Time March is on. It’s Blog Post # 128. With the success and popularity of Blog Posts #57 and #103, I decided to try once again to follow that formula one more time. In a World-wide exclusive, I have secured the following interview with blogger, writer, philosopher, and linguist, Roy G. Mundheim. This is a fascinating, behind the scenes, reveal of one of the true artistic visionaries of our time. I hope you’ll enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed putting it together. Enjoy.

Me: I am pleased to be enjoined by Roy G. Mundheim, an artist, a writer, a linguist, a philosopher, and one of the true great artistic visionary geniuses of our time. Roy is the author of two incredible award winning books; from 2019 Nursing: The Funny Side of the Bedside and 2023’s RGM Publishing’s Book of the Year, Jonah Chooses Amazing. Thank you, Roy, for doing this and for this wonderful opportunity.

Roy: You’re most welcome. I really appreciate the opportunity to spend time with you, get to the heart of the really important questions, and to dive into the thoughts, ideas, and experiences of the human condition.

Me: As you probably would expect, I have to start with your wildly popular blog, Write or Wroy. You announced this year that you are ending the blog and we’re down to the last three posts. Can you talk a bit about that decision? There are a lot of people who are upset about this and want to know why.

Roy: Of course. This was not an easy decision. I love the blog as many others do. I just felt that it has run its course. It’s been ten years. It was started in May of 2016. It just seemed fitting to end on a high note exactly ten years later. Everything in life is temporary and has to come to an end at some point. This seemed like the right time. My message is out there. The ideas and philosophies will live on until A.I. erases it from existence. Only Sarah Connor and Thomas Anderson can stop that now.

Me: Well, that all makes sense, but I can tell you that this writer, along with many other people, are disappointed. However, for myself, I will cherish your posts, read them again and again, and will take forward in my life the many lessons Write or Wroy taught me. You made me cry, smile, laugh, and ponder the meaning of everything.

Roy: Thank you. I’m honored and appreciate your kind words.

Me: Where do you go from here? What’s next for one of the greatest writers of a generation?

Roy: I’ll continue forward. My book of short stories, The Regrets We Can’t Have is still in progress. The screenplay for Jonah Chooses Amazing is also still in the works. After that, it is difficult to say. There’s opportunities for future blogs covering themes like A.I., World travel, the cleaning/ maintenance of Earth’s water, and the building of a World utopia.

Me: The building of a World utopia?

Roy: It’s the idea that we humans have all the knowledge in science, medicine, nutrition, and hygiene to actually create a World utopia where every human is fed, housed, and receives medical care but that cultural, political, and psychological barriers stop us from allowing everyone to be taken care of. In not too long, we may not even have a choice.

Me: What do you mean?

Roy: A.I. is either going to help us move forward in this way and is probably shocked that we haven’t moved this way on our own or it is going to force us to move in this direction. What will happen when there are no jobs because there’s no need to work? What will happen when billionaires don’t really matter anymore?

Me: That’s beyond my pay scale. It would be interesting to see what World utopia looks like?

Roy: I don’t know if we’ll get there but we’ll either have to face the question or prepare for World War III… or both.

Me: You talk a lot about A.I. Are you convinced it will be the end of humanity?

Roy: No, not at all. It just comes with challenges and a new way to look at human values such as work, meaningful pursuits, and what truly matters.

Me: So you’re not actually against Artificial Intelligence?

Roy: Did you know that recently California Squirrels began hunting other rodents, a behaviour not previously seen before?

Me: That’s nuts!

Roy: Crows are using tools. Octopi can solve mazes in record time and they’ve proven to have a higher intelligence than 3-4 year old humans.

Me: I think it’s ‘Octopuses’, not ‘Octopi’.

Roy: How do you know that?

Me: I asked an octopus.

Roy: Exactly. There are documented cases of wolves swimming to crab traps, bringing them ashore, and eating the bait meant for catching crabs.

Me: Woah!

Roy: The point is that I don’t think we should worry about Artificial Intelligence. We should worry about the animals becoming smarter than us.

Me: That’s both scary and funny. You mentioned World War 3 earlier. With recent events, do you think we should be concerned?

Roy: I don’t know. I’m not sure that it can be stopped with the current political climate. As Carl Sagan said, “… we are like mites on a plum…” and with that I’d propose that maybe we’re just taking all of this way too seriously. World War 3 would likely be the end of us but what a story it is and will have been.

Me: You never cease to amaze me with your insights. Clever, funny, and really makes you think. I have to ask. What are your plans once your last Write or Wroy post is completed? Do you plan to celebrate?

Roy: I sure do. My wife and I will be heading to Portugal and Spain for most of May. We’ll see if my efforts to learn Spanish have not been wasted. We’re going to enjoy delicious food and wine, meet up with good friends, and celebrate being alive.

