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I find Michel Houellebecq to be one of the most intriguing writers of our time AgentOrange Send a noteboard - 01/12/2009 11:14:05 PM
He could very well be said to be a writer of specultive fiction. On the whole you are right, but sometimes philosophy can be best exeplified by thought experiments. If these thought experiments aren't lessened by turning out as novels.
Houellebecq, for example, uses cloning and genetic engineering as a tool to show his beliefs about the atomisation of society, the break up of the tradition family unit.
btw he is the dirtiest bastard I've ever read.
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In Support of Other Fiction - 01/12/2009 09:06:14 PM 2116 Views
- 01/12/2009 09:22:56 PM 1185 Views
Re: - 01/12/2009 09:28:04 PM 1167 Views
Wow...we were just Santified *NM* - 03/12/2009 09:16:21 PM 581 Views
Well, let me offer a diverging view on the topic of speculative fiction. - 01/12/2009 09:46:35 PM 1094 Views
I would counter that the stripping away removes a level of reality. - 01/12/2009 10:05:28 PM 1189 Views
That's a Slippery Slope Because You Could Argue On the Same Basis That All Fiction Does That. - 01/12/2009 11:34:34 PM 1227 Views
I don't see the slippery slope, but rather, a confirmation of my original point. - 02/12/2009 01:41:24 AM 1179 Views
perhaps some university will do a study - 03/12/2009 03:55:54 PM 1140 Views
I'd like to see it - 03/12/2009 09:15:12 PM 1187 Views
I'll get to it once I finish my thesis - 03/12/2009 09:56:29 PM 1121 Views
If it looks like crap and smells like crap... - 03/12/2009 10:04:15 PM 1146 Views
I Think I'll Post a Thread on This. - 03/12/2009 06:47:05 PM 1103 Views
I'd like to see it. - 03/12/2009 09:23:07 PM 1161 Views
Regarding depth in Jordan - 03/12/2009 09:31:19 PM 1138 Views
I was thinking about that too - 03/12/2009 10:05:40 PM 1124 Views
Re: I was thinking about that too - 03/12/2009 10:09:26 PM 1222 Views
Destroying the Wheel is meaningless. - 03/12/2009 10:18:08 PM 1120 Views
Re: Destroying the Wheel is meaningless. - 03/12/2009 10:30:15 PM 1149 Views
I Totally Missed That. - 04/12/2009 10:45:56 PM 1205 Views
Re: I Totally Missed That. - 04/12/2009 10:47:59 PM 1193 Views
I Don't Believe It Cursory, But Comparative. - 04/12/2009 11:29:36 PM 1277 Views
Publication bookend Y2K? - 05/12/2009 10:36:01 AM 1199 Views
They're Thick Bookends. - 05/12/2009 06:12:06 PM 1132 Views
I'll Try to Have It Up Tomorrow Early. - 04/12/2009 11:24:18 PM 1232 Views
I like it. - 01/12/2009 10:28:48 PM 1147 Views
Thank you! - 02/12/2009 01:43:05 AM 1295 Views
I find Michel Houellebecq to be one of the most intriguing writers of our time - 01/12/2009 11:14:05 PM 1238 Views
And, in recent memory, Orwell was a first-rate writer. - 02/12/2009 01:44:29 AM 1226 Views
wait! there's somebody "dirtier" than Piers Anthony or Philip Jose Farmer??? - 03/12/2009 04:00:28 PM 1199 Views
PJF is dirty? - 04/12/2009 12:16:12 AM 1068 Views
Nice post. - 02/12/2009 12:03:09 AM 1246 Views
Perhaps you're right. - 02/12/2009 01:47:10 AM 1106 Views
In its entirety? No. - 02/12/2009 02:00:10 PM 1153 Views
I agree! - 02/12/2009 12:17:10 AM 1356 Views
Thank you! - 02/12/2009 01:50:22 AM 1066 Views
I guess I'll break my silence after almost a month and a half... - 02/12/2009 12:23:07 AM 1256 Views
Popcorn? - 02/12/2009 12:31:44 AM 1182 Views
Yes - 02/12/2009 12:39:10 AM 1214 Views
Lovecraft? - 02/12/2009 12:51:55 AM 1216 Views
Re-read what I said - 02/12/2009 12:55:08 AM 1281 Views
aahh - 02/12/2009 09:26:40 AM 1142 Views
Larry, please tell me you weren't... - 03/12/2009 04:33:32 PM 1007 Views
