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1 month ago | 
ricochet.com | Douglas Pratt
AI is already plaguing artistic endeavors, writing, and many other fields of human activity. I’ve seen audiobooks appear on Audible narrated by “Virtual Voice,” and others from other publishers. The reviews seem to be universally negative. So I guess the business case is “Good, fast, cheap: pick two.”Last week I got a look at how AI is encroaching on my craft. I got an offer to participate in a beta-testing program.
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2 months ago | 
ricochet.com | Douglas Pratt
His newsletter on Saturday morning ends with what he considers one of the most famous panels in comics history. I was happy to be reminded of it, and I think it’s worth repeating. It’s Captain America talking to Spiderman:“Doesn’t matter what the press says. Doesn’t matter what the politicians or the mobs say. Doesn’t matter if the whole country decides that something wrong is something right.
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Jan 9, 2025 | 
ricochet.com | Douglas Pratt
I love telling stories, which is one reason why most of my audiobooks are histories and biographies. Even when the writing is dry and academic, some historical characters are always entertaining to read about. When a book comes along that is not only focused on remarkable people but written by a gifted storyteller, it lights me up. My 89th audiobook is just that. I had an absolute blast producing it, and I think it’s one of the best books I’ve done.
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Jan 7, 2025 | 
ricochet.com | Douglas Pratt
Donald Trump is officially certified as the winner of the Electoral College. For the first time since 1988, no Democrat objected to a Republican election win. Clearly they are demoralized. The time is right, and it won’t last long. Sink your claws into your favorite issue and start writing, talking and posting about it. Pounce on your Congressvole and make sure he/she/it doesn’t obstruct what needs to be done. We have a huge mess to clean up.
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Nov 11, 2024 | 
ricochet.com | Douglas Pratt
SILVER STAR, awarded for actions during World War II to First Lieutenant Clarence O. Pratt under General Orders No. 32 (August 29, 1944). CITATION: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Clarence O.
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Nov 7, 2024 | 
ricochet.com | Douglas Pratt
I live in Orleans County, between Buffalo and Rochester. Here are the numbers from yesterday, from a truly excellent local news website, orleanshub.com:Donald Trump won a commanding victory in Orleans County with 70 percent of the vote – 12,432 out of 17,780 ballots cast. Head to head against Kamala Harris, Trump had a 70.4 percent advantage to 29.4 percent for Harris.
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Oct 30, 2024 | 
ricochet.com | Douglas Pratt
It gives me particular pleasure to announce the latest audiobook, because I enjoyed it immensely, and because of the Ricochet connection. Faith, Reason, and Beyond Reason by Dr. Mark J. Boone (known to the Ricochet multitude as @saintaugustine) is now available on Audible. This volume updates nine previously published articles on faith and reason by a Christian philosopher who has been studying these matters for two decades, alongside one new essay and a philosophical dialogue.
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Oct 26, 2024 | 
ricochet.com | Douglas Pratt
Today is the 199th anniversary of the opening of the Erie Canal. Here is a link to the Facebook post of the Canal Heritage Foundation commemorating the event. I live five miles from the Canal and used to cross it every morning on my way to work. My home is made from Medina Sandstone—a remarkably durable building material—which was discovered when the Canal was coming through Medina. The Canal itself was a huge deal in its day, and it actually paid for itself within a year.
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Oct 14, 2024 | 
ricochet.com | Douglas Pratt
I strongly recommend a book that goes deep into the character and actions of a truly principled and patriotic President. Eisenhower For Our Time looks at defining moments of Ike’s political life, including his decision to run for office, along with his handling of McCarthy, the Indochina War, the beginning of the space race, and school segregation. What is clear is that Eisenhower sought balance in everything he did.
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Oct 10, 2024 | 
ricochet.com | Douglas Pratt
Seven years ago, the Fatal Sunday audiobook was released. I have improved a lot as a narrator since then, so it’s a little painful to listen to this one, but it is one of my all-time favorites of the 86 books I’ve narrated. George Washington was under a lot of pressure to get a victory, after performing a miracle rebuilding his army at Valley Forge. There were folks in the Continental Congress who wanted to replace him.
