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Author: | Duchess of Malfi [ Mon May 25, 2009 3:37 am ] |
Post subject: | Arthur C. Clarke (rescued) |
originally started by danlo: 29 Jul 2002 19:23 Post subject: Arthur C. Clarke -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 sentimental reasons, I guess The Wind From the Sun, Childhoods End, The Sands of Mars and the novella Beyond the Fall of Night would b my fav A. C. Clarke--of course many know Clarke as the author of 2001: a Space Odessy, here r some other Clarke recommendations--Fountians of Paradise, Islands in the Sky, The 9 Billion Names of God and The Deep Range I also hear the Rama books r great but haven't read them--Clarke IS obviously, 1 of the great masters of Sci-Fi!!! Selected Reading List: INTERPLANETARY SPACE, 1950 THE EXPLORATION OF SPACE, 1951 PRELUDE TO SPACE, 1951 THE SANDS OF MARS, 1951 ISLANDS IN THE SKY, 1952 CHILDHOOD' END, 1953 EXPEDITION TO EARTH, 1953 (includes the short story The Sentinel) THE EXPLORATION OF MOON, 1954 THE YOUNG TRAVELLER IN SPACE,1954 EARTHLIGHT, 1955 THE COAST OF CHORAL, 1956 THE CITY AND THE STARS, 1956 THE DEEP RANGE, 1957 THE MAKING OF THE MOON, 1957 THE REEFS OF TABROBANE, 1957 TALES FROM THE WHITE HART, 1957 THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SKY, 1958 BOY BENEATH THE SEA, 1958 VOICE ACROSS THE SEA, 1958 ACROSS THE SEA OF STARS, 1959 THE CHALLENGE OF THE SEA, 1960 THE CHALLENGE OF THE SPACESHIP, 1960 THE FIRST FIVE FATHOMS, 1960 A FALL OF MOONDUST, 1961 FROM THE OCEANS, FROM THE STARS, 1962 REACH FOR TOMORROW, 1962 TALES FROM TEN WORLDS, 1962 INDIAN OCEAN ADVENTURE, 1962 PROFILES OF THE FUTURE, 1962 DOLPHIN ISLAND, 1963 GLIDE PATH, 1963 THE TREASURE OF THE GREAT REEF, 1964 MAN AND SPACE, 1964 VOICES FROM THE SKY, 1965 PRELUDE TO MARS, 1965 THE NINE BILLION NAMES OF GOD, 1967 ed.: THE COMING OF THE AGE, 1967 ed.: TIME PROBE, 1967 ASECOND ARTHUR C. CLARKE OMNIBUS, 1968 THE PROMISE OF THE SKY, 1968 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, 1968 - film 1968, dir. by Stanley Kubrick GLIDE PATH, 1969 THE LION OF COMARRE AND AGAINST THE FALL OF THE NIGHT, 1970 FIRST ON THE MOON, 1970 MEETING WITH MEDUSA, 1971 OF TIME AND STARS, 1972 THE WIND FROM THE SUN, 1972 BEYOND JUPITER, 1972 INDIAN OCEAN TREASURE, 1972 INTO SPACE, 1972 THE LOST WORLDS OF 2001, 1972 REPORT ON PLANET THREE, 1972 RENDEZVOUS WITH RAMA, 1973 IMPERIAL EARTH: A FANTASY OF LOVE AND DISCORD, 1975 THE VIEW FROM SERENDIP, 1977 THE FOUNTAINS OF PARADISE, 1979 ARTHUR C. CLARKE'S MYSTERIOUS WORLD, 1980 2010: ODYSSEY TWO, 1980 - film 1984, dir. by Peter Hyams ASCENT TO ORBIT: A SCIENTIFIC AUTOBIOGRAPHY, 1984 ARTHUR C. CLARKE'S WORLD OF STRANGE POWERS, 1985 (with Simon Welfare and John Fairley) ODYSSEY FILE, 1985 (with Peter Hyams) SELECTED WORKS, 1985 ed.: ARTHUS C. CLARKE'S JULY 20, 2019, 1986 THE SONGS OF DISTANT EARTH, 1986 2061: ODYSSEY THREE, 1987 ARTHUR C. CLARKE'S CHRONICLES OF THE STRANGE AND MYSTERIUS, 1987 CRADLE, 1988 (with Gentry Lee) - RAMA II, 1989 (with Gentry Lee) TALES FROM THE PLANET EARTH, 1989 ASTOUNDING DAYS: A SCIENCE FICTION AUTOBIOGRAPHY, 1989 THE GHOST FROM THE GRAND BANKS, 1990 PROJECT SOLAR SAIL, 1990 (ed.) THE GARDEN OF RAMA, 1991 (with Gentry Lee) THE GHOST FROM THE GRAND BANKS, 1991 THE FANTASTIC MUSE, 1992 HOW THE WORLD WAS ONE, 1992 BY SPACE POSSESSED, 1993 THE HAMMER OF GOD, 1993 RAMA REVEALED, 1993 ed.: First Men in the Moon by H.G. Wells, 1993 ed.: War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells, 1993 ARTHUR C. CLARKE'S A-Z OF MYSTERIES, 1994 (with Simon Welfare and John Fairley) 3001: THE FINAL ODYSSEY, 1996 GREETINGS, CARBON-BASED BIPEDS!, 1999 (ed. by Ian MacAuley) THE TRIGGER, 2000 (with Michael Kube-McDowell The power of ahimsa is not just the readiness to die. It is the willingness to live. To live utterly without fear - this is a fearsome thing. Edited by: danlo60 at: 3/1/03 2:15:01 pm mhoram6910 Master Pilot Joined: 31 Aug 2002 Posts: 1006 Posted: 24 Nov 2002 10:30 Post subject: Re: Arthur C. Clarke -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- He looks pretty good, a classic author I believe. I see his stuff all over the place, should I read him?