Yet another big random post.
Oct. 12th, 2006 12:50 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
newnumber6Here's a heaping helping of randomness.
One of my fingers has been bothering me lately. I don't even know when it started, I'm starting to get the feeling it crept up on me gradually. It's the middle finger of my left hand. Maybe I hurt it, but I don't know. Here's what it is... it's ever-so-slightly slower to bend, and ever-so-slight but noticeable pain when I try. It's stiff. None of the other fingers are this way yet.
Maybe it's nothing, and it'll go away and I'm parannoying for nothing, but I'm a little worried it might be Arthritis. See, when I was younger I had juvenile arthritis (luckily, just in one ankle... my left, as it happened). I do recall the doctor telling me that it meant I probably wouldn't get arthritis as I'm older, but I've always wondered a bit if he was shining me on a little (or hell, if my memory of the whole event was faulty, which is quite possible with my memory), and that I'd actually be more prone to it recurring. And of course, I'm a little sensitive about my hands, seeing as how they're my lifeline to communication with the world. And hell, it wouldn't be at all out of character for the universe to launch that next strike in its war against me - seeing as how my eyes and my hands are pretty well the key instruments of almost all I enjoy, and my eyes are very slowly going, would only make perfect sense that the hands start to go next.
Meh. I'm probably just worrying for nothing. Probably just hit my finger and didn't realize it or remember it and it got swollen. Or maybe it's my body's way of telling me it wants me to be more like Ben Urich:
and give people the finger.
Monday was Thanksgiving. Instead of going to my dad's as was usually done, we went to the much closer but smaller place of my stepbrother and his family. It was nice not to have a huge drive before and after, anyway.
Oh, and in the category of 'Out of the mouths of babes': At one point, my step-niece (she's roughly 9) were playing around throwing pillows and blankets at each other on the couch, which messed up my hair. Sometime later she started brushing my hair out of my eyes. I asked what she was doing, and she said 'Brushing your hair, so you look less ugly.'. Yep. 'Less Ugly'. Ehh, not like it's much different than I expected I'd be viewed through other eyes. ;)
Anyway, place was a bit too crowded, but the food was good, and lots of leftovers. So that's cool.
Then of course after dinner I was sleepy because of the tryptophan in the Turkey (shut up, I know it's not really the tryptophan that makes you sleepy, but it's the Thanksgiving equivalent of Santa Claus. We don't really believe, but we pretend, because it makes it more fun). Did head over to my work to help fetch coffee, though nobody seemed to recognize me, or at least make a show of it. Girl In Pink was there (she still works there but schedules differ now), and at one point she made eye contact from afar, and I gave the 'head nod of recognition' but didn't get one in return so probably forgotten or wasn't recognized anyway.
Yes, I realize I say 'anyway' far too much, anyway.
Recently found on BoingBoing this bit about a CBC radio program where they discuss the idea that certain things classified as 'disorders', including autism and psychopathy aren't really such, but in fact 'different ways of being human', and particularly as (perhaps first steps towards) human speciation. I'm mainly just including this here to store the link so I don't have to dig through BoingBoing's archives to find the links when I have time to actually listen. But there is something in the BoingBoing article itself that appeals to me.
Specifically, the idea to describe treat people already in existence as different species. Now, I don't mean this in a negative way, and I have strong doubts that the two _particular_ cases would be examples of that (though again, I haven't listened to the radio program so maybe they have convincing arguments - it's also possible speciation was only used by BoingBoing and not there at all), but it's one of those cool ideas. I think, fundamentally, I like the idea (in general, although again, not necessarily in specifics) because I want there to be different species of humans, and it'd be really cool to me to think of them as already existing. Because it's just damn cool to me, the sort of idea like memes and considering the evolutionary causes of behaviour, that might potentially make me look at things in new ways in the future. And also because it just seems glorious to me. I don't think different species should be discriminated against, although it's possible that can't be helped in certain cases (like the whole ramen vs varelse thing in the later Ender books. If there were a species that was completely hostile to living with any other kinds of species, it might be best for that one to be, well, kept from killing the others). In fact, I think almost the opposite - if we did acknowledge that other species of human already existed, it would prove that we could get along in more or less peace (assuming that the different species weren't already at constant war). But I'm probably wildly optimistic and it would lead to people treating each other even worse than before. Meh. Just sort of random stream-of-consciousness ramblings. I'll have to actually listen to those bits though.
