Search found 175 matches

by Phaedrus
Thu Apr 23, 2009 3:01 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Books in the pile
Replies: 947
Views: 6616854

Re: Books in the pile

Yeah. It's not bad so far, just not outstanding.
by Phaedrus
Thu Apr 23, 2009 12:48 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Books in the pile
Replies: 947
Views: 6616854

Re: Books in the pile

Still working my way through Consider Phlebas...finding myself more and more annoyed with the action sequences, and wishing there were more of the Culture characters. I'm about halfway through a reread of Chapterhouse, after I picked up a nice hardcover copy at a used book store on the cheap. Haven'...
by Phaedrus
Wed Apr 22, 2009 3:23 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: What did you have to read in high school?
Replies: 40
Views: 35199

Re: What did you have to read in high school?

Shit..let's see if I can remember it all: 9th grade: Great Expectations Romeo and Juliet 10th grade: Of Mice and Men A Midsummer Night's Dream Oedipus Rex Lysistrata Ethan Frome 11th grade: a bunch of poetry from 1880-1930ish The Age of Innocence Huckleberry Finn The Red Badge of Courage a fuckton o...
by Phaedrus
Mon Apr 20, 2009 2:07 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: People on This Board
Replies: 67
Views: 42550

Re: People on This Board

Wow, it's been over 3 months since I've posted here?

I don't even know where the time goes.
by Phaedrus
Sun Jan 04, 2009 7:48 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: People on This Board
Replies: 67
Views: 42550

Speaking of people on our boards, where has Phaedrus gotten to? Anyone heard from him? :? He mentioned a bit ago returning to school. I assume that he just got bogged down and got out of the Dune-board habit. But he has been around recently; two months or so? No, I'm gone for good. I did get busy, ...
by Phaedrus
Thu Oct 09, 2008 11:39 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Financial Bail Out
Replies: 76
Views: 55666

The bailout bill passes... And the stock market is still dropping like a rock. That worked REALLY well. :roll: It was never supposed to be a silver bullet. It's amazing how little they've told the public about this bill. It'll be years before our economy recovers. Another 700 point drop today! No n...
by Phaedrus
Tue Oct 07, 2008 4:17 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Financial Bail Out
Replies: 76
Views: 55666

The bailout bill passes...

And the stock market is still dropping like a rock.

That worked REALLY well. :roll:
by Phaedrus
Wed Sep 03, 2008 4:09 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Books in the pile
Replies: 947
Views: 6616854

Just finished Watchmen.

It was pretty incredible.
by Phaedrus
Thu Aug 28, 2008 11:19 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Upcoming Conventions
Replies: 118
Views: 166228

I heard there was just a big con in Denver, did anyone go?
by Phaedrus
Wed Aug 20, 2008 6:53 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Genre Best of Lists
Replies: 44
Views: 40866

So pretty much anything set in a future/hypothetical/alternative-history setting (not including Fantasy type scenarios) is considered SF? Maybe, maybe not. But I would say that any book that has this element to it is worthy of at least examining to see if its a SF book. I tell you one I dont thing ...
by Phaedrus
Wed Aug 13, 2008 4:27 pm
Forum: Dune Talk
Topic: Paul of Dune excerpt
Replies: 75
Views: 93981

Yeah, Victor was technically Paul's half-brother by the crazy Ixian bitch. Leto's firstborn! I think the mother ended up jumping out of a tower in Castle Caladan? I don't remember, it's been a long time(thankfully) since I've read those books. I'm sure we'll have more ridiculous mumbo jumbo like the...
by Phaedrus
Tue Aug 12, 2008 5:56 pm
Forum: Dune Talk
Topic: Paul of Dune excerpt
Replies: 75
Views: 93981

Heh. The "..." is called an ellipsis, and it's only THREE periods, never more or less. Way to fail at basic grammar yet again, KJA. In other news on the bad writing front: overuse of adjectives. Here's a list of pointless, redundant, and often stupid use of the form (adjective noun): seren...
by Phaedrus
Tue Aug 12, 2008 5:29 pm
Forum: Dune Talk
Topic: Paul of Dune excerpt
Replies: 75
Views: 93981

Two major inconsistencies in the first chapter. Is that a new record? 1) Paul enshrined the skull of his father before he became Emperor, not a year after. 2) Paul has evidently lost his Other Memory. FH would have had Leto making a comment in Paul's head, if nothing else. (Note, this would have bee...
by Phaedrus
Fri Aug 01, 2008 12:08 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Obama
Replies: 144
Views: 198816

Orald, you're biased. Horribly.

You couldn't find objectivity with two hands and a flashlight.

So, for once, just shut up.
by Phaedrus
Wed Jul 30, 2008 10:13 pm
Forum: Book Reviews
Topic: First PoD Review!
Replies: 24
Views: 20968

In its unedited glory... Advanced Review – Uncorrected Proof Issue: August 1, 2008 Paul of Dune. Herbert, Brian (Author) and Anderson, Kevin J. (Author) Sep 2008. 512 p. Tor, hardcover, $27.95. (9780765312945). This vital link between the first two books of the Dune saga begins immediately after the...
by Phaedrus
Wed Jul 30, 2008 6:36 pm
Forum: Genre TV and Movies
Topic: New Dune Movie
Replies: 61
Views: 61178

Southern people wear hats inside all the time. :?
by Phaedrus
Mon Jul 28, 2008 12:24 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Obama
Replies: 144
Views: 198816

But not cute enough to be spared the slaughterhouse and being eaten, right?
by Phaedrus
Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:00 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Should Israel & Palestine be admitted to the union?
Replies: 54
Views: 51068

I'm not sure if this is a good time to ask, but where's the smilies we were promised? And the free donuts? :wink: I'm working diligently on the layout and look of this website. I will be sure to let you all know just as soon as I have completed my heavy tasks of typing and internet searching. Pleas...
by Phaedrus
Sun Jul 27, 2008 9:00 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Should Israel & Palestine be admitted to the union?
Replies: 54
Views: 51068

I'm still waiting for the goddamn cookie.
by Phaedrus
Sun Jul 27, 2008 6:17 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Obama
Replies: 144
Views: 198816

Mandy wrote:I'll be in good company :)


I think I should sneak some bacon into a mosque.. oh yeah, women aren't allowed into them anyway, are they? I don't know how anyone can be anti-bacon!
That's certainly a mystery.
by Phaedrus
Sun Jul 27, 2008 4:36 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Obama
Replies: 144
Views: 198816

Jeez, you seculer, agnostic types are so ignorant about religions sometimes... I'm an atheist, thank you. Yea, basically the Judeo-Christian god is the same, Allah is the same as well...so what? Will a Christian be welcomed to eat pork on Yom Kipur/ramadan in a synagoge/mosque? You shoudl try it, P...
by Phaedrus
Sun Jul 27, 2008 3:28 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Obama
Replies: 144
Views: 198816

That's the correct answer. :D I usually try to get people into a pissing match of who listens to more obscure bands and hates more popular ones, if they get into it I know they're a waste of time. I agree, doesn't matter if a band has one fan or if they're the best selling band ever. I assumed that...
by Phaedrus
Sat Jul 26, 2008 10:05 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Obama
Replies: 144
Views: 198816

I'll look into it. I'm always looking for something new to listen to.