> The dead pay the debts of the living. Damelon Master Pilot Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 368 Posted: 01 Mar 2003 15:51 Post subject: Re: Arthur C. Clarke -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I havn't read a lot of Clarke, but the Rama series is very good. I also liked Songs of Distant Earth, a wonderful story on the interaction of very diverse cultures. danlo60 Master Pilot Joined: 27 Mar 2002 Posts: 3468 Posted: 01 Mar 2003 16:13 Post subject: Re: Arthur C. Clarke -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yes mhoram u should read him! I cn't BELIEVE I left off A Fall of Moondust in my original recs! (this is about as close as we come 4 an emoticon of 1 kicking 1s self!) And now Danlo looked in that direction, too. He remembered that snowy owls mate in the darkest part of deep winter, and so along with this beautiful white bird perched in a tree a hundred feet away, he turned to face the sea as he watched and waited. Ahira, Ahira, he called out silently to the sky. Ahira, Ahira Duchess of Malfi Lady Scryer Joined: 17 Nov 2002 Posts: 5975 Location: Michigan, USA Posted: 01 Mar 2003 18:46 Post subject: Re: Arthur C. Clarke -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I've always liked his Rama books! Our lives are the songs that sing the universe into existence.~David Zindell taraswizard Master Pilot Joined: 01 Jun 2003 Posts: 615 Location: Chicago suburbs Posted: 04 Feb 2004 19:40 Post subject: Re: Arthur C. Clarke -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arthur C. Clarke, ehh!! Well, for my class we read this week Nine Billion Names of God. Well, sorry this short story and Childhoods End have to be two of the most disturbing stories I have ever read, and I read both these for the first time probably over 25 yrs ago. Childhoods End is on the class reading list, too. Furthermore, I do not think either the book or the short story give very favorable views of religion. IOW, I think if a born again Christian read Childhoods End it would disturb them profoundly and deeply, and probably offend at least a little. YMMV taraswizard Allan Rosewarne N9SQT/WDX6HQV Chicago area W/T forever, always Plan C - http://planc.bravepages.com/main.html AlphSeeker Master Pilot Joined: 08 May 2003 Posts: 151 Posted: 14 Feb 2004 00:00 Post subject: Re: Arthur C. Clarke -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I can highly recommend Childhood's End, Rendezvous With Rama, 2001: A Space Odyssey and 2010: Odyssey Two. I've got a copy of The Fountains of Paradise, which Clarke considers his best, but haven't had a chance to read it. Oh yeah, I recently ran across an old Clarke story from (I think) the 40's called "Dial F for Frankenstien" that was WAY ahead of it's time. Involved a world wide communications web that becomes sentient! ****************** To seek the sacred river Alph, to walk the caves of ice ...Edited by: AlphSeeker at: 2/14/04 6:12 am taraswizard Master Pilot Joined: 01 Jun 2003 Posts: 615 Location: Chicago suburbs Posted: 03 Mar 2004 00:48 Post subject: Re: Arthur C. Clarke and Childhood's End -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Childhood's End. For this week the novel is my class assignment, and I had read it before now probably about 25 or so years ago. Has anyone really enjoyed this book? It is a good book and I suppose a Sci Fi classic, but I find the book disturbing and depressing. Furthermore, I found reading book this time, and I do not remember this from my first reading, very preachy with Clarke's ideas about internationalism and one world government (I think A.C. Clarke has been involved with the World Federalist organization). taraswizard Allan Rosewarne N9SQT/WDX6HQV Chicago area W/T forever, always Plan C - http://planc.bravepages.com/main.html Duchess of Malfi Lady Scryer Joined: 17 Nov 2002 Posts: 5975 Location: Michigan, USA Posted: 03 Mar 2004 10:55 Post subject: Re: Arthur C. Clarke and Childhood's End -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I read that book a long, long time ago, Taras...I do remember being disturbed by it...I'm not sure I could put my finger on why it disturbed me, as I read it so long ago... I can remember thinking about the Star Trek Star Fleet Prime Directive in association with this book... I think I'll have to pop over and read a review or two and refresh my memory on it... ****************************************************** Our lives are the songs that sing the universe into existence.