I'll take the mysteries of the universe - the amazing beauty of Earth and its myriad life forms, over a realm construted by the restrictions of a human mind.
It is the modern human reality that is dull, drab, oppresive - the reality we have created as our own collective prison - not reality itself. Reality itself is absolutely the most beautiful thing there is.
The human brain, as part of this reality, is truly the most amazing tool. It empowers us to experience reality, while at the same time, holds the power to construct vivid alternate realities through imagination.
Well. At least we have pizza. And the NFL. George RR and I agree that that aspect of reality isn't so bad. A Dance with Dragons will be published soon. July 12th.
This reminds me of JRR's "On Fairy Stories" or Puddleglum's speech from CS Lewis: "Suppose we have only dreamed those things... Then all I can say is the made-up things seem a lot more important. Suppose this black pit is the only world. Well, it strikes me as a pretty poor one. I'm going to stand by the play-world. We're setting out in the dark to spend our lives looking for Narnia. Not that our lives will be very long... but that's small loss if the world's as dull a place as you say."
"Fairy tales are more than true. Not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be defeated." - G.K. Chesterton
Reality is boring? Just read some books on physics written for the average layman, and you will find that reality surpasses the fantasy of all fantasy writers combined.
@ValAktaion Reality can be amazing at times, but to say it surpasses anything fantasy writers can imagine is bullshit. An unexpected and cool idea, but it just isn't true. I agree that, if someone is in the appropriate mind state, reality can be quite exciting. But better than fantasy? Anyone can take a spectacular historical event or scientific fact and imagine it is even more fascinating. Then to say that no one could have come up with the idea on their own is to undermine human creativity.
@Dianeva89 I would actually disagree on that. Reality should be better. I'm a fantasy fan, but tales grounded in reality must have a grain of truth to work. Why can't reality be every bit as interesting as fantasy? After all, it has the virtue of being real. The only thing keeping reality drab is the oppressive nature of society. Why can't we seem to improve our own society? All people care about are material things. "No heaven exists unless our hearts find rest in it today." --Medieval scholar
A starving man would rather eat beans and tofu than dream about meat and wine.
And to all of you who say you would rather live in some fantasy world, I bet that any starving, flea-infested peasant of Middle Earth or Westeros, who just saw his children hacked to bits by orcs/Lannisters, would gladly trade places with you. I love reading fantasy, but the real world isn’t a bad place, especially for those of us who are fortunate enough to have luxuries like a computer and internet access.
@publiusfp1 And any starving child in a third-world country dying of cholera back on Earth would gladly switch places with someone living in The Shire. See what I did there?
You can keep your computer and internet access. I'd sooner cast spells at Hogwarts.
@publiusfp1 Why bring up Africa? I mean, WHY THE FUCK? What you said can be pretty much summarised by this: it is WRONG to dream. Says who? Sure, the African and Asian kids would love their beans and tofu if they had nothing else to eat. However, ipso facto, once they reach a certain level of 'satisfaction', so to speak, they too are allowed to yearn for something 'beyond'. This is why religion has always existed albeit its own variations across the world, even in Africa and in Asia!
@MasterLink1234 It was available for a short amount of time for free download, but I do not think that is still the case. I would suggest using the program SoundCapture. It is free, takes up little space on your computer, and is extremely useful in many cases.
@flatronl1915SLG what the hell? you are commenting on a post I made 2 years ago. You are the bandwagoner it seems. Why don't you make your profile available instead of hiding? I have been reading his novels for years and following his posts on Not A Blog, as well as being an active poster on asoiaf.westeros.org. You don't tell me i am a "bandwagoning faggot" when you are the one that his just visiting this video. Can you see the irony?
@flatronl1915SLG and to bring that sort of negativity to this great video and quote GRRM made is disgusting. You're the reason I'd rather be in Middle Earth
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Because heaven is real? Ahem... yeah...
Fantasy fails at imagination by definition. Fantasy is just human weakness in disguise. Not just mild weakness, but enormous, incurable weakness.
Even a slightest hint of imagination and thought would show a human being that reality is infinitely more improbable, impossible, unbelievable than these shallow and idiotic outbursts of despair.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Try to reverse-engineer an airplane, a computer, the internet. Try to understand light, sound, smell, taste. Try to make sense of the universe, of life.
Fantasy is nothing. Fantasy follows directly from reality. It is human dissatisfaction trying to fulfill itself and the result is stupidity.
Machiavelli's Prince is thousand times more satisfying than simulated fear, power or ecstasy.
What the fuck are you talking about? Reverse engineering the internet? That doesn't even make sense.
I understand light, sound, smell and taste through scientific explanations.
No, it's not human dissatisfaction you turd, it's fucking imagination at work, creating a world that the author created in his mind. Of course it's based on reality, how could it not be? Everything is reality you retard.
You try to sound smart but you make fuck all sense. And you can fuck ugly girls if you want.
Do you understand that this is world wide web? It absolutely doesn't have to be. There are no scientific explanations, there are just explanations and bullshit. Fantasy and bullshit are exactly the same. And their purpose is exactly the same -- that's to fill that huge hole of stupid one may or may not have. And bullshit is degradation, so you set yourself up for a recurring spiral of shit.
