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Re: Hmmm Cockatiel of Doom Send a noteboard - 02/12/2009 10:48:02 PM
But in terms of the Book Club for this specific site? Well, the reason people come to this site is that they happen to appreciate a certain kind of literature, and that's probably what they're more apt to discuss here. This is where you come when you want to discuss science fiction and fantasy. That's not to say we don't read classics and "traditional" literature, but with all the websites in the world, surely there are some where people have book clubs discussing non-spec fic.

Hmmm. I am not sure I agree. I came to this site because I wanted to know what the hell was going on in on fantasy series ten years ago. I stayed because there was interesting discussion on a wide variety of subjects, including literature.


You do have a point there, but I still feel that the main reason *most* people come here is for spec fic. I am personally certainly not against discussing other things, although I tend to look like an idiot when I do, but the impression I get is that when people come to this site (wotmania turned RAFO) they are going to be most enthusiastic about the spec fic. Whether or not it's what everyone wants, I do think that's the focus of the site, and for right now at least, probably what it does best.

Ben has observed, and I am sure he is right, that we will only get new members by having a clear focus on something we are better at than the rest of the crazy internet people. But that should not exclude discussion (even organised discussion) of other subjects.

As for the extended fast food restaurant analogy: The best burgers are found in other places than Macdonalds, usually in places where they make other good food as well.


Well, yes. But people definitely get cravings for McDonald's, whether or not they make the best burgers. It's about what feels good at the moment.
Taking a break from being Ella

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In Support of Other Fiction - 01/12/2009 09:06:14 PM 2442 Views
- 01/12/2009 09:22:56 PM 1509 Views
Re: - 01/12/2009 09:28:04 PM 1509 Views
Wow...we were just Santified *NM* - 03/12/2009 09:16:21 PM 782 Views
Well, let me offer a diverging view on the topic of speculative fiction. - 01/12/2009 09:46:35 PM 1436 Views
I would counter that the stripping away removes a level of reality. - 01/12/2009 10:05:28 PM 1514 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 1575 Views
I don't see the slippery slope, but rather, a confirmation of my original point. - 02/12/2009 01:41:24 AM 1485 Views
perhaps some university will do a study - 03/12/2009 03:55:54 PM 1478 Views
I'd like to see it - 03/12/2009 09:15:12 PM 1509 Views
I'll get to it once I finish my thesis - 03/12/2009 09:56:29 PM 1451 Views
If it looks like crap and smells like crap... - 03/12/2009 10:04:15 PM 1509 Views
I Think I'll Post a Thread on This. - 03/12/2009 06:47:05 PM 1455 Views
I'd like to see it. - 03/12/2009 09:23:07 PM 1536 Views
Regarding depth in Jordan - 03/12/2009 09:31:19 PM 1475 Views
I was thinking about that too - 03/12/2009 10:05:40 PM 1468 Views
Re: I was thinking about that too - 03/12/2009 10:09:26 PM 1542 Views
Destroying the Wheel is meaningless. - 03/12/2009 10:18:08 PM 1406 Views
Re: Destroying the Wheel is meaningless. - 03/12/2009 10:30:15 PM 1491 Views
I Totally Missed That. - 04/12/2009 10:45:56 PM 1572 Views
Re: I Totally Missed That. - 04/12/2009 10:47:59 PM 1504 Views
