How could you possibly know this?

THIS Sunday Blog is about the book/movie Project Hail Mary. If you did not yet see the movie or read the book (or listen to the book) you might want to find an exit now.

In Andy Weir's novel Project Hail Mary (and its film adaptation), Ryland Grace is not a trained astronaut at the start. He's a former molecular biologist who became a middle-school science teacher. He gets pulled into the project because of his unique expertise on astrophage (the alien microbe threatening Earth's sun), based on his earlier controversial academic work about life not necessarily needing water.

Eva Stratt, the no-nonsense director of the international effort, recruits him early on. Over time, as the mission develops, Grace becomes deeply involved in planning and preparation for the Hail Mary spacecraft. He helps design experiments, trains the actual selected crew (the primary science specialist and backup) on the astrophage science they'll need, and participates hands-on in many aspects of the project.

Key reasons he knows the "astronaut training" procedures

Stratt plans for every contingency, including the possibility that something could go wrong with the primary crew. Grace effectively serves as a tertiary (third) backup science specialist all along, even though he has no intention of going on the one-way mission himself.

Because of this, he undergoes a lot of the same rigorous preparation and testing that the astronauts do:

• He participates in simulations.
• He tests equipment (including EVA/spacewalk suits and tools—he even acts as a guinea pig for some of those tests).
• He gets familiar with ship systems, procedures, zero-g operations, and other mission-critical skills under the guise of supporting the team or verifying the science setup.

This isn't full pilot or engineer training from day one, but it's enough exposure that, when the primary and backup science officers die in a lab explosion shortly before launch, Grace is the only person alive with both the deep astrophage knowledge and enough practical familiarity with the hardware and protocols to have a chance at succeeding. Stratt forces him aboard anyway (against his explicit refusal), sedates him, and launches the ship.

In the story's present-day timeline (aboard the ship), Grace wakes from a long coma with amnesia. As his memories return through flashbacks, he pieces together his involvement and applies that accumulated knowledge to operate the spacecraft, perform EVAs, troubleshoot systems, and improvise solutions. His scientific mindset and prior hands-on exposure fill in the gaps. He's not magically an expert pilot, but the preparation he received (plus the ship's automation and his own ingenuity) lets him manage.

The book emphasizes this more explicitly than the movie in some spots: Stratt had been subtly ensuring he was 'as prepared as possible' because she always viewed him as a potential fallback. It's a classic Weir-style "competence through preparation and problem-solving" detail that makes Grace's solo survival plausible without turning him into a superhuman astronaut overnight.

So my wife and I enjoyed the movie. And I downloaded the book on Audible. (I highly recommend you do both). But on the drive home last night we talked about how Ryland Grace knew all of the Astronaut stuff - he was never trained! We could not stop thinking about this 'flaw' in the movie. So, this morning I did the Ryland Grace thing myself: I asked Grok and Gemini and a few of my other AI friends to help me to solve the riddle. 

HERE IS THE POINT...

In the book, they do indeed go into much deeper detail as to how and why Ryland Grace was able to perform all of his Astronaut duties. In the movie, right up to the point he is forced aboard under an induced coma he keeps saying "I'm not an Astronaut! I was never trained! I don't know anything about anything!" A book on Audible with 16 hours of conversation would always have more detail than a 2 1/2 hour long movie, right? Ah so. Mystery solved. 

Happy Ending: Ryland Grace figured it out. As they say over and over again: You are smart. You will figure it out. 

Is there any better example of 'Distance Learning' than Project Hail Mary? Hmmm, maybe. 

Once again, welcome home to the crew of Artemis II. 

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One of these days, Alice.....

 If reading on a smartphone hold phone in landscape mode (sideways) 

Thes iconic line was the catchphrase of Ralph Kramden (played by Jackie Gleason) on the 1950s sitcom The Honeymooners. Usually delivered in a fit of comical frustration, Ralph would shake his fist at his wife, Alice (Audrey Meadows), and follow up with his other famous threat: "Bang, zoom, straight to the moon!". 

Quick Facts About the Quote:

The Intent: Despite the aggressive language, the threats were always empty. Alice was never intimidated and usually shut Ralph down with a sarcastic retort or a simple "Ah, shaddap".

The Resolution: Most episodes ended with Ralph realizing his mistakes and telling Alice, "Baby, you're the greatest".

Pop Culture Legacy: The line has been parodied and referenced for decades in shows like The Flintstones (which was heavily inspired by the series), Family Guy, and Futurama. 

Now I was born in 1960. So I grew up during the 'Space Race' and the Apollo missions. My big 'TV Shows' growing up were Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Star Trek, Mission Impossible. John Wayne was the big Movie Star, (1907–1979) an iconic American actor, director, and producer known as the definitive cowboy and war hero of Hollywood's Golden Age. Famous for his distinctive voice, towering presence, and roles in classics like Stagecoach, The Searchers, and True Grit - the latter winning him an Academy Award. John Wayne came to represent American rugged masculinity and conservative patriotism. 

The first interracial kiss on American network television occurred in the Star Trek episode "Plato's Stepchildren," aired on November 22, 1968, between Captain Kirk (William Shatner) and Lieutenant Uhura (Nichelle Nichols). The scene was driven by a storyline where telekinetic aliens forced the kiss, rather than it being a voluntary romance. 

