...and upon my post-read perusing of Wikipedia (natch) I found this -- fans of "2001" (the film, or the novel) defnitely would find this interesting. I knew that the story wasn't all planned up-front, but WOW I had no idea it was so... patchworky.
http://www.visual-memory.co.uk/amk/doc/0073.html
Quote
May 28, 1964. Suggested to Stanley that "they" might be machines who regard organic life as a hideous disease. Stanley thinks this is cute and feels we've got something.
July 2-8. Averaging one or two thousand words a day. Stanley reads first five chapters and says "We've got a best-seller here".
July 9. Spent much of afternoon teaching Stanley how to use the slide rule -- he's fascinated.
July 12. Now have everything -- except the plot.
July 28. Stanley: "What we want is a smashing theme of mythic grandeur."
November 21. Read Leakey's Adam's Ancestors. Getting rather desperate now, but after six hours' discussion Stan had a rather amusing idea. Our E.T.'s arrive on Earth and teach commando tactics to our pacifistic ancestors so that they can survive and flourish. We had an entertaining time knocking this one around, but I don't think it's viable.
November 22. Called Stan and said I didn't think any of our flashback ideas were any good. He slowly talked me out of this mood, and I was feeling more cheerful when I suddenly said: "What if our E.T.'s are stranded on Earth and need the ape-men to help them?" This idea (probably not original, but what the hell) opened up whole new areas of plot which we are both explorng.
lol, reads almost like a Twitter feed...
from 45 years ago!PS: Mr. A, if you haven't already read CE, I can lend it to you -- got it at Wee Book Inn last month, and it's worth a read (or re-read; presently re-reading certain parts in the last few chapters now that I "get it") and if you've never read it, the damn thing will surprise you. imo has a "mystery" feel for the first half of the book, and if you don't visit Wikipedia the variety of plot surprises won't be spoiled.
I would like to read that, yes!
Okay, only if you promise to not look online or elsewhere for anything about the book. The back cover kinda gives away a summary of the plot ... but in a way it actually misleads you into thinking it's something like ID4. I enjoyed reading without knowing what "type" of "alien invasion" book it is, hope you will too.
I see noth-ing!
Okay just as long as you promise... to yourself!
PS: if we have some kinda celebration thingie for ya, I will bring the book with me.
and PPS: I still haven't forgotten I have Samurai Jack, been so sick busy with work and home stuff have not even watched ep 1 yet ... but I actually plan on doing that by the weekend, so not quite ready to give you back the DVD just yet. :)
Quote from: Darren Dirt on November 16, 2010, 05:09:00 PM
Okay just as long as you promise... to yourself!
PS: if we have some kinda celebration thingie for ya, I will bring the book with me.
and PPS: I still haven't forgotten I have Samurai Jack, been so sick busy with work and home stuff have not even watched ep 1 yet ... but I actually plan on doing that by the weekend, so not quite ready to give you back the DVD just yet. :)
Eh no worries! I think Melbosa was going to add an event in December but if not I think I will.
Yes, watch Jack! DO IT NOW
Quote from: Mr. Analog on November 17, 2010, 06:51:11 AM
Yes, watch Jack! DO IT NOW
Just finished the "Woolies" episode this weekend.
Trippy show, especially when you've got a couple of Tylenol Cold+Sinus Night Time in your bloodstream.
Quote from: Darren Dirt on November 22, 2010, 12:14:06 PM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on November 17, 2010, 06:51:11 AM
Yes, watch Jack! DO IT NOW
Just finished the "Woolies" episode this weekend.
Trippy show, especially when you've got a couple of Tylenol Cold+Sinus Night Time in your bloodstream.
I know eh!
Quote from: Darren Dirt on November 15, 2010, 10:05:19 PM
...and upon my post-read perusing of Wikipedia (natch) I found this -- fans of "2001" (the film, or the novel) defnitely would find this interesting. I knew that the story wasn't all planned up-front, but WOW I had no idea it was so... patchworky.
http://www.visual-memory.co.uk/amk/doc/0073.html
Quote
May 28, 1964. Suggested to Stanley that "they" might be machines who regard organic life as a hideous disease. Stanley thinks this is cute and feels we've got something.
July 2-8. Averaging one or two thousand words a day. Stanley reads first five chapters and says "We've got a best-seller here".
