> Are there any other good Asian spec-fic novels that anyone knows of?
___Thanks muchly in advance__________________________________
Matthew Webber
[log in to unmask]
THE BOHR MAKER by Linda Nagata? It's contemporary and nanotech, set in
Singapore (I think), plus wherever else. Apparently no one in their right mind
actually lived on Earth. The place was infested by wild "makers." Also, if
you're interested in fantasy, J.A. Salmonson wrote a series (somewhat feminist)
a few years back set in Japan which included THE GOLDEN NAGINATA. Likely it's
all out of print, but you might find in used or in a library.
RE: movies. Anybody know what's going on with STARGATE? <scratching head> I
caught a few seconds of TV this weekend wherein Emmerich and Devlin were
grousing about having lost control of it. What was the deal? I thought it was
all their creation, but maybe they had to compromise control in order to get the
movie made? Were they just not careful enough about their contract? Whatever,
they're not pleased that it's about to appear as a TV series. If this sort of
rights snatch goes on, why haven't we seen a STAR WARS TV series? Or maybe
E.T.?
>In a message dated Thu, 17 Jul 1997 16:15:58, LELA BUIS
<[log in to unmask]> wrote inter alia:
<<Too much adherence to rules of any kind (including demonstratable science)
reduces creativity.>>
True only with emphasis on the words "too much". The available evidence (e.g.
"creative-writing class" assignments and most mainstream fiction) indicates
that too lax an adherence to the rules is much more inimical to creativity
than too firm an adherence.
>----- Tom Chappell (Michigan)
Is this lack of adherence to rules, or just lack of ability? There are certain
conventions that can be learned in use of language, but those can never replace
real talent and creativity. As far as mainstream fiction goes, I'm under the
impression (from this list) that publishers actively descriminate against
writers who try to publish "overly ambitious" manuscripts. Any comments from
the group on this?
No comments from anybody on the possible demise of machines in favor of organic
constructs? <sly grin>
RE: John Wyndham, "Consider..."
>As a male, if I were placed in a society with all other males, I would
certainly feel as though something important was missing. Yes, I would love
other men (Just like I do now: my brother, my father, my best friend, and
some others.), but I would also find the society, I think, at least a bit
bereft of personal meaning . . . if not repugnant. I think my own reaction
(which reflects the book's main character's reaction) is characteristic of
people in general, too.
Actually, it's possible to see how this senario might work out, and our
repugnance (as voiced by the protagonist) is based solely on socialization. If
there are no men, then women who don't know anything about sex with them aren't
going to want it. Lesbianism will become the norm, and those with low sex drive
(heterosexuals?) could become the workerbees. Something similar would certainly
hold true in a society of men, as well. Notice what happened in ancient Athens
when the population of women fell below 50 percent.
Lela Buis
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