Key Details of the Landmark Moment:

Cultural Significance: The kiss occurred just over a year after the US Supreme Court's 1967 Loving v. Virginia decision that deemed laws against interracial marriage unconstitutional.

Production Concerns: NBC executives feared backlash from Southern television stations and originally asked for a version without physical contact, but the actors intentionally ruined the "no-touch" takes.

Reception: Contrary to fears of massive protests, the episode aired without significant public backlash and actually garnered mostly positive fan mail, becoming a celebrated moment in TV history.

I write this Sunday Blog in April of 2026. And we have just welcomed the crew of Artemis II back home to Planet Earth. I just learned that Artemis and Apollo are the divine twins of Greek mythology, the children of Zeus and the Titaness Leto. Their relationship is defined by a deep familial bond, shared interests, and a duality that represents the balance between opposing forces like the sun and the moon. 

Opposing forces. War and Peace. Superstition is the opposite of Science. Good vs. Evil. Freedom vs. Enslavement. 

At 4:30 a.m. on April 12, 1861, Confederate troops fired on Fort Sumter in South Carolina's Charleston Harbor. Less than 34 hours later, Union forces surrendered. Traditionally, this event has been used to mark the beginning of the Civil War.

165 years ago today. 

On February 4, 1861, representatives from six states met in Montgomery, Alabama, and officially established the Confederate States of America. On February 9, Mississippi Senator Jefferson Davis was elected president. Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, and Missouri, all slave states, did not join the Confederacy. 

Those four states made a decision that changed the history of our country. And the world.

The Artemis II crew consisted of four astronauts who flew around the Moon: NASA Commander Reid Wiseman, NASA Pilot Victor Glover, NASA Mission Specialist Christina Hammock Koch, and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen. They are the first crewed mission to return to the Moon's vicinity. Google them. Research their backgrounds. What did they learn growing up? 

I write this Sunday Blog reflecting on everything that I learned, everything that I was taught growing up in the USA. Everything that influenced me from 1960 to 2026. Watching the Vietnam War on TV. Going to John Wayne movies with my Dad. The promise of a future in space, via Star Trek. Very popular TV shows that joked about striking a woman. I grew up in Cedar Grove, NJ just a few miles from Newark riots (July 12th to July 17th 1967). 

For me, someone born in the 60s NASA will always give me hope. Of what is possible. Not just for the USA but for all of us. 

For humanity. 

Find the GOLDEN Easter Eggs

If you are reading on a Smartphone, hold phone sideways (landscape) 

We had our first Family Easter Egg hunt yesterday in Connecticut. 

An Easter egg hunt is a fun, traditional activity (usually for children) where people search for hidden decorated eggs - either real hard-boiled eggs that have been dyed and painted, or plastic eggs filled with candy, small toys, or treats.

How an Easter egg hunt typically works:

Setup: An adult or organizer hides the eggs in a yard, park, house, or designated area. They might place them in easy-to-find spots for younger kids or more challenging locations for older ones.

The hunt: Kids (and sometimes adults) are given baskets or bags and then released to search for and collect as many eggs as possible within a time limit or until all eggs are found.

Rules: Common rules include no pushing, one egg per person at a time, or age-group divisions so younger children aren't outcompeted by older ones.

After the hunt: Everyone gathers to open the eggs, count their haul, and enjoy the goodies inside. Sometimes there are special "golden" or prize eggs that win bigger rewards.

Why it's called an "Easter egg hunt"

It’s tied to the Christian celebration of Easter (commemorating the resurrection of Jesus), but the egg-hunting custom has older pagan roots symbolizing spring, fertility, and new life. Eggs were decorated and given as gifts long before Christianity adopted the symbol. Today, it's mostly a secular family-friendly spring activity in many countries, especially the United States, even for non-religious families.

All are welcome to hunt for Easter Eggs. 

"Look Up to find the Golden Egg"

Yesterday in Connecticut there were around 25 eggs in total, but there was one very special egg - The Golden Egg. It took a few laps around the yard for the kids the find that one. We had to give hints, reminding them to 'look up' as Easter Eggs might not be only on the ground. Easter Eggs might be hiding in plain sight - anywhere. Above the ground. Above the earth. 

Artemis II is NASA's first crewed mission in the Artemis program, sending four astronauts on a roughly 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth - the first time humans have traveled beyond low Earth orbit since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. It launched on April 1, 2026, at 6:35 p.m. EDT from Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, atop the powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft (named Integrity for this flight) carrying the crew.

Mission Objectives

Artemis II serves as a critical test flight. It demonstrates that the SLS rocket, Orion spacecraft, and associated systems (including life support, navigation, communication, and re-entry) can safely carry humans into deep space. The crew will not land on the Moon; instead, they perform a lunar flyby (a "free-return trajectory"), looping around the far side of the Moon before returning home. This builds on the uncrewed Artemis I test in 2022 and paves the way for future moon landings (starting with Artemis III) and eventual long-term lunar presence (base) on the moon, plus future missions to Mars.

Key activities include:

• Testing Orion's systems with a real crew aboard.
• Conducting maneuvers, such as the translunar injection burn (completed successfully shortly after launch).
• Gathering data on human health and performance in deep space.
• Capturing views and photos of Earth and the Moon (including the far side).