Imagination at work? Einstein was imagination at work. Fantasy is masturbation at work.
Are you fucking high? None of what you are saying makes any sense. Lay off the fucking drugs and then try to argue a point.
Einstein did not imagine his equations of general relativity, he used scientific reasoning (which exists btw, fucktard) and formulated his theories through logical thought.
Your definition of imagination is too narrow. Mathematics is pure imagination. It's all fluff. The only importance is the meaning we gain from it. Einstein was given enough information to CONJECTURE VIA IMAGINATION, i.e. rise ABOVE the known, to TEST whether the CONJECTURE is TRUE. One DOES NOT "use scientific reasoning", one just THINKS. As opposed to DROOL, i.e. fantasize.
Mathematics is not imagination. We can acalculate the exact trajectory of an object with a force applied in a vacuum to a huge number of decimal places. Math is not fluff, it's the reason we are able to enjoy essentially every part of our spoiled lifestyles. You are truly retarded.
Oh yeah, calculating exact trajectories of objects in vacuum sure is useful! To a huuuge number of decimal places!! You see, you're missing the points -- my points, your own points. All you do is repeat things that sound right. You have given no thought to anything. That's called fantasy. It's also called herd instinct. Hey, at least you're in the right herd. Sorta.
Uh, that was an example of how math is not "fluff" as you called it. And that kind of math is incredibly useful, from engineering to astrophysics. You know nothing. And I do have the ability to think, something that you're lacking because nothing you say makes any sense at all.
you understand that numbers, points, lines, variables are all imaginary? you understand that they are just one of the many ways humans attempt to make sense of things? that we measure ourselves against things; that euclidean geometry doesn't really apply to universe, but it applies to flat surfaces, and we have some kind of flat surfaces. we can extract some meaning from things, we try to define them, but we never really find the ultimate definition
then when such tools as euclidean geometry become obsolete in areas beyond their scope (obviously), we imagine new ways to deal with the unknown, we create new tools to understand
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to me, that's called imagination; einstein created new tools of understanding. He gave a better definition of the universe.
Fantasy here... it's not useful. It's just entertainment and that's degradation. Things do not work like that (again, obviously). They just cater to whims of foolish people.
if we measure ourselves against things, then fantasy is an exercise of grossly overestimating ourselves against given things, as well as skewing the meaning of these things
how is that in any way superior to reality as it is?
@wowawwiwwo Fantasy like any art can be used to further mature the character of an individual. That's at least one theory of the higher arts, and it applies to many works of fantasy as well, although the definition is rather open, and probably there are more graceful, less pretentious sounding ones.
You seem to say that there should be only nutrition and science to human existence, which is bullshit (you yourself take as one of your arguments that common sense is insufficient so why deny it).
Take string theory and a theoretical physicist. His job is first to acquire the necessary knowledge needed to think about string theory, then to separate garbage from gold; garbage being other people's fantasies, gold being sound reasoning. Then he must, through almost superhuman insight and genius, formulate the theory of everything. Then translate the result into English and tell everyone about it.
What happens after? Some asshole prefixes God to it and makes some money. :(
@wowawwiwwo You are wrong on so many levels. I feel sorry for you, you have no joy or love in life. Also your comprehending capabilities are far inferior to all who were able to discern the deeper meanings behind this.
You need to step back and truly look at the world and how its developed from where it was.
"Art is the tree of life. Science is the tree of death."-W. Blake.
"As a man is, so he sees. As the eye is formed, such are its powers." -W. Blake
@wowawwiwwo ...deny it as part of human existence, I mean. And most certainly you are mistaken and naive in your primitive rebuke of fantasy as opposed to all other arts (in case you also don't see them as worthless shite which would make you quite insane).
@wowawwiwwo Your point was entirely invalidated when you started making crude sexual remarks. Try again, and perhaps behave like a mature and civil person this time.
Absolutely brilliant. Even I'd have to go through horror and pain, I'd never doubt to exchange this gray reality for nearly any fantasy universe known to man; be it Star Wars or Middle-Earth, Westeros or Narnia.
Since Joseph Campbell wrote Hero with a Thousand Faces six years before LotR came out, it's highly unlikely he would have written anything like this (unless he was a huge fanboy of The Hobbit).
This bit was originally published in a book containing biographical essays about loads of fantasy authors published in 1996, including GRRM, Gaiman, Jordan, Pratchett, even Goodkind. I think the reading comes from an audio version of Dreamsongs.
GRRM claims this as his own in "Dreamsongs" - the recently published collection of his short stories. So he is either lying or you are wrong KD. Somehow I think the latter more likely.
Howw typical for people like yourself to make such comments -and like Mr. Martin says, you can keep your Heaven, cause I would hate to be around people like yourself for all eternity.
You can't see the forest for the trees, Michael. People create their own heavens because they yearn for a place of higher beauty - and that yearning has existed since long before the Bible. Heaven, Middle-Earth - they come from the same place.