EDIT: Wow, I just listened to a couple songs on YouTube from that album, and I have to say I'm impressed. I officially retract any statements against Neil Young I've ever made; he's good in my book.
by Phaedrus
Sat Jul 26, 2008 8:30 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Obama
Replies: 144
Views: 198816

Ouch, you brought out the big insults! :lol: There's pop that's called pop because it becomes popular and the there's pop that's called pop because it's "product" designed to sell. Them's fighten words if you put him in the second group. I can't recall what your musical tastes are but I'm...
by Phaedrus
Sat Jul 26, 2008 3:21 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: The perfect stress reliever
Replies: 26
Views: 21626

You know, I've always wondered about that.
by Phaedrus
Sat Jul 26, 2008 3:19 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Obama
Replies: 144
Views: 198816

If Neal Young is obscure in your books who isn't? I don't listen to pop music, sorry. I don't even know what's currently popular, because I haven't bothered to turn on a television or radio in months. But to answer your question, yeah, I guess my perception is a bit warped. There's this ridiculous ...
by Phaedrus
Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:39 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Should Israel & Palestine be admitted to the union?
Replies: 54
Views: 51068

The only authority figures I like are the ones that never tell me to do anything. " Authority? I'll bust a cap in yo ass, chigga " :) Speaking of which, where is he? :) SC? Authority? :lol: (That should summon the bug. If that doesn't work, I'll just call him old, and he'll come out of th...
by Phaedrus
Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:18 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Obama
Replies: 144
Views: 198816

SandChigger wrote:
Phaedrus wrote:Rust can't sleep. Or be awake.
Oh yeah? Well, you be the one to go tell Neil, then.

I hear he bit a nipple off the last smartass tried it. :twisted:
Ugh. Obscure references to music that was popular ten years before my birth aren't fair.
by Phaedrus
Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:14 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Should Israel & Palestine be admitted to the union?
Replies: 54
Views: 51068

(Posted here in honor of Omph's request that the subject(s) not be continued on Jacurutu.) and the brown-noser award goes to..... :D Har har. No, I just agree with Omphalos and Freakzilla(presumably. I don't think he's weighed in yet...). I'm hardly a brown-noser, just ask Byron or Hyppo. I'm prett...
by Phaedrus
Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:32 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Should Israel & Palestine be admitted to the union?
Replies: 54
Views: 51068

Omph, resorting to personal insults in a hypothetical discussion , makes me think you should seriously reconsider being a mod here. Then deleting and moving posts to your site? I also see you edited out some comments you made earlier. At least they weren't just outright deleted. I don't know how fa...
by Phaedrus
Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:18 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: The saying "hello" thread.
Replies: 540
Views: 1724704

Do any of you chess players ever play "team chess"? Me and a guy back in HS used to go to various clubs in the Chicago area, and play for quarters against all takers. Two on a team, two boards, alternating color. If you take a piece on one board, you give it to your partner, who can then ...
by Phaedrus
Thu Jul 24, 2008 8:28 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Obama
Replies: 144
Views: 198816

Rust can't sleep. Or be awake.
by Phaedrus
Thu Jul 24, 2008 6:36 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Obama
Replies: 144
Views: 198816

I can only pray it's just grandstanding and political maneuvering. If the Obama on TV is the real deal, we're pretty much screwed no matter who we pick. Summer is usually the "off season" for political stuff, right? I mean, don't people care more about vacations and the Olympics this time ...
by Phaedrus
Wed Jul 23, 2008 7:45 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: The saying "hello" thread.
Replies: 540
Views: 1724704

Freakzilla wrote:I've always wanted to carve a Dune chess set.
Didn't you start a topic about that on a dead site somewhere?
by Phaedrus
Wed Jul 23, 2008 7:41 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: The saying "hello" thread.
Replies: 540
Views: 1724704

Lot of chess players here. List your last/recent rating (and then I'll make fun of you). 8) I don't have an official rating, but I was that guy the chess team got to play random spots on the B team my senior year. I didn't lose a game, but I'm not an incredibly devoted player. I was never serious e...
by Phaedrus
Wed Jul 23, 2008 10:10 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: The saying "hello" thread.
Replies: 540
Views: 1724704

chanilover wrote:American sports are variations of games played by girls in the UK.

Basketball = netball
Baseball = rounders
American football = a load of wank
I played chess in high school, what have you guys got?
by Phaedrus
Mon Jul 21, 2008 9:35 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: The saying "hello" thread.
Replies: 540
Views: 1724704

Both are circular in nature.
by Phaedrus
Thu Jul 17, 2008 8:25 pm
Forum: Genre TV and Movies
Topic: Watchmen
Replies: 97
Views: 110589

Omphalos wrote:While waiting for that big pig of a trailer to download, I thought I'd give Phaedrus a hand. Here is a link for the compilation volume at $13.95, cheaper than most trade pb's. I also see it can be got for $9.50 used.
:shock:

Amazing.
by Phaedrus
Thu Jul 17, 2008 6:41 pm
Forum: Genre TV and Movies
Topic: Watchmen
Replies: 97
Views: 110589

That makes me really want to read the graphic novel. Too bad graphic novels are expensive. :|
by Phaedrus
Wed Jul 16, 2008 4:19 pm
Forum: Book Reviews
Topic: New Site
Replies: 28
Views: 20631

That would be very cool, Phaedrus. My brother is going to come over with his medium format camera and lighting and take some pics of my favorite books to make a banner for forums. But Worm is talking about smaller banners for the bottom page of his site. I love cool views of things out there in the...
by Phaedrus
Wed Jul 16, 2008 3:51 pm
Forum: Book Reviews
Topic: New Site
Replies: 28
Views: 20631

Oh, never thought of that... :o Though here I bet they'd just ignore it, the rude bastards. :| If they ignore it, you retaliate by doing your own "walk-in." Except you walk over to your computer/bed/something, open a bag of chips or start reading a book, and act like they aren't there. In...
by Phaedrus
Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:19 am
Forum: Dune Talk
Topic: Pre-DN Deleted Comment Archive
Replies: 34
Views: 35256

Oh, god. Don't do that. Next thing you know, preeks will be finding inconsistencies and saying that Frank "Necrophile'd" Herbert should have researched Brian and Kevin's books before he did silly things like waiting 3,000 years for anyone to invent no-tech. I'm going to go vomit somewhere.
by Phaedrus
Mon Jul 14, 2008 10:29 pm
Forum: Genre TV and Movies
Topic: Klaatu Reeves
Replies: 85
Views: 65171

What?

