Active Users:661 Time:04/08/2025 06:24:59 AM
Metaphor divorced from the reality runs risks, however. Tom Send a noteboard - 04/12/2009 10:25:47 PM
Yes, metaphor allows people to access audiences that might be less than open-minded. However, let's get back to the Star Trek episode you mentioned. I could see a racist person living in the Deep South in the 1960s watching the black/white episode and saying, "I see what they're doing, but it's not really like that. Segregation is right because it's not just about skin color. There's a difference in culture." In other words, removing the moral from the context runs the risk (a very high risk, in fact) that the moral can be dismissed as inapplicable.

It would be much harder to deny the pernicious effects of racism if that person read (or watched) To Kill a Mockingbird. There's nowhere to hide. There's no way to justify the inapplicability of the situation. It IS the situation.

Also, I know you really, really like A Song of Ice and Fire and I'm not looking to open old disagreements, but I don't really see any deep messages or themes there. I think your predisposition to the series has elevated it a bit in your eyes. Yes, it talks about power. Yes, it's got a lot of intrigue. It's a lot like the HBO series "Rome" in that respect, and I think that's part of what drew HBO to it. I would still classify it as primarily a "diversion", however. A very good diversion (leagues better than Dan Brown's books or Terry Brooks or Goodkind), but still primarily a diversion.
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*
Reply to message
In Support of Other Fiction - 01/12/2009 09:06:14 PM 2200 Views
- 01/12/2009 09:22:56 PM 1273 Views
Re: - 01/12/2009 09:28:04 PM 1247 Views
Wow...we were just Santified *NM* - 03/12/2009 09:16:21 PM 637 Views
Well, let me offer a diverging view on the topic of speculative fiction. - 01/12/2009 09:46:35 PM 1173 Views
I would counter that the stripping away removes a level of reality. - 01/12/2009 10:05:28 PM 1274 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 1307 Views
I don't see the slippery slope, but rather, a confirmation of my original point. - 02/12/2009 01:41:24 AM 1259 Views
perhaps some university will do a study - 03/12/2009 03:55:54 PM 1236 Views
I'd like to see it - 03/12/2009 09:15:12 PM 1282 Views
I'll get to it once I finish my thesis - 03/12/2009 09:56:29 PM 1209 Views
If it looks like crap and smells like crap... - 03/12/2009 10:04:15 PM 1222 Views
I Think I'll Post a Thread on This. - 03/12/2009 06:47:05 PM 1180 Views
I'd like to see it. - 03/12/2009 09:23:07 PM 1233 Views
Regarding depth in Jordan - 03/12/2009 09:31:19 PM 1206 Views
I was thinking about that too - 03/12/2009 10:05:40 PM 1199 Views
Re: I was thinking about that too - 03/12/2009 10:09:26 PM 1298 Views
Destroying the Wheel is meaningless. - 03/12/2009 10:18:08 PM 1194 Views
Re: Destroying the Wheel is meaningless. - 03/12/2009 10:30:15 PM 1221 Views
I Totally Missed That. - 04/12/2009 10:45:56 PM 1289 Views
Re: I Totally Missed That. - 04/12/2009 10:47:59 PM 1276 Views
I Don't Believe It Cursory, But Comparative. - 04/12/2009 11:29:36 PM 1369 Views
Publication bookend Y2K? - 05/12/2009 10:36:01 AM 1274 Views
They're Thick Bookends. - 05/12/2009 06:12:06 PM 1212 Views
I'll Try to Have It Up Tomorrow Early. - 04/12/2009 11:24:18 PM 1308 Views
I like it. - 01/12/2009 10:28:48 PM 1231 Views
Thank you! - 02/12/2009 01:43:05 AM 1373 Views
