"I like to wake up each morning feeling a new man"

[svesy]

I read "Brave New World" yesterday (finally), and I had the most wonderful dreams. Words could not do them any justice, so I will not elaborate, and I will only say these two words:

Read it.

Comments

[pontifexofpunk]

ooooohhhhhhh.... that book was one of my all time favorites. I can hear the footsteps of Ford! WAAAA!

The book was a requirement for high school. I'm glad it was. Most kiddies aren't exposed to things like that... ever.

[finnien]

Science fiction is, in my opinion, greatly undertaught in schools, both at the highschool level and in college. However, somehow A Brave New World has managed to climb its way out of the Sci Fi stigma and become "literature", which is wonderful. Now I'm just waiting for Stranger in a Strange Land, The Gods Themselves, Good Omens, or Ender's Game to get added to the list. I have a feeling I'll be waiting awhile. ;)

Far too few fun, creative books are taught in schools. A little more fantasy and sci-fi might actually teach kids to (gasp) enjoy reading.

[svesy]

Perhaps I can cause a ripple of progress when I start teaching. Just for you, of course, my most admired of all people that are not in my direct life and who are also strong and good natured.

Hmm. I may want to later add some things to that category that I just put you in, but neverless, there you are.

Oh, and add: and charming.

[finnien]

And add: devious bent on world domination. Can't let people get the wrong idea, of course.

[svesy]

Well absolutely, Finnykins. The reason I said, "Hmm. I may want to later add some things to that category that I just put you in, but neverless, there you are." was because I was trying to think of a less obvious way of saying "devious bent on world domination".

[finnien]

Ah, my mistake! I thought you were talking about people you would add to that category, not more disclaimers! I wanted to properly warn anybody being placed in a category with me that certain moral deviance came along with my association.

However, you were too subtle for me for a Monday morning! On a Wednesday, no misunderstandings would have been made, and I could have continued to plot without interruptions or announcements.

[pontifexofpunk]

Rock the world! Buddhists say you can cause a tidal wave by simply throwing a rock into the sea. I say start chucking rocks. ;)

[pontifexofpunk]

I read Stranger in a Strange Land, and I agree. Works of fiction seem to me to be a whole lot better at portraying reality, though in a different way, than traditional non-fiction.

I'd really like to see that day when these good books that fire up the brain are commonplace in schools!

[finnien]

What I love best about science fiction and fantasy is that the art of storytelling is, for the most part, still considered the essential core of the novel. Far too many novels I read now are so concerned with being "character-driven" or "thought-provoking," looking for reviews from scholar-critics and obscure reviewing intellectuals, that the idea of really telling a good STORY gets lost. This was especially true in college.

Give people a love of reading, and they'll grow intellectually. Force "intellectual" books on those who don't love reading, and they won't learn a thing. Enjoyability is a highly underrated quality in literature.

In my humble opinion. ;)

[pontifexofpunk]

See, I got far more enjoyment out of 'The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy' and more brain chugging thinking about the amusements than I did any of the crap I wound up trudging through in college. Then again, the majority of what I'm expected to read are technical manuals... which can drive anyone insane. I'm sure you get my point though... if you do not enjoy it, why continue? No wonder people dont read!

Nothing wrong with a humble opinion. ;)