I concur - 02/12/2009 12:27:13 AM 1120 Views
I like your framing of the issue (and Shannara is the Taco Bell of writing). - 02/12/2009 02:03:51 AM 1188 Views
Thank you - 02/12/2009 09:30:42 AM 1128 Views
more like the mom&pop greasy-spoon diner of writing *NM* - 03/12/2009 05:00:21 PM 547 Views
I'm going to put this in my sig, if you don't mind. - 02/12/2009 03:31:13 AM 1205 Views
hehehe - 02/12/2009 09:31:28 AM 1084 Views
Am i the only one who reads books for fun? - 02/12/2009 12:33:52 AM 1232 Views
There isn't necessarily a contradiction - 02/12/2009 12:38:43 AM 1181 Views
I certainly didn't read The Lost Symbol for ANY cultural, intellectual or edifying reason. - 02/12/2009 02:05:45 AM 1134 Views
it didn't come across that way - 03/12/2009 05:15:36 PM 1160 Views
Of course not. Personally, I don't touch anything other than mind candy when I'm in school, - 02/12/2009 03:29:23 AM 1104 Views
one of the things that is important to me in books/shows - 03/12/2009 05:20:29 PM 1047 Views
We agree! - 03/12/2009 08:03:00 PM 1136 Views
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a science fiction/fantasy movie. - 02/12/2009 12:54:08 AM 1200 Views
i was gonna point that out. thnks. *NM* - 02/12/2009 01:13:47 AM 498 Views
Reading only speculative literature is limiting and monotonous. - 02/12/2009 02:09:42 AM 1227 Views
I was going to say exactly that about "real" literature: monotonous and limiting. - 02/12/2009 01:57:49 PM 1141 Views
I think his point was that only SF/F wasn't good food. - 02/12/2009 02:15:29 PM 1118 Views
I would not disagree with you if you said that. - 02/12/2009 02:27:08 PM 1063 Views
Most non-speculative fiction is fluff as well though. - 03/12/2009 05:38:32 PM 1066 Views
hear hear!! I agree totally wert-man - 03/12/2009 07:20:09 PM 1124 Views
Which brings us back to my point. - 03/12/2009 08:04:24 PM 1183 Views
Actually, it is a film that does not fit neatly into one category - 02/12/2009 11:16:20 AM 1195 Views
Science Fiction is the most PERTINANT form of fiction in the world today - 02/12/2009 12:57:19 AM 1132 Views
don't get me wrong - 02/12/2009 01:28:08 AM 1164 Views
SF&F and 'real literature' are not mutually exclusive - 02/12/2009 01:19:05 AM 1123 Views
No, they are not - 02/12/2009 02:18:53 AM 1135 Views
This line is a load of bull - 03/12/2009 02:39:53 PM 1244 Views
So why don't we occasionally focus on "real" books that are technically spec fiction? - 02/12/2009 01:25:04 AM 1096 Views
Why must we limit our focus in that way? - 02/12/2009 02:20:11 AM 1105 Views
I don't see it as limiting or forcing. - 02/12/2009 03:16:07 AM 1116 Views
"Elite club" or "elitist clique"? - 02/12/2009 03:52:11 AM 1096 Views
Either way, I want in. *NM* - 02/12/2009 11:33:52 AM 586 Views
Elite club is how we midwestern rednecks refer to Elitist Clique. *chews on a piece of hay* - 02/12/2009 02:52:01 PM 1254 Views
I was born in the Midwest. - 02/12/2009 03:01:36 PM 1159 Views
I know. - 02/12/2009 03:12:05 PM 1091 Views
Green Acres in reverse, eh? - 02/12/2009 03:38:09 PM 1133 Views
lmao - 02/12/2009 06:21:17 PM 1282 Views
*piledrivers you* - 02/12/2009 06:28:02 PM 1065 Views
...! - 02/12/2009 03:17:57 PM 1107 Views
Admit it. You know what I'm talking about. - 02/12/2009 03:29:31 PM 1122 Views
Re: Admit it. You know what I'm talking about. - 02/12/2009 03:31:26 PM 1072 Views
Vermont isn't in the Midwest. - 02/12/2009 03:39:36 PM 1076 Views
Re: Vermont isn't in the Midwest. - 02/12/2009 03:42:47 PM 1121 Views
Huh! I really didn't think of you as being a masochist. - 02/12/2009 01:51:55 AM 1088 Views
Thank you! - 02/12/2009 02:21:00 AM 997 Views
Shitstorm! - 02/12/2009 03:06:59 AM 1061 Views
