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 Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 5:09 pm
I just found out that the legendary author of works such as 2001: A Space Odyssey died last Wednesday at the age of 90.
Link
Discuss:
++your favorite books of his
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Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 3:03 pm
I only ever read one book by him, Childhood's End, and it was an assigned class reading. Very interesting book, from what I remember. Something about aliens coming down to 'help' human civilization, including some stuff about humans evolving and getting psychic powers... I can't remember how it ended, though.
I never read 2001, or saw the film based on the book. My brother did read some of his Rama books.
I should try reading more of his stuff. I like that sort of hardcore science fiction.
Anyway, another legend passes away. Sad tidings, indeed.
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Hairy Priest Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 4:53 pm
Aw, if you haven't read 2001 or any of the others, you're missing out!
I've got them all and I've read 2001 and 3001 at least twice.
And if you do see the 2001 movie, you might think it boring since the first bit of dialog takes place 30-something minutes into the film, but just this one scene with HAL (the infamous computer) and the ending are worth it.
The other books in the series (2010, 2061, and 3001) are pretty good, but 2061 becomes more technical.. 3001 is an amazing read though.
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Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 5:46 pm
You know we have satellites because of him.
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Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 6:24 pm
Deus Vivit You know we have satellites because of him. Yeah, he had these concepts years before they were actually used. It's amazing, really.
And I love the quotes section on his article on Wiki. Here's some of them:
Quote: * "Life is just one big banana. Science fiction allows us all to peel open the reality and discover the yellow truth inside." * "Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not. In either case the idea is quite staggering." * "How inappropriate to call this planet Earth, when clearly it is Ocean." * Of UFOs: "They tell us absolutely nothing about intelligence elsewhere in the universe, but they do prove how rare it is on Earth." * "Somewhere in me is a curiosity sensor. I want to know what's over the next hill. You know, people can live longer without food than without information. Without information, you'd go crazy."
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Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 6:58 pm
Ceribri And if you do see the 2001 movie, you might think it boring since the first bit of dialog takes place 30-something minutes into the film, but just this one scene with HAL (the infamous computer) and the ending are worth it. You know, I've seen so many references/parodies/homages to 'HAL', but I never had any idea where it originated from. Now I know. 2001 also had some monolith thing, right? I've also seen references to that.
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Hairy Priest Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 7:30 pm
Hairy Priest Ceribri And if you do see the 2001 movie, you might think it boring since the first bit of dialog takes place 30-something minutes into the film, but just this one scene with HAL (the infamous computer) and the ending are worth it. You know, I've seen so many references/parodies/homages to 'HAL', but I never had any idea where it originated from. Now I know. 2001 also had some monolith thing, right? I've also seen references to that.
O_O
HAL is iconic. Even the Animaniacs parodied it. razz
Yeah, well.. technically it had two, but only one is what people remember. smile
(Animaniacs parodied the monolith too xD)
You've got to read at least 2001, and then at least see the most amazing part in the movie.
Basically, for the first chapter/30 minutes, it is explained/shown that the monolith appeared on earth to primates and taught them how to use basic tools to survive, and whatnot. Like, it was telepathic or something....
(okay, so I don't believe in evolution, but at least it is thorough and makes sense for a sci-fi novel)
The difference between book and movie is that the book explains what's going on, while the movie has things happen and you kind of have to be able to piece it together yourself. Both are masterpieces; I just like the way the book paints the picture. (There are differences due to the limited CGI effects then, but it's all good. smile )
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