s potential is genuine, but so is his fear of its misuse. I shared his awe at the possibilities. Medical breakthroughs, global problem-solving, and smarter systems that could ease human suffering. And I shared his anxiety about the darker flipside. Bias in algorithms, surveillance, widening inequality, war machines that act faster than human conscience. The book stirred both excitement and caution in me, sometimes within the same page. It left me reflecting not just on AI, but on human nature, since at its core, this isn’t a book about machines. It’s about us, our flaws, our hopes, and our choices.
I think The Paradox of Progress is a book best suited for readers who are curious about AI but not looking for a technical manual. It’s written for people who want to think, not just learn facts. I’d recommend it to policymakers, students, teachers, and anyone who has felt both wonder and dread at the pace of change around us. It’s not a book that will tell you what to believe about AI. Instead, it invites you into a bigger conversation, one that we all need to be having before the thorns outgrow the roses.
Pages: 236 | ASIN : B0FNDN4FYY
Reimagining Government: Achieving the Promise of AI
Reimagining Government: Achieving the Promise of AI is a comprehensive examination of how artificial intelligence can transform government from the inside out. It mixes history, technical detail, and practical advice in a way that feels both ambitious and grounded. The authors walk through the basics of AI, explain different models and their strengths, and then shift into how these tools can be applied in real government settings. They discuss frameworks such as OPEN and CARE, portfolio approaches to project management, and the importance of leadership and culture. The book argues that AI is not just about technology, but also about people, values, and institutions, and that governments must rethink themselves to keep pace with the changes AI brings.
The writing is clear and avoids the usual hype that surrounds AI, which was refreshing. Instead of promising magic, the book insists on responsibility and balance. I appreciated how it didn’t gloss over risks like bias, hallucinations, or policy drift. The authors don’t just flag these issues; they provide ideas for handling them. That gave the whole thing a sense of credibility. The frameworks felt a bit rigid at times, but I understood why they were there. They give structure to a messy and fast-moving space, and in a government context, structure is probably what’s needed.
What struck me most was the way the book spoke about leadership and culture. I could feel the urgency in their words, almost like a call to action. It reminded me that technology alone doesn’t fix anything. It’s people who make the choices, who decide how much to embrace risk, and who shape whether AI becomes a tool for service or just another layer of bureaucracy. I liked that tension. It made the book feel real rather than utopian. I wished for more stories or case studies of where this has worked well already. I think that would have given it more life and less of a playbook vibe.
I would recommend this book to policymakers, civic leaders, and even curious citizens who want to understand where government and AI are heading. It’s approachable and avoids drowning in jargon. If you’re looking for a thoughtful and practical guide that treats AI as both a promise and a problem, this is a book worth your time.
Pages: 288 | ASIN : B0FLDZHCR5
Life’s Greatest Mysteries
Dark Matter is a tightly woven collection of techno-thriller novellas that dive into themes of surveillance, data manipulation, artificial intelligence, and ethical collapse. What was the inspiration for this collection of short stories?
The inspiration for almost everything I write comes from fear. Each story dives into a fear that I have, whether it be wasps or having my online data used against me. I tend to get into the “what if” scenario, and that really drives my speculative theories. The future is coming at us so fast in real life that some of my scenarios may even seem like they’re already happening in a way, and I think that really hits home with readers.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
Our relationships are what drive our experiences in this world. Imagine going through life without interacting with another living being–it would almost be impossible (or it would be incredibly boring). These relationships create drama and tension needed to establish a relevant story that readers will enjoy. From those relationships come actions–I often find myself debating what actions my characters should take, and it makes it fun for me. Almost like I’m playing God. Great fiction showcases these relationships and actions in a unique way by shining a spotlight on our fears and desires. We all want something in life, and I lean on that with my characters.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this collection of stories?