Less forgiveable is you being a self-righteous little shitweasel. Seriously, fuck off and keep it to yourself.
My husband doesn't understand why I love fantasy... I'm going to have him look watch this, it describes how I feel about the genre perfectly. It's like going on vacation- but cheeper.
Meh. the dialog is just fine on it's own. I'd rather imagine the imagery in my own mind than look at someone else's choice cut/pasted pictures. Not everything in the world needs to be turned into a video and posted on youtube.
You know I thought it would always be cool to live in Westeros in song of ice and fire but really the "reality"for his characters is pretty harsh and grim, especially if you weren't born to nobility.
By far the most eloquent reading and description of fantasy that I have ever heard, in my life. It describes fantasy as it truly is. Exotic, eloquent, poignant and breath-taking.
Try as I might to describe it in my own words, GRRM does so much better. He is a fantasy author of the ages, his works will be remembered for many ages to come.
And this video... will serve as a constant reminder and testimony of what makes us fantasy nuts so crazy over fantasy. :-)
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This kind of talk is why fantasy, even well-written fantasy, will never get the same kind of respect as proper high literature. Why do you prefer to think of Icarus instead of Southwest Airlines? It is so much grander, to think of a company that allows anyone, even the most ordinary and poor person, to fly across the sky like Apollo himself! Who needs fate-ordained heroes when we have the power of science and human ingenuity to make the power of the gods into something everyone can enjoy?
i'll tell you why. because things are more wonderful not in the having, but in the wish to have. indeed, to fantasize is to dream and wish for something else, something better. and fantasy has always been the best.
Ye, I think I must be a god when I fly tourist class- kids screaming in my ears and kicking the back of my seat, a narrow window if Im lucky to get one, no room for my legs (and Im only 5'7"), the horrible food...
Is it a wonder I take a fantasy book to read on every flight?
Sometimes when this occures to me; the harsness, dullness and disappointment of reality; I wish I was deranged and delusional, and truly believed I was living the life I always hoped I would, deep in one of those books I read before I learnt the truth. </3
Exactly, me too! I wish i could just travel to a magic forest and live there. For me personally, playing music is kind of a way of getting there I suppose.
amen. actually, i try to quietly view some things in this world in a medieval or fantasical light so that i can understand it properly. otherwise it's meaningless fluff that i don't want to hear about.
Yeah! To me, it's not life itself that is dull - I love existence, but what people and society today have made it is pathetic. Society is so shallow, it's a shame that people don't know how to look into their true selves.
No, it's the fact that you're sane that allows you enjoy works of fantasy like his or Tolkiens. If you were insane and delusional you wouldn't be living a land fantastic intrigue and magic, you'd be in a hell where nothing in real or magical or normal or strange. Just shit and insane. Wonderful works like George R.R Martins are so good because it's not reality.
I used to think like you till fate has led me to work with these people... the agony, the fear,the loneliness, the rage that is their lives... wish for other things, my friend.
And this si why he's an astounding author with the ability to create awe inspiring scenes and characters of lifelike proportions, though I'd have preferred ANYPLACE than middle earth, even hell! That ruined the speach for me
Wow, I have really drifted away from fantasy over the last few years, with the exception being The Ice and Fire Series. This short video summarizes why I and I think a lot of people, fell in love with fantasy.
He paints a poetic, romantic picture of fantasy, but his A Game of Thrones books are far from it, it's among the grimmest fantasy out there. And I love it!
Goosebumps every time I hear this
NinjaRodent 1 week ago in playlist Liked videos
Wow GRRM is incredibly insightful. Excellent speech.
4duff5 2 weeks ago
That was just beautiful...
NinjaRodent 3 weeks ago
And hopefully, I can find him in Middle Earth along with Tolkien talking about dragons.
knurdyob 1 month ago
He knows and loves Gormenghast. This man is officially perfect.
edgefire125 1 month ago
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GeneralJelly 3 months ago
@GeneralJelly You want to live in Westeros.
StateOfAolbainia 1 month ago
@GeneralJelly babies first troll, 4/10 for getting me to reply
bairdrew 1 month ago in playlist Favorite videos
@GeneralJelly Well as much as I love ASOIF, there is no way I would prefer to live in Westeros considering the crapsack hellhole the place is.
romanlegions 3 weeks ago
@GeneralJelly Er, Westeros may not be the msot pleasant place to live in...
philipmarie1854 5 days ago
hehe, and what if heaven is like middle earth?
helgatridr 3 months ago
Damn right. I cannot understand people who say fantasy is pointless. They just haven't lived.
ohumanchild 4 months ago 9
This is just.......no words, man, no words.
Fantastic author, great man.
I'll hope you'll find Middle Earth, George.
jurnag12 4 months ago 12
ah man. thats a piece of truth there and no mistake.
bairdrew 4 months ago
Wonderful. I've fallen in love with these words! And thank you for including the transcript!
brighdaylen 6 months ago
wow
mechupanlamonda 6 months ago
speechless...
codyallanspring 6 months ago
Beautiful.