I Don't Believe It Cursory, But Comparative. - 04/12/2009 11:29:36 PM 1640 Views
Publication bookend Y2K? - 05/12/2009 10:36:01 AM 1513 Views
They're Thick Bookends. - 05/12/2009 06:12:06 PM 1477 Views
I'll Try to Have It Up Tomorrow Early. - 04/12/2009 11:24:18 PM 1539 Views
I like it. - 01/12/2009 10:28:48 PM 1467 Views
Thank you! - 02/12/2009 01:43:05 AM 1612 Views
I find Michel Houellebecq to be one of the most intriguing writers of our time - 01/12/2009 11:14:05 PM 1547 Views
And, in recent memory, Orwell was a first-rate writer. - 02/12/2009 01:44:29 AM 1525 Views
wait! there's somebody "dirtier" than Piers Anthony or Philip Jose Farmer??? - 03/12/2009 04:00:28 PM 1522 Views
PJF is dirty? - 04/12/2009 12:16:12 AM 1392 Views
Nice post. - 02/12/2009 12:03:09 AM 1562 Views
Perhaps you're right. - 02/12/2009 01:47:10 AM 1467 Views
In its entirety? No. - 02/12/2009 02:00:10 PM 1467 Views
I agree! - 02/12/2009 12:17:10 AM 1753 Views
Thank you! - 02/12/2009 01:50:22 AM 1413 Views
I guess I'll break my silence after almost a month and a half... - 02/12/2009 12:23:07 AM 1552 Views
Popcorn? - 02/12/2009 12:31:44 AM 1511 Views
Yes - 02/12/2009 12:39:10 AM 1548 Views
Lovecraft? - 02/12/2009 12:51:55 AM 1532 Views
Re-read what I said - 02/12/2009 12:55:08 AM 1575 Views
aahh - 02/12/2009 09:26:40 AM 1460 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 1442 Views
I like your framing of the issue (and Shannara is the Taco Bell of writing). - 02/12/2009 02:03:51 AM 1518 Views
Thank you - 02/12/2009 09:30:42 AM 1444 Views
more like the mom&pop greasy-spoon diner of writing *NM* - 03/12/2009 05:00:21 PM 708 Views
I'm going to put this in my sig, if you don't mind. - 02/12/2009 03:31:13 AM 1491 Views
hehehe - 02/12/2009 09:31:28 AM 1375 Views
Am i the only one who reads books for fun? - 02/12/2009 12:33:52 AM 1533 Views
There isn't necessarily a contradiction - 02/12/2009 12:38:43 AM 1533 Views
I certainly didn't read The Lost Symbol for ANY cultural, intellectual or edifying reason. - 02/12/2009 02:05:45 AM 1463 Views
it didn't come across that way - 03/12/2009 05:15:36 PM 1462 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 1468 Views
one of the things that is important to me in books/shows - 03/12/2009 05:20:29 PM 1375 Views
We agree! - 03/12/2009 08:03:00 PM 1446 Views
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a science fiction/fantasy movie. - 02/12/2009 12:54:08 AM 1526 Views
i was gonna point that out. thnks. *NM* - 02/12/2009 01:13:47 AM 657 Views
Reading only speculative literature is limiting and monotonous. - 02/12/2009 02:09:42 AM 1543 Views
I was going to say exactly that about "real" literature: monotonous and limiting. - 02/12/2009 01:57:49 PM 1490 Views
I think his point was that only SF/F wasn't good food. - 02/12/2009 02:15:29 PM 1457 Views
I would not disagree with you if you said that. - 02/12/2009 02:27:08 PM 1401 Views
Most non-speculative fiction is fluff as well though. - 03/12/2009 05:38:32 PM 1381 Views
hear hear!! I agree totally wert-man - 03/12/2009 07:20:09 PM 1472 Views
Which brings us back to my point. - 03/12/2009 08:04:24 PM 1489 Views
Actually, it is a film that does not fit neatly into one category - 02/12/2009 11:16:20 AM 1500 Views
Science Fiction is the most PERTINANT form of fiction in the world today - 02/12/2009 12:57:19 AM 1515 Views
don't get me wrong - 02/12/2009 01:28:08 AM 1481 Views
