Active Users:1351 Time:02/07/2026 05:23:57 PM
I certainly didn't read The Lost Symbol for ANY cultural, intellectual or edifying reason. Tom Send a noteboard - 02/12/2009 02:05:45 AM
The point is that reading solely for fun is limiting, and the printed word has much more to offer. The post was in defense of variety.
Political correctness is the pettiest form of casuistry.

ἡ δὲ κἀκ τριῶν τρυπημάτων ἐργαζομένη ἐνεκάλει τῇ φύσει, δυσφορουμένη, ὅτι δὴ μὴ καὶ τοὺς τιτθοὺς αὐτῇ εὐρύτερον ἢ νῦν εἰσι τρυπώη, ὅπως καὶ ἄλλην ἐνταῦθα μίξιν ἐπιτεχνᾶσθαι δυνατὴ εἴη. – Procopius

Ummaka qinnassa nīk!

*MySmiley*
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In Support of Other Fiction - 01/12/2009 09:06:14 PM 2441 Views
- 01/12/2009 09:22:56 PM 1506 Views
Re: - 01/12/2009 09:28:04 PM 1507 Views
Wow...we were just Santified *NM* - 03/12/2009 09:16:21 PM 780 Views
Well, let me offer a diverging view on the topic of speculative fiction. - 01/12/2009 09:46:35 PM 1433 Views
I would counter that the stripping away removes a level of reality. - 01/12/2009 10:05:28 PM 1511 Views
That's a Slippery Slope Because You Could Argue On the Same Basis That All Fiction Does That. - 01/12/2009 11:34:34 PM 1573 Views
I don't see the slippery slope, but rather, a confirmation of my original point. - 02/12/2009 01:41:24 AM 1483 Views
perhaps some university will do a study - 03/12/2009 03:55:54 PM 1477 Views
I'd like to see it - 03/12/2009 09:15:12 PM 1506 Views
I'll get to it once I finish my thesis - 03/12/2009 09:56:29 PM 1449 Views
If it looks like crap and smells like crap... - 03/12/2009 10:04:15 PM 1507 Views
I Think I'll Post a Thread on This. - 03/12/2009 06:47:05 PM 1454 Views
I'd like to see it. - 03/12/2009 09:23:07 PM 1534 Views
Regarding depth in Jordan - 03/12/2009 09:31:19 PM 1474 Views
I was thinking about that too - 03/12/2009 10:05:40 PM 1466 Views
Re: I was thinking about that too - 03/12/2009 10:09:26 PM 1540 Views
Destroying the Wheel is meaningless. - 03/12/2009 10:18:08 PM 1404 Views
Re: Destroying the Wheel is meaningless. - 03/12/2009 10:30:15 PM 1489 Views
I Totally Missed That. - 04/12/2009 10:45:56 PM 1568 Views
Re: I Totally Missed That. - 04/12/2009 10:47:59 PM 1501 Views
I Don't Believe It Cursory, But Comparative. - 04/12/2009 11:29:36 PM 1637 Views
Publication bookend Y2K? - 05/12/2009 10:36:01 AM 1511 Views
They're Thick Bookends. - 05/12/2009 06:12:06 PM 1475 Views
I'll Try to Have It Up Tomorrow Early. - 04/12/2009 11:24:18 PM 1537 Views
I like it. - 01/12/2009 10:28:48 PM 1465 Views
Thank you! - 02/12/2009 01:43:05 AM 1610 Views
I find Michel Houellebecq to be one of the most intriguing writers of our time - 01/12/2009 11:14:05 PM 1544 Views
And, in recent memory, Orwell was a first-rate writer. - 02/12/2009 01:44:29 AM 1522 Views
wait! there's somebody "dirtier" than Piers Anthony or Philip Jose Farmer??? - 03/12/2009 04:00:28 PM 1519 Views
PJF is dirty? - 04/12/2009 12:16:12 AM 1390 Views
Nice post. - 02/12/2009 12:03:09 AM 1559 Views
Perhaps you're right. - 02/12/2009 01:47:10 AM 1464 Views
In its entirety? No. - 02/12/2009 02:00:10 PM 1466 Views
I agree! - 02/12/2009 12:17:10 AM 1751 Views
Thank you! - 02/12/2009 01:50:22 AM 1410 Views
I guess I'll break my silence after almost a month and a half... - 02/12/2009 12:23:07 AM 1549 Views
Popcorn? - 02/12/2009 12:31:44 AM 1510 Views
