Prisoners of Gravity: Voice/American Artform (Part 1 of 3)

[almanacofsleep]

Got much love for americans, but I can't stand it when americans get to self congratulatory, like that Gregory Benford, made me cringe

[Teddog3000]

Gregory Benford is especially bad, though. I remember when he turned up on Fandom Wank waaaay back in 2006, complaining about how fantasy novels were going to doom western civilization.

I wish I was joking.

[Elric33239]

@Teddog3000 I would have to hear the entire comment to add one of my own, but you've got to admit that there have been a huge divide between SF and Fantasy for nearly a century. Granted, there have been a number of stories that crossbred elements of one into the other (Dragonriders of Pern using genetically engineered dragons in a retroculture on an alien world and Star Wars being a fantasy using SF-type weapons and devices for example). Meybe he was cricizing Tolkien-clones like Moorcock has.

[Elric33239]

@almanacofsleep I guess I interpreted Benford's comments differently. He did say that there were a number of writing styles that we don't do very well, and he was only commenting on how the Asimov/Heinlein/Clarke triumvirate (although he only mentioned Heinlein) changed the rules regarding SF storytelling. I wouldn't call that self-congratulatory. Culturally chauvinistic, maybe, but not self-congratulatory.

[almanacofsleep]

@Elric33239 Benford suffers from Foot-in-his-mouth disease.

[Elric33239]

@almanacofsleep Is that a fact or an opinion. It's apparent that you don't like him. Did he do something to you personally or have you just decided to invalidate everything he says and writes? I have a few writers that I won't read on principle so I could understand the latter and I'd be curious regarding your motivation to hate the fiber of his being.

[almanacofsleep]

@Elric33239 I don't actively hate him, haven't actually read him, just think he came across as a bit of a cunt in the interview (as well as in other PoG episodes).

[Elric33239]

@almanacofsleep Perhaps he's one of those intellectuals who has difficulty expressing his feelings outside of print. I wish I had a nickel for every critical comment I've witnessed Harlan Ellison receiving over the years, but the few times that I've met him he presented himself as a perfect gentleman who happened to have strong opinions regarding topics that he cared about. While I wouldn't call him a saint, I definitely wouldn't use the offensive term that you used to describe Mr. Benford.

[almanacofsleep]

@Elric33239 While I don't know, or indeed care to know, old Gregory from what I can tell based on his comments he strikes me as pretty reactionary. Harlan on the other hand is anything but. My use of the word cunt is in fact an attempt to align myself with the corser aspect of proletarian language in order to attack the bourgeois sensibilities that nurture reactionary views. Or maybe I just plain don't like him? I doubt he gives a shit what some faceless youtube-er says about him 

[Elric33239]

@almanacofsleep Your assessment of Harlan Ellison is unique to say the least. I've been a fan of his for decades and I know that he's a reactionary. A reactionary for noble causes, but a reactionary. As for your description of Mr. Benford, I don't believe that many women would appreciate your definition of that word anymore than your usage of it. My opinion, of course. I guess I'd have to hear more of his comments to either share your viewpoint or be at odds with it. Who knows?

[almanacofsleep]

@Elric33239 Reactionary means to reinforce the status quo, and Harlan politically seems to be very progressive (civil rights), Benford on the over hand has said on this very program the reason he doesn't write good female characters is because there is so much over things going on when you write a sci fi story (which Rick Green rightfully scorned him for).

[almanacofsleep]

@Elric33239 I have to say through you have really been forcing this issue, you picked a fight with me over some benign comment that I left over a year ago, henpecking me in a extreme politically correct way. For all you know I could be a woman, and my use of the word cunt could be transgressive. If it offends you then maybe you shouldn't engage me in conversation, I'd be more than happy to leave it because if I'm honest I don't really care that much , you can stop white knighting for Old Greg

[Elric33239]

@almanacofsleep First of all, I seem to recall you angrily stating that you were a man and you even threw an insult at me that was meant for someone else. If that was a lie, I'm offended! I don't know how common the epithet you used is on "your side of the pond," but it's generally viewed as highly insulting in the US of A, especially when a man uses it. And I'm not "White Knighting it for Old Greg." I was unaware of the POG segment that ticked you and Cmdr Rick off, that's all. Still am BTW

[Elric33239]

@almanacofsleep And if asking a simple question and questioning your choice of "course words" (this BTW is from a man who was criticized for using the word "B-I-T-C-H" to a woman who went out of her way to prove that she was one!), then the next time I happen to see one of your comments, I'll ignore it. Especially since it's possible that you once felt the need to hide your gender for some mysterious reason. Excuse me while I mount my white horse!

[almanacofsleep]

@Elric33239 I could be transgendered, I could be any thing because I'm anonymous, as are you. My point was and still is if you get offended by my opinions then its your fault for asking me to clarify them. That way you don't have to worry about pulling a Christopher Reed while galloping to defend some Sci Fi talking head.

P.S I am Luther Blissett

[Elric33239]

@almanacofsleep My point was that you didn't clarify your opinions! You resorted to more name calling and using a part of a woman's body to describe a man that you don't like. I don't know who said "America and Great Brittain: two countries separated by a common language" but he was spot on! And I wasn't defending a "Sci Fi" (another term I don't like and neither does Harlan Ellison BTW) talking head but requesting clarification of your hatred of him! P.S. David Smith, as in "Yes, my real name!"

[almanacofsleep]

@Elric33239 Why should I clarify myself? Is it that important? And don't get so hung up on language, political correctness has proved that trying to change the superstructure doesn't effect the base. I'm not british btw I'm from Slovenia.

P.S I am Karren Elliot

[Elric33239]

@almanacofsleep "Why should I clarify myself? Is it that important?" Normally when I engage in a civilized conversation, I tend place a high importance on clarity when someone decides to throw an insult at someone based solely on what they say. I made the false assumption that if someone made a statement that would force someone else to use an extreme ephethet to describe them, there must be a logical reason for it. I apologize. I won't make that mistake again!!

[Elric33239]

@almanacofsleep I also won't take a commentator at their word when they make comments like "Maybe England's more forgiving" and assume that the person writing it is English anymore than when they say "I'm a man you idiot!" Congratulations for invalidating everything you've typed on this and other threads and from this point onward consider yourself officially ignored!

[almanacofsleep]

@Elric33239 Maybe I was a man back then? Look this started by you replying to a post I made about Benford's comments seeming a little jingoistic, and in each of your replies you get increasingly self righteous about treating this man with "respect". Maybe hes a C.U.N.T, maybe I'm S.C.U.M(manifesto) so what?

my name is Monty Cantsin btw

[Forysan]

I wish I was into SF when this series aired. It is such a great show! It reminds me of a show that used to air in the States on the Sci-Fi Channel called "Sci-Fi Buzz" (something I wish I could find on YouTube as well). My question is was there ever an episode of "PoG" that discussed--even briefly--anime' or Japanese sci-fi at all? I'd definately appreciate your help. :)

[Teddog3000]

There's an episode from season one that discusses Gunbuster and another anime that I THINK might have been Akira.

I have a copy of it and can upload it, but I will warn you that it's a season one episode. The level of quality from later in the show's run isn't there and the discussion is very brief. I've heard someone claim once that it might have been the first time that at least Gunbuster was shown on North American TV in any form. Is that why you're looking for them?

[Forysan]

That's awesome! I actually am looking for something like that since I collect video clips/news reports about fandom (particularly anime since early coverage of it is very scarce). I appreciate what you're doing with posting these interviews. :)