darth_ender

Ryan McAvoy said:

Mrebo said:

I thought you were kidding about the buggers, CP3S. Maybe you are.

Jesus wept! I also thought it was a satirical joke from mr CP3S. But no, I just looked it up and the Alien's in Card's 'Ender's Game' are really called "Buggers".

Oh no!  Bug-like aliens are actually called "Buggers"!  See my above post please :)

I did feel really angry about the guy but after his recent article saying...

Obama wants to be like Hitler and reign over America forever by controlling the country using armed young black street gangs as his new fascist police force...

I've never read the story, but it not a statement, but rather a political fictional short story.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orson_Scott_Card#Politics

...I just thought this guy isn't merely wrong and deluded, he's actually insane and needs medical help. He's systematically destroying his own career by choice but I do feel a bit sorry for the people like Harrison in the film who are watching it all crumble around them before it even hits the boxoffice.

His views are not uncommon.  Just because I don't agree with all his views doesn't mean I am in favor of gay marriage.  But just because I am against it doesn't mean I am a bigot or that I hate anyone because of their sexual preferences.  I have said several times elsewhere in this forum that I have several dear friends who are gay.  He is outspoken on his views, and I think he is ignorant on the topic and wrong, but I don't believe he is hateful.  I've heard quite a few nasty and bigoted opinions towards my religion and Christianity in general by prominent folks that never earn such a boycott.

CP3S said:

darth_ender said:

It would be good to actually read the books.  Humanity is afraid of these aliens because of their frightening insect-like appearance and their seeming relentlessness in their assaults on humanity, and thus they earned the nickname "buggers". 

It is just hard to take it as coincidence that the nickname for his alien species also just so happens to be a dirty word meaning "*** ******".

That is great he was a huge opponent of racism.

Okay, bear in mind that the book came out in the early 80s, and was based on his own short story of the same name that came out in the 70s.  I have never heard of that expression meaning anything like that before today, nor do I know the etymology of that particular definition, but I already have my doubts that such a meaning had developed by the time that story was written.  Even if that expression did already exist, let's look at more convincing factors.  First, the aliens look like bipedal ants, which, as you likely know, are in fact "bugs".  Second, these aliens are originally meant to be frightening (not in any sexual way), but then ultimately are very sympathetic, and we learn the horrible consequences of such prejudice against these aliens.  Third, they bear no other resemblance to homosexuality in either culture or behavior.  For instance, they are organized much like an ant hill, with a queen at the head who reproduces with male drones and communicates telepathically.  I fail to see any gay analogies there.  The only other connection one might make for anti-gay propaganda is the bullying that takes place between children, one saying another's butt wiggles, and the reply from "God" that the bully is checking out a boy's butt.  Quite common as far as bullying goes and hardly a statement against being gay.

CP3S said:

darth_ender said:

Oh, excuse me.  I thought this was the What are you reading? thread.  I didn't realized I'd walked into the politics thread.

*exits*

You're so very anal about topics.

Yes, I am :D

I promise, slight literary related tangents in the what are you reading thread aren't going to hurt you. They rarely ever bite and they've had loads of vaccinations.

But how can I be sure? ;)

CP3S said:

Bingowings said:

Unless he becomes immortal and churns out more tales of young men fighting off the 'buggers' (the aliens in the Ender's series are called that... no really).

Wow! I had no idea they were called that. That is incredibly blatant! Everyone is always telling me even though Card is a dick, it isn't a big deal to read him because his views don't make their way into his books. Like hell!

That would be akin to naming your alien species the "darkies".

It would be good to actually read the books.  Humanity is afraid of these aliens because of their frightening insect-like appearance and their seeming relentlessness in their assaults on humanity, and thus they earned the nickname "buggers".  The entire world was scared to death of them.  Ultimately, Ender the hero learns to see the beauty and good in the creatures, and he grows to love them.  While people enjoy the book for the action, it's actually the theme of tolerance and anti-speciesism that permeates the entire series.  I don't want to tell too much, but the term "bugger" falls out of fashion with the enlightened hero, and ultimately he advocates to the rest of humanity on behalf of the species.  In the end, humans hate him for defeating the Formics (their true name), and love the defeated species, all because of Ender's advocacy on their behalf.

Orson Scott Card is a registered Democrat in spite of his largely conservative views.  Why?  Because he feels the Republican party does not do enough to oppose racism.  A quote supporting this used to be up on Wikipedia, but it appears it no longer is.  He is very anti-racist.

So I am reading Star Trek: Final Frontier.  Should have read it before reading Best Destiny, as it's the same author and many of the same characters, just written and taking place earlier.  Nevertheless, I enjoy her style and her portrayal of Captain April.

Also I am reading (in this case listening) to the first Harry Potter.  I'd never read any during the hype, partly in private rebellion to the mainstream crowd.  Now that things have died down, I figured I'd start, and thus far I enjoy it.  Charming little story.

Oh, excuse me.  I thought this was the What are you reading? thread.  I didn't realized I'd walked into the politics thread.

*exits*

*Yes, I know I contributed to the mess.  I think it should just be dropped.  I don't like Card's feelings on the subject either, but I enjoy his books, and that was my only point.

He was, and got a nice severance package so Two-Face could go from black to purple/white, IIRC.

Bingowings said:

Evil people rarely intend to do evil or even recognise themselves as such.

I can't boycott much of his work because I purchased them before discovering how repellent his views currently are (like those Gary Glitter records I still have but can't ever play out loud).

In the rest of my finite lifespan there will be other authors.

I don't see how I'm supposed to be obliged to continue to purchase his books.