That looks nothing like the original movie. What a shitty thing to do to a good SF movie. :|
by Phaedrus
Mon Jul 14, 2008 10:24 pm
Forum: Book Reviews
Topic: New Site
Replies: 28
Views: 20631

orald wrote:Dorms are a shit place to fool around unless you're absolutely sure the roommate won't be back for quite some time.


Oh, yea, it's about me and the ex. :wink:
Sock on the door rule!
by Phaedrus
Mon Jul 14, 2008 1:57 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Upcoming Conventions
Replies: 118
Views: 166228

Confirmed Stereotypes: One gained, one lost. It's been a good day.
by Phaedrus
Sun Jul 13, 2008 11:21 pm
Forum: Book Reviews
Topic: New Site
Replies: 28
Views: 20631

With a monkey and three male cheerleaders? Yeah, that's always disturbing.
by Phaedrus
Sun Jul 13, 2008 11:20 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Upcoming Conventions
Replies: 118
Views: 166228

SandChigger wrote:Hmmm.

There's one practically in my back yard and two or three that I could drive to fairly easily, but all too late in the month. Oh well. :(
In Japan, or stateside?

Because from what I hear, Japan is basically an endless Con in itself.
by Phaedrus
Sun Jul 13, 2008 11:12 pm
Forum: Book Reviews
Topic: New Site
Replies: 28
Views: 20631

This thread is officially disturbing.

(It didn't even take me a second!)

((To get the joke, you pervs.))
by Phaedrus
Sun Jul 13, 2008 11:11 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Upcoming Conventions
Replies: 118
Views: 166228

Why is the Southeast so neglected when it comes to cons?

Anime Weekend Atlanta and Games Day Memphis are the only things that are close to me, and neither's high up on my list of conventions to attend. How sad.

There's DragonCon, I guess. But eh, I'm not sure if I want to get that close to KJA.
by Phaedrus
Sat Jul 12, 2008 1:39 pm
Forum: Dune Talk
Topic: Gholaforum
Replies: 65
Views: 86024

Fascinating!

I do love lessons in ancient history.
by Phaedrus
Fri Jul 04, 2008 9:57 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: related to post count....
Replies: 57
Views: 58284

And here we have it, folks! Phaedrus's Semi-Official Top Cross-Board Posters*. 1. Omphalos 2963 2. SandChigger 2937 3. orald 2381 4. Freakzilla 2337 5. GamePlayer 1147 6. Mandy 803 7. Tleilax Master B 740 8. A Thing of Eternity 646 9. Phaedrus 604 10. Robspierre 534 11. inhuien 517 12. Nekhrun 497 1...
by Phaedrus
Fri Jul 04, 2008 8:43 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: related to post count....
Replies: 57
Views: 58284

SandChigger wrote:You're below Fantomass.

Oh, the ignominy! :cry:
What is it people say?

It's not quantity, it's quality. I'm sure I have fewer posts than some people (:cough: Orald :cough:) just because my posts are usually more thought out and metered.
by Phaedrus
Fri Jul 04, 2008 8:16 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: related to post count....
Replies: 57
Views: 58284

SCHWAT?

I'm not in the top 10 posters at Jacurutu?

Step aside, inhuien, I'm moving up.
by Phaedrus
Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:03 pm
Forum: Blatant Post Count Boosters
Topic: test
Replies: 9
Views: 8869

Re: test

A Thing of Eternity wrote:test
icles.
by Phaedrus
Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:57 am
Forum: Book Reviews
Topic: 2001: A Space Odyssey, by A.C. Clarke
Replies: 31
Views: 25590

I honestly couldn't tell you what I meant with that last post.

It was funny at the time... :?
by Phaedrus
Sun Jun 29, 2008 10:32 pm
Forum: Book Reviews
Topic: 2001: A Space Odyssey, by A.C. Clarke
Replies: 31
Views: 25590

That's what SHE said!

Ah ha ha ha ha.
by Phaedrus
Sun Jun 22, 2008 6:00 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Arrakeen
Replies: 1144
Views: 1314230

You guys are still engaging Hyppo? Why?

It's not like she has any relevance anymore.
by Phaedrus
Fri Jun 20, 2008 11:49 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Books in the pile
Replies: 947
Views: 6616854

SandChigger wrote:(I'm currently looking at whether it's really possible to have a planet where it is never night. Doesn't look promising.)
Isn't that a ripoff of one of Douglas Adams's planets...?
by Phaedrus
Fri Jun 20, 2008 6:31 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Arrakeen
Replies: 1144
Views: 1314230

A Bene Gesserit should question the effectiveness of an open-ended thread?
by Phaedrus
Fri Jun 20, 2008 1:02 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Arrakeen
Replies: 1144
Views: 1314230

Took you long enough to pull your head out of your ass and click on your inbox.
by Phaedrus
Fri Jun 20, 2008 9:14 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Arrakeen
Replies: 1144
Views: 1314230

I'm at 15. Someone needs to compare notes. (Edit: SC, are we counting... those? If we aren't, I'm at 13, too.) 7. It's a powindah matter. You wouldn't understand. 8. You've been spending too much time at the selamlik lately, talking about the Ascendancy and the anticipated death/slavery of the rest ...
by Phaedrus
Thu Jun 19, 2008 8:00 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Arrakeen
Replies: 1144
Views: 1314230

You guys should really get in on this, it's hilarity itself.
by Phaedrus
Wed Jun 18, 2008 6:05 pm
Forum: Dune Talk
Topic: Not sure if anyone has seen these before...
Replies: 7
Views: 9580

That's being really generous from what I read of it. I couldn't even finish Hunters...
by Phaedrus
Wed Jun 18, 2008 3:22 pm
Forum: Dune Talk
Topic: Not sure if anyone has seen these before...
Replies: 7
Views: 9580

It could be on a grading system, like in schools. 7/10 is ~70%, or a C, 6.5/10 is 65%, or just barely a D.
by Phaedrus
Wed Jun 18, 2008 11:24 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: A Confession
Replies: 21
Views: 16213

It's the passion and the participation that really matter, the rest is just filler on the internets.

I haven't interacted with you too much, Pardot, but I don't think it matters too much, since you've got the passion and you've been participating.
by Phaedrus
Wed Jun 18, 2008 11:19 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Arrakeen
Replies: 1144
Views: 1314230

Hopefully, everyone's in the loop now. If you're not sure what's going on, just PM SandChigger, he'll get you updated real quick!
by Phaedrus
Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:13 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Arrakeen
Replies: 1144
Views: 1314230

Oh, dear.

Everyone, please go reread the last couple of pages. I promise it'll make sense.
by Phaedrus
Tue Jun 17, 2008 5:17 pm
Forum: Dune Talk
Topic: Dune: House Atreides - Edited and Revised version.
Replies: 7
Views: 10536

Sometimes I think you're all on drugs and not sharing.
by Phaedrus
Mon Jun 16, 2008 7:40 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: The saying "hello" thread.
Replies: 540
Views: 1724704

Have you used...

