✨Highlights and Bombshells💥

[Jordan90]

Lights, Camera…ugh!​

You just heard that your beloved book is being turned into a movie. How do you feel about that? My usual reaction is something between outrage and mortal terror. Oh please ohpleaseohpleaseohplease don’t let them fuck it up. But there have been only a few instances that I can recall in which I felt the movie held a candle to the book.
Cartoonist Tom Gauld captured a few ways that literary works are “enhanced” when turned into a movie. (You can find more of his work in his book, You’re Just Jealous of My Jetpack. )
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My question to you is, what movie do you feel really mangled the book upon which it was based, AND (this is a two-parter), were there any movies that you felt were well done or did a service to the original work? TV shows count, too.

I weirdly don't mind if a movie mangles a beloved book of mine. I'm quite secure in the fact that I'll always have the book! It's not as if the movie takes anything away from the book, and if they do manage to translate the book well, then I have more to love! So the risk/reward ration is radically skewed towards making movies of books I love....the downside, of course, is that Hollywood exec's might blame the book itself for a poor movie adaptation and not try a better adaption in the future.

The movie of Ender's Game managed to make a superlative book rather ho-hum, but I was okay with that simply because what makes Ender's Game so incredible is essentially unfilmable, namely Ender's responses to the symbols in the Mind Game. Otherwise it's just a battle action movie.

The Dune adaptations were perfect. They were a perfect translation of the greatest science fiction novel into the greatest science fiction movies of all time. The Harry Potter movies were actually better than the books, if we disregard the odious Christopher Columbus movies. JK Rowling needed an editor to help her cut scenes and characters and tighten the plot, but she got so big, so fast that her books got bloated. I love them, but they're bloated. The movies trim all that bloating. The Lord of the Rings trilogy was an amazing adaptation.

It really comes down to whether the director is able to understand what the author is doing in the book and what makes the book work so well, and is then able to translate into the medium of film to capture the same *effect*.

 

[SweetDee33]

Lovely to read that someone thinks exactly the same way as I do on “Shadow of the wind”. Really a great book

Oh man that is an all-time favorite for me

 

[Mrtenant]

To Be or Not To Be…
​

…petty, that is the question. When you are upset with someone, how do you handle it? Do you talk with them directly and try to worth through it? Do you wait for them to come to you? Do you do everything in your power to make them uncomfortable? Do you involve your friends? Do you stay quiet? How does it differ for you online vs in person, or does it? What are the benefits of both ways of handling things? Have you been on the receiving end of online harassment? What do you do when that happens?

Depends who and what circumstance. Setting proper boundaries and expectations makes it all work. Not everything has to be chaos. I have a chaotic streak a mile wide, but, I am intensely loyal to my people.

Ideally- I believe we are are friends with the intention of remaining friends. I am direct. Hey- what the fuck was that all about. How can we fix that?

There is at least one friendship though where we are at an unhappy impasse with an issue and neither of us want to push that any further. All other aspects are okay, but the issue does color how we are with each other. Wishing it was better, have tried numerous times over the years to make the issue better, and failed and yet somehow remain friends. Just not as friendly as we once were or could be.

Does it always happen that way? No. Which is why I said ideally. Humans are messy. Sometimes we fuck up and a thing takes more fixing than it ought. No matter what though, in my mind and heart, I hold onto that premise- I believe we are friends with the intention of remaining friends.

With coworkers, I am direct but maybe more formally diplomatic. I have to believe that neither of us want a thing to turn into an HR thing. That would suck.

With acquaintances, it depends on the circumstance. Most things, I don’t care. I rarely see this person. Fuck it. Some things though, could ramp up to getting ugly. I mean, you crash my car, take the last beer, hit on my wife- Ima give you some shit about it. Maybe we can be friends.

Strangers- just dont fuck with me or harass me. It won't be pretty. Otherwise, we're good. We can be friends.

Online- same sorta thing. Depends on who it is and the circumstance. Online friends are just that. Friends.

I have been on the receiving end of online harassment. It's an easy fix. Log out. Do something else.

Overall, I try to believe we are friends of some level. Lovers are friends. So are husbands and wives. Offspring also. Family are friends. Weird how my friends of choice can be better friends than family. My sister's are a pain in the ass. But, I am direct. They count on that and I hold up my end and deliver. You dont get to fuck with my household just cuz you are family.