Definitely artificial intelligence. It’s such a hot topic as we are in an AI revolution that will put the Industrial Revolution to shame (in my opinion). Death is also one of life’s greatest mysteries, and I always enjoy tapping into that theme. But to be frank, I don’t sit down and say, “Okay, what theme do I want to drive with this new story?” I typically come up with a premise, start to build the characters and world, and let the muse guide my story. The themes will often expose themselves through character development and their growth. For example, in the story “The Chair,” the main character has a distaste for the lower class. I didn’t start the story thinking the division of economic status would be a major theme; it naturally grew to end up being a main piece of the main character’s arc and the conclusion of the story.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I’m definitely focused on the launch of Dark Matter coming out in September, but I am working on my next novel. It’s called Zero, and it’s actually based on a short story I wrote in college. I’ve been wanting to dive back into this particular story and can’t wait to expand on it. I’m hoping to release it in 2026, but it will most likely be available later that year. I love books and movies on time travel, and this book will be in that genre. Expect a twisty, epic adventure with a lot of heart.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
In this haunting collection of speculative tales, Robert Plant examines the razor-thin line between innovation and annihilation. While technology has crept into the cracks of human life, the potential for destruction and chaos lurks beneath the surface.
Within these pages you’ll discover a dating app with deceitful intentions; a family off the grid desperate for help; a game show blurring the lines of reality; a woman trying to save her game with unthinkable consequences; a writer’s getaway turned trap; the possibility of eternal life but at a cost; and an AI assistant who will do anything to make you happy.
Terrifying yet familiar, Dark Matter shines a light on the shadows of our relationship with technology. These stories not only envision our future, they warn us about the present.
Featuring “The Perfect Match” – the grand prize winner of the 2025 Small Bites Short Story Contest from Indies United Publishing House
A Bridge
Eagles Fly ABOVE AI is a sweeping and heartfelt exploration of the human relationship with artificial intelligence, told through personal stories, historical reflections, and rich metaphors. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Eagles Fly ABOVE AI isn’t just a book—it’s a bridge. Between humans and machines. Between technical concepts and personal stories. Between confusion and clarity. I wanted to write something that felt like a conversation around a campfire—not a cold lecture hall. A place where metaphors guide understanding, where readers see AI not as an overwhelming force, but as a partner we can shape and work with.
It was important to write because how we relate to AI will define our century—and I wanted to offer tools, stories, and hope that help us rise above fear and thrive through understanding. On a deeply personal level, with five granddaughters of my own, I felt a profound responsibility to help shape a future where they—and all young women—view AI not as a threat, but as a powerful and positive force for their education, progress, and future prosperity.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about artificial intelligence and its use as we advance?
One of the biggest misconceptions is the belief that AI is either a savior or a destroyer—that it’s coming for us, rather than with us.
People often think of AI as some robotic entity “out there”—a black box plotting in the background or a sci-fi villain gaining sentience. But the truth is far more grounded: AI is a reflection of us. It learns from us, it adapts to our inputs, and it mirrors our intentions—flawed, noble, or somewhere in between.
Another myth is that AI will inevitably replace human creativity or wisdom. But AI doesn’t dream. It doesn’t suffer. It doesn’t love or reflect in the way we do. What it can do is amplify our strengths, free up our time, and challenge us to evolve—not into machines, but into better humans. The real danger isn’t in AI’s autonomy—it’s in our apathy.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Several core ideas carried this book like thermals under an eagle’s wing:
The power of story and metaphor: I deeply believe that stories make the unfamiliar feel familiar. If someone can understand binary through light switches or deep learning through kites on a beach, they’re already halfway to understanding AI.
Collaboration over replacement: AI is not here to steal our humanity—it’s here to partner with it. The future is not man or machine. It’s man and machine, working in harmony.
Nature as a guide: From jellyfish to mycelium to eagle flight, the natural world holds blueprints for systems that adapt, evolve, and collaborate. These metaphors aren’t just poetic—they’re instructive stories.
Inclusive & Ethical Design: We cannot program values we haven’t first practiced. Building ethical AI requires that the teams doing the building reflect the diversity of humanity itself. It was essential to me to highlight the contributions of female leaders in the field and model a future where all voices, especially those of women who are currently underrepresented, are central to shaping this technology.