Heh heh heh. - 02/12/2009 03:45:40 AM 1115 Views
Read what you like to read. - 02/12/2009 04:18:53 AM 1192 Views
I'll super size you. Fine. *NM* - 02/12/2009 04:32:58 AM 550 Views
Oh noes! I'm getting word-fat! - 02/12/2009 04:59:05 AM 1116 Views
I seem to have struck a nerve. - 02/12/2009 05:20:27 AM 1146 Views
Apparently not the nerve you think, though. - 02/12/2009 06:42:02 AM 1221 Views
Intellectual achievement isn't a static measure. - 02/12/2009 02:13:10 PM 1126 Views
Re: Intellectual achievement isn't a static measure. - 02/12/2009 03:26:59 PM 1143 Views
Agreed. - 02/12/2009 03:30:50 PM 1065 Views
Re: Agreed. - 02/12/2009 03:32:06 PM 1061 Views
Re: Intellectual achievement isn't a static measure. - 02/12/2009 09:40:28 PM 1183 Views
I really did get under your skin - 02/12/2009 09:58:18 PM 1051 Views
- 02/12/2009 10:06:46 PM 1051 Views
Tom as much as you raise some great points, you are being a condescending ass. - 03/12/2009 04:26:27 AM 1112 Views
You're entitled to your opinion. I don't care. - 03/12/2009 04:51:18 AM 1083 Views
I keep replying. It's like a sickness. - 03/12/2009 05:15:28 AM 1100 Views
Your subject line reinforces my opinion. - 03/12/2009 05:31:50 AM 1021 Views
Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room. *NM* - 03/12/2009 07:21:05 AM 538 Views
LOL! - 04/12/2009 12:21:36 AM 1070 Views
See, you just proved my point. - 04/12/2009 12:39:59 AM 1111 Views
Hm. - 02/12/2009 06:58:56 AM 1716 Views
Re-read my exact point. - 02/12/2009 02:18:20 PM 1054 Views
No. Some kind of reading is indeed essential. - 02/12/2009 02:28:22 PM 1218 Views
Somehow I get the feeling that this post hasn't caused quite as much controversy - 02/12/2009 06:53:18 AM 1215 Views
As I see it... - 02/12/2009 11:38:07 AM 1103 Views
Yep. - 02/12/2009 02:18:22 PM 1251 Views
Re: Yep. - 02/12/2009 03:35:38 PM 1115 Views
Euripides was poorly received, initially. - 02/12/2009 03:57:58 PM 1032 Views
Re: Euripides was poorly received, initially. - 02/12/2009 04:00:35 PM 1057 Views
I know. - 02/12/2009 04:18:16 PM 1128 Views
Re: I know. - 02/12/2009 04:23:14 PM 1066 Views
That is why he's so good, in my opinion. - 02/12/2009 06:15:45 PM 1219 Views
All reading of fiction is a diversion by the very nature of the activity. - 02/12/2009 03:43:05 PM 1106 Views
Diversion from direct action, yes. Diversion from reality, no. - 02/12/2009 04:15:48 PM 1080 Views
I maintain that all acts of reading fiction are a diversion from reality/ the realistic - 02/12/2009 05:43:16 PM 1091 Views
It seems a regressive argument to me. - 03/12/2009 01:18:02 AM 1047 Views
You're playing a game. - 03/12/2009 03:40:14 PM 1133 Views
I like your response. *NM* - 03/12/2009 05:37:09 PM 508 Views
I fundamentally agree with much of what you're saying, but there is a distinction. - 03/12/2009 06:44:02 PM 1120 Views
Oh I concur on that distinction. - 04/12/2009 09:06:34 PM 1162 Views
Spec fic is perhaps at it's best in autocracies? - 02/12/2009 04:10:56 PM 1041 Views
Bulgakov - 02/12/2009 04:25:17 PM 1106 Views
I've only read the first chapter of M&M. - 02/12/2009 04:36:09 PM 1079 Views
Re: I've only read the first chapter of M&M. - 02/12/2009 04:40:16 PM 1023 Views
Not the greatest Tolkien scholar, me. - 02/12/2009 05:17:31 PM 1057 Views
Re: Not the greatest Tolkien scholar, me. - 02/12/2009 05:40:16 PM 1115 Views
I suppose. - 02/12/2009 06:26:30 PM 1113 Views
Re: I suppose. - 02/12/2009 07:25:26 PM 1110 Views
Well, I don't hold escapism in such low esteem *NM* - 02/12/2009 07:56:13 PM 545 Views
That is what I mean - 02/12/2009 08:36:02 PM 1035 Views
This was something I was exploring earlier. - 02/12/2009 04:34:41 PM 1149 Views