SF&F and 'real literature' are not mutually exclusive - 02/12/2009 01:19:05 AM 1468 Views
No, they are not - 02/12/2009 02:18:53 AM 1444 Views
This line is a load of bull - 03/12/2009 02:39:53 PM 1584 Views
So why don't we occasionally focus on "real" books that are technically spec fiction? - 02/12/2009 01:25:04 AM 1412 Views
Why must we limit our focus in that way? - 02/12/2009 02:20:11 AM 1427 Views
I don't see it as limiting or forcing. - 02/12/2009 03:16:07 AM 1429 Views
"Elite club" or "elitist clique"? - 02/12/2009 03:52:11 AM 1400 Views
Either way, I want in. *NM* - 02/12/2009 11:33:52 AM 759 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 1602 Views
I was born in the Midwest. - 02/12/2009 03:01:36 PM 1437 Views
I know. - 02/12/2009 03:12:05 PM 1433 Views
Green Acres in reverse, eh? - 02/12/2009 03:38:09 PM 1437 Views
lmao - 02/12/2009 06:21:17 PM 1604 Views
*piledrivers you* - 02/12/2009 06:28:02 PM 1391 Views
...! - 02/12/2009 03:17:57 PM 1390 Views
Admit it. You know what I'm talking about. - 02/12/2009 03:29:31 PM 1467 Views
Re: Admit it. You know what I'm talking about. - 02/12/2009 03:31:26 PM 1393 Views
Vermont isn't in the Midwest. - 02/12/2009 03:39:36 PM 1386 Views
Re: Vermont isn't in the Midwest. - 02/12/2009 03:42:47 PM 1423 Views
Huh! I really didn't think of you as being a masochist. - 02/12/2009 01:51:55 AM 1429 Views
Thank you! - 02/12/2009 02:21:00 AM 1309 Views
Shitstorm! - 02/12/2009 03:06:59 AM 1398 Views
Heh heh heh. - 02/12/2009 03:45:40 AM 1431 Views
Read what you like to read. - 02/12/2009 04:18:53 AM 1560 Views
I'll super size you. Fine. *NM* - 02/12/2009 04:32:58 AM 709 Views
Oh noes! I'm getting word-fat! - 02/12/2009 04:59:05 AM 1442 Views
I seem to have struck a nerve. - 02/12/2009 05:20:27 AM 1464 Views
Apparently not the nerve you think, though. - 02/12/2009 06:42:02 AM 1528 Views
Intellectual achievement isn't a static measure. - 02/12/2009 02:13:10 PM 1481 Views
Re: Intellectual achievement isn't a static measure. - 02/12/2009 03:26:59 PM 1452 Views
Agreed. - 02/12/2009 03:30:50 PM 1370 Views
Re: Agreed. - 02/12/2009 03:32:06 PM 1375 Views
Re: Intellectual achievement isn't a static measure. - 02/12/2009 09:40:28 PM 1525 Views
I really did get under your skin - 02/12/2009 09:58:18 PM 1358 Views
- 02/12/2009 10:06:46 PM 1362 Views
Tom as much as you raise some great points, you are being a condescending ass. - 03/12/2009 04:26:27 AM 1435 Views
You're entitled to your opinion. I don't care. - 03/12/2009 04:51:18 AM 1400 Views
I keep replying. It's like a sickness. - 03/12/2009 05:15:28 AM 1425 Views
Your subject line reinforces my opinion. - 03/12/2009 05:31:50 AM 1327 Views
Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room. *NM* - 03/12/2009 07:21:05 AM 697 Views
LOL! - 04/12/2009 12:21:36 AM 1391 Views
See, you just proved my point. - 04/12/2009 12:39:59 AM 1429 Views
Hm. - 02/12/2009 06:58:56 AM 2035 Views
Re-read my exact point. - 02/12/2009 02:18:20 PM 1378 Views
No. Some kind of reading is indeed essential. - 02/12/2009 02:28:22 PM 1510 Views
Somehow I get the feeling that this post hasn't caused quite as much controversy - 02/12/2009 06:53:18 AM 1558 Views
As I see it... - 02/12/2009 11:38:07 AM 1433 Views
Yep. - 02/12/2009 02:18:22 PM 1571 Views
Re: Yep. - 02/12/2009 03:35:38 PM 1440 Views
Euripides was poorly received, initially. - 02/12/2009 03:57:58 PM 1353 Views
Re: Euripides was poorly received, initially. - 02/12/2009 04:00:35 PM 1370 Views
I know. - 02/12/2009 04:18:16 PM 1434 Views