The mission is on track as of this Easter Sunday Blog April 5, 2026, with the crew having left Earth orbit, performed the key burn toward the Moon, and reported positive spirits while observing unique views of Earth and approaching the lunar far side.

Broader Context: The Artemis Program

Artemis aims to return humans to the Moon sustainably - this time including women and international partners. The plan is to establish a lunar base (with the Gateway station), and use it as a stepping stone for Mars exploration. It involves collaboration with ESA (European Space Agency, which provides Orion's service module), Canada, Japan, and others.

As of this morning (April 5, 2026), the mission is progressing well in its early days, with live views and updates available right here from NASA. It's a major milestone in humanity's return to deep space exploration.

This is my first Easter Sunday with my grandsons. Born in 1960 I was 9 when Man first landed on the moon. There have been six manned U.S. moon landings (Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17) between 1969 and 1972, with 12 astronauts walking on the surface. Over 100 robotic spacecraft from various nations have also visited the moon, with over 25 successful soft landings by robotic probes. 

It's 2026 and we live in the age of AI, drones, telemedicine, self-driving cars, and high-speed GLOBAL satellite Internet reaching everyone, anywhere in the world. I remember the feeling of hope and the excitement of living during the Apollo missions. We all had hopes and visions of a future world that will help everyone living anywhere all with a lifetime of peace. An end to all wars. Education for all, healthcare for all, food for everyone. Quality of Life. Technology being shared and used for all mankind. 

"That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind" is the historic phrase spoken by Neil Armstrong upon becoming the first human to walk on the Moon on July 20, 1969. While commonly heard without the "a," Armstrong intended to say "a man," which would differentiate "man" (individual) from "mankind" (humanity). 

I remember watching Star Trek with my Dad in our Cedar Grove, NJ living room in 1966. He loved watching Star Trek as much as he loved TV Westerns. And if my Dad loved something, so did I. My first memory of an Easter Egg hunt was when I was 5 years old. That was 60 years ago. Ah yes, Easter Egg Hunting symbolizing spring, fertility, and new life. Maybe the Artemis II can be a Golden Egg for all of us. For my three grandsons. And for your grandchildren, too. 

"Everyone: Look Up to find the Golden Eggs for Mankind. Look UP!"

From the Artemis II - Earth from Orion Capsule

Slowly, then all of a sudden

 If on a smartphone, hold your phone in landscape mode (sideways)

So, the first BoontonWorks went LIVE in 2015. I blogged on it a few times over the years. One virtual location, on Main Street BOONTON in the one and only good ol' BOONTON USA. Ho hum. It took ten years to get 100 members. I guess I was the only person who thought a virtual co-working space in BOONTON USA was a good idea. 

And then came Nextdoor.com 

Nextdoor.com is a hyperlocal social networking platform (available as a website and mobile app) that connects verified neighbors within specific neighborhoods. It functions like a private, address-based community hub where people share local information, recommendations, alerts, and more.

Key Features

Neighborhood-specific feeds: Users see posts only from their verified local area (or nearby neighborhoods). Real-time safety alerts, crime reports, and weather updates. Local news from trusted sources and neighbor-reported events.

Recommendations: Ask for or share suggestions on services like plumbers, restaurants, dog walkers, or local favorites.

Marketplace: Buy, sell, or give away items (for sale/free listings) within the community.

Events and groups: Discover or organize community events and join interest-based groups.

Lost/found pets, missing items, and general neighborly help requests.

The platform emphasizes verified addresses — users must provide their real name and address to join, creating a more trusted (though sometimes debated) environment compared to broader social networks.

As of recent data, Nextdoor connects over 100–105 million verified neighbors across roughly 345,000–350,000 neighborhoods in 11 countries (primarily the US, plus places like the UK, Canada, Australia, and several in Europe). It reaches about 1 in 3 U.S. households.

Company Background

Founded: 2008 (launched publicly in 2011) in San Francisco. Public company: Trades as NXDR (Nextdoor Holdings, Inc.). Mission: "To make every neighborhood feel like home" by fostering local connections, belonging, and useful information exchange. It’s free for individuals to join and use. Local businesses can create pages to advertise and connect with customers.

Common Uses

Every day of the week millions of people turn to Nextdoor for practical neighborhood matters: reporting suspicious activity, finding and giving their personal opinions and recommendations. Folks across the USA who are selling garage-sale items, coordinating block parties, or simply staying informed about what’s happening nearby. It can feel like a mix of a community bulletin board, Facebook group, and Craigslist but all hyper-localized.

Note: Experiences vary. Some users love the neighborly connections and timely info, while others mention it can sometimes surface complaints or "nextdoor drama." Like any community platform, content depends on who’s active in your specific area.

Around a year ago I started using Nextdoor.com to find dog sitters. And to hire an electrician and a plumber. And to hire a handyman and a landscaper. I needed to hire a roofer. Normal stuff.

And then I had the idea: what if we use Nextdoor to grow BoontonWorks all across North America - from LA to NYC? Yeah.... what if we use Nextdoor.com to sell, market, promote and GROW BoontonWork.com locations on Main Streets across the USA? There is only one BOONTON in the USA, the same as there is only one LA in California. And yet, there are currently 639 LA FITNESS locations across 25 states. Interesting lesson in branding, right? 