Some TV thoughts. Lost, Jericho, Heroes, Veronica Mars, Grey's Anatomy, Battlestar Galactica, LOST. All talking about recent episodes, but I'm going to be relatively spoiler lite (by which I mean no 'big' revelations, but some incidental minor things, though), so it should be safe even if you haven't seen them, since I'm mostly talking about my own impressions. Oh, wait, there is _one_ icon from Veronica Mars behind the cut, and it's a little spoilery for S3, episode 2. But it was just too funny not to do.
Jericho: My enthusiasm for the show has waned a fair bit. I don't mind things like the setting not being remotely like the real state, because shows do things like that all the time, but I'm just getting more and more convinced they're sacrificing the idea of portraying the events realistically to just doing whatever they want. And I particularly dislike the "Dawson's Radioactive Creek" moments where the cool girl is worried about what her friends will think if she associates with the geeky-but sweet guy. HELLO, THE WORLD IS FRICKIN' ENDING, KIDS. Not to mention everyone making stupid decisions, and running outside the instant the DEADLY RADIOACTIVE RAIN stops (like touching it while it's on the ground will be perfectly safe? Or if it's still drizzling slightly?). I'm still gonna watch it because there's nothing else on at the time I like and I'm kinda interested in the mystery with Hawkins. Also, I had similar 'commit to the premise' complaints about LOST early on (though I felt much better about everything else), and it turned out okay.
Heroes: Heroes is faring slightly better. I'm still excited about the show and like the characters, although they do have some annoyingly contrived plot points (like a kid waking up in the middle of the day, in a convertable, waking up JUST after his mother, who was right outside, finished doing something she didn't want him seeing, something that took up the whole night), and predictable stuff, but there's enough coolness here to keep me watching. Particularly with the cliffhangers, but there are lots of other isolated nifty moments.
I also like that they have a strong non-powered supporting cast, at least so far. I wish though that they'd stop attempting to bring science into it. I mean really... a computer program that can be used to TRACK DOWN people with a certain GENETIC characteristic that's only hypothesized to exist? If they said they were following news reports of unexplained phenomenon, okay, sure, but that's a far different cry from what they said. There are ways you can integrate science into a show where the laws of science don't hold, but they're not doing it with any degree of skill.
Veronica Mars: I already talked about the Veronica Mars premiere, but the second episode was on and... well, it was still fun, but it was probably a weaker than usual VM episode. Go Keith, though, you rock. And the Logan/Wallace subplot was reasonably fun, but I don't think they went as far with it as they could have and perhaps should have. However, it did lead me to make this icon:
Grey's Anatomy: I don't much like Meredith so I'm having to ignore that plotline as best as possible, but the show's still generally enjoyable. I know they'd never do it, but I actually kinda wish they'd go all out and just have Meredith/Derek/The Vet in a threesome relationship. Solely because at least then the plotlines would be different from the predictable resolutions we'll get.
I also have to say that I've had more than enough of Zombie Izzy. Yeah, she's in grief, I get that, but it's just not entertaining to watch for 3 episodes in a row. The next time Izzy spends a whole ep as a zombie, it'd better be as part of a plot where a zombie apocalypse strikes the city, and she's eating brains while the rest of the hospital tries to figure out how to cure the zombies (and hold them off). *sigh*. I wish that would be a plot, but no, traditional shows aren't daring enough to do something like that. Anyway, I digressed a little. My point is I hope in tonight's episode Izzy is actually participating in some way rather than just marking time.
Battlestar Galactica: Third season premiere was pretty cool, very intense, although I hope the plotline doesn't last for too long. And yes, Adama needs to lose the 'stash and Apollo needs to lay off the dessert tray in the Officer's mess. I still think my favorite character is Sharon, and Helo to a lesser degree.
