Using Technology to Deepen Democracy, Using Democracy to Ensure Technology Benefits Us All
Monday, March 02, 2015
Choices
I really get it when Paul Krugman says he became an economist because he wanted to be a Foundation psychohistorian, since I'm pretty sure I became a rhetorician because I always wanted to be a Bene Gesserit witch.
It is curious, I suppose, to realize that as a kid I never wanted to be a comic book hero in a cape but a Vulcan or one of the Istari (to whom I had also assimilated Mary Stewart's Merlin figure) or a Bene Gesserit in a robe...
I am pretty sure I became a socialist because of the Red Mars triology by Kim Stanley Robinson. I mean not the only thing but still important. Or it could be my undying love for Superman. I really can't decide.
Chad, the old joke "Does the Pope wear a dress?" comes to mind.
Elias, the Mars books made my socialism much more confident. I had found the theory compelling long before, but Robinson gave socialist common sense such a contemporary rhythm and rhetoric. I will admit (what a curiously confessional blog day this has turned out to be!) I have long dreamed of either Ronald Moore or Aaron Sorkin doing the Mars Trilogy in three seasons on SF or HBO. Re-reading the books I can viscerally envision the scenes...
Yeah! I agree that it would be much better as a series rather than film. Spike Tv currently has the rights which makes me afraid but I do not know maybe they will try to become like HBO and actually produce quality rather than quantity . For me, I just happen to have read them at the perfect time when I was 17 years old and interested in (to my shame now, but I loved Heinlein before I discovered Michael Moorcock and the more complex genre writers)libertarianism. But his story with compelling characters and intelligent political argument made me realise that the values I had could never be achieved by capitalism, patriarchy and plutocracy.
I still read Heinlein. Number of the Beast was and remains my favorite (I first read it the year it was published!), but obviously that's not because of but in spite of the libertopian corporate-militarist nonsense.
I still love Stranger in a Strange land and especially Time Enough for Love. I love the idea of immortals who lived alongside other humans for centuries. And yes for all the cheese in the world I love Highlander (especially the tv series)
It is curious, I suppose, to realize that as a kid I never wanted to be a comic book hero in a cape but a Vulcan or one of the Istari (to whom I had also assimilated Mary Stewart's Merlin figure) or a Bene Gesserit in a robe...
ReplyDeleteI think the true path to tenure might involve you showing up to class in robes and some kind of headdress.
ReplyDeleteI will try and get into grad school and TA if that becomes a plan.
I am pretty sure I became a socialist because of the Red Mars triology by Kim Stanley Robinson. I mean not the only thing but still important. Or it could be my undying love for Superman. I really can't decide.
ReplyDeleteChad, the old joke "Does the Pope wear a dress?" comes to mind.
ReplyDeleteElias, the Mars books made my socialism much more confident. I had found the theory compelling long before, but Robinson gave socialist common sense such a contemporary rhythm and rhetoric. I will admit (what a curiously confessional blog day this has turned out to be!) I have long dreamed of either Ronald Moore or Aaron Sorkin doing the Mars Trilogy in three seasons on SF or HBO. Re-reading the books I can viscerally envision the scenes...
Yeah! I agree that it would be much better as a series rather than film. Spike Tv currently has the rights which makes me afraid but I do not know maybe they will try to become like HBO and actually produce quality rather than quantity . For me, I just happen to have read them at the perfect time when I was 17 years old and interested in (to my shame now, but I loved Heinlein before I discovered Michael Moorcock and the more complex genre writers)libertarianism. But his story with compelling characters and intelligent political argument made me realise that the values I had could never be achieved by capitalism, patriarchy and plutocracy.
ReplyDelete> I'm pretty sure I became a rhetorician because I always wanted to be a Bene Gesserit witch.
ReplyDeleteUsing the Voice on us, are you?
;->
I don't use Voice, gurl, I use Face.
ReplyDeleteI still read Heinlein. Number of the Beast was and remains my favorite (I first read it the year it was published!), but obviously that's not because of but in spite of the libertopian corporate-militarist nonsense.
ReplyDeleteI still love Stranger in a Strange land and especially Time Enough for Love. I love the idea of immortals who lived alongside other humans for centuries. And yes for all the cheese in the world I love Highlander (especially the tv series)
ReplyDeleteThe best part of Highlander (TV) was when it finally realized it was a bodice ripping romance novel come to life.
ReplyDeleteThe episode with Sandra Bernhard was pure gold.