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An interesting point to consider... everynametaken Send a noteboard - 25/04/2010 10:41:17 PM
Quite apart from the fact that I really struggled to understand this book (suspect I may need to read it again someday to try again), I couldn't decide whether the ocean was in fact sentient and deliberately sending the Visitors, or whether it was just some kind of ... chemical, I guess, effect of being so close to it with human minds.



This was not exactly the first time mankind had experimented on the planet and its ocean and yet it had never "responded" in this way before. It was only after Sartorius shot the Hell out of it with x-rays that the visitors showed up. Interestingly, they tried to communicate via that method again but this time encoding actual EEG patterns in the x-rays rather than just enormous bursts of random energy. The planet never seemingly responded. What does this mean?

I think it could mean that there was just some kind of response to that particular stimulus (the first x-rays). Could this imply that the researchers actually caused the visitors in some kind of physics-type reaction via the x-rays? I think that could be a valid argument.
But wine was the great assassin of both tradition and propriety...
-Brandon Sanderson, The Way of Kings
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Sci-Fi Book Club: SOLARIS by Stanislaw Lem Jacob - 19/04/2010 05:50:45 PM 2185 Views
Roll-Call: Have you read it? Are you reading it? Like it: Yes/NO? *NM* Jacob - 19/04/2010 05:52:00 PM 802 Views
I read it back in January. Tom - 19/04/2010 06:23:29 PM 1460 Views
I read it years ago, and liked it. *NM* Legolas - 19/04/2010 06:41:36 PM 751 Views
I just finished it. Rebekah - 19/04/2010 06:54:49 PM 1449 Views
Well, to be fair, Jacob - 20/04/2010 08:12:17 PM 1385 Views
Heh. Rebekah - 21/04/2010 08:31:51 AM 1595 Views
Re: Well, to be fair, Camilla - 12/05/2010 09:06:06 PM 1327 Views
That was how I felt too. Tashmere - 20/04/2010 11:39:15 PM 1176 Views
I read it 3 years ago, and liked it. Linda - 19/04/2010 06:58:37 PM 1740 Views
Yes, I read it. Must be something like... eh. it was before the clooney horror movie came out? *NM* jh - 19/04/2010 07:23:15 PM 801 Views
I read it, and liked it. wahooka - 19/04/2010 07:33:16 PM 1452 Views
I plan to Camilla - 19/04/2010 07:41:21 PM 1571 Views
I might re-read it in a few days Larry - 19/04/2010 09:11:35 PM 1387 Views
I'm currently reading it Mark - 20/04/2010 10:00:05 AM 1629 Views
That has always bothered me too. Jacob - 20/04/2010 08:20:56 PM 1295 Views
I am with you on that. It may not be rational or my reasons have to do with vanity Tashmere - 20/04/2010 11:18:53 PM 1216 Views
Re: When you look through Lem's page on Solaris covers, that one is the least interesting. Danae al'Thor - 24/04/2010 10:01:50 AM 1313 Views
Indeed Camilla - 11/05/2010 03:02:26 PM 1309 Views
It was a while since I've read it Ellestra - 22/04/2010 05:33:44 AM 1292 Views
I have started reading it Camilla - 11/05/2010 11:10:53 AM 1243 Views
Translation: Jacob - 19/04/2010 05:54:57 PM 1510 Views
I read it in Russian, which was very close to the original. Tom - 19/04/2010 06:25:00 PM 1514 Views
I'm not sure now, I think I read it in Dutch. Legolas - 19/04/2010 06:43:30 PM 1423 Views
English translation by Joanna Kilmartin and Steve Cox (1970). Rebekah - 19/04/2010 06:56:54 PM 1384 Views
Translation of a translation, actually. *NM* jh - 19/04/2010 07:22:18 PM 740 Views
Yes, I did read Jake's intro piece there. *NM* Rebekah - 19/04/2010 07:23:44 PM 737 Views
I figured you were not accurate enough. jh - 19/04/2010 07:26:54 PM 1375 Views