LOST: None of the new episodes have really blown me away. Didn't really care much for the first (although the opening was nice). The second was better, particularly for Kate/Sawyer stuff, which was awesome, and the moment at the end with Jack. But still it all felt a little off - maybe I'm just missing the rest of the cast.
Edit: And in Stargate news, just read today that they've been greenlit to make two DVD movies for Stargate SG1 to wrap up the series. While that's not as cool as getting a whole season (or attempting to be the first series to distribute exclusively on DVD, which would be cool), it's still a relief that we'll get self-contained resolution, rather than awkwardly try to fit it into Atlantis' plotlines.
And now onto Book foo!
Finished: Dies the Fire, by S.M. Stirling (reread)
Thoughts and quote behind cut: As I believe I've mentioned before, S.M. Stirling isn't one of my favorite authors. I rarely find a strong connection to his characters and I tend to glaze over when he describes battles, even more than I glaze over battles in general. And there are a lot of big battles in his writing, which is another point not in his favour. But he does have the knack of coming up with big high concept ideas that I really love, so I can imagine myself in the situation. Dies the Fire was 'what if all technology stopped working'. The Nantucket series was 'what if a small modern island city travelled back in time to the Bronze age and had to survive'. Similarly with some of his other books. I actually _wish_ I liked him more, because if you could combine the cool ideas with great characters and a writing style more to my liking, I'd really be happy.
Anyway, on to the quote I've chosen for the book.
Why is it that guys who think they're the Master Race always look like walking advertisements for retroactive abortion?
Quoted for simple truth.
Also finished: Swan Songs: The complete Hooded Swan Collection, by Brian Stableford (reread)
Since this is really five books in one, I'm going to do a quote or two from each. And there will be some spoilers, but let's face it... I've only talked to one person online who's even heard of it, and no one who's read it, so I'm not under any delusions any of you are going to read it. Hell, I doubt most people'll even be reading the quotes. So I'm just amusing myself with bits of it I liked. But hell, I'm still leaving out any big spoilers, just in case.
But first, some more general thoughts. I still really like the character of Grainger, even the times I hate him. And despite how it ended, I really wish Brian Stableford would write some sort of followup or sequel. I could see in my head ways it would work. I doubt he'd do it, especially considering nobody seems to know about the books, but I'd love it all the same.
Now, onto the quotes: From The Halcyon Drift (Book 1), a bit where Grainger decides whether to destroy the cargo of the ship Titus Charlot hired him to find, on the request of his alien friend (a Khor-Monsa), who wanted the secrets discovered buried, or not:
By the Law of New Rome, this cargo belonged to Titus Charlot. His consortium owned the Hooded Swan. They had commissioned her. In other systems of law, the cargo might have belonged to the Khor-Monsa. Myastrid was not a derelict ship, but a world. Its people lived on, as the Khor-Monsa. The Lost Star had not salvaged these books, but stolen them. But the contemplation of such legal and ethical niceties was not helpful. I already knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to burn every last page. Not because Alachakh had wanted me to, although that was a good reason. Not because I respected the Khor-Monsa, although that was a fact. Because I wanted to spite Titus Charlot. Because I wanted to cheat him and rob him of what little glory I could. And because I wanted to destroy the legend of the Lost Star. I wanted the silly story to come to absolutely nothing, to make a fool of the whole bloody human race. Except me. And also because it was a good joke. Of such things are motives made. Nobility and altruism are unknown in the human race.
One of the reasons I like the series is that Grainger actually is pretty noble and altruistic, but he denies it even to himself. He comes up with alternate explanations for his own actions, so is an unreliable narrator. And here, although one never knows for sure, I think is an example of that. IMHO, he wanted to help fulfill his friend's dying wish. But he doesn't believe in altruism, not even his own. So he convinces himself he wanted to do it for selfish reasons.
From Rhapsody In Black:
A conversation between Grainger and the alien mind symbiote that is inside his head. They're discussing what could be inside a sealed cave that is so valuable to his employers:
"Let's at least think of examples which don't blatantly contradict the laws of physics."
- I contradict your precious laws of physics, he pointed out.
"Yeah," I remarked, without enthusiasm. "Well, maybe they found another one of you."