I find Michel Houellebecq to be one of the most intriguing writers of our time - 01/12/2009 11:14:05 PM 1312 Views
And, in recent memory, Orwell was a first-rate writer. - 02/12/2009 01:44:29 AM 1304 Views
wait! there's somebody "dirtier" than Piers Anthony or Philip Jose Farmer??? - 03/12/2009 04:00:28 PM 1280 Views
PJF is dirty? - 04/12/2009 12:16:12 AM 1141 Views
Nice post. - 02/12/2009 12:03:09 AM 1329 Views
Perhaps you're right. - 02/12/2009 01:47:10 AM 1190 Views
In its entirety? No. - 02/12/2009 02:00:10 PM 1235 Views
I agree! - 02/12/2009 12:17:10 AM 1506 Views
Thank you! - 02/12/2009 01:50:22 AM 1150 Views
I guess I'll break my silence after almost a month and a half... - 02/12/2009 12:23:07 AM 1331 Views
Popcorn? - 02/12/2009 12:31:44 AM 1258 Views
Yes - 02/12/2009 12:39:10 AM 1310 Views
Lovecraft? - 02/12/2009 12:51:55 AM 1295 Views
Re-read what I said - 02/12/2009 12:55:08 AM 1353 Views
aahh - 02/12/2009 09:26:40 AM 1225 Views
Larry, please tell me you weren't... - 03/12/2009 04:33:32 PM 1079 Views
I concur - 02/12/2009 12:27:13 AM 1192 Views
I like your framing of the issue (and Shannara is the Taco Bell of writing). - 02/12/2009 02:03:51 AM 1273 Views
Thank you - 02/12/2009 09:30:42 AM 1206 Views
more like the mom&pop greasy-spoon diner of writing *NM* - 03/12/2009 05:00:21 PM 583 Views
I'm going to put this in my sig, if you don't mind. - 02/12/2009 03:31:13 AM 1273 Views
hehehe - 02/12/2009 09:31:28 AM 1155 Views
Am i the only one who reads books for fun? - 02/12/2009 12:33:52 AM 1311 Views
There isn't necessarily a contradiction - 02/12/2009 12:38:43 AM 1263 Views
I certainly didn't read The Lost Symbol for ANY cultural, intellectual or edifying reason. - 02/12/2009 02:05:45 AM 1210 Views
it didn't come across that way - 03/12/2009 05:15:36 PM 1230 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 1190 Views
one of the things that is important to me in books/shows - 03/12/2009 05:20:29 PM 1135 Views
We agree! - 03/12/2009 08:03:00 PM 1222 Views
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a science fiction/fantasy movie. - 02/12/2009 12:54:08 AM 1273 Views
i was gonna point that out. thnks. *NM* - 02/12/2009 01:13:47 AM 533 Views
Reading only speculative literature is limiting and monotonous. - 02/12/2009 02:09:42 AM 1302 Views
I was going to say exactly that about "real" literature: monotonous and limiting. - 02/12/2009 01:57:49 PM 1217 Views
I think his point was that only SF/F wasn't good food. - 02/12/2009 02:15:29 PM 1205 Views
I would not disagree with you if you said that. - 02/12/2009 02:27:08 PM 1143 Views
Most non-speculative fiction is fluff as well though. - 03/12/2009 05:38:32 PM 1137 Views
hear hear!! I agree totally wert-man - 03/12/2009 07:20:09 PM 1202 Views
Which brings us back to my point. - 03/12/2009 08:04:24 PM 1257 Views
Actually, it is a film that does not fit neatly into one category - 02/12/2009 11:16:20 AM 1266 Views
Science Fiction is the most PERTINANT form of fiction in the world today - 02/12/2009 12:57:19 AM 1207 Views
don't get me wrong - 02/12/2009 01:28:08 AM 1235 Views
SF&F and 'real literature' are not mutually exclusive - 02/12/2009 01:19:05 AM 1199 Views
No, they are not - 02/12/2009 02:18:53 AM 1210 Views
This line is a load of bull - 03/12/2009 02:39:53 PM 1333 Views
So why don't we occasionally focus on "real" books that are technically spec fiction? - 02/12/2009 01:25:04 AM 1177 Views
Why must we limit our focus in that way? - 02/12/2009 02:20:11 AM 1181 Views