TheDestruct0r 7 months ago
Inspiring.
Good speach, George, good speech indeed.
Skravlinga 7 months ago
Wow.
That was deep.
;_;
waterdbottle 7 months ago
right with ya brother
pissedoffnerd1 7 months ago
I'll take the mysteries of the universe - the amazing beauty of Earth and its myriad life forms, over a realm construted by the restrictions of a human mind.
It is the modern human reality that is dull, drab, oppresive - the reality we have created as our own collective prison - not reality itself. Reality itself is absolutely the most beautiful thing there is.
FiveFingerRainRap 8 months ago 2
@FiveFingerRainRap it is when we reach the best can we imagine the greater
t260y 7 months ago 2
@FiveFingerRainRap
The human brain, as part of this reality, is truly the most amazing tool. It empowers us to experience reality, while at the same time, holds the power to construct vivid alternate realities through imagination.
TheKraut6 6 months ago 2
Well. At least we have pizza. And the NFL. George RR and I agree that that aspect of reality isn't so bad. A Dance with Dragons will be published soon. July 12th.
jgrannell1 8 months ago
This reminds me of JRR's "On Fairy Stories" or Puddleglum's speech from CS Lewis: "Suppose we have only dreamed those things... Then all I can say is the made-up things seem a lot more important. Suppose this black pit is the only world. Well, it strikes me as a pretty poor one. I'm going to stand by the play-world. We're setting out in the dark to spend our lives looking for Narnia. Not that our lives will be very long... but that's small loss if the world's as dull a place as you say."
ijwi 8 months ago
No greater, nor more true a word was ever spoken, that didn't come from the very lips of God himself.
ForrestCRedd 8 months ago
Me too, George, me too.
Outstanding clip, uploader. Thanks for posting!
oberstul 9 months ago
Please don't die before finishing A Song of Ice and Fire.
krisertz 9 months ago
Okay.
I get it.
It all makes sense now.
This was passion.
And he said it matter-of-factly.
This is why he's such an outstanding author.
It's what he is.
More than what he does
WW2obsession 9 months ago
?But george, you will never die, for you are part of the lords kingdom, and his kingdom is forever.
bparno 9 months ago
Did he just refference Ghormenghast and Middle Earth in the same quote. Bravo!
JustAPrayer 11 months ago
"Fairy tales are more than true. Not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be defeated." - G.K. Chesterton
SANCTIOND 1 year ago 5
Nerd.
LouTodds 1 year ago
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LouTodds 1 year ago
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LouTodds 1 year ago
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firax456 1 year ago
He can keep his Middle Earth. When I die, I'd sooner go to Hogwarts.
AMARCOSPANONTIN 1 year ago
@AMARCOSPANONTIN LOL fag
MyTheDarkKnight 5 months ago
*Sigh* You can keep Middle Earth, I'm going to Gallafrey.
MissAmiTimeLord 1 year ago
This guy wrote A Song of Ice and bloody Fire.
I just gotta high-five him through the internet or I'll go crazy.
Mance200 1 year ago 2
It's beautiful but... such BULLSHIT.
Reality is boring? Just read some books on physics written for the average layman, and you will find that reality surpasses the fantasy of all fantasy writers combined.
ValAktaion 1 year ago
@ValAktaion SUCK MY FAT COCK BITCH
Fenix521 1 year ago
@ValAktaion Reality can be amazing at times, but to say it surpasses anything fantasy writers can imagine is bullshit. An unexpected and cool idea, but it just isn't true. I agree that, if someone is in the appropriate mind state, reality can be quite exciting. But better than fantasy? Anyone can take a spectacular historical event or scientific fact and imagine it is even more fascinating. Then to say that no one could have come up with the idea on their own is to undermine human creativity.
Dianeva89 1 year ago
@Dianeva89 I would actually disagree on that. Reality should be better. I'm a fantasy fan, but tales grounded in reality must have a grain of truth to work. Why can't reality be every bit as interesting as fantasy? After all, it has the virtue of being real. The only thing keeping reality drab is the oppressive nature of society. Why can't we seem to improve our own society? All people care about are material things. "No heaven exists unless our hearts find rest in it today." --Medieval scholar
ijwi 8 months ago
A starving man would rather eat beans and tofu than dream about meat and wine.
And to all of you who say you would rather live in some fantasy world, I bet that any starving, flea-infested peasant of Middle Earth or Westeros, who just saw his children hacked to bits by orcs/Lannisters, would gladly trade places with you. I love reading fantasy, but the real world isn’t a bad place, especially for those of us who are fortunate enough to have luxuries like a computer and internet access.
publiusfp1 1 year ago 3
@publiusfp1 And any starving child in a third-world country dying of cholera back on Earth would gladly switch places with someone living in The Shire. See what I did there?
You can keep your computer and internet access. I'd sooner cast spells at Hogwarts.
buggerwho12 1 year ago
@publiusfp1 Why bring up Africa? I mean, WHY THE FUCK? What you said can be pretty much summarised by this: it is WRONG to dream. Says who? Sure, the African and Asian kids would love their beans and tofu if they had nothing else to eat. However, ipso facto, once they reach a certain level of 'satisfaction', so to speak, they too are allowed to yearn for something 'beyond'. This is why religion has always existed albeit its own variations across the world, even in Africa and in Asia!
