There were a lot of big money, big spectacle, empty calorie movies back then, but they weren’t science fiction, superhero, or fantasy genres. There are so many reasons for what Pegg is complaining about, but it has nothing to do with genre more to do with studios wanting a return on their investment.

Thanks for this. I’ve been meaning to read more about this time period. I’d love to find something written by someone from Belgium or France but they’re hard to find in English versions.

We read (listened to) Daemon by Daniel Suarez around the same time and it had a similar feel to Ready Player One in that it’s very accessible sci-fi in a recognizable setting. It’s not gritty. You root for the good guys, there’s a quest with a mystery, etc.

I loved this book! And was so happy to learn that he may be doing a series. “Inspector of the Dead” is out now. I was surprised to learn that David Morrell is the guy who invented Rambo (inspired by students who were Vietnam War vets). It almost makes me want to pick one up to see if it’s as beautifully written…

I loved Crescent City Rhapsody (a prequel that explains how it all came to be), but I haven’t read the rest. I loved the idea of civilization doing this slow dissolve because the power keeps going out, which leaving a vacuum for nanotech developers, which leads to people using the tech in very human ways and finally…

And programming from other countries for expats

I almost specifically mentioned Timeline. :)

I’m with you. When I first read it, I really liked the idea of the older retired hero, running a dead-end inn in a nothing town, reminiscing about adventures. But on reread, he’s just a big Gary Stu. Don’t get me started on the second book. I can’t believe Rothfuss skipped over the details of a shipwreck so he’d have…

This is why it held up for me. The media addictions leading to people largely staying indoors, (which makes people hanging around outside seem suspicion and dangerous) is relevant still. If you replaced “shells” with earbuds and “parlor walls” with large screen TV’s and video games, it would seem even more realistic.

Yeah. Casual misogyny was all over genre fiction back when. You couldn’t escape it so you just accepted it as the norm. I’m so glad there are not only more choices today, but higher expectations.

My Baptist grandparents bought me a bible when I was 12 and told me to read it. I read it three times (without the Sunday school doctrine to explain it). I loved it. History, stories, drama, philosophy, poetry. Even the New Testament with the story of the birth and death of Christ told 4 times by 4 witnesses who…

All of his books are terrible / great. All of them. I love / hate them all.

Do I dare? I gave up on Koontz a few years ago.

Loved Brave New World when I was in middle school (it was so sexy). I haven’t reread it though. I haven’t reread 1984 either. I’ve reread Fahrenheit 451 and still love it. The ending is not very plausible - monkish men wandering homeless in the woods reciting books like madmen.

I loved the Tarzan books when I was in middle school. I tried to reread the first book a few years ago, and couldn’t finish it. Although the first part, when he’s growing up in the jungle, is still pretty great.

I’ll miss it, too. The show had a nice feel and a nice mystery and I love Judd Hirsch

It depends on the situation of course, but regret is not a given. In fact, the opposite can be true where you regret allowing them back in - even for a short time. Interaction can lead to periods of withdrawal and depression (weeks or a month) because you’ve become so accustomed to abuse-free living that the shock of…

We had an earthquake in Michigan last week... I guess it’s over. And here I am without a survival bunker.

What platorm are you using?

Right? It’s on a fledgling streaming channel that hardly anyone knows exists. It’s not like it’s taking up precious prime network or cable channel space.