Yes - 02/12/2009 12:39:10 AM 1547 Views
Lovecraft? - 02/12/2009 12:51:55 AM 1529 Views
Re-read what I said - 02/12/2009 12:55:08 AM 1574 Views
aahh - 02/12/2009 09:26:40 AM 1457 Views
Larry, please tell me you weren't... - 03/12/2009 04:33:32 PM 1319 Views
I concur - 02/12/2009 12:27:13 AM 1439 Views
I like your framing of the issue (and Shannara is the Taco Bell of writing). - 02/12/2009 02:03:51 AM 1515 Views
Thank you - 02/12/2009 09:30:42 AM 1443 Views
more like the mom&pop greasy-spoon diner of writing *NM* - 03/12/2009 05:00:21 PM 706 Views
I'm going to put this in my sig, if you don't mind. - 02/12/2009 03:31:13 AM 1488 Views
hehehe - 02/12/2009 09:31:28 AM 1373 Views
Am i the only one who reads books for fun? - 02/12/2009 12:33:52 AM 1531 Views
There isn't necessarily a contradiction - 02/12/2009 12:38:43 AM 1531 Views
I certainly didn't read The Lost Symbol for ANY cultural, intellectual or edifying reason. - 02/12/2009 02:05:45 AM 1461 Views
it didn't come across that way - 03/12/2009 05:15:36 PM 1459 Views
Of course not. Personally, I don't touch anything other than mind candy when I'm in school, - 02/12/2009 03:29:23 AM 1465 Views
one of the things that is important to me in books/shows - 03/12/2009 05:20:29 PM 1373 Views
We agree! - 03/12/2009 08:03:00 PM 1444 Views
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a science fiction/fantasy movie. - 02/12/2009 12:54:08 AM 1523 Views
i was gonna point that out. thnks. *NM* - 02/12/2009 01:13:47 AM 655 Views
Reading only speculative literature is limiting and monotonous. - 02/12/2009 02:09:42 AM 1541 Views
I was going to say exactly that about "real" literature: monotonous and limiting. - 02/12/2009 01:57:49 PM 1487 Views
I think his point was that only SF/F wasn't good food. - 02/12/2009 02:15:29 PM 1453 Views
I would not disagree with you if you said that. - 02/12/2009 02:27:08 PM 1398 Views
Most non-speculative fiction is fluff as well though. - 03/12/2009 05:38:32 PM 1378 Views
hear hear!! I agree totally wert-man - 03/12/2009 07:20:09 PM 1470 Views
Which brings us back to my point. - 03/12/2009 08:04:24 PM 1487 Views
Actually, it is a film that does not fit neatly into one category - 02/12/2009 11:16:20 AM 1498 Views
Science Fiction is the most PERTINANT form of fiction in the world today - 02/12/2009 12:57:19 AM 1513 Views
don't get me wrong - 02/12/2009 01:28:08 AM 1478 Views
SF&F and 'real literature' are not mutually exclusive - 02/12/2009 01:19:05 AM 1466 Views
No, they are not - 02/12/2009 02:18:53 AM 1442 Views
This line is a load of bull - 03/12/2009 02:39:53 PM 1583 Views
So why don't we occasionally focus on "real" books that are technically spec fiction? - 02/12/2009 01:25:04 AM 1409 Views
Why must we limit our focus in that way? - 02/12/2009 02:20:11 AM 1425 Views
I don't see it as limiting or forcing. - 02/12/2009 03:16:07 AM 1427 Views
"Elite club" or "elitist clique"? - 02/12/2009 03:52:11 AM 1398 Views
Either way, I want in. *NM* - 02/12/2009 11:33:52 AM 757 Views
Elite club is how we midwestern rednecks refer to Elitist Clique. *chews on a piece of hay* - 02/12/2009 02:52:01 PM 1600 Views
I was born in the Midwest. - 02/12/2009 03:01:36 PM 1435 Views
I know. - 02/12/2009 03:12:05 PM 1430 Views
Green Acres in reverse, eh? - 02/12/2009 03:38:09 PM 1436 Views
lmao - 02/12/2009 06:21:17 PM 1602 Views