Pffft. Accuracy is for nerds. Rebekah - 19/04/2010 07:31:52 PM 1458 Views
That was the one I read. Tashmere - 20/04/2010 01:43:01 AM 1631 Views
Read a swedish translation back then. jh - 19/04/2010 07:28:14 PM 1276 Views
Yes, the version I read was translated from polish. All the names were intact from the original *NM* Dragonsworn - 20/04/2010 12:17:42 AM 801 Views
I read it in Czech wahooka - 19/04/2010 07:40:05 PM 1630 Views
I also read a Swedish translation. Linda - 19/04/2010 07:41:31 PM 1856 Views
1970 translation from French to English by Joanna Kilmartin and Steve Cox everynametaken - 20/04/2010 02:20:42 AM 1507 Views
I have a different opinion on this. Jacob - 20/04/2010 08:17:06 PM 1392 Views
I've read it in Polish Ellestra - 22/04/2010 05:32:33 AM 1214 Views
Re: So it's flat and boring? Danae al'Thor - 23/04/2010 09:50:38 PM 1355 Views
Re: Does anyone know why the Polish publishers haven't commissioned another translation? Danae al'Thor - 24/04/2010 10:04:38 AM 1361 Views
Rights issues, I beieve Larry - 24/04/2010 10:48:53 AM 1399 Views
So 'we' have read the novel in 6 different languages. Jacob - 27/04/2010 09:20:02 PM 1249 Views
I read the English from French translation Camilla - 12/05/2010 09:10:42 PM 1208 Views
This was my general experience as well. Jacob - 17/05/2010 06:53:58 PM 1261 Views
So. Uh. The chick's name was Rheya in the book I read. Not in other translations? Rebekah - 19/04/2010 07:42:16 PM 1392 Views
Her name in the original is Harey, it got changed to Rheya somewhere along the way of the wahooka - 19/04/2010 07:49:33 PM 1410 Views
In Russian it was just Hari, or, more precisely, Хари. *NM* Tom - 19/04/2010 10:28:49 PM 721 Views
I haven't looked into the reasons yet, outside of what would seem obvious, Jacob - 19/04/2010 09:26:11 PM 1392 Views
Re: I think the translators just thought Harey wasn't immediately accessible as a feminine name. Danae al'Thor - 24/04/2010 09:59:17 AM 1491 Views
That is what I assumed as well. Jacob - 26/04/2010 09:40:45 PM 1290 Views
I probably got more out of it than I first thought. Tashmere - 20/04/2010 11:37:52 PM 1208 Views
Re: I do that too! Danae al'Thor - 23/04/2010 09:51:39 PM 1267 Views
It is certainly a book that makes you think... Jacob - 26/04/2010 09:46:31 PM 1229 Views
Literature vs. Genre Fiction Jacob - 21/04/2010 02:33:21 PM 1416 Views
Re: Literature vs. Genre Fiction lyringlas - 21/04/2010 08:44:24 PM 1417 Views
Re: Literature vs. Genre Fiction Camilla - 12/05/2010 09:19:31 PM 1250 Views
Re: Panorphaeon - 21/04/2010 09:09:02 PM 1364 Views
How do you know Solaris was an advanced intelligence? Tom - 22/04/2010 01:20:35 AM 1282 Views
Fair enough. Panorphaeon - 22/04/2010 09:04:58 PM 1351 Views
But I think that is Lem's point. everynametaken - 23/04/2010 03:20:18 AM 1338 Views
Good point Tom. everynametaken - 23/04/2010 03:14:23 AM 1233 Views
It's definitely literature Tom - 22/04/2010 01:19:34 AM 1189 Views
You might be winning me over to your thoughts here. Jacob - 26/04/2010 09:42:33 PM 1175 Views
In all fairness to my opponents, Solaris is one of my strongest cases. Tom - 26/04/2010 10:16:20 PM 1153 Views
As long as you realize... Legolas - 26/04/2010 10:26:00 PM 1206 Views
This is why I sort of float around on this issue. Jacob - 27/04/2010 05:49:39 PM 1295 Views
Re: This is why I sort of float around on this issue. Camilla - 13/05/2010 10:15:38 AM 1298 Views
Very well put. Jacob - 17/05/2010 06:51:27 PM 1157 Views
Re: Very well put. Camilla - 17/05/2010 06:53:13 PM 1287 Views
This book is definitely literature. everynametaken - 23/04/2010 02:59:48 AM 1332 Views