WAAZZZZZZUUUUUPPPPPPPPPP?
by Phaedrus
Sun Jun 15, 2008 4:35 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Arrakeen
Replies: 1144
Views: 1314230

SandChigger wrote:Really, is this that important?
Orald insinuated that I was complimenting him. It's incredibly important that he realizes I wasn't. :P

(As for everything else that's going on, I know *I* got a copy. Something must be wrong with Omph. :wink: )
by Phaedrus
Sun Jun 15, 2008 12:43 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Arrakeen
Replies: 1144
Views: 1314230

I was thinking last night about turning Brian into Ronald McDonald, to match Phaedrus' Kevin as Colonel Sanders. I guess we could make Byron the Burger King? :lol: Thu Jun 12, 2008 7:32 pm I wonder if Brian would fit the McDonald's clown outfit...they both have fake curly hair and are creepy. Fri J...
by Phaedrus
Sun Jun 15, 2008 3:10 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Obama
Replies: 144
Views: 198816

Orald, your naivety concerning race and gender relations in the US, the political system in the US, and people in general convinces me that discussing this any further with you is a waste of time and effort. My point, which you missed, is that it's incredible that a black man and a woman got as far ...
by Phaedrus
Sun Jun 15, 2008 3:04 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Arrakeen
Replies: 1144
Views: 1314230

I was thinking last night about turning Brian into Ronald McDonald, to match Phaedrus' Kevin as Colonel Sanders. I guess we could make Byron the Burger King? Oh, that's a good idea. A pair of good ideas, actually. The first was MY idea. I demand credit for it! :cry: Hah, Phaedrus, you thought an id...
by Phaedrus
Thu Jun 12, 2008 8:25 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Arrakeen
Replies: 1144
Views: 1314230

http://pix.electronox.net/d/1172-1/Burger+King+Kills+Ronald+Mcdonald.gif That's. So. Amazing. Phaedrus, I bet you'd enjoy a couple of my internet haunts :) I probably would. IF THEY'RE SERIOUS BUSINESS. I was thinking last night about turning Brian into Ronald McDonald, to match Phaedrus' Kevin as ...
by Phaedrus
Thu Jun 12, 2008 12:47 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Arrakeen
Replies: 1144
Views: 1314230

I call your serious business, and counter with LOL INTERNET.
by Phaedrus
Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:26 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Arrakeen
Replies: 1144
Views: 1314230

Mandy wrote:INTERNET, SERIOUS BUSINESS!!
That's what I said, but no one found it funny.

Speaking of serious business, someone should rickroll Hyp. Except she might actually enjoy the horror that is Rick Astley.
by Phaedrus
Thu Jun 12, 2008 6:29 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Obama
Replies: 144
Views: 198816

Yes, yes it does. Can I leave yet?

(Luckily, the trees in Alabama ALSO lean to the west. :wink: )
by Phaedrus
Thu Jun 12, 2008 5:52 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Obama
Replies: 144
Views: 198816

With that level of analysis, you could be a media analyst for Fox News. :roll: I know it's hard hearing the truth. I'm sorry for your loss of innocence here. :( Loss of innocence? So, I lost my innocence the first time I watched Fox News? Actually, that might be true in a way you don't know. Actual...
by Phaedrus
Wed Jun 11, 2008 4:53 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: The saying "hello" thread.
Replies: 540
Views: 1724704

SandChigger wrote:There, as they say, went the neighborhood.
My thoughts precisely, yet I couldn't think of a way to express it...
by Phaedrus
Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:22 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Obama
Replies: 144
Views: 198816

orald wrote:The whole thing is, like with Hillary, about trendiness.
"Look s/he is a woman/black, lets for for her/him!"
With that level of analysis, you could be a media analyst for Fox News. :roll:
by Phaedrus
Wed Jun 11, 2008 1:52 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Obama
Replies: 144
Views: 198816

I like Obama. One of the things I keep reminding myself: He's a politician. He's a politician. HE'S A POLITICIAN. And he's running for president. He's charismatic, he's a great speaker, and all the things people say about him. But he's a politician. Charisma in a politician is dangerous and scary. W...
by Phaedrus
Fri Jun 06, 2008 8:44 pm
Forum: Dune Talk
Topic: New Dune is not good literature
Replies: 48
Views: 51961

Can't you change your browser's display font size on Windows? On a Mac, using Safari, I just hit AppleKey+PlusKey to make the font larger. (+MinusKey to make it smaller.) :? You can do the same in Firefox, and IIRC, both IE and Firefox for Windows have the same function somewhere... Ah. In IE, you ...
by Phaedrus
Fri Jun 06, 2008 6:58 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Books in the pile
Replies: 947
Views: 6616854

'Translated by Alfred Birnbaum' That's what I figured; he seems to be (or at least was) Murakami's official translator. I haven't looked at any of the translations. ;) What I've read of this one has been good, and I've heard the Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is also good. It's definitely different. Kinda ...
by Phaedrus
Fri Jun 06, 2008 1:11 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Books in the pile
Replies: 947
Views: 6616854

'Translated by Alfred Birnbaum'

What I've read of this one has been good, and I've heard the Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is also good. It's definitely different.
by Phaedrus
Thu Jun 05, 2008 11:05 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Kurt Vonnegut
Replies: 8
Views: 8992

*Shrug* I don't really know what the story behind that one is, only that it's writings on war and peace that never got published while he was alive. I speed-read through Slaughterhouse Five today. It was pretty brilliant. I'm about 11 chapters into Timequake, which is excellent if incredibly unconve...
by Phaedrus
Thu Jun 05, 2008 11:03 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Books in the pile
Replies: 947
Views: 6616854

Started and finished Slaughterhouse Five today, moving on to Timequake... And the pile is: Consider Phlebas (Banks) Breakfast of Champions (Vonnegut) On the Road (Jack Kerouac) Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World (Haruki Murakami) Haunted (Chuck Palahniuk) Philip K. Dick: Four Novels of ...
by Phaedrus
Wed Jun 04, 2008 5:11 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Kurt Vonnegut
Replies: 8
Views: 8992

A signed copy of a posthumously released book? That's impressive. =P

I remember getting really depressed when I heard he'd died. :cry:
by Phaedrus
Wed Jun 04, 2008 5:02 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Kurt Vonnegut
Replies: 8
Views: 8992

I love Vonnegut too, Phaedrus, and he absolutely is a SF author (though he tried to keep himself on the fringes for economic reasons, not because he did not like the label personally). I have read almost everything that he has written. You may want to save Breakfast of Champions for later though. I...
by Phaedrus
Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:06 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Kurt Vonnegut
Replies: 8
Views: 8992