*piledrivers you* - 02/12/2009 06:28:02 PM 1389 Views
...! - 02/12/2009 03:17:57 PM 1387 Views
Admit it. You know what I'm talking about. - 02/12/2009 03:29:31 PM 1464 Views
Re: Admit it. You know what I'm talking about. - 02/12/2009 03:31:26 PM 1391 Views
Vermont isn't in the Midwest. - 02/12/2009 03:39:36 PM 1383 Views
Re: Vermont isn't in the Midwest. - 02/12/2009 03:42:47 PM 1420 Views
Huh! I really didn't think of you as being a masochist. - 02/12/2009 01:51:55 AM 1426 Views
Thank you! - 02/12/2009 02:21:00 AM 1306 Views
Shitstorm! - 02/12/2009 03:06:59 AM 1395 Views
Heh heh heh. - 02/12/2009 03:45:40 AM 1430 Views
Read what you like to read. - 02/12/2009 04:18:53 AM 1557 Views
I'll super size you. Fine. *NM* - 02/12/2009 04:32:58 AM 707 Views
Oh noes! I'm getting word-fat! - 02/12/2009 04:59:05 AM 1439 Views
I seem to have struck a nerve. - 02/12/2009 05:20:27 AM 1461 Views
Apparently not the nerve you think, though. - 02/12/2009 06:42:02 AM 1525 Views
Intellectual achievement isn't a static measure. - 02/12/2009 02:13:10 PM 1479 Views
Re: Intellectual achievement isn't a static measure. - 02/12/2009 03:26:59 PM 1449 Views
Agreed. - 02/12/2009 03:30:50 PM 1368 Views
Re: Agreed. - 02/12/2009 03:32:06 PM 1374 Views
Re: Intellectual achievement isn't a static measure. - 02/12/2009 09:40:28 PM 1523 Views
I really did get under your skin - 02/12/2009 09:58:18 PM 1357 Views
- 02/12/2009 10:06:46 PM 1360 Views
Tom as much as you raise some great points, you are being a condescending ass. - 03/12/2009 04:26:27 AM 1434 Views
You're entitled to your opinion. I don't care. - 03/12/2009 04:51:18 AM 1398 Views
I keep replying. It's like a sickness. - 03/12/2009 05:15:28 AM 1423 Views
Your subject line reinforces my opinion. - 03/12/2009 05:31:50 AM 1325 Views
Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room. *NM* - 03/12/2009 07:21:05 AM 696 Views
LOL! - 04/12/2009 12:21:36 AM 1389 Views
See, you just proved my point. - 04/12/2009 12:39:59 AM 1425 Views
Hm. - 02/12/2009 06:58:56 AM 2031 Views
Re-read my exact point. - 02/12/2009 02:18:20 PM 1375 Views
No. Some kind of reading is indeed essential. - 02/12/2009 02:28:22 PM 1508 Views
Somehow I get the feeling that this post hasn't caused quite as much controversy - 02/12/2009 06:53:18 AM 1554 Views
As I see it... - 02/12/2009 11:38:07 AM 1432 Views
Yep. - 02/12/2009 02:18:22 PM 1569 Views
Re: Yep. - 02/12/2009 03:35:38 PM 1439 Views
Euripides was poorly received, initially. - 02/12/2009 03:57:58 PM 1352 Views
Re: Euripides was poorly received, initially. - 02/12/2009 04:00:35 PM 1367 Views
I know. - 02/12/2009 04:18:16 PM 1433 Views
Re: I know. - 02/12/2009 04:23:14 PM 1377 Views
That is why he's so good, in my opinion. - 02/12/2009 06:15:45 PM 1577 Views
All reading of fiction is a diversion by the very nature of the activity. - 02/12/2009 03:43:05 PM 1419 Views
Diversion from direct action, yes. Diversion from reality, no. - 02/12/2009 04:15:48 PM 1386 Views
I maintain that all acts of reading fiction are a diversion from reality/ the realistic - 02/12/2009 05:43:16 PM 1405 Views
It seems a regressive argument to me. - 03/12/2009 01:18:02 AM 1358 Views
You're playing a game. - 03/12/2009 03:40:14 PM 1463 Views
I like your response. *NM* - 03/12/2009 05:37:09 PM 688 Views