Re: This discussion gives me hives. *NM* Danae al'Thor - 23/04/2010 09:52:09 PM 690 Views
Understandable. Jacob - 26/04/2010 07:31:08 PM 1206 Views
Hmmm Camilla - 12/05/2010 09:18:42 PM 1319 Views
What didn't you enjoy? Jacob - 21/04/2010 09:47:06 PM 1200 Views
I didn't like the excessive description of the types of clouds on Solaris. Tom - 22/04/2010 01:17:22 AM 1150 Views
This was what I disliked too Ellestra - 22/04/2010 05:46:05 AM 1368 Views
Re: I didn't like the excessive description of the types of clouds on Solaris. everynametaken - 23/04/2010 03:33:14 AM 1227 Views
Re: I found it made this stark contrast with his descriptions of his own, more human environment. Danae al'Thor - 24/04/2010 09:56:40 AM 1456 Views
That is an interesting take. Jacob - 27/04/2010 05:53:23 PM 1285 Views
I didn't really find anything difficult about it. everynametaken - 23/04/2010 03:38:48 AM 1314 Views
The only thing that bothered me... Jacob - 03/05/2010 07:06:42 PM 1420 Views
So, is there really anything to discuss about the story itself? Larry - 22/04/2010 08:55:03 AM 1372 Views
Apparently not. Tom - 22/04/2010 01:38:24 PM 1410 Views
True Larry - 22/04/2010 09:29:53 PM 1236 Views
Point of fact, Jacob - 23/04/2010 02:53:47 PM 1280 Views
Perhaps it's time for a self-reevaluation then Larry - 24/04/2010 10:45:44 AM 1651 Views
They never claimed to have a monopoly on guiding the discussions. I am just happy they are starting Tashmere - 25/04/2010 05:51:01 PM 1248 Views
Thank you for telling me how I should prioritize my life, Larry. Jacob - 26/04/2010 04:54:01 PM 1434 Views
At least I am not as quick to repeat the same excuses Larry - 26/04/2010 05:13:08 PM 1600 Views
I was originally gonna reply to your previous post, then decided not to. Guess I will now. Legolas - 26/04/2010 05:42:15 PM 1456 Views
Thank you. Jacob - 26/04/2010 07:41:17 PM 1392 Views
Well, when my sleeping is screwed up, interpretations are going to be wonky, it seems Larry - 27/04/2010 06:21:57 PM 1355 Views
One point... Jacob - 26/04/2010 07:34:02 PM 1273 Views
Posting while irritated and about to crash does little good, it seems Larry - 27/04/2010 06:20:19 PM 1347 Views
The delay to the review is my fault. I've got a mostly finished one. I'm just not happy with it. Rebekah - 27/04/2010 07:19:35 PM 1299 Views
It wasn't the review I was irritated about, but thanks for doing it Larry - 27/04/2010 07:39:08 PM 1235 Views
Ah. OK. Rebekah - 27/04/2010 07:47:09 PM 1377 Views
Thanks Larry - 27/04/2010 07:58:54 PM 1260 Views
I'm a bit ambivalent on the merits of this approach of yours. Legolas - 26/04/2010 05:32:19 PM 1233 Views
You highlight my only frustration with the thread. Tom - 26/04/2010 05:48:01 PM 1570 Views
I am mostly just trying the approach out as something a little bit different. Jacob - 26/04/2010 07:23:12 PM 1307 Views
Re: So what do you think about any of those things? Danae al'Thor - 23/04/2010 08:30:55 PM 1227 Views
I've posted my thoughts on most of those issues in various places in this discussion. Tom - 24/04/2010 05:02:44 AM 1419 Views
Re: I think I'd just like for you to be more proactive and Start A Thread. Danae al'Thor - 24/04/2010 09:50:26 AM 1313 Views
I was sort of being lazy. I'll do so now. *NM* Tom - 25/04/2010 03:20:12 PM 691 Views
A question about Lem. everynametaken - 23/04/2010 03:49:57 AM 1259 Views
I've only read one other book by him, The Cyberiad Larry - 23/04/2010 04:03:19 AM 1359 Views
Re: A question about Lem. Ellestra - 23/04/2010 07:26:18 PM 1379 Views
Thanks. everynametaken - 24/04/2010 06:42:05 AM 1373 Views
Yes Camilla - 24/04/2010 02:43:17 PM 1339 Views
My main thoughts on Solaris by Stanislaw Lem everynametaken - 23/04/2010 02:50:10 AM 1628 Views