As they say, timing in life is everything. Here we are in 2026 with gas prices going through the roof. Fuel costs for airlines are making travel by air pretty much unaffordable. And what about AI? Everyone in every industry is trying to figure out their AI strategy. We service 174K+ schools across North America via the NYDLA.org and the NADLA.org and 80% of these colleges and universities have some form of AI class that you can take online or on campus. 

Entrepreneurship (and Solopreneurship) is a thing. And GROWING. But being a business owner without PROFITABILITY is not a good thing. We only want GOOD THINGS, right? Profitability = FREEDOM. And profitability is always a choice. Yours. 

Get ready for a new and improved BoontonWorks.com coming to Main Street USA in YOUR town. BUSINESS FITNESS. Sometimes success happens slowly, and then all at once. 

Let's Zoom In on the Final Four Super Bowl Commercials

If you are reading on a smartphone, hold your phone in landscape mode.

My wife and I just got back home from a nice visit with the kids in Connecticut. And our three grandkids. Six Capone Men in total, three of us still in diapers. For the elder (non-diaper wearing) men the conversations (plural) were about work and sports. And sports and work.  

Which (for my two sons and I) are the same thing. 

I spotted a NFL Technology Innovation Hub 'hoodie' on one of my daughters (my son's wife) at breakfast, and that set the conversation for the morning. 

NFL Technology Innovation Hub: Pioneering the future of sports

This ^^^ is a cool article that helps to shed some light on how the NFL services their 400M+ worldwide fans via technology. And then we talked about how MLB Opening Day is 3/25/2026 (8:05 PM) between the San Francisco Giants and the New York Yankees and how Zoom is still an MLB sponsor in 2026. And after all, as the CEO of the Distance Learning Association I'm still www.DrZoom.us (or am I www.MrZoom.us ? I forget.)

MLB and Zoom announced a multi-year, global sponsorship partnership ahead of the 2023 season. In it, Zoom became the Official Unified Communications Platform of MLB and the Presenting Partner of MLB Replay Review, powering innovations like the Zoom Replay Operations Center for greater fan transparency during reviews, integration for events like the MLB Draft, and enhanced communications across the league. Recent evidence shows the partnership remains very active:

Zoom's own customer story page continues to highlight and detail the ongoing collaboration, including the use of Zoom Contact Center, Zoom Events, and AI-enhanced CX tools for MLB's fan support and operations. A YouTube video and related content from Zoom describe MLB "hitting a home run" with Zoom CX, noting sustained benefits like faster fan issue resolution and AI-driven efficiencies.

As of this Sunday's Blog the NYDLA.org | NADLA.org members are deep, deep, DEEP in the middle of March Madness 2026. After all, the DLA services 174K+ schools across North America. All of the NCAA. And one of our largest DLA | NCAA sponsors is Microsoft. 

Microsoft’s Copilot AI was used to simulate every game of the 2026 men’s NCAA Tournament, forecasting that 2‑seed Houston would win its first national title by defeating 1‑seed Arizona in the championship at Lucas Oil Stadium, and highlighting a few early‑round upsets. And of course, success in the NCAA tournament leads to amazing careers in the NBA. 

Key points:

USA TODAY Sports used Microsoft Copilot’s chatbot to predict the outcome of each game in the 2026 men’s NCAA Tournament bracket.

The AI simulation projected the 2‑seed Houston Cougars as national champions, beating 1‑seed Arizona on Monday, April 6, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The model indicated that the victory would make coach Kelvin Sampson, age 70, the oldest Division I coach to win a national championship. Copilot forecast three upsets: No. 12 seed High Point over No. 5 Wisconsin, No. 9 seed Saint Louis over No. 8 Georgia, and Houston defeating No. 1 seed Florida in the Elite Eight. 

According to the AI simulation, the Final Four would consist of Houston, Duke, Michigan, and Arizona, with three No. 1 seeds and one No. 2 seed. Only time will tell. 

My one son works for the NFL. My other son works for one of the world's largest, publicly traded insurance brokerage, risk management, and consulting firms. They have a focus on global services, including commercial insurance, employee benefits, and reinsurance, through an extensive international network. My son is focused on working with high wealth individuals, such as NBA, NFL and MLB players, team owners, and the C-Suite of major corporations. Ah, he also works with pretty much anyone who can afford to buy a ticket for the Super Bowl, the World Series, the NBA finals or the Final Four. 

Sports. Technology. Business. Never a dull moment at breakfast, lunch or dinner. Gee, I wonder if my three grandsons (or maybe a few granddaughters?) will play for UCONN one day...

We shall crown our March Madness 2026

Vendor CHAMPION on 4/15 with D&H

in Pennsylvania

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It's Cloudy with a chance of Zoomies

 

As I write my Sunday Blog 3/15/2026 we are right in the middle of our 31 days of March Madness. 

64 of our top vendors and sponsors from the entire line cards of TD SYNNEX, Ingram Micro, Jenne, D&H, Sandler Partners and more. And, we are Master Agents | Tier 1 ELITE resellers for many top telecom and technology suppliers. We are working our way down to the Sweet 16 and the Elite 8. We shall have our 'Final Four' top selling vendors and sponsors in April, and of course, we shall crown THE CHAMPION - our top vendor/sponsor of our 64 invited to the tournament. We expect to give away $100,000 in gift cards and gift certificates to our DLA members over the next 45 days. Fun!

