Engagement vs Popularity

[Bramblethorn]

Some interesting thoughts here.

The end of the discussion ties it in with the current Hugo awards controversy, but the interesting bit for me was at the start, where he makes a distinction between books that are "good enough" for a wide audience, and those that really engage a smaller group.

 

[DreamCloud]

She is correct. I love my warm blanket B- books. You can keep the high-brow stuff. If I want to think that hard, I'll yank out my old differential equations textbook from the box it's buried in.

 

[jomar]

A couple/few years ago I read a Hugo winning story...if not banal it was full of meh...sort of a sci fi Summer of 42 derivative. I figured politics was involved in the win.

Started my own Hugo winner...need to get back to it.

 

[Handley_Page]

Some interesting thoughts here.

The end of the discussion ties it in with the current Hugo awards controversy, but the interesting bit for me was at the start, where he makes a distinction between books that are "good enough" for a wide audience, and those that really engage a smaller group.

Is it not possible to write all his comments on one blog ?
< Strewth; - what a bloody mess; and difficult to follow !>

 

[rjordan]

Is it not possible to write all his comments on one blog ?
< Strewth; - what a bloody mess; and difficult to follow !>

I don't follow Twitter so I thought it would just be me who thought it was a backwards way to try to say anything. How does anything like that become so popular? I'm on track to be the last person on Earth to never use Twitter or Facebook.

Sorry...that's not what the thread is about.

rj

 

[DreamCloud]

I don't follow Twitter so I thought it would just be me who thought it was a backwards way to try to say anything. How does anything like that become so popular? I'm on track to be the last person on Earth to never use Twitter or Facebook.

Sorry...that's not what the thread is about.

rj

Second to last - never saw the appeal.

 

[Handley_Page]

I don't follow Twitter so I thought it would just be me who thought it was a backwards way to try to say anything. How does anything like that become so popular? I'm on track to be the last person on Earth to never use Twitter or Facebook.

Sorry...that's not what the thread is about.

rj

I have to use Facebook for a variety of functions.
But I am not a member of the Twitterati.

 

[legerdemer]

Regarding the OP, it's perfectly true for erotica posted here as well. And there's something to read for everyone - the beauty of this place.

 

[Carnal_Flower]

I like books that flout the distinction. For example, Huckleberry Finn. Critics can pour over every word analyzing it, but it's also just a good yarn.

 

[Desiremakesmeweak]

She is correct. I love my warm blanket B- books. You can keep the high-brow stuff. If I want to think that hard, I'll yank out my old differential equations textbook from the box it's buried in.

lol. Good point.

Anyway, as far as real high brow goes, the last high brow sci-fi book I ever read was 'Orlando' by Virginia Woolf.

And anyone who doesn't think Orlando is sci-fi - is definitely not high brow!

People take so many labels these days without any of the substance.

 

[lovecraft68]

? I'm on track to be the last person on Earth to never use Twitter or Facebook.rj

You have company, trust me.

 

[lovecraft68]

Back when I read a lot of sci fi-back when I read a lot of everything-

My favorite all time Sci Fi novel was a Book called Death Beast. It was about hunters (armed with laser rifles and pistols) were taken by guides into the past to hunt dinosaurs.

Of course they were going for a T-Rex and the top hunter was one of those legendary types. The hunt goes bad from the beginning and even though the guides want to quit the hunter forces them to lead him further past where they're supposed to go to get the T-rex.

Although now- I found a copy a few years ago and re-read it- it does seem cheesy and hokey there is something about it, lot of action, humor, some sexual images but no real sex and some tragedy...I really like it.

On the other hand...okay sci fi geeks get ready to put me on your most wanted list....Dune? To me? Meh at best.