- Without a host, he said, scornfully, I'd be hardly likely to wind up in a place like this. And even with a host I'd have difficulty getting into a sealed cave.
"You were free-living on Lapthorn's Grave."
- Dormant, between hosts. I didn't start off like that, you know. I was born into a mind.
"No," I said. "I didn't know. You may have access to my memories, but I don't have access to yours."
- I can give you access, he said, with a sudden eagerness which made me very wary indeed.
"No!" I said, with some vehemence.
- It wouldn't be difficult, he said. I can imprint them in your mind. It'll take time, but think what it could offer you. I was once...
"I don't want to know!" It was virtually a mental shriek. I didn't want to know. Not anything. Not ever. I wanted no part of him.
- My abilities saved your life and your ship in the Halcyon Drift, he said.
"So you did me a favour," I retorted. "Well, I didn't ask, and even if I ought to be grateful, I'm not. Let's just say that once paid for your keep. You've rented space in my mind and you've added some time to my life. So okay, we're all square. But we aren't lovers, and we never will be. Just leave me alone. Don't do me any _more_ favours. Right?" I was on edge, and I was pretty tired. Perhaps I let my temper loose and said more than I should have. But the thought of what he might be able to do with my mind and my identity just got on my nerves. I was scared of him.
Just because it's a good quote illustrating the strange fear relationship has with the mind parasite, even though their relationship evolves over time.
From Promised Land:
Eve found it all impossible to accept. She didn't see how it was possible that the Indris -- or anyone else -- could create something that was beyond their understanding.
The woman only offered one extra argument.
She said: "Can you humans understand your children? _Before_ you have managed to turn them into human beings?"
I thought it was a good point.
Nothing terribly special, I just liked it and didn't have another quote from this book.
Similarly, from The Paradise Game:
It wasn't the two years on Lapthorn's Grave that had left me unprepared for such developments -- it was a general tendency throughout my life to misjudge the velocity of change. Things happened faster now than they had at any time in history. And we were still accelerating.
Just because I also have a tendency to misjudge the velocity of change. Though I suspect this may be a common failing. I'm not sure if things are happening faster now than at any other time in history, but it's certainly possible.
From The Fenris Device:
"Has it ever occured to you," I said, quietly but with gathering intensity, "that you might be mad?"
"Has it ever occured to you," he replied, "that I might not?"
I had to admit that it hadn't.
Spoken to an obviously insane person holding them hostage who claims he has the ability to read minds.
And from Swan Song:
After Grainger and his relatively new friend Sam (who'd expressed a lifelong desire to take up a romantic life of crime) steak a starship to take it on a dangerous mission:
"OK," said Sam. "It's your funeral. I'm in the coffin for the ride."
"Don't say that," I told him. "Just look on the bright side, if you can find it. Just let's ease the ship through her paces while you feel her up. And, Sam..."
"Yeah?"
"Didn't you get a kick out of it? Heisting a starship... didn't it feel like the answer to a long-lost cause?"
"As a matter of fact," said the last of the great romantics, "no."
It is a sad truth that many of us are not really at home in the roles which destiny carves out for us.
Fairly straightforward. And finally, a conversation with his engineer:
"I was right," he reminded me.
"You were right," I agreed. "For all the wrong reasons."
The catch is, I might have added, that that's the way things happens. For all the wrong reasons. It's the way the world goes around.
Ever since I read that, one of many phrases bouncing around in the back of my mind is
'That's the way the world goes round... for all the wrong reasons.'
Started: The Protector's War, by S.M. Stirling (Fridays and Sundays)
Appleseed, by John Clute (Wednesdays)
TPW is the sequel to DTF, and the reason I reread DTF. Appleseed is a book I got for $2 in the 'last call' bin at a bookstore. Haven't really gotten far enough into them to give any more thoughts than that. Oh and I was wandering through the bookstore and looked again at Ilium, by Dan Simmons. Anyone on my flist read it and have any (non-spoilery) thoughts? I liked the Hyperion series by the same author, but too much mythological content (particularly when it's 'indistinguishable from fantasy') sometimes turns me off for some reason, and I fear Ilium might tread on that.
