Black Swan Impact Book Club Questions
The questions listed below may be found at the end of any copy of Black Swan Impact.
1. Had you heard of the term ‘black swan incident’ or ‘black swan event’ before reading Black Swan Impact? If you had heard of it previously, when did you learn about it and in what context? If you hadn’t heard of it previously, will you embrace the term, and how will you use it in the future?
Individual answers will vary concerning who knew what, when, and
how they will utilize the phrase. However, adding some background
may enhance the discussion. As the Prologue to Black Swan Impact
states, the discovery of black swans in Australia caused a dramatic
response from astonished 17th century Western scientists, leading to
the term’s meaning, “A catastrophic incident that no one could have
foreseen or imagined because of its unprecedented impact.”
Nevertheless, the Prologue does not inform readers of how it found its
way into modern culture.
In the early 2000s, a finance professor introduced his theory regarding
startling and historically devastating economic crises, and the concept
of a black swan has gained traction by other business professionals.
Most notably, emergency managers, the intelligence community, and
first responders have universally embraced the idiom ‘black swan
incident’ or ‘event’ ubiquitously because they have always understood
that natural or man-made disasters can be unfathomable and
overwhelming.
2. Why do politicians in 2113 refer to China and The Democratic
People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) as Odile Major and Odile Minor respectively, and why was that included in the Prologue?
In Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet, Swan Lake, the prima ballerina
dances the role of two characters: Odette and Odile. They are the white
swan, the protagonist, and the black swan, the antagonist, respectively.
Further, the meaning of a black swan incident or event is commonly
known. Since Odile is the villain, politicians use the erudite reference
behind closed doors to describe the two provocative nations, and it is
hint of what is to come in the novel.
The government of China is responsible for the devastation caused by
the Pyongyang Virus and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
is the first to suffer greatly because of it. With consent from the Piper
Administration, the Chinese government uses Neutrocarbon Cluster
missiles to level the DPRK in an effort to stop the spread. The drastic
action is too late because PYV outbreaks continue unabated.
3. When readers first meet Syia and Paul Case, they find that the couple is having marital difficulty and are separated. What were the major causes for the rift and how do they find reconciliation?
Syia and Paul are at odds because Syia has not been able to accept the fact that she could not bring a child into the world via natural means, and Paul has turned away from sharing the grief. They have consumed themselves with work as a way to avoid each other and escape their problems. Then, Syia decides she will go to China to work with Tahnee to finalize the estrangement until an explosion in Tahnee’s lab not only prevents Syia from going to China but fills her with more
grief due to the loss of her friend. She seeks succor from Paul, and they spend the night together. Syia has a nightmare and is shaken at the thought of Paul dying. She almost runs away from him again, but he convinces her that wants her to stay and that he cares. Ultimately, Syia realizes that she loves him and wants to recommit to the relationship.
4. Why doesn’t President Daniel Piper immediately listen to his advisors concerning a threat arising in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea?
Daniel Piper is the first Innovative Party President with charisma and
political wherewithal to advance the United States to become the
richest, most powerful, and completely envied country for its
unparalleled innovations. Further, he expects his aspirations will not
just be realized globally, but across the universe, as well. Therefore,
he requires all government efforts to focus on his agenda. In his mind,
a war or highly contagious disease would detract resources, which
could derail his goals, making him refuse to recognize any threats
initially.
5. What is the dynamic between Syia, Paul, and Daniel, and how does that affect the plot?
Originally, Syia and Daniel were high school sweethearts, and then
Paul and Daniel were business partners. Daniel’s wife and Syia
became good friends, and Cecilia introduced Syia and Paul to one
another. After Cecilia died, Daniel, Syia, and Paul remained friends,
but Daniel oversteps bounds with Syia, driving a wedge between the
two business partners. The sexual tension not only lingers but
escalates. Finally, Daniel brutally punishes both Paul and Syia because
he cannot have her for himself. Paul dies, Syia suffers serious physical
and emotional wounds, and Daniel must accept the consequences for
his heinous actions.
6. How do the ‘Windows’ for each chapter enhance the novel, and what was your favorite ‘Window’?
Each chapter of Black Swan Impact begins with a ‘Window’. The
author chose the name ‘Window’ because the architectural feature
usually is a transparent opening that provides views to that which
otherwise would be obstructed or unobservable. Some of the
‘Windows’ relate directly to their given chapters while others present
backstories. Regardless of whether the passages are directly or
indirectly related to the chapters, they offer details that would not be
enjoyed otherwise.
Answers regarding a favorite ‘Window’ will vary, but book club
members should explain why they picked their particular ‘Windows’
of choice.
7. What new technology finally reveals the true seriousness of the microbial threat, and did you find its function an appropriate futuristic element?
The MOLE Platform, or Molecular Observer of Latent Environments
Platform, collects images and signals from the subterranean Hermit
Kingdom (DPRK). It can glean intelligence from inside the caverns
environment virtually and reveals a nightmarish scene to President
Piper and his advisors. Its futuristic function becomes extremely
valuable because other methods of intelligence collection could not
display the visceral images like a woman standing on a bridge and
cupping her face with tissue sloughing off like Edvard Munch’s
painting The Scream. The mayhem viewed within the caves so
unnerves everyone, including Piper, that the focus of the US
government turns to battling the new threat with every resource.