Kurt Vonnegut

I suppose Kurt Vonnegut is a science fiction author. So far, I've read Cat's Cradle and Player Piano, both of which have been just insanely brilliant. I love Vonnegut. I can't help but reflect on how much better Player Piano depicts a mechanized society and revolt against it than certain other autho...
by Phaedrus
Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:02 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Books in the pile
Replies: 947
Views: 6616854

I just finished Vonnegut's Player Piano, and I'm considering going for Breakfast of Champions, Timequake and Slaughterhouse Five(the Vonnegut books that I haven't read and have access to) next. I picked up Consider Phlebas the other day, and it's been really interesting so far(I think the culture in...
by Phaedrus
Tue May 13, 2008 6:29 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: RIP Gary Gygax
Replies: 67
Views: 62709

I hate 3.0 and 3.5. Fourth Edition looks ot be even worse. Less emphasis on roleplaying and more on creating super characters ala World of Warcraft. There is a lot more emphasis on slaying and treasure accumulation and less on the lore and role playing aspects of the game. Blasphemy! I wouldn't pla...
by Phaedrus
Mon May 12, 2008 2:33 pm
Forum: Fiction Links
Topic: Second Person, Present Tense
Replies: 0
Views: 6090

Second Person, Present Tense

http://www.asimovs.com/_issue_0702/Secondperson.shtml

I came across this a while back. It's actually not too bad.
by Phaedrus
Mon May 12, 2008 2:19 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Arrakeen
Replies: 1144
Views: 1314230

I dont remember her talking about her mother throwing her out of the house. Tell more, please! It was her justification for closing Arrakeen. I think she said it over on SC's blog. Something about how whenever her mother was cleaning house, she would lock the kids out so she could do it without bei...
by Phaedrus
Thu May 08, 2008 3:26 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Arrakeen
Replies: 1144
Views: 1314230

Serious internets is serious.
by Phaedrus
Thu May 08, 2008 3:25 am
Forum: Dune Talk
Topic: Heroes of Dune
Replies: 41
Views: 42587

Come on! It's not like you're wasting years of your life just sit down and crank out a reading in one day. Then you'll have plenty of ammo to keep you going. True, but why spend money on it, when I can buy something much more fulfilling, like a history textbook? If you go the used route then at lea...
by Phaedrus
Sun Mar 30, 2008 1:26 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Like Butter...
Replies: 44
Views: 31045

Margarine is but ONE MOLECULE away from being PLASTIC.. I doubt that's true. Even if it is, it's completely meaningless. Water(H2O, required for life, yaknow?) is only ONE MOLECULE away from being HYDROGEN PEROXIDE (H2O2, which is EXPLOSIVE). OMGZ, don't drink teh waters! Sounds to me like that's a...
by Phaedrus
Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:50 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Like Butter...
Replies: 44
Views: 31045

Margarine is but ONE MOLECULE away from being PLASTIC.. I doubt that's true. Even if it is, it's completely meaningless. Water(H2O, required for life, yaknow?) is only ONE MOLECULE away from being HYDROGEN PEROXIDE (H2O2, which is EXPLOSIVE). OMGZ, don't drink teh waters! Sounds to me like that's a...
by Phaedrus
Fri Mar 28, 2008 1:12 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Arrakeen
Replies: 1144
Views: 1314230

Sorry. Bitch didn't say it three times. Seriously. There ain't no going back after the shit she pulled. None, ever. I know. I was just amused and wanted some way to share this with the community after I found it. Johnny flips you off for the LULZ: Since he's doing it for the lulz, I totally underst...
by Phaedrus
Thu Mar 27, 2008 9:35 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Arrakeen
Replies: 1144
Views: 1314230

by Phaedrus
Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:42 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Arrakeen
Replies: 1144
Views: 1314230

So...question. If Hyppo just replaced the Arrakeen homepage with a huge banner proclaiming, "I did it for the lulz," would anyone here forgive and forget? I know I'd be damn tempted. However, I know Hyppo doesn't have the sense of humor, and if she had the opportunity to respond, she would...
by Phaedrus
Tue Mar 25, 2008 10:51 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: 10 Most Historically Inaccurate Movies
Replies: 30
Views: 19627

You want to talk historical inaccuracy(by these standards)? 1984.

Enough said.
by Phaedrus
Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:16 am
Forum: Blatant Post Count Boosters
Topic: The Garbage Wall
Replies: 16
Views: 11516

Cabbage, Ectopic Pregnancies, Sardines, Sea Cucumber, Renegade Irishmen, Nannies, Samhain, Neo-Nazis, sinister intent, teletubbies, Satanists, Sea Urchin, Nevada, ASSHOLES, Shapeshifters, stupid people,
by Phaedrus
Thu Mar 06, 2008 10:49 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: RIP Gary Gygax
Replies: 67
Views: 62709

Weird. I just started playing my first DnD campaign a few days ago.
by Phaedrus
Mon Mar 03, 2008 12:02 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Arrakeen
Replies: 1144
Views: 1314230

Nekhrun wrote:Looks like I'm going to have to make myself a moral high ground blinkie for refusing to pad the thread. 8)
I need one of those, too.
by Phaedrus
Sun Mar 02, 2008 3:12 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Arrakeen
Replies: 1144
Views: 1314230

I love her list, though: "People who express themselves mainly in profanity/vulgarity...have..." (1) limited intelligence (2) low emotional maturity, and (3) a general disrespect for other people Hmmm. (1) I know I'm smarter than she is, at least. (2) I prefer to think of myself as "...
by Phaedrus
Sun Mar 02, 2008 9:43 am
Forum: Dune Talk
Topic: New Dune Forum - www.jacurutu.com
Replies: 66
Views: 56227

I agree; it's way too early to pull out the ban stick.
by Phaedrus
Sun Mar 02, 2008 9:04 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Arrakeen
Replies: 1144
Views: 1314230

I know I said I wouldn't talk to her anymore, but I really couldn't help myself. I know it's a waste of my time, and even if I prove her wrong on the particular issue I'm taking up, she'll just ignore it and pretend it didn't happen. But my theory is that if she's proven absolutely wrong on every is...
by Phaedrus
Thu Feb 28, 2008 8:30 pm
Forum: Fiction Links
Topic: Nebula Final Ballot Nominees
Replies: 3
Views: 6646

Happy 1000th post, Omph!
by Phaedrus
Thu Feb 28, 2008 11:12 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Arrakeen
Replies: 1144
Views: 1314230

Thanks for violating the mind of everyone on the thread that happens to be a visual thinker, Omph.

Luckily, I'm NOT one of those, so I get off easy this time.
by Phaedrus
Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:51 am
Forum: Genre TV and Movies
Topic: Starship Troopers....III?
Replies: 40
Views: 34350

Tleilax Master B wrote:I've chosen not to vote before because I refused to pick between the "lesser of two evils."
Image
by Phaedrus
Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:24 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Arrakeen
Replies: 1144
Views: 1314230

I'm pretty sure he was only a moderator, not a full admin.