The last time that we did a 'March Madness' marketing campaign was 2022. We were just getting started as a BigCommerce partner. We have been using and promoting all things Zoom since 2013. It makes perfect sense that the Distance Learning Association would become a Zoom Partner. And, Ecommerce was always about 'remote' so working with Shopify and WooCommerce and Adobe (and BigCommerce) was also a fit. Typically, we use what we sell and we sell what we use. 

Ah, but our March Madness 2026 is different. VERY different. BigCommerce has become just... Commerce. Powered by Agentic AI. 

Agentic AI Ecommerce (also called agentic commerce) refers to the use of autonomous AI agents in online shopping and retail operations. These agents act independently on behalf of consumers or businesses to handle complex, multi-step tasks - researching products, comparing options, negotiating deals, building carts, completing purchases, and managing post-sale activities with minimal or no human input.

It represents the next evolution beyond generative AI (like chatbots that answer questions or create content) and predictive AI (like recommendation engines). Agentic AI systems can plan, reason, adapt to real-time changes, and execute actions under predefined guardrails, much like a proactive digital assistant or self-driving car for commerce.

How Agentic AI Works in Ecommerce

For consumers (shopping agents): You give a high-level goal (e.g., “Find a camping tent under $150 with delivery by Friday”). The agent:

• Gathers requirements and preferences.
• Scans multiple retailers in real time.
• Evaluates options based on price, reviews, availability, and your history.
• Negotiates or applies discounts.
• Builds a cart and checks out (with your explicit consent).
• Handles tracking, returns, or reorders autonomously.

For businesses (operational agents): Agents automate internal tasks, such as:

• Analyzing inventory to create targeted promotions.
• Generating product descriptions or merchandising strategies.
• Providing hyper-personalized customer service.
• Optimizing pricing or logistics in real time.

Key Differences from Traditional Ecommerce

Traditional Ecommerce requires manual browsing, tab-switching, and step-by-step checkout. Agentic AI shifts the work to the agent, making shopping proactive, intent-driven, and frictionless. It blurs platform boundaries as AI agents can interact across sites, apps, or even in chat.

Benefits

For consumers: Saves time, reduces decision fatigue, delivers hyper-personalized results, and enables complex tasks (e.g., coordinating a full family moving to a new town with selling old furniture and buying new items).

For merchants: Higher conversion rates, new revenue models (e.g., agent-negotiated bundles, real-time dynamic pricing), scalable operations, and richer data insights. It can also cut costs through automation.

Future Outlook

Industry analysts project agentic commerce could drive $900 billion to $1 trillion in U.S. B2C retail by 2030 (or $3–5 trillion globally). Adoption is accelerating rapidly as AI agents become embedded in everyday tools. Merchants must prepare by making sites “agent-ready” (optimized APIs, structured data, secure protocols) and rethinking business models around agent interactions.

In short, Agentic AI Ecommerce turns passive browsing into active, autonomous shopping powered by AI that doesn’t just suggest, but does the work for you or your business. It’s already moving from concept to mainstream in 2026, driven by platforms from Adobe, Google, Salesforce, Shopify, and others. And of course BigCommerce. 

I have been saying this for years: Remote WORK has become just work. Distance Education has become just education. Ecommerce has become just commerce. Telemedicine has become just medicine. 

But in 2026 we are sprinkling Agentic AI on top of everything.  

Hey, you DID joinNYDLA.org right? 

www.joinNYDLA.org today!

{we have double coupons}

www.RIF.org

Bernice is my AI Bot - named after my Mom.

Hey Bernice@NYDLA.org: can you read books for free at the New York Public Library (NYPL.org) ?

Bernice: Yes, Tom. You can read books for free at the New York Public Library (NYPL) in several ways, both on-site and digitally.

On-Site Reading

NYPL's branches and research libraries are open to the public, allowing anyone to enter during operating hours and read physical books or materials without needing to check them out. No library card is required for this basic access, though some special collections may have additional requirements for handling rare items. This is standard for public libraries like NYPL.

Borrowing Physical Books

If you want to borrow books to take home, you'll need a free NYPL library card. Eligibility is broad: anyone who lives, works, attends school, or pays property taxes in New York State qualifies. With a valid card, you can check out up to 50 items at a time, including books, DVDs, and more. Loan periods vary (e.g., 2 weeks for new books), and there are no fees for borrowing as long as items are returned on time.

Digital Access

NYPL offers over 3,000,000 e-books and e-audiobooks available for free download through their SimplyE app (available on iOS and Android). These can be read on any device, with automatic returns at the end of the lending period (up to 3 weeks). A library card is required for this, and it's accessible 24/7. To get started, visit nypl.org to apply for a card online or in person at any branch. If you're in New Jersey but work or study in New York, you may still be eligible.  All who joinNYDLA.org are eligible.

OK, Bernice, I have a job for you: Read all the books you can access for free on the topic of Cybersecurity. Only books written within the past 10 years. Rate and rank them based on popularity, reviews, etc. How would you do it?

Bernice says: Measuring the popularity of a book isn't an exact science, as it depends on context (e.g., commercial success, cultural impact, or academic influence). However, several reliable metrics and methods are commonly used by publishers, authors, analysts, and platforms like Amazon or Goodreads. I'll outline the key approaches that I would take, drawing from industry standards.