FaithlessDwarf 1 year ago
This is amazing because everyone , on some level can relate to this.
It's all true .
And yeah #
Kytseo i got here from Tv Tropes.org
ivanmladja24 1 year ago
Beautiful...
CihanSan 1 year ago
Beautifully said
Bradatimrkonja 1 year ago
he mentioned Gormenghast!! another fantastic saga and one of my favourites =D now i love mr. george even more xD
aoiniina 1 year ago
/hides a small manly tear, so who got here from tvtropes?
Kytseo 1 year ago
@Kytseo OH! Me, me - I got here from TvTropes!
So glad I did, too, because this is the most beautiful preaching I've ever heard in my life. *wipes away a tear* Rock on, GRRM!
AvatarWho 10 months ago
@AvatarWho amen
Kytseo 10 months ago
Well spoken sir, well said.
stoutbear 1 year ago
4 people are TWILIGHT LOVERS. BOO TO THOSE 4
Bluegoo 1 year ago
Where could I find or download this audio?
MasterLink1234 1 year ago
@MasterLink1234 It was available for a short amount of time for free download, but I do not think that is still the case. I would suggest using the program SoundCapture. It is free, takes up little space on your computer, and is extremely useful in many cases.
DozenYears 1 year ago 2
really nice spoken...
CihanSan 1 year ago
I can't say why but this brings tears to my eyes. Never have I heard anything as beautiful or as sad as this.
jonny4911 1 year ago
@jonny4911 Wow. read his books then!
Warrgstube 10 months ago
word!
Gymmarn 1 year ago
Well said, tear in eye...
Core1138 1 year ago
i love this man!
djedjor9 1 year ago
Oh, hell yes!
archer1949 1 year ago
One of my favorite authors! :D
TheBerzerker1 2 years ago 3
Preach on, brother!
TakerFoxx 2 years ago
GRRM will go down as one of the greatest fantasy authors in history
DjUmKuE 2 years ago 14
@DjUmKuE you should read his sci-fi too if you're not just a bandwagoning faggot
flatronl1915SLG 4 weeks ago
@flatronl1915SLG what the hell? you are commenting on a post I made 2 years ago. You are the bandwagoner it seems. Why don't you make your profile available instead of hiding? I have been reading his novels for years and following his posts on Not A Blog, as well as being an active poster on asoiaf.westeros.org. You don't tell me i am a "bandwagoning faggot" when you are the one that his just visiting this video. Can you see the irony?
DjUmKuE 4 weeks ago
@DjUmKuE you don't know the meaning of the word bandwagoner, I'm sorry to say
I'm just recommending you read other stuff, not just the most popular series of this guy, peace retard.
flatronl1915SLG 3 weeks ago
@flatronl1915SLG for your information, he has other fantasy novels and novellas besides ASOIAF, which this video doesn't even mention.
Way to assume buddy. And go hide behind your disabled account before you hurt yourself. I bet you don't even know who Ran is or know who that is.
DjUmKuE 3 weeks ago
@flatronl1915SLG and to bring that sort of negativity to this great video and quote GRRM made is disgusting. You're the reason I'd rather be in Middle Earth
DjUmKuE 3 weeks ago
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pointman74250 2 years ago
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pointman74250 2 years ago
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pointman74250 2 years ago
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pointman74250 2 years ago
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pointman74250 2 years ago
i think y'all need to lay off the haterade on this thread.
mwells219 2 years ago
I love this saying especially " They can keep their heaven. When I die I'd sooner go to Middle Earth.
There are no words........
Tclones1 2 years ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Because heaven is real? Ahem... yeah...
Fantasy fails at imagination by definition. Fantasy is just human weakness in disguise. Not just mild weakness, but enormous, incurable weakness.
Even a slightest hint of imagination and thought would show a human being that reality is infinitely more improbable, impossible, unbelievable than these shallow and idiotic outbursts of despair.
wowawwiwwo 2 years ago
Uh, u srs?
Zombiefruit 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Try to reverse-engineer an airplane, a computer, the internet. Try to understand light, sound, smell, taste. Try to make sense of the universe, of life.
Fantasy is nothing. Fantasy follows directly from reality. It is human dissatisfaction trying to fulfill itself and the result is stupidity.
Machiavelli's Prince is thousand times more satisfying than simulated fear, power or ecstasy.
fucking an ugly chick > fucking yourself
wowawwiwwo 2 years ago
What the fuck are you talking about? Reverse engineering the internet? That doesn't even make sense.
I understand light, sound, smell and taste through scientific explanations.
No, it's not human dissatisfaction you turd, it's fucking imagination at work, creating a world that the author created in his mind. Of course it's based on reality, how could it not be? Everything is reality you retard.
You try to sound smart but you make fuck all sense. And you can fuck ugly girls if you want.