Sometimes even enemies. One of my most valued employees is annoyingly contrary. But I find some value in that some how. I count on it. I don't always want an echo chamber. I like a good challenge. Which is why I sometimes mix it up on the Politics forum. Bunch of assholes over there. But, a good fight is refreshing. Fuck those guys. I like them. Bastards.

 

[Apisto42]

Depends who and what circumstance. Setting proper boundaries and expectations makes it all work. Not everything has to be chaos. I have a chaotic streak a mile wide, but, I am intensely loyal to my people.

Ideally- I believe we are are friends with the intention of remaining friends. I am direct. Hey- what the fuck was that all about. How can we fix that?

There is at least one friendship though where we are at an unhappy impasse with an issue and neither of us want to push that any further. All other aspects are okay, but the issue does color how we are with each other. Wishing it was better, have tried numerous times over the years to make the issue better, and failed and yet somehow remain friends. Just not as friendly as we once were or could be.

Does it always happen that way? No. Which is why I said ideally. Humans are messy. Sometimes we fuck up and a thing takes more fixing than it ought. No matter what though, in my mind and heart, I hold onto that premise- I believe we are friends with the intention of remaining friends.

With coworkers, I am direct but maybe more formally diplomatic. I have to believe that neither of us want a thing to turn into an HR thing. That would suck.

With acquaintances, it depends on the circumstance. Most things, I don’t care. I rarely see this person. Fuck it. Some things though, could ramp up to getting ugly. I mean, you crash my car, take the last beer, hit on my wife- Ima give you some shit about it. Maybe we can be friends.

Strangers- just dont fuck with me or harass me. It won't be pretty. Otherwise, we're good. We can be friends.

Online- same sorta thing. Depends on who it is and the circumstance. Online friends are just that. Friends.

I have been on the receiving end of online harassment. It's an easy fix. Log out. Do something else.

Overall, I try to believe we are friends of some level. Lovers are friends. So are husbands and wives. Offspring also. Family are friends. Weird how my friends of choice can be better friends than family. My sister's are a pain in the ass. But, I am direct. They count on that and I hold up my end and deliver. You dont get to fuck with my household just cuz you are family.

Sometimes even enemies. One of my most valued employees is annoyingly contrary. But I find some value in that some how. I count on it. I don't always want an echo chamber. I like a good challenge. Which is why I sometimes mix it up on the Politics forum. Bunch of assholes over there. But, a good fight is refreshing. Fuck those guys. I like them. Bastards.

Leave off the bit about the politics board and this sums up my viewpoint exactly.

I’d rather punch nails through my nuts than engage in there.

 

[Mrtenant]

Leave off the bit about the politics board and this sums up my viewpoint exactly.

I’d rather punch nails through my nuts than engage in there.

I've heard that you are one of the more friendly types. I like that.

And, I do that forum in small doses. Usually after a frustrating day at work or something. There are trolls who spend all day there spewing their hatred. Helps me to understand them better as those people arent just localized to that forum, but they are out in the physical world doing much the same. I have a neighbor two doors down who would fit right in there. What's more, is that it also gives me a space to practice dealing with them. I am in Texas. There are many of them here. I learn to not let them trigger me because that is their goal. Its something else for sure.

 

[Apisto42]

It’s not so much being friendly, but that I find it aggravating that both sides of the political spectrum are fucking moronic sheep.

in person, im more likely to just stare at people that say extreme shit and then walk away. It’s not worth my life force to engage and even more costly to do it on line.

 

[Mrtenant]

It’s not so much being friendly, but that I find it aggravating that both sides of the political spectrum are fucking moronic sheep.

in person, im more likely to just stare at people that say extreme shit and then walk away. It’s not worth my life force to engage and even more costly to do it on line.

I get that. When it comes to many things- not just politics, I just want to be able to say to my kids or grandkids (if any ever appear) that I tried to the extent of my capacity, knowledge, and ability to make the world better. How effective I am, is debatable. Maybe not effective at all. I'm still doing it because that's who I am.

 

[Love_Is_Blonde]

As far as having political, or really ANY emotionally charged, deeply personal and meaningful conversation online goes, the problem that I have with it is that I feel like the people who I am engaging with already are coming at it with this built in escape route/body armor/ anonymity. When I discuss such things, I need to feel safe being vulnerable in order to try and make some headway.