Anyway, this concludes another edition of HUGE RANDOM POST.
One of my fingers has been bothering me lately. I don't even know when it started, I'm starting to get the feeling it crept up on me gradually. It's the middle finger of my left hand. Maybe I hurt it, but I don't know. Here's what it is... it's ever-so-slightly slower to bend, and ever-so-slight but noticeable pain when I try. It's stiff. None of the other fingers are this way yet.
Maybe it's nothing, and it'll go away and I'm parannoying for nothing, but I'm a little worried it might be Arthritis. See, when I was younger I had juvenile arthritis (luckily, just in one ankle... my left, as it happened). I do recall the doctor telling me that it meant I probably wouldn't get arthritis as I'm older, but I've always wondered a bit if he was shining me on a little (or hell, if my memory of the whole event was faulty, which is quite possible with my memory), and that I'd actually be more prone to it recurring. And of course, I'm a little sensitive about my hands, seeing as how they're my lifeline to communication with the world. And hell, it wouldn't be at all out of character for the universe to launch that next strike in its war against me - seeing as how my eyes and my hands are pretty well the key instruments of almost all I enjoy, and my eyes are very slowly going, would only make perfect sense that the hands start to go next.
Meh. I'm probably just worrying for nothing. Probably just hit my finger and didn't realize it or remember it and it got swollen. Or maybe it's my body's way of telling me it wants me to be more like Ben Urich:
and give people the finger.Monday was Thanksgiving. Instead of going to my dad's as was usually done, we went to the much closer but smaller place of my stepbrother and his family. It was nice not to have a huge drive before and after, anyway.
Oh, and in the category of 'Out of the mouths of babes': At one point, my step-niece (she's roughly 9) were playing around throwing pillows and blankets at each other on the couch, which messed up my hair. Sometime later she started brushing my hair out of my eyes. I asked what she was doing, and she said 'Brushing your hair, so you look less ugly.'. Yep. 'Less Ugly'. Ehh, not like it's much different than I expected I'd be viewed through other eyes. ;)
Anyway, place was a bit too crowded, but the food was good, and lots of leftovers. So that's cool.
Then of course after dinner I was sleepy because of the tryptophan in the Turkey (shut up, I know it's not really the tryptophan that makes you sleepy, but it's the Thanksgiving equivalent of Santa Claus. We don't really believe, but we pretend, because it makes it more fun). Did head over to my work to help fetch coffee, though nobody seemed to recognize me, or at least make a show of it. Girl In Pink was there (she still works there but schedules differ now), and at one point she made eye contact from afar, and I gave the 'head nod of recognition' but didn't get one in return so probably forgotten or wasn't recognized anyway.
Yes, I realize I say 'anyway' far too much, anyway.
Recently found on BoingBoing this bit about a CBC radio program where they discuss the idea that certain things classified as 'disorders', including autism and psychopathy aren't really such, but in fact 'different ways of being human', and particularly as (perhaps first steps towards) human speciation. I'm mainly just including this here to store the link so I don't have to dig through BoingBoing's archives to find the links when I have time to actually listen. But there is something in the BoingBoing article itself that appeals to me.
Specifically, the idea to describe treat people already in existence as different species. Now, I don't mean this in a negative way, and I have strong doubts that the two _particular_ cases would be examples of that (though again, I haven't listened to the radio program so maybe they have convincing arguments - it's also possible speciation was only used by BoingBoing and not there at all), but it's one of those cool ideas. I think, fundamentally, I like the idea (in general, although again, not necessarily in specifics) because I want there to be different species of humans, and it'd be really cool to me to think of them as already existing. Because it's just damn cool to me, the sort of idea like memes and considering the evolutionary causes of behaviour, that might potentially make me look at things in new ways in the future. And also because it just seems glorious to me. I don't think different species should be discriminated against, although it's possible that can't be helped in certain cases (like the whole ramen vs varelse thing in the later Ender books. If there were a species that was completely hostile to living with any other kinds of species, it might be best for that one to be, well, kept from killing the others). In fact, I think almost the opposite - if we did acknowledge that other species of human already existed, it would prove that we could get along in more or less peace (assuming that the different species weren't already at constant war). But I'm probably wildly optimistic and it would lead to people treating each other even worse than before. Meh. Just sort of random stream-of-consciousness ramblings. I'll have to actually listen to those bits though.