There's always Edric and Baron of the Mice. :roll:

Edit: Just noticed that Freakzilla already posted that. Reading is key!
by Phaedrus
Sat Feb 23, 2008 3:43 am
Forum: Genre TV and Movies
Topic: Just don't tug on his cape...
Replies: 9
Views: 9109

Omphalos wrote:
GamePlayer wrote:I'm beginning to see a pattern in your tastes, chigga. Everything in your fiction must somehow be rationalized and explained :)
I also seek this too.
Everything in my life must be rationalized or explained. Fiction is just one aspect of the greater whole.
by Phaedrus
Sat Feb 23, 2008 3:42 am
Forum: Genre TV and Movies
Topic: Just don't tug on his cape...
Replies: 9
Views: 9109

This reminds me: In high school, we had a physics teacher that liked to make physics "fun." So while his students learned about projectiles, he would always use guns as the example. One of his favorite examples? Killing Superman. First, he would prove to the class that if Superman were act...
by Phaedrus
Wed Feb 20, 2008 4:33 am
Forum: Galach Conlang Project
Topic: Timeline
Replies: 17
Views: 13175

I think the correct adjective in the Duniverse for "of the Atreides" is "Desian," not "Atreidean" or "Atreidesian."
by Phaedrus
Mon Feb 18, 2008 5:40 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Books in the pile
Replies: 947
Views: 6616854

I just read C.S. Lewis's The Screwtape Letters.

I thought it sucked tremendous balls. Why do people think he's a good writer? Or a good thinker, for that matter?
by Phaedrus
Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:49 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Test for Dementia
Replies: 25
Views: 20707

I don't know how, but I messed up the math one. :(
by Phaedrus
Thu Feb 14, 2008 10:39 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Arrakeen
Replies: 1144
Views: 1314230

"At times one remains faithful to a cause only because its opponents do not cease to be insipid."
-Friedrich Nietzsche

I think Nietzsche always has an appropriate aphorism, but this one's just too good not to use in reference to this whole thing with Hyppo.
by Phaedrus
Wed Feb 13, 2008 6:54 pm
Forum: Reimagining the Jihad
Topic: The State of Human(/Machine?) Space on the Eve of the Jihad
Replies: 15
Views: 12778

D'oh. I had it backwards, you're right. My memory of biology stuff is really bad...
by Phaedrus
Wed Feb 13, 2008 2:25 am
Forum: Reimagining the Jihad
Topic: The State of Human(/Machine?) Space on the Eve of the Jihad
Replies: 15
Views: 12778

Maybe the information is stored in that tag of DNA that no one quite understands that grows as you age? I've heard this kind of idea before, and it's somewhat plausible. As to how Duncan would access DNA that isn't part of his body...maybe it's a Mentat thing? There's a pattern there somewhere, so f...
by Phaedrus
Wed Feb 13, 2008 2:16 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Books in the pile
Replies: 947
Views: 6616854

Recently finished the Fall of Hyperion. My thought was that, damn, I wish Dan Simmons had written the Butlerian Jihad prequels. There's a guy who can write a realistic AI vs. Mankind battle, without using bad cliches or unbelievable characters. :D Haven't I been telling you that for the last six mo...
by Phaedrus
Tue Feb 12, 2008 7:58 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Books in the pile
Replies: 947
Views: 6616854

Recently finished the Fall of Hyperion. My thought was that, damn, I wish Dan Simmons had written the Butlerian Jihad prequels. There's a guy who can write a realistic AI vs. Mankind battle, without using bad cliches or unbelievable characters. I don't really know what's "in the pile," so ...
by Phaedrus
Sat Feb 09, 2008 4:07 am
Forum: Dune Talk
Topic: Dune's Role in Star Wars' Origins
Replies: 19
Views: 48503

Star Wars has a lot of creepy similarities to Dune, but I don't think it's that relevant. People always take from previous works when writing new stories. Dune borrows heavily from Greek mythology and plays, doesn't it? Isn't Paul a lot like Oedipus, in a lot of ways? (So, he doesn't kill his father...
by Phaedrus
Sat Feb 02, 2008 6:12 pm
Forum: Blatant Post Count Boosters
Topic: Post your Desktop
Replies: 51
Views: 43252

My macbook is acting funny at the moment, though. It's current "desktop" is a funny folder image with a question mark on it. Oddly, I never logged in, I just turned the machine on, and that's what's there. :shock: Um...is it OK now? You do know that's the "Screen of (Potential) Disk ...
by Phaedrus
Sat Feb 02, 2008 1:57 am
Forum: Dune Talk
Topic: The Good Doctor's Dune Timeline
Replies: 38
Views: 30155

He sees the pearls of awareness as something Leto planned, as part of the GP; I'm mildly intoxicated(an understatement, I assure you), but I'm sure Leto knew that he would end up as the "pearls of awareness," he talked about it with Hwi, I think. There's no way I can find that passage in ...
by Phaedrus
Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:59 pm
Forum: Blatant Post Count Boosters
Topic: Post your Desktop
Replies: 51
Views: 43252

You Mac guys are soooooooo coooooooool!!! Aren't we, though? My macbook is acting funny at the moment, though. It's current "desktop" is a funny folder image with a question mark on it. Oddly, I never logged in, I just turned the machine on, and that's what's there. Honestly, I have about...
by Phaedrus
Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:53 pm
Forum: Book Reviews
Topic: Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card
Replies: 10
Views: 10534

Why would you use IE in the first place?

Do you WANT viruses and spyware on your PC?
by Phaedrus
Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:52 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Arrakeen
Replies: 1144
Views: 1314230

GamePlayer wrote:No need to paint us all with the same brush. Like I said, she in no way represents a normal, healthy, mentally sound and happy Canadian.
Ok, so the "Red Deer solution." :D
by Phaedrus
Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:49 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: The saying "hello" thread.
Replies: 540
Views: 1724704

SandChigger wrote:Nah. INHULEN's is scary. :shock:
I think we can all agree that chanilover's is the scariest, though.
by Phaedrus
Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:35 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Arrakeen
Replies: 1144
Views: 1314230

Omphalos wrote:You know, I think we need a phrase for the kind of battle Hymaintenance waged too. How about "Pyrrhic Loss?"
"French victory."