1. Sales Figures

This is often considered the primary indicator of popularity, as higher sales directly reflect consumer demand. Key ways to assess:

Total copies sold: Publishers track this internally, but public estimates come from services like NPD BookScan, which captures about 85% of U.S. retail sales (excluding ebooks, audiobooks, and some direct sales). For example, a book selling over 10,000 copies in its first year is generally seen as successful for most genres.

Online sales data: Tools like Bookstat provide real-time insights into ebook, audiobook, and print sales by genre, author, or title, helping identify top earners.

Amazon sales rank: A rank under 1,000 indicates strong popularity; under 10,000 is still solid, especially for older titles.

2. Bestseller Lists

Appearance on lists like The New York Times Best Sellers, USA Today, or Publishers Weekly is a strong signal of widespread appeal. These are based on reported sales from various retailers and updated weekly. Global lists (e.g., from The Guardian or international equivalents) can gauge broader reach.

3. Reviews and Ratings

The volume of user feedback correlates highly with sales and readership - themore reviews often mean more exposure and ultimately more purchases.

Amazon reviews: Total reviews have an 88% correlation with lifetime sales; even the rate of new reviews (e.g., 15 per day on average for popular books) predicts success. Average star rating is less predictive (only 30% correlation), so quantity matters more than positivity.

Goodreads metrics: Number of ratings, shelves added, and average score. Books with thousands of ratings (especially highly rated ones) indicate popularity. For estimation, about 1.5% of buyers leave reviews, so multiply review count by ~67 for a rough readership estimate.

4. Library and Catalog Metrics

Library holdings: How many libraries own copies (tracked by sites like WorldCat) or add it to collections over time, as seen on platforms like LibraryThing. This measures sustained interest, especially for non-commercial books.

Checkouts and waits: Public libraries (like NYPL) track borrowing rates; long waitlists signal high demand.

5. Cultural and Secondary Indicators

Citations and academic impact: For scholarly books, tools like Google Scholar count how often it's referenced.

Social media and online buzz: Mentions on platforms like X (Twitter), Reddit, or TikTok (#BookTok). Tools for sentiment analysis or search volume can quantify this.

Adaptations and awards: Books turned into movies/TV (e.g., Harry Potter) or winning prizes like the Pulitzer amplify popularity.

Market research: Analyze trends in genres, reader preferences, and competitor strategies via surveys or tools like Google Trends for search interest.

To rate a specific book, combine these: e.g., cross-reference sales with reviews for a holistic view. For real-time data, services like Bookstat or BookScan are ideal, though they're often paid. If you're asking me about a particular title, provide details for a tailored assessment!

OK! Now Bernice: locate on LinkedIn the authors for the top 100 results. Tell them that I run the Distance Learning Association, and that I would like to interview them about their book (or books) for our CoffeeInTheClouds.com fireside chats. Also find out if they teach an online course that we can promote via TheCloudUniversity.com  Tell them all that they can connect with me directly via TomCapone.com. 

Bernice: On it. Also, it's Sunday Tom. Make sure you get outside and do something fun. Looks like good weather today in BOONTON USA. I'll have all of this done and waiting for you when you get back from the dog park. 

Five times? That's Madness!!!

 

3/1/2026: this will be the 5th time that I blogged on March Madness. 

March Madness is the popular nickname for the NCAA Division I basketball tournaments, primarily referring to the men's competition but increasingly including the women's as well. It's an annual single-elimination tournament featuring the top college basketball teams in the United States, culminating in a national champion.

Key Details:

Format: The men's tournament includes 68 teams (expanded from 64 in 2011), selected based on conference championships and at-large bids from a selection committee. It starts with a "First Four" play-in round, followed by rounds of 64, 32, Sweet 16, Elite Eight, Final Four, and the championship game. The women's tournament follows a similar structure with 68 teams.

Timing: Games are played over three weeks in March and early April, hence the name "March Madness." Selection Sunday (when brackets are announced) typically falls in mid-March, with the tournament kicking off shortly after.

Why "Madness": The term captures the excitement, upsets, buzzer-beaters, and bracket-busting surprises that define the event. It's a cultural phenomenon in the U.S., with millions filling out brackets to predict winners, office pools, and massive TV viewership.

History: The men's tournament began in 1939, organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The women's started in 1982. Iconic moments include underdog victories like Villanova's 1985 upset or UMBC's 2018 win over No. 1 seed Virginia.

Broadcast and Impact: It's broadcast on networks like CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV. The event generates billions in revenue for the NCAA and boosts economies in host cities.

BILLIONS. Ah yes, the 'B' word. 

A few years ago (2022) we dabbled with a 'March Madness' marketing campaign, jumping on the bandwagon. THIS Was the link from 2022. Since March has 31 days, we picked 31 vendors | sponsors of the NYDLA and highlighted them for the day. 31 days, 31 coupons. MILLIONS in savings over 31 days for our Global Cloud COMMUNITY. It was massively successful. VERY profitable. 

And then we did not do it again. 

Not in 2023, not in 2024, and not in 2025. And now in 2026: we're doing it again!!! Why now in 2026?

Because I am a student of Seth Godin. And in my humble opinion, Seth is one the greatest (the greatest?) marketing minds in the world. I have read all of his books, and have taken (most) of his classes. And I learned about ethical scarcity in marketing from Seth.  

