Barbara- you should know that you are on the wrong track with thinking that
we are off Dune because it has not so much technology in it. I think the
problems are more to do with plot, structure, and a murky cringey new age
feel, rather than any lack of technology.
And by the way, I take your point re hard sf and cardboard characters, but
there are so exceptions, like Joan Slonczewski, and I guess.. catherine
Asaro- Joan S is brilliant hard *and* soft sf! Anyone know any others like
that? because I would dearly love some recomendations
Maire

Hard SF- Oct discussion "A Door Into Ocean" by Joan Slonczewski
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hardsf


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Science Fiction and Fantasy Listserv [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
> Behalf Of John Snead
> Sent: Friday, 5 October 2001 7:39 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [SF-LIT] Dune and technology
>
>
> Barbara Colgan <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> >
> > I was surprised at the recent downgrading of "Dune" from Classic to
> > forgettable by some on this list.  The criticism seems to be based on
> > the facts that "Dune" lacked computers and other interesting high-tech
> > gadgets and machinery.  [Personally, love those gom jibars (sp?)!]
> > When I first read "Dune" in the late '70's, to me it was a fascinating
> > look at the possibilities of consciousness.  Having read it twice
> > more, I find it just as interesting and imaginative a look at the
> > human mind as it was then, nor have I read anything else that comes
> > close.  An emphasis on technology in Sci Fi mostly bores me.  To
> > generalize, lots of technology in a book seems to go along with
> > cardboard characters, a la Michael Chrichton.  I'll take a complex
> > plot and intriguing characters any day.
>
> I'd put it in the forgettable category, but for *seriously* stereotypical
> (and extremely negative) protrayals of women and massive sexism
> rather than tech problems.
>
> -John Snead [log in to unmask]
>