~David Zindell Duchess of Malfi Lady Scryer Joined: 17 Nov 2002 Posts: 5975 Location: Michigan, USA Posted: 03 Mar 2004 11:02 Post subject: Re: Arthur C. Clarke and Childhood's End -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After reading a couple of reviews and refreshing my memory, I can see why I associate the Prime Directive with it! Species playing God with other species... ****************************************************** Our lives are the songs that sing the universe into existence.~David Zindell AlphSeeker Master Pilot Joined: 08 May 2003 Posts: 151 Posted: 03 Mar 2004 13:58 Post subject: Re: Arthur C. Clarke and Childhood's End -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Huh, that's interesting, I really did enjoy reading Childhood's End, but that was in Junior High, over 20 years ago, so I don't remember the preachiness. That would almost certainly bother me now though - I've gotten pretty cranky lately about political axe-grinding in science fiction. In fact, it's ruined (or at least muted the enjoyment of) several books I've read recently: The Dispossessed, Ken Macleod's Dark Light, Brunner's Wrong End of Time, Brendan DuBois' Resurrection Day, Max Barry's Jennifer Government ... ****************** To seek the sacred river Alph, to walk the caves of ice ...Edited by: AlphSeeker at: 3/3/04 12:01 pm Duchess of Malfi Lady Scryer Joined: 17 Nov 2002 Posts: 5975 Location: Michigan, USA Posted: 03 Mar 2004 14:18 Post subject: Re: Arthur C. Clarke and Childhood's End -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It's been a similar time period since I read it...I don't remember it being particularly preachy, but I was just a youngster then, and it might have sailed right over my head...I think this one needs to go on my reread list... ****************************************************** Our lives are the songs that sing the universe into existence.~David Zindell taraswizard Master Pilot Joined: 01 Jun 2003 Posts: 615 Location: Chicago suburbs Posted: 03 Mar 2004 16:15 Post subject: Re: Arthur C. Clarke and Childhood's End -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alph Seeker wrote Quote:That would almost certainly bother me now though - I've gotten pretty cranky lately about political axe-grinding in science fiction. In fact, it's ruined... I will only make one further comment here, and IMO other discussion of politics in SciFi should go into Current Affairs forum and a message thread already exists there. I had the same reaction to one of Jerry Pournelle's Falken Legion books (do not remember which one and I have since been told they are all about the same). Furthermore, I have always found Larry Niven pretty polemical when he wants to be. For example, Lucifer's Hammer and Oath of Fealty, interestingly they are both collaborations with Pournelle. taraswizard Allan Rosewarne N9SQT/WDX6HQV Chicago area W/T forever, always Plan C - http://planc.bravepages.com/main.html taraswizard Master Pilot Joined: 01 Jun 2003 Posts: 615 Location: Chicago suburbs Posted: 03 Mar 2004 16:25 Post subject: Re: Arthur C. Clarke and Childhood's End -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have another comment about Childhood's End and it does not concern politics. I went to a con last November and Jim Frenkel, sometimes writer and currently an editor for Tor, was a panelist, and his comment was that the ideal SF reader is a twelve year old, his comment was made a little satirically and with a little tongue in cheek. Well, after the panel I specifically asked if he regarded this book as falling under the heading of perfect for his 'ideal 12 fan', and he said in effect no problem. I wonder would anyone else have a comment? Because, personally, I have my doubts. I am alot older than Jim Frenkel's ideal reader and I wonder if it is suitable for my mature POV. Alph Seeker you said you read it while in HS and enjoyed it, and you were probably 13 or 14 at the time? As one can probably tell this book has moved me lots. taraswizard Allan Rosewarne N9SQT/WDX6HQV Chicago area W/T forever, always Plan C - http://planc.bravepages.com/main.html AlphSeeker Master Pilot Joined: 08 May 2003 Posts: 151 Posted: 03 Mar 2004 17:10 Post subject: Re: Arthur C. Clarke and Childhood's End -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yeah, 13 or 14 sounds about right. I had read some SF at that point, but it was mostly 70's stuff (Niven and Pournelle) and a few really weird New Wave books; CE was the first 50's sci-fi book I'd ever read. So, while it covered some new conceptual ground for me (Clarke's recurring theme of grand scale transcendence), I think I was also a bit charmed by the "fiftys-ishness" of it. It seemed both familiar and yet sort of alien, old-fashioned and yet surprisingly hip, I guess. ****************** To seek the sacred river Alph, to walk the caves of ice ... |