I don't see it as limiting or forcing. - 02/12/2009 03:16:07 AM 1190 Views
"Elite club" or "elitist clique"? - 02/12/2009 03:52:11 AM 1179 Views
Either way, I want in. *NM* - 02/12/2009 11:33:52 AM 623 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 1332 Views
I was born in the Midwest. - 02/12/2009 03:01:36 PM 1235 Views
I know. - 02/12/2009 03:12:05 PM 1169 Views
Green Acres in reverse, eh? - 02/12/2009 03:38:09 PM 1211 Views
lmao - 02/12/2009 06:21:17 PM 1363 Views
*piledrivers you* - 02/12/2009 06:28:02 PM 1147 Views
...! - 02/12/2009 03:17:57 PM 1177 Views
Admit it. You know what I'm talking about. - 02/12/2009 03:29:31 PM 1197 Views
Re: Admit it. You know what I'm talking about. - 02/12/2009 03:31:26 PM 1151 Views
Vermont isn't in the Midwest. - 02/12/2009 03:39:36 PM 1152 Views
Re: Vermont isn't in the Midwest. - 02/12/2009 03:42:47 PM 1199 Views
Huh! I really didn't think of you as being a masochist. - 02/12/2009 01:51:55 AM 1175 Views
Thank you! - 02/12/2009 02:21:00 AM 1073 Views
Shitstorm! - 02/12/2009 03:06:59 AM 1138 Views
Heh heh heh. - 02/12/2009 03:45:40 AM 1192 Views
Read what you like to read. - 02/12/2009 04:18:53 AM 1273 Views
I'll super size you. Fine. *NM* - 02/12/2009 04:32:58 AM 587 Views
Oh noes! I'm getting word-fat! - 02/12/2009 04:59:05 AM 1191 Views
I seem to have struck a nerve. - 02/12/2009 05:20:27 AM 1223 Views
Apparently not the nerve you think, though. - 02/12/2009 06:42:02 AM 1301 Views
Intellectual achievement isn't a static measure. - 02/12/2009 02:13:10 PM 1193 Views
Re: Intellectual achievement isn't a static measure. - 02/12/2009 03:26:59 PM 1220 Views
Agreed. - 02/12/2009 03:30:50 PM 1136 Views
Re: Agreed. - 02/12/2009 03:32:06 PM 1133 Views
Re: Intellectual achievement isn't a static measure. - 02/12/2009 09:40:28 PM 1266 Views
I really did get under your skin - 02/12/2009 09:58:18 PM 1127 Views
- 02/12/2009 10:06:46 PM 1122 Views
Tom as much as you raise some great points, you are being a condescending ass. - 03/12/2009 04:26:27 AM 1207 Views
You're entitled to your opinion. I don't care. - 03/12/2009 04:51:18 AM 1166 Views
I keep replying. It's like a sickness. - 03/12/2009 05:15:28 AM 1176 Views
Your subject line reinforces my opinion. - 03/12/2009 05:31:50 AM 1096 Views
Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room. *NM* - 03/12/2009 07:21:05 AM 575 Views
LOL! - 04/12/2009 12:21:36 AM 1152 Views
See, you just proved my point. - 04/12/2009 12:39:59 AM 1195 Views
Hm. - 02/12/2009 06:58:56 AM 1793 Views
Re-read my exact point. - 02/12/2009 02:18:20 PM 1143 Views
No. Some kind of reading is indeed essential. - 02/12/2009 02:28:22 PM 1289 Views
Somehow I get the feeling that this post hasn't caused quite as much controversy - 02/12/2009 06:53:18 AM 1288 Views
As I see it... - 02/12/2009 11:38:07 AM 1185 Views
Yep. - 02/12/2009 02:18:22 PM 1332 Views
Re: Yep. - 02/12/2009 03:35:38 PM 1190 Views
Euripides was poorly received, initially. - 02/12/2009 03:57:58 PM 1113 Views
Re: Euripides was poorly received, initially. - 02/12/2009 04:00:35 PM 1131 Views
I know. - 02/12/2009 04:18:16 PM 1209 Views
Re: I know. - 02/12/2009 04:23:14 PM 1144 Views
That is why he's so good, in my opinion. - 02/12/2009 06:15:45 PM 1304 Views
All reading of fiction is a diversion by the very nature of the activity. - 02/12/2009 03:43:05 PM 1171 Views
Diversion from direct action, yes. Diversion from reality, no. - 02/12/2009 04:15:48 PM 1157 Views
