Interview with Blogger Jack Ralph

By The Pakistani Spectator • Jul 18th, 2008 • Category: Interviews • (3,418 views) • No Responses

Would you please tell us something about you and your site?

I am a retired former senior executive of a global chemical company. I have lived in Europe twice and have traveled extensively on business in Japan and China. I see globalization and corporations, with proper controls, as the best route to world peace.

Do you feel that you continue to grow in your writing the longer you write? Why is that important to you?

It is well documented that the more someone writes, the better a writer one gets.

I’m wondering what some of your memorable experiences are with blogging?

It is always flattering to suggest future events and then watch them come true.

What do you do in order to keep up your communication with other bloggers?

Nothing. I write in order to express a view. I do occasionally read other blogs but do not carry on a dialog.

What do you think is the most exciting or most innovative use of technology in politics right now?

You-Tube.

Do you think that these new technologies are effective in making people more responsive?

It is too early to know. Most important issues are complex and interconnected. One posting on the web often presents only a slice of what is happening. The most important aspects, however, are that the blogosphere is not beholding to advertisers or editorial boards and there are many different sites to help you form an opinion.

What do you think sets Your site apart from others?

“Regaining the Center” is fairly unique in its goal. It does not copy and report other news reports. Rather it tries to integrate news reports and observations from history and other perspectives and offer commentary. “Regaining the Center” is a relatively young blog (a little over a year) and is still attracting readership.

If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?

I have found the ability to integrate several different inputs and build a coherent response or strategy that incorporates these inputs to have been very useful. For me it is not just black and white, but very often maybe. In business, raising prices or cutting costs are useful and important, but if that is all you do, the results are almost always not what you sought. There are usually too many unintended consequences if you react to only one input.

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?

George W Bush winning in 2000 (best) and winning again in 2004 (worst).

If you could pick a travel destination, anywhere in the world, with no worries about how it’s paid for - what would your top 3 choices be?

I like Europe. My picks would be Duesseldorf, Geneva, and any place in Tuscany.

What is your favorite book and why?

Consilience by Edmard O Wilson. In this book, Wilson writes of the convergence of knowledge and gives a guess as to why we are who and what we are.

What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?

I notice whether the other person is fit, that is in good shape and taking care of themselves.

Is there anyone from your past that once told you you couldn’t write?

No, but writing was never a key part of my work life. Plenty of people have told me I have no musical talent, however.

How bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?

I do not have a clue but I suppose it is like any other business. If enough people want your product (posts), rewards will flow your way.

Is it true that who has a successful blog has an awful lot of time on their hands?

Could be but I do not know for sure. I spend about 1 hour a day and write usually one posting. I try to answer “comments” but frankly there are not that many. I have often thought that those sites with lots of comments are either the major news agencies or someone who has a following, and they write for that following. I write for myself and am delighted if anyone else enjoys my posts or finds them useful.

What role can bloggers of the world play to make this world more friendlier and less hostile?

Communications is better than silence but beyond that I do not know. To the extent that writing posts helps make others aware of short comings of the political party in power, there is a chance this might help.

Who are your top five favourite bloggers?

I admire the Wordpress site named Hysterical Rasins (http://mikk2.wordpress.com/). I do not visit any other sites regularly. There are many other sites, however, that are quite good and I have enjoyed visiting on ocassion. I do not, however, frequent any others regularly.

Is there one observation or column or post that has gotten the most powerful reaction from people?

As I mentioned, my site is relatively new. The most traffic I tend to receive have been on the subjects of the desired qualifications of the next US President and the foolishness of the invasion and occupation of Iraq.

What is your perception about Pakistan and its people?

Pakistan is a very populous country that overall is relatively poor. Lots of people and poverty bring problems that challenge any Government. If that were not enough, life in Pakistan is also challenged with religious extremism, not surprisingly allied with and embraced by poor and unemployed people. The Pakistani people I have met in the US and in Europe were hard working, honest, and intelligent people. They excelled at service businesses and in particular IT.

Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger?

No.

What is the most striking difference between a developed country and a developing country?

A developing country has a lot more poor people. Within most developing countries there exists a slice of the population who are not that different from most in developed countries.

What is the future of blogging?

I do not have a clue. I hope to enjoy it while it lasts.

You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?

At this point I see no major effect. Blogging does keep my mind active and that is good.

What are your future plans?

I plan to keep blogging and possibly compile some of the blogs into a book.

Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?

Read as many different opinions and views on an issue as you can. No one has a monopoly on seeing the truth, and certainly not all the time.