Zombiefruit 2 years ago 3
Do you understand that this is world wide web? It absolutely doesn't have to be. There are no scientific explanations, there are just explanations and bullshit. Fantasy and bullshit are exactly the same. And their purpose is exactly the same -- that's to fill that huge hole of stupid one may or may not have. And bullshit is degradation, so you set yourself up for a recurring spiral of shit.
Imagination at work? Einstein was imagination at work. Fantasy is masturbation at work.
wowawwiwwo 2 years ago
Are you fucking high? None of what you are saying makes any sense. Lay off the fucking drugs and then try to argue a point.
Einstein did not imagine his equations of general relativity, he used scientific reasoning (which exists btw, fucktard) and formulated his theories through logical thought.
Masturbation at work...wtf are you talking about.
Zombiefruit 2 years ago
Your definition of imagination is too narrow. Mathematics is pure imagination. It's all fluff. The only importance is the meaning we gain from it. Einstein was given enough information to CONJECTURE VIA IMAGINATION, i.e. rise ABOVE the known, to TEST whether the CONJECTURE is TRUE. One DOES NOT "use scientific reasoning", one just THINKS. As opposed to DROOL, i.e. fantasize.
wowawwiwwo 2 years ago
Mathematics is not imagination. We can acalculate the exact trajectory of an object with a force applied in a vacuum to a huge number of decimal places. Math is not fluff, it's the reason we are able to enjoy essentially every part of our spoiled lifestyles. You are truly retarded.
Zombiefruit 2 years ago
Oh yeah, calculating exact trajectories of objects in vacuum sure is useful! To a huuuge number of decimal places!! You see, you're missing the points -- my points, your own points. All you do is repeat things that sound right. You have given no thought to anything. That's called fantasy. It's also called herd instinct. Hey, at least you're in the right herd. Sorta.
wowawwiwwo 2 years ago
Uh, that was an example of how math is not "fluff" as you called it. And that kind of math is incredibly useful, from engineering to astrophysics. You know nothing. And I do have the ability to think, something that you're lacking because nothing you say makes any sense at all.
Zombiefruit 2 years ago
you understand that numbers, points, lines, variables are all imaginary? you understand that they are just one of the many ways humans attempt to make sense of things? that we measure ourselves against things; that euclidean geometry doesn't really apply to universe, but it applies to flat surfaces, and we have some kind of flat surfaces. we can extract some meaning from things, we try to define them, but we never really find the ultimate definition
wowawwiwwo 2 years ago
then when such tools as euclidean geometry become obsolete in areas beyond their scope (obviously), we imagine new ways to deal with the unknown, we create new tools to understand
wowawwiwwo 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
to me, that's called imagination; einstein created new tools of understanding. He gave a better definition of the universe.
Fantasy here... it's not useful. It's just entertainment and that's degradation. Things do not work like that (again, obviously). They just cater to whims of foolish people.
wowawwiwwo 2 years ago
if we measure ourselves against things, then fantasy is an exercise of grossly overestimating ourselves against given things, as well as skewing the meaning of these things
how is that in any way superior to reality as it is?
wowawwiwwo 2 years ago
@wowawwiwwo You are incapable of seeing the Art in fantasy as the others who have been touched by this and Fantasy Literature have.
"Both read the Bible day and night, but thou read black where I read white."
You see Black where we see white.
"If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is, infinite." Fantasy taps on this far more than we do in reality.
"Imagination is the real and eternal world of which this vegetable universe is but a faint shadow."
BaxionDumathros 1 year ago
@wowawwiwwo Fantasy like any art can be used to further mature the character of an individual. That's at least one theory of the higher arts, and it applies to many works of fantasy as well, although the definition is rather open, and probably there are more graceful, less pretentious sounding ones.
You seem to say that there should be only nutrition and science to human existence, which is bullshit (you yourself take as one of your arguments that common sense is insufficient so why deny it).
Drerark 1 year ago
another example
Take string theory and a theoretical physicist. His job is first to acquire the necessary knowledge needed to think about string theory, then to separate garbage from gold; garbage being other people's fantasies, gold being sound reasoning. Then he must, through almost superhuman insight and genius, formulate the theory of everything. Then translate the result into English and tell everyone about it.
What happens after? Some asshole prefixes God to it and makes some money. :(
wowawwiwwo 2 years ago
@wowawwiwwo You are wrong on so many levels. I feel sorry for you, you have no joy or love in life. Also your comprehending capabilities are far inferior to all who were able to discern the deeper meanings behind this.
You need to step back and truly look at the world and how its developed from where it was.
"Art is the tree of life. Science is the tree of death."-W. Blake.
"As a man is, so he sees. As the eye is formed, such are its powers." -W. Blake
This best describes you.
BaxionDumathros 1 year ago
@wowawwiwwo ...deny it as part of human existence, I mean. And most certainly you are mistaken and naive in your primitive rebuke of fantasy as opposed to all other arts (in case you also don't see them as worthless shite which would make you quite insane).