Let me back up a bit… I believe that people are inherently good. I really do. When people go wrong, it’s because they are afraid. Or they are ill. I would like to come to the table with that belief in hand. So I don’t feel like an online forum, where people are in fight mode on the political forum already, is the right place (for me) to have a productive discussion with the hopes of learning something.

 

[hotwords229_A]

Polly’s Tits not Politics!

That’s my online catchphrase. I’m still workshopping it.

 

[Mrtenant]

As far as having political, or really ANY emotionally charged, deeply personal and meaningful conversation online goes, the problem that I have with it is that I feel like the people who I am engaging with already are coming at it with this built in escape route/body armor/ anonymity. When I discuss such things, I need to feel safe being vulnerable in order to try and make some headway.

Let me back up a bit… I believe that people are inherently good. I really do. When people go wrong, it’s because they are afraid. Or they are ill. I would like to come to the table with that belief in hand. So I don’t feel like an online forum, where people are in fight mode on the political forum already, is the right place (for me) to have a productive discussion with the hopes of learning something.

Online forums for politics can be a decent place to have a dialogue. Lit's politics forum is not usually one of those places.

Some people are in their own bubble. Some have the express purpose of being as nasty as they can be with zero chances of any meaningful dialogue. Their purpose is to trigger people and be as nasty as possible. There is no meaningful conversation to be had with them.

What they don't understand is that words have meaning and power (Idk, maybe they do understand). Their words are meant to trigger others but also become ingrained into themselves. And that's really sad. It doesnt have to be that way. They become their words.

 

[Mrtenant]

Polly’s Tits not Politics!

That’s my online catchphrase. I’m still workshopping it.

Put it on a t-shirt

 

[SalaciousMonkey22]

Polly’s Tits not Politics!

That’s my online catchphrase. I’m still workshopping it.

Good old Polly. She’s got pockets!

 

[Apisto42]

Put it on a t-shirt

Maybe @Love_Is_Blonde will wear it and get it wet…

 

[Mei5ter]

Maybe @Love_Is_Blonde will wear it and get it wet…

I'll let y'all know

 

[baise]

As far as having political, or really ANY emotionally charged, deeply personal and meaningful conversation online goes, the problem that I have with it is that I feel like the people who I am engaging with already are coming at it with this built in escape route/body armor/ anonymity. When I discuss such things, I need to feel safe being vulnerable in order to try and make some headway.

Let me back up a bit… I believe that people are inherently good. I really do. When people go wrong, it’s because they are afraid. Or they are ill. I would like to come to the table with that belief in hand. So I don’t feel like an online forum, where people are in fight mode on the political forum already, is the right place (for me) to have a productive discussion with the hopes of learning something.

Well, I remember we both liked “Hello Beautiful”. I have a lot in common with the character William, so I rarely post anything, and find it difficult to engage with people. But I wouldn’t try to engage with angry people who can only feel good about themselves by hurting someone else.

 

[Mei5ter]

I believe that people are inherently good. I really do. When people go wrong, it’s because they are afraid. Or they are ill. I would like to come to the table with that belief in hand.

If we could only sprinkle a little of this attitude elsewhere on Lit, the site would be an infinitely happier place.

 

[baise]

“Oftentimes I have hated in self-defence, but if I were stronger, I would not have used such a weapon”.
——Kahlil Gibran

 

[EvaLane]

“Oftentimes I have hated in self-defence, but if I were stronger, I would not have used such a weapon”.
——Kahlil Gibran

I love this and the entire general conversation and have a ton to say as always

It’s the whole hurt people hurt people thing. @Love_Is_Blonde and I were talking about something similar earlier and how sometimes, providing the space for hurt people to act out is necessary.

It can be challenging, being someone who seeks out the dogs who bite, but it’s so worth it once they soften. They don’t know why they bite most of the time. How could they if they’ve never been given the chance?

 

[baise]

I am afraid you lost me there? Do you think I need a place “to act out”? And most dogs who bite just keep biting. In any case, I don’t know who I am to give a chance to. I don’t think the angry people/biting dogs would find me much of a challenge…nor would non-angry ones

 

[Susurration]

Lovely to read that someone thinks exactly the same way as I do on “Shadow of the wind”. Really a great book

Oh man that is an all-time favorite for me

I'm also glad that you both love this book as much as I do .