I fundamentally agree with much of what you're saying, but there is a distinction. - 03/12/2009 06:44:02 PM 1498 Views
Oh I concur on that distinction. - 04/12/2009 09:06:34 PM 1473 Views
Spec fic is perhaps at it's best in autocracies? - 02/12/2009 04:10:56 PM 1327 Views
Bulgakov - 02/12/2009 04:25:17 PM 1461 Views
I've only read the first chapter of M&M. - 02/12/2009 04:36:09 PM 1414 Views
Re: I've only read the first chapter of M&M. - 02/12/2009 04:40:16 PM 1321 Views
Not the greatest Tolkien scholar, me. - 02/12/2009 05:17:31 PM 1382 Views
Re: Not the greatest Tolkien scholar, me. - 02/12/2009 05:40:16 PM 1420 Views
I suppose. - 02/12/2009 06:26:30 PM 1400 Views
Re: I suppose. - 02/12/2009 07:25:26 PM 1423 Views
Well, I don't hold escapism in such low esteem *NM* - 02/12/2009 07:56:13 PM 700 Views
That is what I mean - 02/12/2009 08:36:02 PM 1368 Views
This was something I was exploring earlier. - 02/12/2009 04:34:41 PM 1502 Views
Funny thing about the hivemind antagonist. - 02/12/2009 05:13:30 PM 1423 Views
I didn't see the zombies reading speculative fiction - 02/12/2009 05:30:26 PM 1508 Views
Oh, they prefer Clive Cussler. - 02/12/2009 06:23:42 PM 1462 Views
i think it comes more down to quality than genre. - 02/12/2009 04:55:20 PM 1446 Views
I disagree with the ultimate conclusion but agree with many of your points. - 02/12/2009 05:43:04 PM 1411 Views
the illiad is a classic - 02/12/2009 06:35:24 PM 1428 Views
There's only one "L" in Iliad - 02/12/2009 08:18:38 PM 1386 Views
Is there a safe answer to that question? *NM* - 02/12/2009 10:33:21 PM 783 Views
Maybe not. *NM* - 03/12/2009 12:59:09 AM 708 Views
It took me a few minutes to agree - 02/12/2009 07:04:59 PM 1412 Views
Well, I'm glad if you got something out of the post! - 02/12/2009 09:13:26 PM 1406 Views
Re: Well, I'm glad if you got something out of the post! - 02/12/2009 09:20:49 PM 1380 Views
I don't know. I've only read about 30 pages so far. *NM* - 02/12/2009 10:05:54 PM 760 Views
Many people have mentioned that there's quite a bit of good sff lit out there and you seem to agree. - 02/12/2009 07:33:42 PM 1503 Views
Hmmm - 02/12/2009 08:40:53 PM 1370 Views
Re: Hmmm - 02/12/2009 10:48:02 PM 1411 Views
The website is called "Read and Find Out". It doesn't specify what we're supposed to read. - 02/12/2009 08:42:19 PM 1475 Views
Anti the idea ? I see no evidence for this. - 02/12/2009 09:50:37 PM 1433 Views
Heh - 02/12/2009 09:56:30 PM 1429 Views
What do you mean ? Almost all the repliers agree with Tom - 03/12/2009 11:01:08 AM 1405 Views
Re: What do you mean ? Almost all the repliers agree with Tom - 03/12/2009 11:10:35 AM 1458 Views
I see. You don't read announcements. - 03/12/2009 11:12:04 AM 1384 Views
No, but it does bill itself as science fiction/fantasy. - 02/12/2009 10:51:41 PM 1603 Views
Yes. - 03/12/2009 12:01:30 AM 1496 Views
I think Rebekah and Camilla put it well. - 02/12/2009 10:05:24 PM 1526 Views
I think they make good points, as I said above. - 02/12/2009 10:56:55 PM 1370 Views
I agree with in principle - 02/12/2009 11:22:19 PM 1344 Views
Certainly. People are free to skip any discussion. - 03/12/2009 01:01:40 AM 1530 Views
I have a few objections. - 03/12/2009 12:24:43 AM 1448 Views
where else should we talk about it? - 03/12/2009 12:37:26 AM 1432 Views
random thoughts stole my subject line - 03/12/2009 01:56:07 AM 1484 Views
