Date: Wed, 12 Aug 1998 20:18:14 -0500 From: Chris Hlady (chlady@escape4tag.ca) Subject: Re: Space1999: Brian The Brain & OT >[....] >Once they put their own morality into Brian (shame Michael didn't read >Asimov) they would simply send the ship and functioning robot on it's merry >way? Waste of a good ship. >[....] Cool comments. Especially re: Asimov. I'm contemplating what to do with my ENTIRE Robot/Foundation series. Garage sale? Online sale? Excellent stories, but I don't know if or when I'll get the chance to reread them.
From: Mark Meskin (plastic.gravity@new44rock.com) Subject: Re: Space1999: Brian The Brain & OT Date: Wed, 12 Aug 1998 20:39:49 -0500 I'm keeping my copies of Foundation?Robots. SOMEDAY, I'll be reading them for the 4th time....my favourite novels. I hope someday my children will enjoy them too. Mark
Date: Wed, 12 Aug 1998 21:42:32 -0500 From: Chris Hlady (chlady@escape4tag.ca) Subject: Re: Space1999: Brian The Brain & OT Hi Mark, I have only read Asimov Gold since his death. It was a bitter sweet experience, as I missed knowing he was breathing in this world with us. When I think of Hari Seldon and Elijah Bailey, I still cry, and Daneel... The picture of that chemistry prof tapping away at his keyboard is etched on my mind like none other. In my book, the man invented science fiction (although I've never read Jules Verne or H.G.Wells). To me, Asimov was a surrogate father. I suppose that's why I'm struggling with the decision. Do I go forward or do I carry along with me the best of future (rhetorical). So Mark, do you see any author matching that gentle revolutionary voice? Chris BTW, it's in Data that the best tribute to RDO was made IMHO. Maybe, they will expand on that in a STNG movie? It's in "One Moment of Humanity" that Space: 1999 best, albeit imperfectly, addressed the question of the robot/android mind. Finally, maybe Brian the Brain had two children named R2D2 and C3PO. Just a thought. One thing I'd love to see in a new Star Wars movie, is a Robot Planet, based on Asimov's Robotic Laws.
From: Mark Meskin (plastic.gravity@new44rock.com) Subject: Re: Space1999: Brian The Brain & OT Date: Wed, 12 Aug 1998 21:47:19 -0500 > I have only read Asimov Gold since his death. It was a bitter sweet > experience, as I missed knowing he was breathing in this world with us. Isn't that weird? I've had similar experiences, though not with Asimov. I find certain music hard to enjoy also after the artist has died. With Asimov, I feel his wonderful stories have granted him immortallity. But I'm sad that we never will get to the end of that story now. Other writers may come along and fill in the gaps, but who will ever be able to tell us what happened on the Moon after the Far Star came across R. Daneel Olivaw?? Asimov was more than a writer, he was a philosopher and a scientist and a teacher. > I suppose that's why I'm struggling with the decision. Do I go forward or > do I carry along with me the best of future (rhetorical). I'd keep the books, Chris. Mine are happy to be sitting on the shelf. They are in a place of honour next to my "complete works of William Shakespeare"(now here is a guy who wrote more about the human condition than anyone in history) > So Mark, do you see any author matching that gentle revolutionary voice? No, Clarke is favourite of mine as well, but he's very preachy compared to Asimov, and I find his stories are not as breathtaking in scope and lack that grande scale. > BTW, it's in Data that the best tribute to RDO was made IMHO. Maybe, they > will expand on that in a STNG movie? Initially, I think so. He's morphed too much over the last few years though, and Generations was a step backwards for his character. One wonderful touch they missed was Data's father. He should have been played by Asimov himself. > It's in "One Moment of Humanity" that Space: 1999 best, albeit imperfectly, > addressed the question of the robot/android mind. That's actually a Y2 story that I think is pretty good. > Finally, maybe Brian the Brain had two children named R2D2 and C3PO. Just a > thought. One thing I'd love to see in a new Star Wars movie, is a Robot > Planet, based on Asimov's Robotic Laws. Have you ever played Jedi Knight? Nar Shadda reminds me of what Trantor must have been like outside of the imperial palace. Mark
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 1998 09:54:57 -0400 (EDT) From: "Ellen C. Lindow" (sfdxb@scfn.thpl4tag.lib.fl.us) Subject: Space1999: Brian The Brain & OT books/Asimov I think most of us who have been reading and watching SF for years associate any robots with Asimov. He became a terrific writer over the years, although his early writing style (bookes written in the '40s and '50s) was not as smooth, the ideas were so incredible, it _almost_ didn't matter. (I was once kissed by Isaac Asimov, but that's another story). Being a voracious reader, and having reading as part of my vocation, I've also been searching for some younger authors that give me the same feeling as Asimov and Heinlein -- my all time favorite, above and beyond any other author. Their wide ranging interests and flair for worldbuilding is almost unmatchable, but I do have a few suggestions. Robert J. Sawyer is fast becoming a favorite of mine. The range of topics include genetically transmitted diseases in "Frameshift", Dinosaurs in "Foreigner", and cosmology and the mystery of dark matter in "Starplex" (The main character in Starplex reminds me greatly of John Koenig going through a mid-life crisis). I can't wait to see what he writes next. It's also a joy to see these through the eyes of a contemporary. The science in the original foundation books sometimes seems quaint after 40+ years. Currently, I'm reading a book by Warwick Collins called "Computer One". It deals with a global computer net based on current internet technology, and concerns that we _cannot_ use Asimov's laws of robotics on such a wide-ranging system. I find his interpretation of Konrad Lorenz' Aggression theory a bit unfounded, but intriguing. There's very little emotion to this book, but it's an interesting read. And the lack of emotion itself calls to mind the flavor of an Asimov book. If you're in the mood for emotion, I just finished "The Sparrow" by this years winner of the John W. Campbell Award: Mary Doria Russell. It follows a Jesuit mission to a nearby planet from which Earth begins to receive SETI signals. It parallells Jesuit mission to North America during the age of exploration, and explores the incredible misunderstanding that can happen when diverse cultures come into contact. The characters are likeable, even loveable. This isn't a book you can't put down, it's more the type you set aside and digest, picking it up again after you've thought through a concept. It is terrifying, sad, uplifting, and ironic. I checked it out of the library, but I'll be buying a copy of this one and loaning it out to people. It's the kind you want to share with others. The sequel is out and my best friend has already promised me a copy as my birthday present. I'm looking forward to reading it. One book that will not become a classic, but is fun right now is Wyrm by Mark Fabi. The Year 2000 problem is the issue here, along with AI. Brian the Brain wasn't nearly as scary as the AI in Wyrm. This book was a rollercoaster ride, but aimed at the computer savy and game players of the world. (The gamers save the world from humanity here.) Ellen Lindow | "This is the world we live in Wife, Mother, Media Specialist | And these are the hands we're given Pasco Middle School, Dade City, | Use them and let's start trying Pasco County, Florida; Boy Scout| To make is a place worth living in." Leader, Girl Scout Leader | Genesis, Land of Confusion