Some TV thoughts. Lost, Jericho, Heroes, Veronica Mars, Grey's Anatomy, Battlestar Galactica, LOST. All talking about recent episodes, but I'm going to be relatively spoiler lite (by which I mean no 'big' revelations, but some incidental minor things, though), so it should be safe even if you haven't seen them, since I'm mostly talking about my own impressions. Oh, wait, there is _one_ icon from Veronica Mars behind the cut, and it's a little spoilery for S3, episode 2. But it was just too funny not to do.
Jericho: My enthusiasm for the show has waned a fair bit. I don't mind things like the setting not being remotely like the real state, because shows do things like that all the time, but I'm just getting more and more convinced they're sacrificing the idea of portraying the events realistically to just doing whatever they want. And I particularly dislike the "Dawson's Radioactive Creek" moments where the cool girl is worried about what her friends will think if she associates with the geeky-but sweet guy. HELLO, THE WORLD IS FRICKIN' ENDING, KIDS. Not to mention everyone making stupid decisions, and running outside the instant the DEADLY RADIOACTIVE RAIN stops (like touching it while it's on the ground will be perfectly safe? Or if it's still drizzling slightly?). I'm still gonna watch it because there's nothing else on at the time I like and I'm kinda interested in the mystery with Hawkins. Also, I had similar 'commit to the premise' complaints about LOST early on (though I felt much better about everything else), and it turned out okay.
Heroes: Heroes is faring slightly better. I'm still excited about the show and like the characters, although they do have some annoyingly contrived plot points (like a kid waking up in the middle of the day, in a convertable, waking up JUST after his mother, who was right outside, finished doing something she didn't want him seeing, something that took up the whole night), and predictable stuff, but there's enough coolness here to keep me watching. Particularly with the cliffhangers, but there are lots of other isolated nifty moments.
I also like that they have a strong non-powered supporting cast, at least so far. I wish though that they'd stop attempting to bring science into it. I mean really... a computer program that can be used to TRACK DOWN people with a certain GENETIC characteristic that's only hypothesized to exist? If they said they were following news reports of unexplained phenomenon, okay, sure, but that's a far different cry from what they said. There are ways you can integrate science into a show where the laws of science don't hold, but they're not doing it with any degree of skill.
Veronica Mars: I already talked about the Veronica Mars premiere, but the second episode was on and... well, it was still fun, but it was probably a weaker than usual VM episode. Go Keith, though, you rock. And the Logan/Wallace subplot was reasonably fun, but I don't think they went as far with it as they could have and perhaps should have. However, it did lead me to make this icon:
Grey's Anatomy: I don't much like Meredith so I'm having to ignore that plotline as best as possible, but the show's still generally enjoyable. I know they'd never do it, but I actually kinda wish they'd go all out and just have Meredith/Derek/The Vet in a threesome relationship. Solely because at least then the plotlines would be different from the predictable resolutions we'll get.
I also have to say that I've had more than enough of Zombie Izzy. Yeah, she's in grief, I get that, but it's just not entertaining to watch for 3 episodes in a row. The next time Izzy spends a whole ep as a zombie, it'd better be as part of a plot where a zombie apocalypse strikes the city, and she's eating brains while the rest of the hospital tries to figure out how to cure the zombies (and hold them off). *sigh*. I wish that would be a plot, but no, traditional shows aren't daring enough to do something like that. Anyway, I digressed a little. My point is I hope in tonight's episode Izzy is actually participating in some way rather than just marking time.
Battlestar Galactica: Third season premiere was pretty cool, very intense, although I hope the plotline doesn't last for too long. And yes, Adama needs to lose the 'stash and Apollo needs to lay off the dessert tray in the Officer's mess. I still think my favorite character is Sharon, and Helo to a lesser degree.
LOST: None of the new episodes have really blown me away. Didn't really care much for the first (although the opening was nice). The second was better, particularly for Kate/Sawyer stuff, which was awesome, and the moment at the end with Jack. But still it all felt a little off - maybe I'm just missing the rest of the cast.