8. Would you be a Carpdee or an Ostrich if you were living in USA when the Pyongyang Virus outbreak occurs, and why?
Answers will vary as to why each person will choose one category or
the other. Each of the choices has merits, but book club members
should specify why their choices are best for them. The choices will
be predicated on the classification of each.
If some choose to be ‘Carpdees’, they would want to be located in non
lockdown states to enjoy their days left to the fullest. The Latin phrase,
‘carpe diem’, means seize the day, so moniker comes from splicing the
two ancient words together. In other words, they would prefer to live
without restrictions of any kind.
If some choose to be ‘Ostriches’, they would prefer to live in a
lockdown state. They would keep away from others to the greatest
extent possible, holing up in their residences and depend on the
government to provide food and other necessary supplies.
9. Syia and Paul want to resign, but Daniel does not accept their
resignations. Why doesn’t he allow them to leave government service, and what does he reveal to garner their sympathy?
When the Pyongyang Virus strikes US soil, Daniel must depend on his
most trusted advisors and friends despite the tensions that prompt Syia and Paul to write resignation letters. Therefore, Piper will not accept their resignations. However, there is more to the complexities of their relationships. Daniel explains that he has been struggling with keeping his bipolar disease under control during the crisis. Syia and Paul understand his ailment and rally to support him as a friend and
President.
10. Other than Syia and Paul Case, who are some other characters that stand up to the increasingly irrational president, and why do they matter?
Marla Estes, Scott Yaretzi, and General Norman are the three other
characters who figure prominently in standing up to Daniel Piper’s
tyrannical actions. Estes and Yaretzi seek legal recourses to stop the
decay of democracy. However, Piper learns of Estes and Yaretzi’s plan
to invoke the 25th Amendment and has them dispatched to Florida
along with Paul. Being sent to the Carpdee state is tantamount to a
death sentence since the state is overwhelmed with the highly
contagious and virulent outbreak. Conversely, Norman succeeds in
keeping his actions hidden from Piper’s sphere. Over time, Norman
orchestrates a military intervention—a coup—to restore democracy.
11. Were you surprised by Syia being marooned in Alaska, and why was it fortuitous for her to be abandoned there?
Answers will vary regarding the surprise, but the fact that Syia was
castaway to Alaska was fortuitous because of her background. She
climbed mountains skillfully from the earliest age in Nepal and kept
up the activity into adulthood. Such expertise comforted her as she
planned her escape over the mountains. Additionally, she was a
member of the Sherpa people, so she had a special connection to
Native Americans. That connection gave her a bridge to seek
assistance from a member of the Haida Band. The Tlingit and Haida
Indian Tribes of Alaska volunteered to smuggle Syia out like the
Underground Railroad of the 19th Century. Ultimately, the escape
never occurred due to the rescue raid. However, had the raid not taken
place, Syia likely would have found freedom through the help from
the Native Americans.
12. How do the characters Blake Johnson, Chris Kelly, Brienne Miller, and Bridgette Miller affect Syia during her captivity in Alaska, and how do they affect her desire to escape?
Being the ‘Magistrate’ and all-around thug, Blake Johnson controls
Syia’s captivity. He keeps her on a short leash to include living in his
cabin where he displays abhorrently crude and misogynistic behaviors.
All of those elements exacerbate the already awful circumstances of
her imprisonment and confirm to Syia how important it is for her to
escape.
Chris Kelly, on the other hand, provides Syia some solace and
friendship in the otherwise hostile environment. Further, he literally
saved her life by performing surgery on her and administering
restorative aid. Had Chris not been there, she would have died upon
her arrival. Instead, he helped her to regain strength and resolve so that she could escape. Finally, Chris designed the plan for her escape and had a contact with the Haida Band, who would give her a way to
further her success.
Syia did not have direct contact with Brienne Miller, but Brienne
influenced her greatly. The statement, “I am a strong and independent
woman,” scribbled on the floor of Syia’s prison cell buoyed her when
she felt defeated. Perhaps if Syia hadn’t seen those inspirational words,
she would have given up completely. Instead, she determined that she
would adopt the same sentiments.
Finally, Bridgette affected Syia because the girl exemplified why Syia
needed to escape. Moreover, Syia felt compassion for the troubled teen
and valued the short interaction they shared. Little did either of them
know that they would become friends when they were freed from the
Alfa Section, but it would become a treasured friendship.
13. Did the trial scene allow you to feel empathy for Daniel Piper and why or why not?
Answers will vary. However, either way, the fact that Piper shows
remorse and has struggled to return to health will factor into all
answers one way or another.
14. Were you surprised to discover the origin of the virus and why or why not?
The virus is an extraterrestrial microorganism, and answers will vary
regarding the surprise factor concerning its origin. Syia is not shocked
by the fact that the pathogen came from space, but she is angered by
the irresponsible actions of not irradiating outer space mined material
before sending it to Earth.
15. Who is Syia’s ‘angel and godsend’ and why?
Marla, her daughter, is Syia’s ‘angel and godsend’. Readers should
recall that Syia and Paul unsuccessfully tried to have a baby via natural
means for many years. This pregnancy was a welcomed wonder to her
but also bittersweet. Syia is angry that Paul will never meet his
daughter. However, she can rejoice in her ‘miracle baby’ and
gratefully remember her friends, Marla and Chris, who were so
important to her and her lost love.
16. Make up your own question.
You may wish to ask something else. Feel free to let the discussion flow organically and have fun.