Drerark 1 year ago
and I can fuck plenty, granted I would rather fuck ugly girls than myself
wowawwiwwo 2 years ago
@wowawwiwwo Your point was entirely invalidated when you started making crude sexual remarks. Try again, and perhaps behave like a mature and civil person this time.
youraftermyrobotbee 2 years ago
tofu isn't fantasy?...oh...
utohking 2 years ago
I cried a little.
Virginiavim 2 years ago 28
nc video..
ex3tera 2 years ago
Absolutely brilliant. Even I'd have to go through horror and pain, I'd never doubt to exchange this gray reality for nearly any fantasy universe known to man; be it Star Wars or Middle-Earth, Westeros or Narnia.
MakerofMysteries 2 years ago 4
It's very good that you said nearly. Otherwise, you'd end up on Warhammer 40K
sergeantcortez 2 years ago
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What a bunch of dry empty rhetoricthat was! Rhetorical device heaped upon rhetorical device. Very little real world substance there.
byrobyro 2 years ago
I suppose you haven't read the title.
sergeantcortez 2 years ago
You suck
d1974 2 years ago
(was meant at byrobyro, of course)
d1974 2 years ago
I've got something in my eye...
Darkstonedeity 2 years ago 20
Me too.
Rawnesss 2 years ago
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I guess a look into his mirror inspired tyrion
Khamug 2 years ago
Since Joseph Campbell wrote Hero with a Thousand Faces six years before LotR came out, it's highly unlikely he would have written anything like this (unless he was a huge fanboy of The Hobbit).
This bit was originally published in a book containing biographical essays about loads of fantasy authors published in 1996, including GRRM, Gaiman, Jordan, Pratchett, even Goodkind. I think the reading comes from an audio version of Dreamsongs.
werthead01 2 years ago
when id die id rather go to Lothlorien or Icewindale
MetalHeadBrady 2 years ago 9
When I die, I'd sooner go to Westeros under the rule of one of the Targaryen kings.
BricksWillBeShat 2 years ago 7
Amen to that. Just as long as it's not one of the crazier ones.
Saiuki 2 years ago
@Saiuki ...So, none of them?
Darkstonedeity 2 years ago
Nah. It would have to be wearing the black and fighting the wildlings.
JeannieTomlin 2 years ago
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thats not grrm thats joseph campbell from the hero has a thousand faces...clowns
KhalDrogo76 2 years ago
Um....no? You're wrong? Don't know what to tell you. I have the book you're talking about. He never wrote that, or anything even close.
DozenYears 2 years ago 7
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yea and i have the audio version of the Hero and this is the exact clip, whatever typical internet
KhalDrogo76 2 years ago
Would you mind telling me what chapter? Or page? Because I'd love to prove you wrong.
DozenYears 2 years ago 4
GRRM claims this as his own in "Dreamsongs" - the recently published collection of his short stories. So he is either lying or you are wrong KD. Somehow I think the latter more likely.
bobbobbabob 2 years ago
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ZemaitisMetalfront 1 year ago
No, its GRRM, clown.
bobbobbabob 2 years ago
Beautiful.
WiredDragoon 2 years ago
1:26 Where is that picture from?
Cradzee32 2 years ago
Comment removed
clumpofdirt77 2 years ago
Howw typical for people like yourself to make such comments -and like Mr. Martin says, you can keep your Heaven, cause I would hate to be around people like yourself for all eternity.
fafmouser 2 years ago 8
When did GRRM say this?
HazenMustaine 2 years ago
He wrote it around 1996. I don't know when the actual audio interview was.
DozenYears 2 years ago
"You can keep your heaven, when I die I'd sooner go to Middle Earth."
Sweetkittenpie 2 years ago 64
@Sweetkittenpie
Amen, brother. Amen.
This man deserves an effing legend.
Borderose 1 year ago
Good luck with that.
DozenYears 2 years ago
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i read this to my roomie, and he says that you should convert to atheism and shut the fuck up. i myself agree, but with less vehemence.
Gawaine687 2 years ago
You can't see the forest for the trees, Michael. People create their own heavens because they yearn for a place of higher beauty - and that yearning has existed since long before the Bible. Heaven, Middle-Earth - they come from the same place.
Less forgiveable is you being a self-righteous little shitweasel. Seriously, fuck off and keep it to yourself.
MrWednesday3 2 years ago 15
The bible is some of the best fantasy out there!
greywanderer13 2 years ago 4
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I've read better.
Wolfgang713 2 years ago
Too many continuity errors.
Swidhelm 2 years ago
That's it. The man has spoken. There's no more to say.
vcludio 2 years ago 11
My husband doesn't understand why I love fantasy... I'm going to have him look watch this, it describes how I feel about the genre perfectly. It's like going on vacation- but cheeper.
creaturebyknight 2 years ago 8
Meh. the dialog is just fine on it's own. I'd rather imagine the imagery in my own mind than look at someone else's choice cut/pasted pictures. Not everything in the world needs to be turned into a video and posted on youtube.
rmfyt 2 years ago 4
Congratulations! Your the first person on this thread to say something completely shitty and entirely negative.
fafmouser 2 years ago 2
true, but i think that the pictures fit the narration perfectly. they just seem to fit, and evoke in a way what he says perfectly.