Edit: And in Stargate news, just read today that they've been greenlit to make two DVD movies for Stargate SG1 to wrap up the series. While that's not as cool as getting a whole season (or attempting to be the first series to distribute exclusively on DVD, which would be cool), it's still a relief that we'll get self-contained resolution, rather than awkwardly try to fit it into Atlantis' plotlines.
And now onto Book foo!
Finished: Dies the Fire, by S.M. Stirling (reread)
Thoughts and quote behind cut: As I believe I've mentioned before, S.M. Stirling isn't one of my favorite authors. I rarely find a strong connection to his characters and I tend to glaze over when he describes battles, even more than I glaze over battles in general. And there are a lot of big battles in his writing, which is another point not in his favour. But he does have the knack of coming up with big high concept ideas that I really love, so I can imagine myself in the situation. Dies the Fire was 'what if all technology stopped working'. The Nantucket series was 'what if a small modern island city travelled back in time to the Bronze age and had to survive'. Similarly with some of his other books. I actually _wish_ I liked him more, because if you could combine the cool ideas with great characters and a writing style more to my liking, I'd really be happy.
Anyway, on to the quote I've chosen for the book.
Why is it that guys who think they're the Master Race always look like walking advertisements for retroactive abortion?
Quoted for simple truth.
Also finished: Swan Songs: The complete Hooded Swan Collection, by Brian Stableford (reread)
Since this is really five books in one, I'm going to do a quote or two from each. And there will be some spoilers, but let's face it... I've only talked to one person online who's even heard of it, and no one who's read it, so I'm not under any delusions any of you are going to read it. Hell, I doubt most people'll even be reading the quotes. So I'm just amusing myself with bits of it I liked. But hell, I'm still leaving out any big spoilers, just in case.
But first, some more general thoughts. I still really like the character of Grainger, even the times I hate him. And despite how it ended, I really wish Brian Stableford would write some sort of followup or sequel. I could see in my head ways it would work. I doubt he'd do it, especially considering nobody seems to know about the books, but I'd love it all the same.
Now, onto the quotes: From The Halcyon Drift (Book 1), a bit where Grainger decides whether to destroy the cargo of the ship Titus Charlot hired him to find, on the request of his alien friend (a Khor-Monsa), who wanted the secrets discovered buried, or not:
By the Law of New Rome, this cargo belonged to Titus Charlot. His consortium owned the Hooded Swan. They had commissioned her. In other systems of law, the cargo might have belonged to the Khor-Monsa. Myastrid was not a derelict ship, but a world. Its people lived on, as the Khor-Monsa. The Lost Star had not salvaged these books, but stolen them. But the contemplation of such legal and ethical niceties was not helpful. I already knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to burn every last page. Not because Alachakh had wanted me to, although that was a good reason. Not because I respected the Khor-Monsa, although that was a fact. Because I wanted to spite Titus Charlot. Because I wanted to cheat him and rob him of what little glory I could. And because I wanted to destroy the legend of the Lost Star. I wanted the silly story to come to absolutely nothing, to make a fool of the whole bloody human race. Except me. And also because it was a good joke. Of such things are motives made. Nobility and altruism are unknown in the human race.
One of the reasons I like the series is that Grainger actually is pretty noble and altruistic, but he denies it even to himself. He comes up with alternate explanations for his own actions, so is an unreliable narrator. And here, although one never knows for sure, I think is an example of that. IMHO, he wanted to help fulfill his friend's dying wish. But he doesn't believe in altruism, not even his own. So he convinces himself he wanted to do it for selfish reasons.
From Rhapsody In Black:
A conversation between Grainger and the alien mind symbiote that is inside his head. They're discussing what could be inside a sealed cave that is so valuable to his employers:
"Let's at least think of examples which don't blatantly contradict the laws of physics."
- I contradict your precious laws of physics, he pointed out.
"Yeah," I remarked, without enthusiasm. "Well, maybe they found another one of you."
- Without a host, he said, scornfully, I'd be hardly likely to wind up in a place like this. And even with a host I'd have difficulty getting into a sealed cave.