Re: I know. - 02/12/2009 04:23:14 PM 1379 Views
That is why he's so good, in my opinion. - 02/12/2009 06:15:45 PM 1579 Views
All reading of fiction is a diversion by the very nature of the activity. - 02/12/2009 03:43:05 PM 1421 Views
Diversion from direct action, yes. Diversion from reality, no. - 02/12/2009 04:15:48 PM 1388 Views
I maintain that all acts of reading fiction are a diversion from reality/ the realistic - 02/12/2009 05:43:16 PM 1408 Views
It seems a regressive argument to me. - 03/12/2009 01:18:02 AM 1360 Views
You're playing a game. - 03/12/2009 03:40:14 PM 1465 Views
I like your response. *NM* - 03/12/2009 05:37:09 PM 689 Views
I fundamentally agree with much of what you're saying, but there is a distinction. - 03/12/2009 06:44:02 PM 1501 Views
Oh I concur on that distinction. - 04/12/2009 09:06:34 PM 1475 Views
Spec fic is perhaps at it's best in autocracies? - 02/12/2009 04:10:56 PM 1330 Views
Bulgakov - 02/12/2009 04:25:17 PM 1463 Views
I've only read the first chapter of M&M. - 02/12/2009 04:36:09 PM 1416 Views
Re: I've only read the first chapter of M&M. - 02/12/2009 04:40:16 PM 1324 Views
Not the greatest Tolkien scholar, me. - 02/12/2009 05:17:31 PM 1384 Views
Re: Not the greatest Tolkien scholar, me. - 02/12/2009 05:40:16 PM 1422 Views
I suppose. - 02/12/2009 06:26:30 PM 1402 Views
Re: I suppose. - 02/12/2009 07:25:26 PM 1425 Views
Well, I don't hold escapism in such low esteem *NM* - 02/12/2009 07:56:13 PM 702 Views
That is what I mean - 02/12/2009 08:36:02 PM 1369 Views
This was something I was exploring earlier. - 02/12/2009 04:34:41 PM 1504 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 1510 Views
Oh, they prefer Clive Cussler. - 02/12/2009 06:23:42 PM 1464 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 1412 Views
the illiad is a classic - 02/12/2009 06:35:24 PM 1429 Views
There's only one "L" in Iliad - 02/12/2009 08:18:38 PM 1389 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 710 Views
It took me a few minutes to agree - 02/12/2009 07:04:59 PM 1413 Views
Well, I'm glad if you got something out of the post! - 02/12/2009 09:13:26 PM 1408 Views
Re: Well, I'm glad if you got something out of the post! - 02/12/2009 09:20:49 PM 1383 Views
I don't know. I've only read about 30 pages so far. *NM* - 02/12/2009 10:05:54 PM 761 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 1505 Views
Hmmm - 02/12/2009 08:40:53 PM 1372 Views
Re: Hmmm - 02/12/2009 10:48:02 PM 1413 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 1477 Views
Anti the idea ? I see no evidence for this. - 02/12/2009 09:50:37 PM 1435 Views
Heh - 02/12/2009 09:56:30 PM 1431 Views
What do you mean ? Almost all the repliers agree with Tom - 03/12/2009 11:01:08 AM 1407 Views
Re: What do you mean ? Almost all the repliers agree with Tom - 03/12/2009 11:10:35 AM 1459 Views
I see. You don't read announcements. - 03/12/2009 11:12:04 AM 1386 Views
No, but it does bill itself as science fiction/fantasy. - 02/12/2009 10:51:41 PM 1606 Views
Yes. - 03/12/2009 12:01:30 AM 1498 Views
I think Rebekah and Camilla put it well. - 02/12/2009 10:05:24 PM 1529 Views
I think they make good points, as I said above. - 02/12/2009 10:56:55 PM 1371 Views
I agree with in principle - 02/12/2009 11:22:19 PM 1346 Views
Certainly. People are free to skip any discussion. - 03/12/2009 01:01:40 AM 1532 Views
I have a few objections. - 03/12/2009 12:24:43 AM 1450 Views
where else should we talk about it? - 03/12/2009 12:37:26 AM 1433 Views