Of course.  If you feel no compulsion to buy his stuff, then I of course don't mean to force you do it.  I just don't think that alone is enough of a reason not to.  If it helps, I've never read Huck Finn anyway ;)

I will never Huckleberry Finn because Mark Twain called the Book of Mormon "chloroform in print" and repeatedly misrepresented it.  No penny of mine will support the descendants of Samuel Langhorn Clemens, even if he did wander around the Enterprise-D for a bit!

While I jest, and don't wish to start an argument, I can't help but agree that there are many people who disagree with me in a number of ways, some very personally, but that doesn't mean they intend evil or that I will boycott their products.  If so, you'd never see me on a website devoted to a product conceived and developed by George Lucas.

It's all just a pile of crap and should be flushed along with all the other bad rumors.

Regardless of his personal views, he still seems like a great guy.  Many people consider folks of my faith to be total wackos, and there are those among you who cause me to raise an eyebrow now and then.  Believing Pope Francis to be Jesus Christ is a weird idea to be sure, but we shouldn't let that destroy good feelings towards TM.

On the other hand, if he'd given his project a name with a potty acronym, he'd be fair game of course. ;)

I imagine this is a current event that could get lots of discussion without turning too political.  Ariel Castro, the man who kidnapped and raped three women for years, has deprived the justice system from implementing any judgment against him by choosing his own punishment.

Hmm...I thought I'd commented on malaria, which indeed is another interesting one that had never occurred to me, but makes perfect sense.

And DoubleKO, what are you talking about?  The parrot's just pining for the fjords!

There are guides on how to make a crawl with Windows Movie Maker (not Windows Live Movie Maker, where they removed the ability).  Just use 2.6 or higher, and there is a way to make a simple crawl.  Since this isn't exactly a high quality production, using a lower end crawl shouldn't be a big deal.

BTW, I'm not sure if you're a fan of Orson Scott Card, but if you enjoy religious parallels in spite of your views, you may enjoy the Homecoming series, which is sci-fi parallel to the beginning of the Book of Mormon.  May not be your thing, but I thought I'd suggest it.

No, you're not being pedantic; of course you are correct, he is not their uncle.  I knew that of course, but after not having read the series for so long, then starting again, I suppose I introduced that element in myself.  I'll fix the post.

I can see why you wouldn't like The Magician's Nephew.  Indeed, spoiling the mystery in stories often detracts from their charm.  But for me, it was surprisingly fun.  I honestly liked a lot of it, except perhaps the lamp post.  I agree, there was no need for an explanation, and I didn't like that particular explanation anyhow.

I too agree the TLTWATW was a much stronger start.  It probably is my personal favorite.  I'm not a fan of the renumbering either, and I'm glad I read them in the original order.  It's kind of like watching Star Wars from Episodes I-VI, when clearly the better order was the release order (if you have to watch the PT at all--gotta remember where I am ;)  ).

They're not hard books to read, but my reading time is limited, so I gave priority to other books.  I actually "read" these as audio books while doing yard work.  Actual real reading is devoted to Star Trek novels at the present.  That said, I'm interested in the Ransom Trilogy.  I'm obviously pretty ignorant as to Lewis's writings I suppose, but I didn't realize he had written more fiction.  I was only aware of Narnia, plus his theological treatises.  I'll have to check out the Ransom Trilogy, as I'm sure I'd enjoy it, both as to their audience and as to their sci-fi subject matter (you are correct that I enjoy sci-fi).

Just looked up the Wikipedia article.  Have you read The Dark Tower to go along with the trilogy?  How do you like the series as a whole?

Thanks for the feedback and suggestions :)  I wish I could read more, as I love it.  If I could even put in an hour a day, I sure could cover a lot more ground after having not read enough fiction in the past.  But alas, life gets in my way.

Did Jambe Davdar include the major audio changes in Building Empire.  I seem to recall some came from the 16mm.

Aha, now I have the key to your code, because I'd say I don't understand about 40% of your posts.  Now I know I what I need to do ;)

It makes great analogies for your present views on world affairs too, no?  :)  I love the first book, but as I've said before, I've been hesitant to go on.

Finally finished The Chronicles of Narnia.  Can't write much of a review, as I'm going to take my NCLEX exam very soon, but it was a fine ending.  I find it interesting how many of Lewis's personal theological views differ with mainstream Protestantism and align more closely with LDS doctrine (he is the most oft-quoted non-LDS author in my Church, interestingly).  Enjoyable as parables of Christianity, but enjoyable stories as well.

Good point :)

cain spaans said:

Well I don't think I will continue after all of your negative comments so yeah and the Star Wars holiday special sucks by the way

Cain200 a.k.a. cain spaans said elsewhere:

cain200 also known as cain spaans is a huge fan for star wars he someday wants to be a movie acter but the best movie he wants to be in is deffenetly star wars he loves star wars episode IV a new hope and the star wars holiday special and he does not like how goarge lucas did not like the star wars holiday special he does not know how possible that goarge hates one star wars film or when he only likes the six films he should now think of that how much people love the holiday special and want it to re-air agian becuase he tries to act like it doesnt egsist when it does it was something people got to see there favrite star wars heros for the first time.

I thought you loved the Holiday Special.  There is no shame in that.  Just why did you say it sucks?

I love how he says he loves the Holiday Special, yet told me it sucks.

SilverWook said:

As seen on Trekmovie.com

More here...

http://www.motionpicturescomics.com/category/comic-post/?tag=star-trek-into-darkness

This is funny, but I also find this common criticism funny.  As I pointed out before, Cumberbatch was British, but Montalban was Mexican, and it was pretty clear in his accent.  But hey, it's still fun to point out the discrepancy between portrayals and laugh about it :)

^Hilarious! :D