I maintain that all acts of reading fiction are a diversion from reality/ the realistic - 02/12/2009 05:43:16 PM 1174 Views
It seems a regressive argument to me. - 03/12/2009 01:18:02 AM 1121 Views
You're playing a game. - 03/12/2009 03:40:14 PM 1208 Views
I like your response. *NM* - 03/12/2009 05:37:09 PM 548 Views
I fundamentally agree with much of what you're saying, but there is a distinction. - 03/12/2009 06:44:02 PM 1195 Views
Oh I concur on that distinction. - 04/12/2009 09:06:34 PM 1242 Views
Spec fic is perhaps at it's best in autocracies? - 02/12/2009 04:10:56 PM 1116 Views
Bulgakov - 02/12/2009 04:25:17 PM 1189 Views
I've only read the first chapter of M&M. - 02/12/2009 04:36:09 PM 1183 Views
Re: I've only read the first chapter of M&M. - 02/12/2009 04:40:16 PM 1105 Views
Not the greatest Tolkien scholar, me. - 02/12/2009 05:17:31 PM 1144 Views
Re: Not the greatest Tolkien scholar, me. - 02/12/2009 05:40:16 PM 1198 Views
I suppose. - 02/12/2009 06:26:30 PM 1189 Views
Re: I suppose. - 02/12/2009 07:25:26 PM 1189 Views
Well, I don't hold escapism in such low esteem *NM* - 02/12/2009 07:56:13 PM 577 Views
That is what I mean - 02/12/2009 08:36:02 PM 1114 Views
This was something I was exploring earlier. - 02/12/2009 04:34:41 PM 1224 Views
Funny thing about the hivemind antagonist. - 02/12/2009 05:13:30 PM 1184 Views
I didn't see the zombies reading speculative fiction - 02/12/2009 05:30:26 PM 1262 Views
Oh, they prefer Clive Cussler. - 02/12/2009 06:23:42 PM 1242 Views
i think it comes more down to quality than genre. - 02/12/2009 04:55:20 PM 1207 Views
I disagree with the ultimate conclusion but agree with many of your points. - 02/12/2009 05:43:04 PM 1160 Views
the illiad is a classic - 02/12/2009 06:35:24 PM 1191 Views
There's only one "L" in Iliad - 02/12/2009 08:18:38 PM 1156 Views
Is there a safe answer to that question? *NM* - 02/12/2009 10:33:21 PM 606 Views
Maybe not. *NM* - 03/12/2009 12:59:09 AM 568 Views
It took me a few minutes to agree - 02/12/2009 07:04:59 PM 1154 Views
Well, I'm glad if you got something out of the post! - 02/12/2009 09:13:26 PM 1176 Views
Re: Well, I'm glad if you got something out of the post! - 02/12/2009 09:20:49 PM 1145 Views
I don't know. I've only read about 30 pages so far. *NM* - 02/12/2009 10:05:54 PM 610 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 1275 Views
Hmmm - 02/12/2009 08:40:53 PM 1170 Views
Re: Hmmm - 02/12/2009 10:48:02 PM 1192 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 1245 Views
Anti the idea ? I see no evidence for this. - 02/12/2009 09:50:37 PM 1206 Views
Heh - 02/12/2009 09:56:30 PM 1200 Views
What do you mean ? Almost all the repliers agree with Tom - 03/12/2009 11:01:08 AM 1163 Views
Re: What do you mean ? Almost all the repliers agree with Tom - 03/12/2009 11:10:35 AM 1216 Views
I see. You don't read announcements. - 03/12/2009 11:12:04 AM 1143 Views
No, but it does bill itself as science fiction/fantasy. - 02/12/2009 10:51:41 PM 1279 Views
Yes. - 03/12/2009 12:01:30 AM 1276 Views
I think Rebekah and Camilla put it well. - 02/12/2009 10:05:24 PM 1260 Views
I think they make good points, as I said above. - 02/12/2009 10:56:55 PM 1151 Views
I agree with in principle - 02/12/2009 11:22:19 PM 1129 Views
Certainly. People are free to skip any discussion. - 03/12/2009 01:01:40 AM 1256 Views
I have a few objections. - 03/12/2009 12:24:43 AM 1233 Views
where else should we talk about it? - 03/12/2009 12:37:26 AM 1171 Views