Heh. We could always call it the "Canadian solution."
by Phaedrus
Thu Jan 31, 2008 1:03 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: The saying "hello" thread.
Replies: 540
Views: 1724704

Omphalos, your avatar is scary.
by Phaedrus
Tue Jan 29, 2008 6:26 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: This is Interesting...
Replies: 33
Views: 23468

Now I'm just confused...
by Phaedrus
Tue Jan 29, 2008 1:56 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: This is Interesting...
Replies: 33
Views: 23468

GamePlayer wrote:That's just silly Image
Is "silly" the new slang for "amazingly cool and funny"?
by Phaedrus
Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:16 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: This is Interesting...
Replies: 33
Views: 23468

SandChigger wrote:The Star Trek guy? From the Continuum? :shock:
Nope.
by Phaedrus
Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:09 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Arrakeen
Replies: 1144
Views: 1314230

I'm convinced that Hyppo is totally insane and power-thirsty. I think I'm going to ask that my account be closed. No point in sitting around waiting for something to happen that won't, and no point in creating useless drama for her to moderate to hell and back.
by Phaedrus
Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:05 am
Forum: Dune Talk
Topic: Jacurutu - New Dune Forum Suggestions
Replies: 58
Views: 57421

Organization is important. Both the DNBBS and Arrakeen were pretty poorly organized. Well, DN's organization wasn't terrible, but the forum names and descriptions were really rough. Whatever you come up with for organization needs to be as simple as possible to find a topic, and to know where things...
by Phaedrus
Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:08 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Arrakeen
Replies: 1144
Views: 1314230

Freakzilla wrote:She's using Windows 98 I believe, so I wouldn't doubt she's using an old version of FF.
Didn't she go on an anti-technology rant for a while, something about how she had to get a new computer and upgrade to XP?
by Phaedrus
Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:58 am
Forum: Dune Talk
Topic: Jacurutu - New Dune Forum Suggestions
Replies: 58
Views: 57421

I was talking to a friend about forums and flamefests and things, and he told me about a feature they had on a board he once frequented that I thought was really cool. They called it the "flamepit" or something like that, and anytime a flamewar was started, the posts in question were moved...
by Phaedrus
Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:49 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: This is Interesting...
Replies: 33
Views: 23468

GamePlayer wrote:You still don't seem to realize you're attempting to trump definition with context.
I read what you're saying, but all I hear is Q, Q, Q, Q, Q. :lol:
by Phaedrus
Mon Jan 28, 2008 4:28 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: This is Interesting...
Replies: 33
Views: 23468

Is the graph generated automatically? If not you'd think the compiler would combine those. I was confused for a second. I thought you meant the compiler , but you mean the person who did the project. He had the option to combine them, but chose not to. Shouldn't "The Bible" and "The ...
by Phaedrus
Mon Jan 28, 2008 4:02 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: This is Interesting...
Replies: 33
Views: 23468

What's the difference between "The Bible" and "The Holy Bible"? About 138 points on the SAT. But really, it's because human beings input data on their "favorite books" into Facebook, and some people use one term, and some people use the other. The act of "research...
by Phaedrus
Mon Jan 28, 2008 2:19 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Arrakeen
Replies: 1144
Views: 1314230

I'm going to continue lurking and occasionally posting at Arrakeen for a couple of simple reasons.

I mean, you never know, something interesting might happen. And I need somewhere to go for a couple more minutes a day before I start clicking the StumbleUpon icon in boredom.
by Phaedrus
Mon Jan 28, 2008 2:15 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: This is Interesting...
Replies: 33
Views: 23468

If you must. But my criticism wasn't an attack. I know it's bollocks; Griffith knows it's bollocks; and all I said is it was silly, which it is. Regarding this work, it is what it is: research. If one wants to wrap it up in a nice bow it's best to sell spin somewhere else. Also, correlations found ...
by Phaedrus
Sun Jan 27, 2008 8:05 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: This is Interesting...
Replies: 33
Views: 23468

The guy even acknowledges the logical fallacy of correlation not equaling causation yet he still posts his "research" anyway. Silly. I feel obligated to come to his defense on this. First, it's not research. It's just a personal project that he found interesting, then posted on the intern...
by Phaedrus
Sat Jan 26, 2008 3:21 am
Forum: Fiction Links
Topic: Harrison Bergeron, by Kurt Vonnegut
Replies: 1
Views: 5091

I love this story.

I reference it almost any time some idiot starts rambling about "equality."
by Phaedrus
Sat Jan 26, 2008 2:54 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: This is Interesting...
Replies: 33
Views: 23468

That guy went to my high school! And my college, for a period of time, thought he didn't graduate from here. He's also responsible for the WikiScanner, which made a lot of waves in the media a few months ago. That said, I'm pretty sure it's a joke. Upon further inspection, I'm absolutely certain it'...
by Phaedrus
Wed Jan 23, 2008 7:40 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Arrakeen
Replies: 1144
Views: 1314230

Someone call pest control, because the drama llama is coming to town!
by Phaedrus
Wed Jan 23, 2008 1:27 pm
Forum: Genre TV and Movies
Topic: The movies that are better than the books
Replies: 14
Views: 11651

Fight Club the movie comes very close to being as good as Fight Club the book. And the ending, although totally different, is just as cool. Reading is connected to intelligence because first, there was a time, not too long ago, when only a few people were even able to read. Another thing is that bo...
by Phaedrus
Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:08 pm
Forum: Dune Talk
Topic: Facebook
Replies: 19
Views: 18309

Interesting: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/jan/14/facebook It's a somewhat too alarmist article for my tastes and more than a bit slanted, but I do appreciate the selling point of the piece, the concept of the human relationship as new advert commodity :shock: Interesting. I'm reading a...
by Phaedrus
Thu Jan 17, 2008 8:04 pm
Forum: Genre TV and Movies
Topic: CSA
Replies: 10
Views: 7866

I think it's very unrealistic, actually. A slave-based rural economy would never prove as effective as the alternative, in the end. Quelling slave rebellions costs money, I hear. I'm also not so certain that the South would have invaded the North in the first place. The Confederacy was seen more as ...
by Phaedrus
Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:53 pm
Forum: Dune Talk
Topic: A Personal Record
Replies: 16
Views: 15558

Omphalos wrote:School keeping you too busy?
Sort of. Trying to actually go to class and keep up with my work this term, plus, I've been trying to read other books, instead of rereading the same 6 books for the 232304631845020 bajillionth time.
by Phaedrus
Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:51 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Books in the pile
Replies: 947
Views: 6616854

Back on topic, I never really got into Ilium, but I'm over 100 pages into Fall of Hyperion.

And I picked up 7 Steps to Midnight by Richard Matheson, which should be a quick read.

Also planning a reread of the Dune books and LotR sometime.
by Phaedrus
Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:57 am
Forum: Dune Talk
Topic: A Personal Record
Replies: 16
Views: 15558

A Personal Record

I think I've gone somewhere between two and three months without sitting down with a Dune book, flipping it open to some random page, and reading a few chapters. That's definitely a personal record, breaking the previous record of about a week(when I was at home without any of the books). Sometime, ...
by Phaedrus
Tue Jan 15, 2008 11:56 pm
Forum: Genre TV and Movies
Topic: Alien
Replies: 10
Views: 8584

I've only seen the first one.

For a science fiction movie, it lacked depth or any real plot. For a horror movie, it was too easy to sleep through.