Scarcity in marketing is a strategy that leverages the psychological principle that limited availability increases a product’s perceived value and desirability. By creating urgency through limited-time offers, low-stock alerts, or exclusive, "sold-out" drops, brands compel consumers to act immediately, boosting sales and enhancing brand image. 

Key Aspects of Scarcity Marketing

Psychological Basis: Scarcity taps into FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out), making consumers believe they will miss out on something valuable if they don't act quickly.

Types of Scarcity:

• Time-related: Countdowns, flash sales, or limited-time offers.
• Supply-related: "Only 3 items left" or limited editions.
• Access-based: Exclusive, invitation-only, or members-only access.
• Benefits: Increased conversion rates, higher perceived value, and greater brand loyalty.

Ethical Considerations: Using fake countdown timers or fabricated inventory, known as "false scarcity," can erode trust. Ah, there it is. FALSE SCARCITY. 

Examples in Action

"Limited Edition" items: Encourages collectors and fans to buy before they are gone forever.

Real-time stock levels: Showing low inventory triggers immediate purchases.

Seasonal products: Items like pumpkin spice lattes or holiday items create urgency. 

Effective scarcity marketing highlights the exclusivity and limited nature of a product to move consumers from consideration to purchase. 

Ever see those commercials from the Humane Society? Asking for donations to save all the starving animals? Boy do they ever tug at your heartstrings, right? Sometimes I have to change the channel - their ads are so depressing. But they also use FALSE SCARCITY. "If you call within the next ten minutes..."

I've seen that same commercial dozens of times. How many 'ten minute' windows are there? See, once I see that same commercial over and over - the FALSE SCARCITY of the ten minute window is all I can think about. I start to feel like they are lying to me. Even though the cause is good and just, they are lying to me about the ten minute window of urgency. I would never give THEM money. Maybe the local animal shelter, but not THEM. Now I don't trust them with my money - will my money even be used for the animals? Trust is lost - epic fail. 

In 2022 we told the world that our March Madness | 31 days of SAVINGS was not going to be repeated. That these 31 days of coupons was... scarce. That this was indeed a very special window of opportunity to joinNYDLA.org and save thousands on the products and service they needed and they use to THRIVE in the GLOBAL Cloud COMMUNITY. 

So, we did not do it again in 2023. Or 2024. Or even last year, 2025. Oh, I wanted to - but I did not want to disappoint my mentor, Seth. We kept our word for three years. It was hard but we did it. No March Madness campaign. 

AND NOW IT IS 2026!  So, we're doing it again!!! Three years is enough - we kept our word. My staff has 3 years of great ideas. 3 years of pent up marketing magic to blast out to the world. And you will be seeing it on Page 1 of NYDLA.org later this week. We're not doing the 31 days of March again. I'm thinking something like a spin off Sweet 16 or Final Four. Stay tuned - it is going to be glorious. 

I am still amazed that Seth (still) writes everything himself (no AI) and responds to emails within minutes, personally. Daily blog posts from Seth. Dozens of books. And super human response time to emails. Seth lives permission based, ethical marketing. There is only one Seth Godin. 

NO false scarcity here. 

Meet The Jetsons (again)

In September 1962, the world edged closer to the Cuban Missile Crisis as the USSR began shipping weapons to Cuba, prompting a September 4 warning from President Kennedy. Key events included JFK’s "We choose to go to the Moon" speech, The Beatles recording their first single, and the start of the Mississippi University desegregation crisis. 

Key Events of September 1962:

Cold War/Cuban Crisis: Soviet arms buildup in Cuba intensified, leading to U.S. surveillance and warning. Border tensions escalated between China and India in the Aksai Chin region.

Space & Science: On September 12, President Kennedy delivered his famous speech at Rice University, reaffirming the goal to land a man on the Moon.

Civil Rights: On September 30, James Meredith was escorted to the University of Mississippi to begin desegregation, leading to riots.

Culture & Society: The Beatles recorded their debut single, "Love Me Do," on September 5. Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring was published on September 27.

Politics: A coup in North Yemen on September 26 initiated a long civil war. The United Nations announced the Earth's population had reached 3 billion.

Labor: Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta established the National Farm Workers Association on September 30.

Celebrations: Anthony and Bernice Capone prepared for a 2nd Birthday Party for their son Tommy (born 10/02/1960).

And....... the original run of The Jetsons aired on ABC from September 1962 to March 1963 and consisted of only 24 episodes. 

So there was 1 year, 11 months and 21 days from my Birthday to the 'birth' of The Jetsons. Got it. Thanks, Google! 

Rosey the Robot | September 23, 1962 | Tired of housework, Jane hires a robot maid named Rosey, unaware that George is bringing his boss Mr. Spacely home to plead poverty and ask for a raise.

So Episode 1 of The Jetsons was 23,163 days ago (from today, 2/22/2026). Over 63 years. Again, thanks Google. 

The Jetsons was cancelled after its first season in 1963 primarily due to low ratings resulting from poor scheduling against popular competition, namely Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color. Furthermore, the show was produced in color, but few viewers owned color televisions in 1962, making the visuals less engaging in black and white. 