Author: | Duchess of Malfi [ Mon May 25, 2009 3:41 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Arthur C. Clarke (rescued) |
started by danlo: 06 Mar 2004 13:31 Post subject: Re: Arthur C. Clarke and Childhood's End -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- taras said, "I will only make one further comment here, and IMO other discussion of politics in SciFi should go into Current Affairs forum and a message thread already exists there. I have thought long and hard about this and, correct me if I'm wrong, the only topic I see of this kind in Current Affairs is the O. S. Card one. That topic seems to be Mr. Card's personal bent on politics. Yes I agree that "outside" of their works Current Affairs would be the place for such things. However when they raise political opinions or herald a particular political system(s) within their works it should stay in this forum. Actually a topic should be created (here) to discuss such matters-feel free to start one! ***** Before, you are wise; after, you are wise. In between you are otherwise. Fravashi saying (from the formularies of Osho the Fool) Edited by: danlo60 at: 3/6/04 1:31 pm AlphSeeker Master Pilot Joined: 08 May 2003 Posts: 151 Posted: 06 Mar 2004 15:09 Post subject: Re: Arthur C. Clarke and Childhood's End -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oh, I think taraswizard was referring to the thread called "Hope this is the right place" in the Current Affairs forum, danlo. I definitely think it's appropriate to bring up Clarke's politics in a Clarke thread, but yeah, I probably shouldn't have mentioned the other authors here. Sorry, just too lazy to start a separate thread. ****************** To seek the sacred river Alph, to walk the caves of ice ... Sylvanus Master Pilot Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 326 Location: K-ville, NC Posted: 06 Mar 2004 20:32 Post subject: Re: Arthur C. Clarke and Childhood's End -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As long as it's at least tangentially related to sci-fi lit, I think it's cool here. If it gets to a point where it isn't, though, I can always move it, leaving a shadow behind here (if I have this whole mod thing down right, anyway). Please feel free to make any suggestions to me via PM or e-mail. ________________ I wanna feel the metamorphosis and cleansing I've endured within my shadow. Change is coming. Now is my time. Listen to my muscle memory. Contemplate what I've been clinging to. -Tool, "Forty-Six & Two" Jen X Pilot Joined: 12 Mar 2004 Posts: 4 Posted: 12 Mar 2004 15:00 Post subject: Re: Arthur C. Clarke and Childhood's End -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'm a little late coming here...just found this board today ACC is one of my all-time favs, def. a classic author. I read _Childhood's End_ a few years ago, and I literally had tears in my eyes at the end. Yeah, it is disturbing, but very moving as well. And just a reference to the comment about it offending some religious people, I can see that, but my ex's mother (wife of a Lutheran reverend) read it and loved it As for the Rama books, I read the first one and adored it...the series went downhill from there IMHO. I couldn't even get through the third one, it just got so dumb I couldn't finish it. JMHO, though. Jen danlo60 Master Pilot Joined: 27 Mar 2002 Posts: 3468 Posted: 12 Mar 2004 17:53 Post subject: Re: Arthur C. Clarke and Childhood's End -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to the Hangar Jen X! ***** Before, you are wise; after, you are wise. In between you are otherwise. Fravashi saying (from the formularies of Osho the Fool) Sylvanus Master Pilot Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 326 Location: K-ville, NC Posted: 13 Mar 2004 11:36 Post subject: Re: Arthur C. Clarke and Childhood's End -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Indeed, welcome. ________________ I wanna feel the metamorphosis and cleansing I've endured within my shadow. Change is coming. Now is my time. Listen to my muscle memory. Contemplate what I've been clinging to. -Tool, "Forty-Six & Two" taraswizard Master Pilot Joined: 01 Jun 2003 Posts: 615 Location: Chicago suburbs Posted: 15 Mar 2004 15:51 Post subject: Re: Arthur C. Clarke and Childhood's End -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jen X welcome to the hangar and welcome to comment on Arthur C. Clarke. I got two comments to make about Childhood's End, and they are going to be seperate posts. The first one concerns this novel and religion. The reasons I think many Christians would take offense to this story are basically two. IMO, the novel reduces God to this naturalistic phenomemna, the Overmind. To my way of thinking that is kind of a naturalistic view regarding theology, and not an orthodox Christian. And I know that Clarke has claimed several time to be an atheitist. Secondly, the novel does not conform to the what AFAIK is the Christian viewpoint of the ultimate goal of humanity. These are the two reasons I think many Christians might take offense to this novel. Maybe I'm just babbling incoherently here and not really knowing what I am talking about. taraswizard Allan Rosewarne N9SQT/WDX6HQV Chicago area W/T forever, always Plan C - http://planc.bravepages.com/main.htmlEdited by: taraswizard at: 3/15/04 1:52 pm taraswizard Master Pilot Joined: 01 Jun 2003 Posts: 615 Location: Chicago suburbs Posted: 27 Mar 2004 20:19 Post subject: Re: Arthur C. Clarke and Childhood's End -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is messed up. But I have my second comment about Childhood's End, that I promised two weeks ago. However this is what I planned to write then. Allowing that the book is largely told through the POV of the Overlords. I have never got any sense of the awfulness of what the evolved beings (the human childern that changed prior to their joining to the Overmind) do. All their actions are awe (in all senses of the word) like. I guess that's a really parochial way to look at this book. taraswizard Allan Rosewarne N9SQT/WDX6HQV Chicago area W/T forever, always Plan C - http://planc.bravepages.com/main.html Moonwatcher Master Pilot Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 317 Posted: 26 Aug 2005 12:04 Post subject: Clarke is awesome -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Not many people talk about Clarke any more these days, it seems. Has he fallen out of fashion? Hopefully, this will change if and when the Rama movie gets made (I'm assuming director David Fincher and actor Morgan Freeman are still developing the project). I love Clarke's writing. Ever since I first read 2001: A Space Odyssey years ago, I've admired his concise style. Even though the novel 2001 was a hybrid creation of sorts (both an adaptation of the movie screenplay and a re-working of his own original short story that inspired the movie), it stood well on its own as a literary work, in my view. My username is the name given by Clarke in the novel to the man-ape who rises to greatness, as it were. I've read only a meagre selection of Clarke's entire output, but so far my favorite single novel of his remains Rendezvous With Rama. I love the sense of awe and mystery about alien technology that is represented by Rama, and the way Clarke portrays human beings' reactions to it. Clarke puts us in our place in the cosmic scheme of things: humbled, but capable of wonder, which inspires us to surpass ourselves. I also liked the "sequel" Rama novels in general, though I found the writing to be uncharacteristically turgid (and even inchoherent in places) for a Clarke work. This inconsistency I blame (mostly) on Clarke's collaborator for the sequels, Gentry Lee. However, both redeem themselves in the final book, Rama Revealed, which I think is an amazing, mind-blowing conclusion to the whole saga. Edited by: Moonwatcher at: 8/26/05 11:11 am Duchess of Malfi Lady Scryer Joined: 17 Nov 2002 Posts: 5975 Location: Michigan, USA Posted: 29 Jul 2007 23:56 Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- bump for Moonwatcher _________________ Our lives are the songs that sing the universe into existence.