Not that I don't like the concept of aliens that pop out of people's chests that have acidic blood, but meh. Just wasn't that entertaining to me.
by Phaedrus
Tue Jan 15, 2008 11:52 pm
Forum: Dune Talk
Topic: Heroes of Dune
Replies: 41
Views: 42587

Nekhrun wrote:Come on! It's not like you're wasting years of your life just sit down and crank out a reading in one day. Then you'll have plenty of ammo to keep you going.
True, but why spend money on it, when I can buy something much more fulfilling, like a history textbook?
by Phaedrus
Tue Jan 15, 2008 11:59 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: The saying "hello" thread.
Replies: 540
Views: 1724704

Robspierre wrote:Starbucks is the anti-christ.

Rob
But damnation and evil are just so TASTY.
by Phaedrus
Sat Jan 12, 2008 10:51 pm
Forum: Genre TV and Movies
Topic: GHOST IN THE SHELL - Omnibus Thread
Replies: 32
Views: 25136

I absolutely love both GitS movies. I haven't watched the anime series, mostly because I refuse to watch it dubbed, and I haven't watched anime in...about two years now. But I still watch both those movies on occasion. In-fucking-credible movies, with lots of neat quotes back and forth between chara...
by Phaedrus
Fri Jan 11, 2008 2:16 pm
Forum: Dune Talk
Topic: Facebook
Replies: 19
Views: 18309

Facebook can absolutely be customized in that way. In fact, if you want, you can put your real name and all your real information on your facebook account, but make it absolutely impossible for you to be found. There's an option that makes it so that only your approved friends can even know your acc...
by Phaedrus
Tue Jan 08, 2008 6:51 pm
Forum: Genre TV and Movies
Topic: Top 25 SF on TV and in the Movies, per EW
Replies: 9
Views: 7771

I think robots make better pets.
by Phaedrus
Sun Jan 06, 2008 2:17 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: The saying "hello" thread.
Replies: 540
Views: 1724704

GamePlayer wrote:I went to see "Juno" instead, which was fantastic and one of the best of the year.
Agreed!
by Phaedrus
Tue Jan 01, 2008 12:10 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Books in the pile
Replies: 947
Views: 6616854

Fall of Hyperion and Ilium, both by Dan Simmons.

Of course, I was planning on reading those in December, too. And November. And part of October.

:(
by Phaedrus
Sun Dec 30, 2007 3:10 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: The saying "hello" thread.
Replies: 540
Views: 1724704

Godgirl wrote:and what about the story of your respective usernames??
My secret is that I'm actually kind of a philosophy geek.

When I'm not doing physics, computer science, chemistry, literature, (or something else), that is.
by Phaedrus
Fri Dec 28, 2007 8:47 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: The saying "hello" thread.
Replies: 540
Views: 1724704

I don't know Liege-Killer or Godgirl/Alia, but hello to the both of you. I obviously don't have an avatar at the moment, so nothing to explain. I usually use something random that happens to be appealing for whatever reason. But I haven't found anything that fits those criteria, so I remain avatar-l...
by Phaedrus
Wed Dec 26, 2007 8:36 pm
Forum: Discussions from Other Boards
Topic: Archiving 101
Replies: 20
Views: 16349

:P
by Phaedrus
Tue Dec 25, 2007 6:17 pm
Forum: Discussions from Other Boards
Topic: Archiving 101
Replies: 20
Views: 16349

Re: Archiving 101

Omphalos wrote:... our conversation (started I think by Phaedrus (?)) about AI...
I didn't start that debate, but I like to think I finished it. :D
by Phaedrus
Fri Dec 21, 2007 2:34 am
Forum: Dune Talk
Topic: Heroes of Dune
Replies: 41
Views: 42587

I wonder how many automatic weapons Anderson would give Jesus in his SF retelling of the new testament? "Thou shalt pulleth the pin of the holy hand grenade and lobbeth it at thine enemy." Everyone knows; Jesus was packing . And it wasn't just automatic weapons and grenades, he also had e...
by Phaedrus
Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:41 pm
Forum: Dune Talk
Topic: Mimicry
Replies: 22
Views: 19841

Freakzilla wrote:They'd ask questions like "where was Paul born" (I think that was one of my fist in the DN trivia topic) and refer to FH's notes.

:roll:
"Who was Jessica's mother?"

:wink:
by Phaedrus
Tue Dec 18, 2007 3:40 pm
Forum: Dune Talk
Topic: Mimicry
Replies: 22
Views: 19841

Id really like to see someone go to a talk at a convention and try to quiz him on his Dune knowledge. Im sure that he is too smart to allow himself to be caught like that, and its generally regarded to be in bad taste to try that sort of stunt at a con (I think), but Id still love to see someone li...
by Phaedrus
Sat Dec 15, 2007 3:48 pm
Forum: Dune Talk
Topic: Mimicry
Replies: 22
Views: 19841

I guess I can buy some intelligence. But I wont give up on stupid. They have to be stupid if they think real fans will sign off on their massacre of Dune. (Invoking Godwin's Law) Hitler was intelligent to blame everything on the Jews and run with it. He was at risk for pissing off a minority, but a...
by Phaedrus
Sat Dec 15, 2007 3:36 pm
Forum: Genre TV and Movies
Topic: Teletubbies
Replies: 6
Views: 7522

I read the blog, but couldn't quite think of anything to say in response.
by Phaedrus
Wed Dec 12, 2007 3:05 am
Forum: Reading Group Administrivia
Topic: Dune Reading Group
Replies: 14
Views: 14534

Arnoldo disturbs me. He occasionally cites some pretty interesting-if irrelevant- ideas, and sometimes even seems to understand what he's talking about.

Honestly, sometimes I think he's an OH in disguise, looking to discredit the HLP through pure reductio ad absurdum.
by Phaedrus
Wed Dec 12, 2007 3:02 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: The saying "hello" thread.
Replies: 540
Views: 1724704

I almost guarantee you we'll never see a response in Mr. Teg's thread on Arrakeen. This won't be the first time Byron's tucked tail when confronted with actually answering a question.
by Phaedrus
Mon Nov 26, 2007 1:53 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Ten favorite books
Replies: 32
Views: 22941

There's not a single book in the Dune series that I would call my favorite SF book, but the six books as a whole surpass any other book/series that I can think of offhand. As for a top ten list...I don't even know. It would probably be generic stuff, you know, Dune, Ender's Game, maybe something by ...
by Phaedrus
Mon Nov 19, 2007 4:19 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: About the board
Replies: 39
Views: 27986

What the fuck is "undue swearing?"

:wink:
by Phaedrus
Mon Nov 19, 2007 4:18 am
Forum: Genre TV and Movies
Topic: Stephen King's The Mist
Replies: 23
Views: 21780

Wait, what happened here?

Why did Hyppo delete all her posts?

:?:
by Phaedrus
Tue Nov 13, 2007 9:00 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: The saying "hello" thread.
Replies: 540
Views: 1724704

Hello.

Go to advanced search