"You were free-living on Lapthorn's Grave."
- Dormant, between hosts. I didn't start off like that, you know. I was born into a mind.
"No," I said. "I didn't know. You may have access to my memories, but I don't have access to yours."
- I can give you access, he said, with a sudden eagerness which made me very wary indeed.
"No!" I said, with some vehemence.
- It wouldn't be difficult, he said. I can imprint them in your mind. It'll take time, but think what it could offer you. I was once...
"I don't want to know!" It was virtually a mental shriek. I didn't want to know. Not anything. Not ever. I wanted no part of him.
- My abilities saved your life and your ship in the Halcyon Drift, he said.
"So you did me a favour," I retorted. "Well, I didn't ask, and even if I ought to be grateful, I'm not. Let's just say that once paid for your keep. You've rented space in my mind and you've added some time to my life. So okay, we're all square. But we aren't lovers, and we never will be. Just leave me alone. Don't do me any _more_ favours. Right?" I was on edge, and I was pretty tired. Perhaps I let my temper loose and said more than I should have. But the thought of what he might be able to do with my mind and my identity just got on my nerves. I was scared of him.
Just because it's a good quote illustrating the strange fear relationship has with the mind parasite, even though their relationship evolves over time.
From Promised Land:
Eve found it all impossible to accept. She didn't see how it was possible that the Indris -- or anyone else -- could create something that was beyond their understanding.
The woman only offered one extra argument.
She said: "Can you humans understand your children? _Before_ you have managed to turn them into human beings?"
I thought it was a good point.
Nothing terribly special, I just liked it and didn't have another quote from this book.
Similarly, from The Paradise Game:
It wasn't the two years on Lapthorn's Grave that had left me unprepared for such developments -- it was a general tendency throughout my life to misjudge the velocity of change. Things happened faster now than they had at any time in history. And we were still accelerating.
Just because I also have a tendency to misjudge the velocity of change. Though I suspect this may be a common failing. I'm not sure if things are happening faster now than at any other time in history, but it's certainly possible.
From The Fenris Device:
"Has it ever occured to you," I said, quietly but with gathering intensity, "that you might be mad?"
"Has it ever occured to you," he replied, "that I might not?"
I had to admit that it hadn't.
Spoken to an obviously insane person holding them hostage who claims he has the ability to read minds.
And from Swan Song:
After Grainger and his relatively new friend Sam (who'd expressed a lifelong desire to take up a romantic life of crime) steak a starship to take it on a dangerous mission:
"OK," said Sam. "It's your funeral. I'm in the coffin for the ride."
"Don't say that," I told him. "Just look on the bright side, if you can find it. Just let's ease the ship through her paces while you feel her up. And, Sam..."
"Yeah?"
"Didn't you get a kick out of it? Heisting a starship... didn't it feel like the answer to a long-lost cause?"
"As a matter of fact," said the last of the great romantics, "no."
It is a sad truth that many of us are not really at home in the roles which destiny carves out for us.
Fairly straightforward. And finally, a conversation with his engineer:
"I was right," he reminded me.
"You were right," I agreed. "For all the wrong reasons."
The catch is, I might have added, that that's the way things happens. For all the wrong reasons. It's the way the world goes around.
Ever since I read that, one of many phrases bouncing around in the back of my mind is
'That's the way the world goes round... for all the wrong reasons.'
Started: The Protector's War, by S.M. Stirling (Fridays and Sundays)
Appleseed, by John Clute (Wednesdays)
TPW is the sequel to DTF, and the reason I reread DTF. Appleseed is a book I got for $2 in the 'last call' bin at a bookstore. Haven't really gotten far enough into them to give any more thoughts than that. Oh and I was wandering through the bookstore and looked again at Ilium, by Dan Simmons. Anyone on my flist read it and have any (non-spoilery) thoughts? I liked the Hyperion series by the same author, but too much mythological content (particularly when it's 'indistinguishable from fantasy') sometimes turns me off for some reason, and I fear Ilium might tread on that.
Anyway, this concludes another edition of HUGE RANDOM POST.