 

[baise]

​

Do you make wishes on your birthday candles before blowing them out? Would you care to share what your last birthday wish was? ​

1. You discover a spider in your kitchen. What do you do?
2. What is your favorite comfort meal?
3. What is something about which people have a misconception?
4. Where do you feel the most at peace?
5. Finish this sentence. My favorite _____ is ______.
6. What are you looking forward to?
7. What was your last memorable encounter with something found in nature?
8. Hidden talents or hobbies? Something you are trying to master?
9. If you could make grilled cheese sandwiches with anyone alive or dead, who would it be? And what is your grilled cheese recipe?
10. Who are your heroes or heroines, real or fictional?
11. Are you optimistic about the future?
12. What is a smell that stops you in your tracks?
13. If you could come back as any organism, what would you come back as?
14. What is something new you’ve done recently
15. What's a small, seemingly insignificant thing that brings you immense joy or comfort
16. What's a goal or dream you've been hesitant to pursue? What's holding you back, and what's one small step you can take towards it?
17. If you could write a letter of appreciation to someone who deeply impacted your life, who would it be and what would you say?
18. Describe a time when you experienced a deep connection or understanding with another person. What made that moment special?
19. If your life had a theme song, what would it be and why?

I told a friend I would do this. My answers are going to be negative, and I apologize. I am not deliberately doing it.

1. I haven’t made any wishes since my birthday was a single digit. Too long ago to remember what it was. If you don’t make wishes, you don’t get disappointed.

2. They have some poisonous spiders in my adopted country here. Once I was sure it was not one of them, I would probably leave it alone.

3. I don’t think I have one.

4. I don’t know. Who is to judge the misconception? Are we talking opinion or fact?

5. Nowhere.

6. My favourite ice cream flavour is butterscotch.

7. Nothing…oh, yes, three days at the end of August…

8. About 40 years ago i came across an echidna on a bush walk, don’t see them often in the wild. I haven’t spent time in ‘nature’ for years.

9. Absolutely none. I have never learned to master much if anything. My father always to,d me things were either too hard or too dangerous for me, and taught me nothing, not good preparation for a lot of hobbies, so I can’t even hammer a nail in straight. I no longer have any desire to master any hobbies. No hidden talents.

10. Two slices of bread and some cheese. I think Voltaire would be my choice.

11. Can’t think of any…Maybe Viktor Frankl.

12. No.

13. Don’t know…Maybe fried chicken because it reminds of the song Sunday Morning Coming Down.

14. Not sure I want to come back. Just wouldn’t want to come back as me.

15. Nothing.

16. Nothing

17. I am sorry, I really have no goals/dreams.

18. I had a lecturer at university who taught me to love literature and books. That gave me a career. I don’t value my academic success much now, but I did for a long time and it got me a good job.

19. I met a person I had been looking for all my life. We are so alike and so totally different at one and the same time. Special? I started to live again.

20. Closest thing I can think of is “Î Am…I Said” by Neil Diamond. I was born and grew up in Canada, have lived for as many years in Australia, have also lived in France, Paris to be exact. Nowhere feels like home, I feel at home nowhere. I wouldn’t describe myself as a frog who became a king, as the song says. The frog part is okay, but I am not a king. From the outside, my life looks successful, from the inside it feels the opposite. I am a loner, but mainly because I am not good at making friends, too quiet, shy.

 

[Love_Is_Blonde]

Teacher For a Day​

Summer is over and school is just about to begin. How did summer slip by so quickly?? Anyway, I’m thinking about this school year and setting goals for myself. “THIS year is going to be different. THIS is the year that I’m going to ___. I’m going to be more organized. This is one part of the job that is really beneficial. There is a fresh start in a way each year. It isn’t the same slog for years on end. You get to start anew and try to do things even better than before.
Ok. All that aside.
Let’s say that YOU had to teach a class. Or you GOT to. You get this wonderful opportunity to teach a class on anything you want to. It can be academic, or a skill or a hobby or a life skill or ANYTHING.