random thoughts stole my subject line - 03/12/2009 01:56:07 AM 1231 Views
I think I could agree with a "comfort food" analogy - 03/12/2009 02:12:01 AM 1235 Views
Re: I think I could agree with a "comfort food" analogy - 03/12/2009 02:38:17 AM 1279 Views
That's it - 03/12/2009 04:02:28 AM 1294 Views
Question: is it really science fiction without one of the following: - 03/12/2009 05:13:21 AM 1210 Views
Certainly - 03/12/2009 06:13:38 AM 1268 Views
technically speaking, fantasy is classed as a sub heading under science fiction. *NM* - 03/12/2009 02:51:12 PM 496 Views
According to whom? *NM* - 03/12/2009 03:55:45 PM 628 Views
Yeah. What she asked! *NM* - 03/12/2009 09:23:55 PM 606 Views
Yes, it is but actually... - 03/12/2009 09:31:44 PM 1203 Views
Eternal Sunshine doesn't have a mad scientist. - 03/12/2009 10:09:01 PM 1124 Views
Really? - 04/12/2009 07:01:42 PM 1166 Views
But Dan Brown rocks da house!!! *NM* - 03/12/2009 02:16:47 AM 602 Views
*pumps fist* Give it up for Dan Brown! *NM* - 03/12/2009 03:58:23 AM 594 Views
That's Dan "booyah" Brown!!! Booyah!!! *NM* - 04/12/2009 02:00:56 AM 605 Views
another thing wrong with your argument - 03/12/2009 03:30:19 PM 1188 Views
Absolutely not. And, as I said before, there's only one "L" in Iliad. - 03/12/2009 06:53:35 PM 1001 Views
sorry about my atrocious spelling (including the one on pertinent) - 03/12/2009 07:14:59 PM 1306 Views
No problem. On the substantive points: - 03/12/2009 08:00:33 PM 1235 Views
more importantly, which I think it being lost in all this, - 03/12/2009 08:05:27 PM 1209 Views
I'm not reading the Iliad again, once was enough - 04/12/2009 12:19:07 PM 1160 Views
Congratulations on the replies count - 03/12/2009 09:30:41 PM 1312 Views
That was a well-thought out response, but I still disagree. - 03/12/2009 10:50:29 PM 1220 Views
Re: That was a well-thought out response, but I still disagree. - 04/12/2009 07:44:56 PM 1241 Views
But the objective truth of a setting can be measured. - 04/12/2009 10:37:10 PM 1166 Views
But does it make any difference in the objective value of the book? - 06/12/2009 09:35:59 AM 1324 Views
YES. - 06/12/2009 03:34:17 PM 1114 Views
NO - 07/12/2009 08:40:33 PM 1215 Views
Re: That was a well-thought out response, but I still disagree. - 04/12/2009 10:25:08 PM 1183 Views
Yes, it is worse with movies. Much worse, in fact. - 04/12/2009 10:33:18 PM 1221 Views
Re: That was a well-thought out response, but I still disagree. - 06/12/2009 09:36:11 AM 1185 Views
Maybe we're different, but I don't care for FX - 06/12/2009 01:37:53 PM 1131 Views
This is not about the personal taste - 07/12/2009 08:50:34 PM 1227 Views
I've obviously missed the show here... - 04/12/2009 12:14:30 AM 1143 Views
I'm not sure that's right. This thing just keeps growing. - 04/12/2009 12:46:24 AM 1259 Views
What, your penis? - 06/12/2009 02:40:09 AM 1153 Views
Don't you know it! - 06/12/2009 03:28:16 PM 1056 Views
You talk the talk, that's for sure. - 07/12/2009 08:14:41 PM 1207 Views
Hate to break it to you... - 07/12/2009 09:54:24 PM 1262 Views
I thought you were gonna tell me... - 08/12/2009 03:07:54 PM 1314 Views
Metaphor versus literalism - 04/12/2009 05:42:03 PM 1229 Views
Metaphor divorced from the reality runs risks, however. - 04/12/2009 10:25:47 PM 1141 Views
aha. but. - 07/12/2009 03:56:48 PM 1363 Views
Quoting Nietzsche is really hitting below the belt. - 07/12/2009 09:12:34 PM 1292 Views
It is good I was only paraphrasing, then - 08/12/2009 10:44:14 AM 1187 Views

Reply to Message