random thoughts stole my subject line - 03/12/2009 01:56:07 AM 1487 Views
I think I could agree with a "comfort food" analogy - 03/12/2009 02:12:01 AM 1450 Views
Re: I think I could agree with a "comfort food" analogy - 03/12/2009 02:38:17 AM 1513 Views
That's it - 03/12/2009 04:02:28 AM 1557 Views
Question: is it really science fiction without one of the following: - 03/12/2009 05:13:21 AM 1438 Views
Certainly - 03/12/2009 06:13:38 AM 1501 Views
technically speaking, fantasy is classed as a sub heading under science fiction. *NM* - 03/12/2009 02:51:12 PM 616 Views
According to whom? *NM* - 03/12/2009 03:55:45 PM 747 Views
Yeah. What she asked! *NM* - 03/12/2009 09:23:55 PM 730 Views
Yes, it is but actually... - 03/12/2009 09:31:44 PM 1422 Views
Eternal Sunshine doesn't have a mad scientist. - 03/12/2009 10:09:01 PM 1359 Views
Really? - 04/12/2009 07:01:42 PM 1415 Views
But Dan Brown rocks da house!!! *NM* - 03/12/2009 02:16:47 AM 719 Views
*pumps fist* Give it up for Dan Brown! *NM* - 03/12/2009 03:58:23 AM 747 Views
That's Dan "booyah" Brown!!! Booyah!!! *NM* - 04/12/2009 02:00:56 AM 730 Views
another thing wrong with your argument - 03/12/2009 03:30:19 PM 1456 Views
Absolutely not. And, as I said before, there's only one "L" in Iliad. - 03/12/2009 06:53:35 PM 1256 Views
sorry about my atrocious spelling (including the one on pertinent) - 03/12/2009 07:14:59 PM 1543 Views
No problem. On the substantive points: - 03/12/2009 08:00:33 PM 1480 Views
more importantly, which I think it being lost in all this, - 03/12/2009 08:05:27 PM 1427 Views
I'm not reading the Iliad again, once was enough - 04/12/2009 12:19:07 PM 1410 Views
Congratulations on the replies count - 03/12/2009 09:30:41 PM 1538 Views
That was a well-thought out response, but I still disagree. - 03/12/2009 10:50:29 PM 1468 Views
Re: That was a well-thought out response, but I still disagree. - 04/12/2009 07:44:56 PM 1499 Views
But the objective truth of a setting can be measured. - 04/12/2009 10:37:10 PM 1412 Views
But does it make any difference in the objective value of the book? - 06/12/2009 09:35:59 AM 1561 Views
YES. - 06/12/2009 03:34:17 PM 1354 Views
NO - 07/12/2009 08:40:33 PM 1467 Views
Re: That was a well-thought out response, but I still disagree. - 04/12/2009 10:25:08 PM 1443 Views
Yes, it is worse with movies. Much worse, in fact. - 04/12/2009 10:33:18 PM 1471 Views
Re: That was a well-thought out response, but I still disagree. - 06/12/2009 09:36:11 AM 1427 Views
Maybe we're different, but I don't care for FX - 06/12/2009 01:37:53 PM 1407 Views
This is not about the personal taste - 07/12/2009 08:50:34 PM 1461 Views
I've obviously missed the show here... - 04/12/2009 12:14:30 AM 1375 Views
I'm not sure that's right. This thing just keeps growing. - 04/12/2009 12:46:24 AM 1496 Views
What, your penis? - 06/12/2009 02:40:09 AM 1441 Views
Don't you know it! - 06/12/2009 03:28:16 PM 1295 Views
You talk the talk, that's for sure. - 07/12/2009 08:14:41 PM 1455 Views
Hate to break it to you... - 07/12/2009 09:54:24 PM 1478 Views
I thought you were gonna tell me... - 08/12/2009 03:07:54 PM 1546 Views
Metaphor versus literalism - 04/12/2009 05:42:03 PM 1473 Views
aha. but. - 07/12/2009 03:56:48 PM 1598 Views
Quoting Nietzsche is really hitting below the belt. - 07/12/2009 09:12:34 PM 1548 Views
It is good I was only paraphrasing, then - 08/12/2009 10:44:14 AM 1435 Views

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