Resilience and reinvention: Just as I adapted from paper maps to GPS, we’re all being asked to evolve. But this isn’t a story of loss—it’s a story of expansion. The eagle doesn’t fear the storm; it uses it to soar higher.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Eagles Fly ABOVE AI?
I hope they leave with courage—and a sense of co-creation.
This book isn’t just about AI—it’s about us. How we choose to engage, what questions we dare to ask, and whether we will help steer this unfolding intelligence toward wisdom and shared purpose. If readers finish the last page and feel more curious than afraid, more empowered than overwhelmed, and more human than ever, then this journey will have been worthwhile.
My hope is they’ll look at AI not as something to fight or fear—but as something to fly with and above, using their uniquely human insight as the wind beneath their wings.
Because in the end, it’s not just about artificial intelligence—it’s about intelligent humanity.
Eagles Fly ABOVE AI
Eagles Fly ABOVE AI is a sweeping and heartfelt exploration of the human relationship with artificial intelligence, told through personal stories, historical reflections, and rich metaphors. Lari Spire, drawing on decades as a surveyor, technologist, and lifelong learner, uses vivid nature imagery and accessible storytelling to walk readers through the complex and evolving world of AI. The book is divided into thematic sections that cover everything from the roots of human intelligence to the ethical challenges of modern AI systems. Rather than aiming to turn readers into engineers or coders, Spire focuses on fostering understanding, ethical reflection, and a deep appreciation of AI’s potential to work with us rather than against us.
I liked how Spire anchors high-level AI concepts in deeply personal and emotional experiences. Whether recounting his childhood travels, the awe of surveying sacred land, or witnessing his children grow up with emerging tech, every idea is grounded in lived reality. The writing is poetic and often tender. I loved the story about the light switches. It’s a charming memory that perfectly captures the beauty of binary logic. It’s rare to find a tech-centered book that makes your eyes sting with emotion, but somehow, this one did.
Some chapters feel like detours that might have fit better as stand-alone essays. The blend of memoir and tech can sometimes stretch when it leans heavily on analogy. Still, those moments are forgivable because Spire’s heart is in every word. You can feel his urgency, his reverence for both ancient wisdom and cutting-edge tools, and his hope that we humans don’t forget what makes us human as we build machines that think. I like how this book feels like someone reaching out, trying to help others understand the biggest shift of our time in a way that’s warm.
I’d recommend Eagles Fly ABOVE AI to anyone curious about AI but intimidated by the usual techno-jargon. This book is perfect for educators, lifelong learners, and thoughtful readers who care about ethics, nature, and the soul of progress. If you want to come away feeling both smarter and more inspired, then sit down with this book and let it carry you to the sky.
Pages: 380
A Worldwide Problem
Scam the SCAMMERs uncovers the alarming spread of scams, from phishing emails to elaborate investment frauds, and calls for a united, international effort to stop them. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I personally feel that currently no one is doing anything about SCAMS and it is a worldwide problem. This prompted me to write this book.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
As I reflected and wrote this book, I asked myself Scam is a virus and everyone has it. We need to manage the virus in us.
Did you find anything in your research of this book that surprised you?
Daily with AI and new technologies it is revolving and more new scams suffice if we do not eliminate them now.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Scam the SCAMMERs?
They reflect firstly on themselves. Are they mini ‘scammers,’ especially those in sales and be aware of what is happening out there.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Amazon
The world is united when comes to COVID19, Climate Change and other Initiatives, but why not SCAMS?
Examples of common scams.
Call to all SCAMMERs what goes round will come back to you and affect your family and generation who will suffer from sickness and death. KARMA is real.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution
The AI Revolution Will Not Be Televised follows a self-taught financial educator from Harlem, who uses his platform, ThePriceBandit.com, to teach women, especially Black women, how to navigate the stock market and build wealth through AI-driven investments. What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I want to encourage women, particularly Black women, to invest in AI stocks through do-it-yourself online stock trading as we navigate the fourth industrial revolution. This is a unique opportunity for marginalized groups to capitalize on the significant economic gains expected over the next decade during the AI revolution.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from The AI Revolution Will Not Be Televised?
