I think we agree on both points, actually — though we may still differ in our conclusions. Sounds like my second-hand osmosis-ized understanding of the novel is in the right ballpark at least: that it takes itself very seriously (I can't say "over seriously," I just mean, none of its gung-ho future-war-tech stuff is…

Several. Thank you.

I dunno, swimming against the streams sounds like a lot of effort. Can't I just sit here and do nothing and wait for time to catch up to me?

Based on the recommendation here I bought this! It starts very well! And has an intriguingly abstracty (kind of typical Orbit Books) cover! That's all I can say so far, but promising!

Conundrum: S. by JJ Abrams: I only looked it up because I was curious what a book by Abrams might be. It sounds intriguing. I'm almost hooked.

Either you hate humanity or you hate huge manatees. Everybody has to pick a side.

If you typed that sentence every time it were true you would probably lose years off your life. Because of all the typing I mean, not like, I'm threatening to find you as an old man and euthanize you. That would be ridiculous. Also I agree with you. I have no idea what I'm talking about anymore, but the point is, yes.

Bunch of codfuckers, if you ask me.

A thought occurs to me.

Legal plagiarism?

"Bruce Wayne Willis"?

As much as I respect the LOTR films, in fact I think they're great, they are completely yawn-worthy as artistic pieces and really play out as "for those who have between 7 and 13 hours to spare but don't have time to/can't be bothered to re-read the novels." Even LOTR takes some pretty big liberties with story, if you…

I listened to an unabridged audiobook (and read along to about half of it, a surprisingly pleasant experience) and I'm glad I did, because even though I wasn't too young and even though I overall enjoyed the hell out of it, it had some slumpy bits where I fear I might have lost steam...

Does that guy have a crotch boom-pole? For the mic?

Agreed. Nearly every Kubrick film is technically an adaptation, and no Kubrick film is spiritually an "adaptation." In fact, calling it Stanley Kubrick's The Shining is appropriate, because (as it should be) what comes out is no longer Stephen King's, and Kubrick isn't pretending otherwise. Adaptation is not…

Weird to go out of your way to include full names of the more (or slightly) obscure, like Uhura and Sulu and Scotty, but not include Christopher Pike's first name — let alone call him Commander (is he not at least Captain? or, I forget, did he get Admiral?)

That's how I remember it. But I barely remember the episode. I couldn't even tell you the plot/crisis. I remember well-fed Riker pretending to be "Chef" and talking to T'Pol. I remember face-lifted Troi talking to Riker. I remember mention that Trip was dead.

Interesting!

Hm, I'm trying to parse out what's said here. It's a little unclear.

Hm, I'm trying to parse out what's said here. It's a little unclear.