Re: About that "worst" thoughts issue. Danae al'Thor - 23/04/2010 09:49:04 PM 1511 Views
Re: About that "worst" thoughts issue. Camilla - 12/05/2010 09:35:48 PM 1401 Views
I came away with the same message you did on the first point. Tashmere - 25/04/2010 04:46:09 PM 1212 Views
Re: My main thoughts on Solaris by Stanislaw Lem Camilla - 12/05/2010 09:31:32 PM 1380 Views
Re: So I have no team spirit and should be lynched. Danae al'Thor - 23/04/2010 09:41:48 PM 1259 Views
I finally watched Avatar for the first time tonight. Tashmere - 25/04/2010 04:27:34 AM 1226 Views
Solaris was, I hope, better than Avatar. Tom - 25/04/2010 04:54:12 AM 1212 Views
Re: I finally watched Avatar for the first time tonight. Ellestra - 25/04/2010 01:52:19 PM 1279 Views
It had more to do with recognizing mankind's tendency to imposes their ideas on other cultures. Tashmere - 25/04/2010 05:35:25 PM 1291 Views
Misplaced answer . *NM* Tashmere - 25/04/2010 04:40:27 PM 584 Views
On identity and communication: do we love only ourselves? Tom - 25/04/2010 03:35:34 PM 1290 Views
I did spend a lot of the book speculating on what the planet was trying to do with those supressed Tashmere - 25/04/2010 05:05:38 PM 1348 Views
The argument: (From the text and some thoughts) Jacob - 27/04/2010 06:22:34 PM 1218 Views
Yes Camilla - 12/05/2010 10:10:30 PM 1380 Views
That is a great idea... Jacob - 17/05/2010 06:58:48 PM 1292 Views
Re: That is a great idea... Camilla - 17/05/2010 07:02:44 PM 1321 Views
That settles it. I am going to have to reread it. Tashmere - 13/05/2010 12:23:14 AM 1243 Views
It is interesting you should say that. Camilla - 12/05/2010 09:56:26 PM 1506 Views
That is the second time this week that I have heard something about Derrida. Now I am going to have Tashmere - 13/05/2010 12:02:56 AM 1380 Views
Derrida is great. Camilla - 13/05/2010 10:06:49 AM 1417 Views
Is Solaris alive? Is Solaris sentient? Tom - 25/04/2010 03:40:57 PM 1250 Views
I can't decide. Rebekah - 25/04/2010 03:54:39 PM 1382 Views
An interesting point to consider... everynametaken - 25/04/2010 10:41:17 PM 1390 Views
Re: I can't decide. Camilla - 12/05/2010 10:05:21 PM 1184 Views
Re: Is Solaris alive? Is Solaris sentient? everynametaken - 25/04/2010 10:31:58 PM 1370 Views
Ooohhhh. I like that theory. Tashmere - 25/04/2010 11:32:15 PM 1353 Views
Does it make a difference? Jacob - 26/04/2010 07:29:44 PM 1206 Views
Re: Is Solaris alive? Is Solaris sentient? Camilla - 12/05/2010 09:57:05 PM 1373 Views
What do you think the biggest message of the book is? Tom - 25/04/2010 03:47:03 PM 1315 Views
Re: Does he let go of her? How independant is she of him? Danae al'Thor - 25/04/2010 04:07:33 PM 1443 Views
That's an interesting observation. Tom - 26/04/2010 10:23:28 PM 1248 Views
Re: I was telling Tashmere... Danae al'Thor - 11/05/2010 11:05:09 AM 1378 Views
Re: What do you think the biggest message of the book is? everynametaken - 25/04/2010 10:16:16 PM 1290 Views
Communication with the entirely other Camilla - 12/05/2010 10:01:37 PM 1316 Views
Did anyone else do any wondering what their own visitors would take the form of if they were there? Tashmere - 26/04/2010 11:31:27 PM 1221 Views
Actually, no. It was obvious to me. *NM* Tom - 26/04/2010 11:41:22 PM 582 Views
In a way yes. Jacob - 27/04/2010 06:33:43 PM 1319 Views
My father, perhaps. Panorphaeon - 27/04/2010 08:55:18 PM 1209 Views
Ha. Jacob - 27/04/2010 09:16:56 PM 1254 Views
Re: You know, the more I think about it, the more surprised I am everyone only seemed to have one. Danae al'Thor - 10/05/2010 10:08:23 PM 1276 Views
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