I think I could agree with a "comfort food" analogy - 03/12/2009 02:12:01 AM 1448 Views
Re: I think I could agree with a "comfort food" analogy - 03/12/2009 02:38:17 AM 1512 Views
That's it - 03/12/2009 04:02:28 AM 1556 Views
Question: is it really science fiction without one of the following: - 03/12/2009 05:13:21 AM 1435 Views
Certainly - 03/12/2009 06:13:38 AM 1499 Views
technically speaking, fantasy is classed as a sub heading under science fiction. *NM* - 03/12/2009 02:51:12 PM 615 Views
According to whom? *NM* - 03/12/2009 03:55:45 PM 746 Views
Yeah. What she asked! *NM* - 03/12/2009 09:23:55 PM 728 Views
Yes, it is but actually... - 03/12/2009 09:31:44 PM 1420 Views
Eternal Sunshine doesn't have a mad scientist. - 03/12/2009 10:09:01 PM 1358 Views
Really? - 04/12/2009 07:01:42 PM 1413 Views
But Dan Brown rocks da house!!! *NM* - 03/12/2009 02:16:47 AM 718 Views
*pumps fist* Give it up for Dan Brown! *NM* - 03/12/2009 03:58:23 AM 746 Views
That's Dan "booyah" Brown!!! Booyah!!! *NM* - 04/12/2009 02:00:56 AM 728 Views
another thing wrong with your argument - 03/12/2009 03:30:19 PM 1455 Views
Absolutely not. And, as I said before, there's only one "L" in Iliad. - 03/12/2009 06:53:35 PM 1255 Views
sorry about my atrocious spelling (including the one on pertinent) - 03/12/2009 07:14:59 PM 1542 Views
No problem. On the substantive points: - 03/12/2009 08:00:33 PM 1478 Views
more importantly, which I think it being lost in all this, - 03/12/2009 08:05:27 PM 1425 Views
I'm not reading the Iliad again, once was enough - 04/12/2009 12:19:07 PM 1408 Views
Congratulations on the replies count - 03/12/2009 09:30:41 PM 1536 Views
That was a well-thought out response, but I still disagree. - 03/12/2009 10:50:29 PM 1465 Views
Re: That was a well-thought out response, but I still disagree. - 04/12/2009 07:44:56 PM 1497 Views
But the objective truth of a setting can be measured. - 04/12/2009 10:37:10 PM 1410 Views
But does it make any difference in the objective value of the book? - 06/12/2009 09:35:59 AM 1560 Views
YES. - 06/12/2009 03:34:17 PM 1351 Views
NO - 07/12/2009 08:40:33 PM 1465 Views
Re: That was a well-thought out response, but I still disagree. - 04/12/2009 10:25:08 PM 1440 Views
Yes, it is worse with movies. Much worse, in fact. - 04/12/2009 10:33:18 PM 1469 Views
Re: That was a well-thought out response, but I still disagree. - 06/12/2009 09:36:11 AM 1425 Views
Maybe we're different, but I don't care for FX - 06/12/2009 01:37:53 PM 1405 Views
This is not about the personal taste - 07/12/2009 08:50:34 PM 1459 Views
I've obviously missed the show here... - 04/12/2009 12:14:30 AM 1372 Views
I'm not sure that's right. This thing just keeps growing. - 04/12/2009 12:46:24 AM 1494 Views
What, your penis? - 06/12/2009 02:40:09 AM 1439 Views
Don't you know it! - 06/12/2009 03:28:16 PM 1293 Views
You talk the talk, that's for sure. - 07/12/2009 08:14:41 PM 1452 Views
Hate to break it to you... - 07/12/2009 09:54:24 PM 1477 Views
I thought you were gonna tell me... - 08/12/2009 03:07:54 PM 1544 Views
Metaphor versus literalism - 04/12/2009 05:42:03 PM 1472 Views
aha. but. - 07/12/2009 03:56:48 PM 1596 Views
Quoting Nietzsche is really hitting below the belt. - 07/12/2009 09:12:34 PM 1546 Views
It is good I was only paraphrasing, then - 08/12/2009 10:44:14 AM 1432 Views

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