Me: That’s great. I’m sure you’ll enjoy that trip. Let’s talk a little bit about Roy, the author. I read Jonah Chooses Amazing recently. It was an amazing read with amazing characters and just such an amazing story. Have you thought about writing a sequel?

Roy: That could be amazing. Many people have asked that very question. The answer is yes, I’ve thought about it but no, I won’t be doing that. The story is complete. The ending is flawlessly perfect. While there are a few things that I would change, I think the story stands alone and complete.

Me: It’s so perfect. What would you change?

Roy: I can’t disclose that information but the screenplay may see some small changes to the story. We’ll see.

Me: I have to ask about one of the main topics in your blog that comes up again and again; atheism. You recently called yourself an agnostic. What changed?

Roy: Nothing really. The evidence remains the same. I think agnostic better describes my thoughts on the wonders of the universe. There’s a lot we don’t know. However, even with the James Webb telescope, there’s no evidence of a spirit wizard in the sky who cares whether one little mite on a plum goes to a building on Sundays to worship Him.

Me: Well, God bless you Roy. You make great points.

Roy: Thank you.

Me: As a Registered Nurse, you’ve given out a lot of health advise. What would you say to people who are struggling with their health and looking for answers.

Roy: That’s a big topic. I first would advise to not take things too serious, including any health advise I have given out. My blog is full of sarcasm and nonsense designed to show the ludicrousness of it all. I would say that our environment is changing and it’s affecting our health. Recent studies have indicated that young people are getting bowel cancer from microplastics and that microplastics are also linked to Alzheimer’s Disease. In addition to that, constant hustle combined with the continuous input of social media, online screen time, and news broadcasts, showing the worst of us is driving our nervous systems to not feel safe. We end up in a hypervigilant state which is terrible for health. Then, there’s drug resistant bacteria, new ever-evolving viruses, and an even bigger threat, fungus.

Me: Fungus? Have you been watching ‘The Last of Us’?

Roy: Yes, but no, that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about mold produced in water damaged homes and buildings. It’s a severe health threat that we will be talking about in the future the way we talk about asbestos and tobacco now. Mold destroys bacteria… and we’re mostly bacteria. We’re more bacteria than we are ‘human’.

Me: Woah.

Roy: Right?!

Me: Your early posts spoke a lot about work and the importance of working less and enjoying life more. Do you still feel the same way?

Roy: Absolutely. My father used to say, “The reason we are on this planet is to work.” I strongly disagree with this philosophy. The reason we are here is to enjoy life and the experience of being alive, As Bill Hicks said, “It’s just a ride”. Life is a short ride and it should be enjoyed, experienced, and treasured… but “it’s just a ride.” Work is not going to matter, or exist, soon. What will be our purpose then?

Me: That is crazy to imagine. Before we finish this fascinating interview, you recently gave your last Words of Wisdom and I was hoping you’d give one last bit of WoW advice to the readers.

Roy: Of course. For you, I will.

Live. Live like you’re dying… because you are. Do the thing, all the things, and do them now, while you can. Explore consciousness and understanding by asking the questions, all the questions, about everything. Don’t stop asking the questions. See that your view is just one view and that there are many views, and all views are flawed. The full truth can’t even be seen with our human brains. Take this life and enjoy it.

Me: Thank you so much for doing this. It has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life. It is an honor to know you, to interview you, and to share your insights with the world. You are an inspiration.

Roy: Thank you. It has been a pleasure to be here and share this time with you. You also inspire me and your work should be even more honored and revered than it is.

Me: Could you share a few jokes for old times sake?

Roy: Sure.

Me: This, I’m going to enjoy.

Roy:

Did you hear that they’re going to ban plastic straws? How ridiculous?

Why?

Because it’s ruining the planet.

Is it? Or are they grasping at straws?

There are studies that show a definite link.

And that was the last straw?

And another…. maybe not a joke, but something kinda ‘funny’ that needs to be said.

Billionaires! Am I right? These are people who have a talent for collecting and hoarding all the money. You know, money… the stuff people need to have a roof over their head, clothes to wear, and food on their table. Well done billionaires. You’ve accumulated most of the paper things that allow people to eat, be clothed, and have a home. Be proud!

Me: That’s great. Any new nursing ones?

Roy: Yes

I saw a job post looking for a nurse that was posted by a Real Estate company.

Why would they need a nurse?

Maybe the prices are so crazy that people are having heart attacks and they need a nurse to perform CPR.

Me: So funny.

Roy: I’d like to say that that one came from The Bottom of My Chart but I have to give credit to my wife for that joke.

Me: Well, this has been amazing. I want to wish you all the best in your future endeavors. It’s been an absolute pleasure.

Roy: Thank you. I wish you all the best as well. You are amazing!