~David Zindell Moonwatcher Master Pilot Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 317 Posted: 22 Nov 2007 14:57 Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Four months after reading Childhood's End, I finally post my thoughts on it... I read CE in the space of a day and an evening, which is insanely fast for me. It helped that it was a short book. It may be short compared to more verbose novels, but then Clarke's precise prose doesn't need padding. CE is the most provocative story by Clarke that I've read (so far), in terms of its radical vision of humanity's future - the devastating finality of it. On the surface anyway, it's a depressing story, since it is essentially about the end of the human race. The entity that mankind has become is so far removed from what we would deem "human" that I personally can't take joy in the transformation. I'd be celebrating something that I can't relate to at the most fundamental level. Or maybe it's the manner of the transformation that really disturbs me - children losing their sense of individual self to become "cells" of a much larger whole, the cosmic "organism" called the Overmind. You don't have to be a parent to be unnerved by the thought of children turning into automatons. It's downright frightening. The loss of individual identity offends my basic sense of what it means to be human. A communal "beehive" mind is utterly alien to me (and that, of course, made the Borg of Star Trek so sinister...well, that and their cybernetic physiology.) Anyway, it strikes at a core belief that there is a human "soul." Without that, we're not better than a microbe. Avatar The UnTitled Joined: 02 Aug 2006 Posts: 1355 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa Posted: 22 Nov 2007 22:57 Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Damn, that sounds horrifying. Losing their sense of self. I thought I'd read this one, but it seems I was mistaken. --A _________________ There should be a science of discontent. People need hard times and oppression to develop psychic muscles. --from "Collected Sayings of Muad'Dib" by the Princess Irulan Moonwatcher Master Pilot Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 317 Posted: 23 Nov 2007 02:17 Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yeah, you gave the impression that you'd read it. Sorry for spoiling the ending. I thought it would be safe to talk about the ending of a 50-year old novel, heh. Anyway, I haven't really given away the nitty-gritty details of how it all ends. But yes, in a nutshell, all the last children of humankind get to join a higher consciousness, leaving behind all the adults to cope with the extinction of the human species. Yep, that's pretty horrifying. It's a very humanly selfish thought, but it's sad to think that all the hard-won progress achieved by mankind means nothing in the end. All our great artistic, scientific and intellectual accomplishments amount to nothing. Of course, one might ask: of what use is Beethoven, Shakespeare and Einstein to a cosmic intelligence far older than humanity? It's one of the "main thesis" statements of Childhood's End (maybe the primary one) as expressed by the Overlords: "The stars are not meant for Man." Humanity's final offspring may have a place and purpose among the stars, but not humanity itself. That's a very awful thought. It would seem to make a mockery of, say, the optimistic vision of Star Trek in which human beings very much have a place in the cosmic scheme of things, even if it may be a small place we occupy. See, I can more readily accept Dave Bowman's transformation in 2001: A Space Odyssey, because even as he is "reborn" as a cosmic being, the part of him that was Dave Bowman was never "lost." Avatar The UnTitled Joined: 02 Aug 2006 Posts: 1355 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa Posted: 23 Nov 2007 05:22 Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oh, I don't worry about spoilers usually. I read the story for the story, not for the ending. Don't worry about having given anything away. Personally, I think our hard-won progress is for nonthing, in the greater scheme of things. I think our world, our lives, our humanity, are pretty insignificant on a universal scale. Agree with that last though...If there's still a me that I recognise as such, then it's me. Life without awareness of myself is the same as if I'd died. (I think we've discussed this importance of self before and agree. If what survives doesn't know its you, then you didn't survive. ) --A _________________ There should be a science of discontent. People need hard times and oppression to develop psychic muscles. --from "Collected Sayings of Muad'Dib" by the Princess Irulan |
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