I encourage everyone reading this book to start online stock trading as soon as possible. This is a unique opportunity to grow your wealth during a time when the stock market is poised to deliver significant returns. This situation is reminiscent of the wealth generated when Apple went public at $22.00 per share in 1980 and when Google went public at $85.00 in 2004. Those investors who recognized this transformative shift in how individuals interact with technology became very wealthy.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I am currently working on a book about infidelity, specifically focusing on men who cheat on their wives. Throughout my life, I have observed how this topic can turn casual conversations among family and friends into heated arguments and debates. When I told my older sister that I was writing a book on cheating, she exclaimed, “True ‘dat,” which was her blunt way of saying, “Yes, baby brother, write what you know.”
Infidelity is also a prevalent theme in many previously published books and movies available on streaming services. As authors, we are artists first, but we also need to consider the business side of things and pay attention to the bottom line. I anticipate that this book will be published on Juneteenth 2026.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
David’s relationship with Onyx, a professional Black woman seeking comfort in an older partner, adds depth to his journey. As his influence grows, he launches an online trading platform, transforming lives nationwide for women facing financial struggles.
While Wall Street resists change, love and tragedy shape the conclusion of this fictional tale inspired by real events. David’s followers carry his legacy forward, advocating financial independence as a universal right and striving for global economic equality.
Bots & Brilliance: 101 Things You Should Know About Artificial Intelligence
John Binks’ Bots & Brilliance is a crash course in artificial intelligence that reads like a lively conversation rather than a textbook. The book walks readers through 101 essential things to know about AI, from its history and daily applications to its ethical dilemmas and future possibilities. Whether you’re an AI newbie or someone with tech chops, Binks keeps things engaging with humor, real-world examples, and just enough technical depth to make you feel smarter without overwhelming you. It’s part explanation, part think-piece, and an enjoyable ride through the ever-evolving world of AI.
One of the standout features of this book is its knack for making AI accessible. The early chapters, like “AI, A Love Story” and “AI for the Complete Beginner,” strip away the intimidating layers of AI and present it as something we already interact with daily, such as smartphones, streaming services, and even online shopping. Binks compares AI to a “super-smart parrot” that mimics, learns, and sometimes surprises us, a metaphor that sticks. He also dispels common AI myths grounding the discussion in reality without killing the excitement. This approach makes the book perfect for readers who might be curious about AI but don’t want to wade through pages of technical jargon.
The book shines brightest when it explores how AI is already shaping our lives. The chapters “AI in Your Daily Life” and “AI at Work” are packed with examples of how AI is seamlessly integrated into everything from social media feeds to financial markets. Binks’ take on AI-powered streaming recommendations had me chuckling, he describes Spotify’s algorithm as a “magical music cauldron” that somehow knows you better than your best friend. The way he blends humor with insight keeps things engaging, and his examples make you realize just how deeply AI is embedded in everyday experiences.
Binks also doesn’t shy away from the darker side of AI. In The Dark Side of AI, he delves into bias, job displacement, privacy concerns, and the looming question of AI ethics. These are serious issues, but Binks presents them in a way that feels like a necessary reality check rather than fear-mongering. His discussion of AI bias, where AI can inherit and amplify human prejudices was especially eye-opening. He makes a strong case for why ethical oversight is crucial and why we can’t afford to let AI develop unchecked. This section adds depth to the book, making it more than just an AI enthusiast’s handbook, it’s also a call for responsible innovation.
In the end, Bots & Brilliance is a fantastic read for anyone curious about AI, whether you’re a beginner or someone who wants to connect the dots between tech and real life. It’s especially great for professionals trying to grasp AI’s impact on their industries without getting lost in tech-heavy explanations. If you want a book that makes AI feel less like a sci-fi concept and more like an everyday reality, while keeping you entertained, this one’s a solid pick.
Pages: 168 | ASIN : B0CVGP852J
LITERARY TITAN 