I just finished reading Arthur C Clarke's "Childhood's End"...

[Darren Dirt]

...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

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.

[Mr. Analog]

I would like to read that, yes!

[Darren Dirt]

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.

[Mr. Analog]

I see noth-ing!

[Darren Dirt]

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.

[Mr. Analog]

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

[Darren Dirt]

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.

[Mr. Analog]

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!

[Darren Dirt]

...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

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

[Tom]

Don't suppose I could steal that book from you could I? Next time we meet up?

[Darren Dirt]

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

[Mr. Analog]

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

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)

[Darren Dirt]

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.

[Mr. Analog]

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

[Darren Dirt]

So Mr. A, what were your thoughts? Considering you're a much bigger Clarke fan than I am (imo).