Gawaine687 2 years ago
You know I thought it would always be cool to live in Westeros in song of ice and fire but really the "reality"for his characters is pretty harsh and grim, especially if you weren't born to nobility.
asands123 2 years ago
Thats the harsh reality of the true medieval times which george has obviously studied. His books are a realistic discription of medieval people.
EricBloodaxeTheRed 2 years ago 2
By far the most eloquent reading and description of fantasy that I have ever heard, in my life. It describes fantasy as it truly is. Exotic, eloquent, poignant and breath-taking.
Try as I might to describe it in my own words, GRRM does so much better. He is a fantasy author of the ages, his works will be remembered for many ages to come.
And this video... will serve as a constant reminder and testimony of what makes us fantasy nuts so crazy over fantasy. :-)
Icewind87 2 years ago 6
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This kind of talk is why fantasy, even well-written fantasy, will never get the same kind of respect as proper high literature. Why do you prefer to think of Icarus instead of Southwest Airlines? It is so much grander, to think of a company that allows anyone, even the most ordinary and poor person, to fly across the sky like Apollo himself! Who needs fate-ordained heroes when we have the power of science and human ingenuity to make the power of the gods into something everyone can enjoy?
wbaker82 3 years ago
"even the most ordinary and poor person" ??????? in a plane?
blackport33 2 years ago 3
i'll tell you why. because things are more wonderful not in the having, but in the wish to have. indeed, to fantasize is to dream and wish for something else, something better. and fantasy has always been the best.
Gawaine687 2 years ago 4
Ye, I think I must be a god when I fly tourist class- kids screaming in my ears and kicking the back of my seat, a narrow window if Im lucky to get one, no room for my legs (and Im only 5'7"), the horrible food...
Is it a wonder I take a fantasy book to read on every flight?
d1974 2 years ago 3
gah got something in my eye.
*sniff*
chip111111 3 years ago 3
So true. All hail the world of fantasy.
EricBloodaxeTheRed 3 years ago 7
I love this guy.
I never heard best speech about fantasy.
KingAnarion 3 years ago
he said it all..
Akalabeth29 3 years ago 2
Sometimes when this occures to me; the harsness, dullness and disappointment of reality; I wish I was deranged and delusional, and truly believed I was living the life I always hoped I would, deep in one of those books I read before I learnt the truth. </3
Kirchoffs89 3 years ago 5
Exactly, me too! I wish i could just travel to a magic forest and live there. For me personally, playing music is kind of a way of getting there I suppose.
amplifierworship661 3 years ago 3
amen. actually, i try to quietly view some things in this world in a medieval or fantasical light so that i can understand it properly. otherwise it's meaningless fluff that i don't want to hear about.
Gawaine687 3 years ago 2
Yeah! To me, it's not life itself that is dull - I love existence, but what people and society today have made it is pathetic. Society is so shallow, it's a shame that people don't know how to look into their true selves.
amplifierworship661 3 years ago 4
No, it's the fact that you're sane that allows you enjoy works of fantasy like his or Tolkiens. If you were insane and delusional you wouldn't be living a land fantastic intrigue and magic, you'd be in a hell where nothing in real or magical or normal or strange. Just shit and insane. Wonderful works like George R.R Martins are so good because it's not reality.
Allmouth 3 years ago 2
I know that. It's just a fantasy of mine ;)
Kirchoffs89 3 years ago
I used to think like you till fate has led me to work with these people... the agony, the fear,the loneliness, the rage that is their lives... wish for other things, my friend.
d1974 2 years ago
Cool!!
Davross 3 years ago
*sniffle*
So beautiful.
Kerrandrius 3 years ago
Ahhh I think all of us that read fantasy can relate to this. But I must agree, Middle Earth wouldnt be my world of choosing... heh.
Nickodemusodurn 3 years ago
And this si why he's an astounding author with the ability to create awe inspiring scenes and characters of lifelike proportions, though I'd have preferred ANYPLACE than middle earth, even hell! That ruined the speach for me
Waylander08 3 years ago
Its absolutely incredible the way he puts words together
AviG36 3 years ago 8
Wow, I have really drifted away from fantasy over the last few years, with the exception being The Ice and Fire Series. This short video summarizes why I and I think a lot of people, fell in love with fantasy.
So eloquently spoken.
soltar76 3 years ago 3
I got weepy-eyed. He's such a damn good author...I just wish he wrote faster!
therealkraas 3 years ago 4
martin is the best!!!!
Auuuuuuuuuuu!!!go Starks go!!!Auuuuuuu!!!
saludos a todos desde españa
mercenariohispano 3 years ago
He paints a poetic, romantic picture of fantasy, but his A Game of Thrones books are far from it, it's among the grimmest fantasy out there. And I love it!
grelnixar 3 years ago 12
You can be poetic and romantic at the same time as being grim. :)
MrWednesday3 3 years ago 3
All I can say is wow!
SlimTwisted 3 years ago 3
great!
VSDRUMS 3 years ago 2