AND SO......... key reasons for The Jetsons cancellation:

• Brutal Time Slot: The show aired Sunday nights against Walt Disney and Dennis the Menace, which severely limited its audience share.
• Lack of Color TVs: Although it was ABC's first color series, less than 3% of U.S. homes had color sets, making the show's, "vibrant, futuristic design look flat and unengaging to most viewers," according to a Smithsonian Magazine article".

Tom, where are you going with this? Land the plane.....

Born in 1960, I have seen much. Space Race. Color TV. The Beatles. Thanks to (amazing) Saturday Morning Cartoons, I was introduced to The Jetsons ( in color ). And it was April 3, 1968 that 2001: A Space Odyssey was released. 

2001: A Space Odyssey is a 1968 epic science fiction film produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick, who co-wrote the screenplay with Arthur C. Clarke. Its plot was inspired by several short stories optioned from Clarke, primarily "The Sentinel" (1951) and "Encounter in the Dawn" (1953). In the movie, HAL 9000 famously tells Dave Bowman, "I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that," when asked to open the pod bay doors. HAL refuses this command to protect the mission after discovering that Dave and Frank plan to disconnect him. 

In 2001: A Space Odyssey, HAL stands for Heuristically programmed ALgorithmic computer. Introduced in the 1968 film and novel, the sentient AI controls the Discovery One spacecraft. While often associated with the letters preceding IBM, author Arthur C. Clarke confirmed this was unintentional, and HAL refers strictly to its programmed, heuristic, and algorithmic functions. 

• Meaning: Heuristically programmed ALgorithmic computer.
• Origin: The name was chosen to describe the computer's operational processes (heuristic learning and algorithmic logic).
• Context: In the story, HAL was developed to control spacecraft systems and manage the crew on the mission to Jupiter.
• Myth: Despite popular belief that HAL is a one-letter shift from IBM, creators Arthur C. Clarke and Stanley Kubrick stated this was an unintended coincidence, and they were actually embarrassed by the comparison. 

Tom???

THE 60s. JFK's "We choose to go to the Moon" speech. The Space Race. The concept of technology, specifically 'AI' and robots and The Wonderful World of Disney. IN COLOR. In our living room.  

"Slowly, and then all at once" (or "Gradually, then suddenly") describes an exponential process where change happens almost imperceptibly at first, followed by a rapid, dramatic culmination. Popularized by Ernest Hemingway in The Sun Also Rises (1926) regarding bankruptcy, it is widely used to describe love, addiction, systemic collapse, or personal growth. And AI. And then....(coming soon)... sentient AI. 

Let's hope for more Rosey and more R2-D2 and less HAL 9000 and a big NO to The Terminator. It's really up to us, right? Ah yes, the 60s gave us AI. But we (humans) always decide how things work out. 

More Woodstock and less Vietnam, please. 

It's up to us. It's always up to all of us. 2026: the human race, with our friends, the robots. 

Teaching Everything You Know

 

Magic is one of those words that shifts meaning depending on who's asking and who's answering. It's been around for thousands of years, popping up in ancient rituals, stage shows, fantasy novels, card games, and even scientific philosophy. Today's Sunday Blog is all about the Magic of Grandpadom. 

Ah, but to become a Grandpa, you had to be.... just 'Pa'. You had to be a teacher.  

Fatherhood (and then Grandpadom) is all about the Magic of Teaching. (The Kind That Actually Matters). The real power shows up in the messy parts:

When you're dead tired but you still get on the floor and play. When you mess up (and you will) and have to look them in the eye and say, "I'm sorry. I was wrong." That's the spell of humility most men never learn. When you see your own flaws reflected in them and decide, right then, to become better so they don't have to carry what you carried. We are teaching everything we know, always.

As one wise reflection put it: "Fathering is not something perfect men do, but something that perfects the man." That's the deepest magic. It's alchemical. It turns lead into gold over years, not seconds.

The truest magic of fatherhood is that it keeps going. You pour everything into this little person, and one day they pour it into someone else. The love doesn't end, it multiplies. Teaching everything you know. Forever. The circle of life and whatnot. 

Even the illusionists get it. David Blaine, the guy who holds his breath for 17 minutes and does the impossible for a living, said becoming a father was the greatest trick the universe ever played on him. It reshaped his entire life. Elijah Wood made a whole movie about an aging magician reconnecting with his daughter through real-world "magic."

Because at the end of the day, the greatest illusion isn't making something disappear. It's making someone appear and then choosing, every single day, to show up for them. Teaching everything you know. Forever.

That's the magic of fatherhood. And then the magic of grandpadom. Their first teacher. And then the magic of grandpadom is watching the student (your children) becoming the masters. The children becoming the parents - becoming the teachers. We are all teaching everything we know. 

Now that I am writing this in 2026 (at 65 years old) the magical technology of today, the 'AI' that is changing the world will be a part of (all) of our children's and grandkids lives. The Internet is forever. 

AI will become the teacher - if not already the 'TA' (the Teaching Assistant). 

AI will read every post, every note, every document, view every video on any subject, any topic - any person. AI will research 'the life of' and tell it's tale. When my three (for now) grandchildren are old enough to ask their AI assistant, "Tell me about Grandpa" they will learn much. I wonder if my grandchildren will create an AI 'me' one day, and have conversations with virtual me. Oh boy. 

The future of work - the future of education - the future of entertainment - is in the clouds. Thanks to the magic of AI we are all....

Teaching Everything We Know. Forever. 

{ Or Grandma }