If it is something that is a mature theme, it would be for adult audiences 18+ .
Think Literature, skiing, woodshop, crochet, dog agility, cooking, auto mechanics, ANYTHING.

1. Teacher credentials: What background or experience do you have in this area?​
2. What is the title of your course?​
3. What materials if any will they need for this class?​
4. What would your students be able to do at the end of your class?​
5. How will you collect grades?​
6. What is the recommended next course of study? ​

Have fun and be creative

 

[SalaciousMonkey22]

Teacher For a Day​

Summer is over and school is just about to begin. How did summer slip by so quickly?? Anyway, I’m thinking about this school year and setting goals for myself. “THIS year is going to be different. THIS is the year that I’m going to ___. I’m going to be more organized. This is one part of the job that is really beneficial. There is a fresh start in a way each year. It isn’t the same slog for years on end. You get to start anew and try to do things even better than before.
Ok. All that aside.
Let’s say that YOU had to teach a class. Or you GOT to. You get this wonderful opportunity to teach a class on anything you want to. It can be academic, or a skill or a hobby or a life skill or ANYTHING.

If it is something that is a mature theme, it would be for adult audiences 18+ .
Think Literature, skiing, woodshop, crochet, dog agility, cooking, auto mechanics, ANYTHING.

1. Teacher credentials: What background or experience do you have in this area?​
2. What is the title of your course?​
3. What materials if any will they need for this class?​
4. What would your students be able to do at the end of your class?​
5. How will you collect grades?​
6. What is the recommended next course of study? ​

Have fun and be creative

Oh…I taught HS math for one year and I was not a good teacher. I think I’ve calmed down a lot in the intervening years but still not sure a formal class structure would work for me.

So I’d definitely teach a seminar style class. On the history of narrative games, which is a bit of a popular subject in nerd culture these days but whatever.

The beauty of narrative games is you only need your mind man. But dice and pencils and paper probably help.

At the end of the class students would be able to look down on folks playing D&D as sheep while explaining how their system of choice is far superior.

Nah, those people would fail. Because the good students would really understand the nature of collaborative play how various rulesets are not better or worse but simply highlight different methodologies of creating a shared narrative.

There are no losers in a shared narrative. Except the aforementioned snobs. So no grades either.

Or maybe I’d just make everyone do an intelligence check.

Next course of study would be historical mythology to understand how shared narratives have been crucial to human development since forever!

 

[Love_Is_Blonde]

Oh…I taught HS math for one year and I was not a good teacher. I think I’ve calmed down a lot in the intervening years but still not sure a formal class structure would work for me.

I’m surprised at how many people I’ve spoken to here who’ve have at least some experience teaching something at some point in their lives.

So I’d definitely teach a seminar style class. On the history of narrative games, which is a bit of a popular subject in nerd culture these days but whatever.

The beauty of narrative games is you only need your mind man. But dice and pencils and paper probably help.

At the end of the class students would be able to look down on folks playing D&D as sheep while explaining how their system of choice is far superior.

Are you really going to throw down with D&Ders here? I think there are a fair number of them here! You’re going to get clocked with some twenty-sided dice or something.
(I am not one although it looks like fun with the right group).

Nah, those people would fail. Because the good students would really understand the nature of collaborative play how various rulesets are not better or worse but simply highlight different methodologies of creating a shared narrative.

There are no losers in a shared narrative. Except the aforementioned snobs. So no grades either.

Or maybe I’d just make everyone do an intelligence check.

Next course of study would be historical mythology to understand how shared narratives have been crucial to human development since forever!

I’m all for mythology. I’m intrigued and I would definitely sign up for your class.

 

[SalaciousMonkey22]

I’m surprised at how many people I’ve spoken to here who’ve have at least some experience teaching something at some point in their lives.

My wife and her entire family are teachers going back two generations. I tried it with the hope of having summer breaks together. It was not for me

Are you really going to throw down with D&Ders here? I think there are a fair number of them here! You’re going to get clocked with some twenty-sided dice or something.
(I am not one although it looks like fun with the right group).

It’s not a competition is it?!? I know a wide and varied bit of rpg history and lore but I’m sure others know plenty I don’t. That’s what makes seminar classes fun though!

I’m all for mythology. I’m intrigued and I would definitely sign up for your class.

Woo hoo! I’ll tell the Dean! Maybe I’ll get tenure!