July 9. Spent much of afternoon teaching Stanley how to use the slide rule -- he's fascinated.
July 12. Now have everything -- except the plot.
July 28. Stanley: "What we want is a smashing theme of mythic grandeur."
November 21. Read Leakey's Adam's Ancestors. Getting rather desperate now, but after six hours' discussion Stan had a rather amusing idea. Our E.T.'s arrive on Earth and teach commando tactics to our pacifistic ancestors so that they can survive and flourish. We had an entertaining time knocking this one around, but I don't think it's viable.
November 22. Called Stan and said I didn't think any of our flashback ideas were any good. He slowly talked me out of this mood, and I was feeling more cheerful when I suddenly said: "What if our E.T.'s are stranded on Earth and need the ape-men to help them?" This idea (probably not original, but what the hell) opened up whole new areas of plot which we are both explorng.
lol, reads almost like a Twitter feed... from 45 years ago!
interview/introduction cut from 2001?
Dr. Michio Kaku talks about civilization levels/types... and mentions something surprising about Kubrick's film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ftF8sXzoWk
Don't suppose I could steal that book from you could I? Next time we meet up?
Quote from: Tom on April 10, 2011, 11:11:21 PM
Don't suppose I could steal that book from you could I? Next time we meet up?
if you mean Childhood's End, Mr. A still has it... just as I still have his full series of Samurai Jack ::)
I've got Ray Bradbury's Farenheit 451, and Michael Crichton's Sphere*, if you're interested in well-written and emotion/thought-provoking scifi novels. Also about half-way thru Jurassic Park. obv. on a "kick" of well-known sci fi (trying to get all the books in the Foundation and Ringworld series -- so far have 2 of each)
*hopefully you haven't been traumatized by the horrible movie, there's no way the book could be done justice by any film-maker even today, imo
Quote from: Darren Dirt on April 10, 2011, 11:03:30 PMinterview/introduction cut from 2001?
Dr. Michio Kaku talks about civilization levels/types... and mentions something surprising about Kubrick's film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ftF8sXzoWk
Wow! That got the old brain working this morning!
But yeah! I'm done the book so, next time Tom is over I can lend it to him (if that's okay with you Darren)
Quote from: Mr. Analog on April 11, 2011, 07:27:51 AM
But yeah! I'm done the book so, next time Tom is over I can lend it to him (if that's okay with you Darren)
Like I said above, I'm building my own personal "library", and imo (and esp. after reading F451... twice) I have a solid belief that books are meant to be read -- and shared. Go nuts.
Quote from: Darren Dirt on April 11, 2011, 08:04:08 AM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on April 11, 2011, 07:27:51 AM
But yeah! I'm done the book so, next time Tom is over I can lend it to him (if that's okay with you Darren)
Like I said above, I'm building my own personal "library", and imo (and esp. after reading F451... twice) I have a solid belief that books are meant to be read -- and shared. Go nuts.
Heh, very appropriate :D
So Mr. A, what were your thoughts? Considering you're a much bigger Clarke fan than I am (imo).
Overall, I was quite happy with it, especially when you take into consideration the time it was written (1953), I enjoyed some of the twists and the language was remarkably vibrant and interesting (having read a few Clarke books, things can get a little too mired in detail for some).
The theme of transcendence was much more opaque than a typical (or later) Clarke book, but enjoyably so.
Quote from: Mr. Analog on May 09, 2011, 05:11:04 PM
Overall, I was quite happy with it, especially when you take into consideration the time it was written (1953), I enjoyed some of the twists and the language was remarkably vibrant and interesting (having read a few Clarke books, things can get a little too mired in detail for some).
The theme of transcendence was much more opaque than a typical (or later) Clarke book, but enjoyably so.
I'm used to a "zoomed in" focus in my sci fi, whereas it seems that Clarke's common theme is mankind-impacting stories. So it was a different journey I took, reading that book, glad it was so well-written and famously appreciated. A good switch for me, after reading a dozen Heinlein space operas and short stories, most of which have a borderline Gary Stu/Larry Stu/Marty Stu character running around and doing crazy/interesting things, and especially barely avoiding death. :cough: (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MartyStu)
Yeah, he's kinda the big scope type haha