Funny thing about the hivemind antagonist. - 02/12/2009 05:13:30 PM 1103 Views
I didn't see the zombies reading speculative fiction - 02/12/2009 05:30:26 PM 1185 Views
Oh, they prefer Clive Cussler. - 02/12/2009 06:23:42 PM 1160 Views
i think it comes more down to quality than genre. - 02/12/2009 04:55:20 PM 1126 Views
I disagree with the ultimate conclusion but agree with many of your points. - 02/12/2009 05:43:04 PM 1091 Views
the illiad is a classic - 02/12/2009 06:35:24 PM 1119 Views
There's only one "L" in Iliad - 02/12/2009 08:18:38 PM 1079 Views
Is there a safe answer to that question? *NM* - 02/12/2009 10:33:21 PM 571 Views
Maybe not. *NM* - 03/12/2009 12:59:09 AM 533 Views
It took me a few minutes to agree - 02/12/2009 07:04:59 PM 1074 Views
Well, I'm glad if you got something out of the post! - 02/12/2009 09:13:26 PM 1095 Views
Re: Well, I'm glad if you got something out of the post! - 02/12/2009 09:20:49 PM 1060 Views
I don't know. I've only read about 30 pages so far. *NM* - 02/12/2009 10:05:54 PM 569 Views
Many people have mentioned that there's quite a bit of good sff lit out there and you seem to agree. - 02/12/2009 07:33:42 PM 1198 Views
Hmmm - 02/12/2009 08:40:53 PM 1097 Views
Re: Hmmm - 02/12/2009 10:48:02 PM 1117 Views
The website is called "Read and Find Out". It doesn't specify what we're supposed to read. - 02/12/2009 08:42:19 PM 1170 Views
Anti the idea ? I see no evidence for this. - 02/12/2009 09:50:37 PM 1123 Views
Heh - 02/12/2009 09:56:30 PM 1122 Views
What do you mean ? Almost all the repliers agree with Tom - 03/12/2009 11:01:08 AM 1088 Views
Re: What do you mean ? Almost all the repliers agree with Tom - 03/12/2009 11:10:35 AM 1117 Views
I see. You don't read announcements. - 03/12/2009 11:12:04 AM 1066 Views
No, but it does bill itself as science fiction/fantasy. - 02/12/2009 10:51:41 PM 1205 Views
Yes. - 03/12/2009 12:01:30 AM 1194 Views
I think Rebekah and Camilla put it well. - 02/12/2009 10:05:24 PM 1174 Views
I think they make good points, as I said above. - 02/12/2009 10:56:55 PM 1075 Views
I agree with in principle - 02/12/2009 11:22:19 PM 1052 Views
Certainly. People are free to skip any discussion. - 03/12/2009 01:01:40 AM 1176 Views
I have a few objections. - 03/12/2009 12:24:43 AM 1141 Views
where else should we talk about it? - 03/12/2009 12:37:26 AM 1096 Views
random thoughts stole my subject line - 03/12/2009 01:56:07 AM 1132 Views
I think I could agree with a "comfort food" analogy - 03/12/2009 02:12:01 AM 1154 Views
Re: I think I could agree with a "comfort food" analogy - 03/12/2009 02:38:17 AM 1212 Views
That's it - 03/12/2009 04:02:28 AM 1215 Views
Question: is it really science fiction without one of the following: - 03/12/2009 05:13:21 AM 1139 Views
Certainly - 03/12/2009 06:13:38 AM 1196 Views
technically speaking, fantasy is classed as a sub heading under science fiction. *NM* - 03/12/2009 02:51:12 PM 464 Views
According to whom? *NM* - 03/12/2009 03:55:45 PM 593 Views
Yeah. What she asked! *NM* - 03/12/2009 09:23:55 PM 560 Views
Yes, it is but actually... - 03/12/2009 09:31:44 PM 1119 Views
Eternal Sunshine doesn't have a mad scientist. - 03/12/2009 10:09:01 PM 1043 Views
Really? - 04/12/2009 07:01:42 PM 1091 Views
But Dan Brown rocks da house!!! *NM* - 03/12/2009 02:16:47 AM 565 Views
*pumps fist* Give it up for Dan Brown! *NM* - 03/12/2009 03:58:23 AM 555 Views
That's Dan "booyah" Brown!!! Booyah!!! *NM* - 04/12/2009 02:00:56 AM 569 Views
another thing wrong with your argument - 03/12/2009 03:30:19 PM 1103 Views
Absolutely not. And, as I said before, there's only one "L" in Iliad. - 03/12/2009 06:53:35 PM 923 Views
sorry about my atrocious spelling (including the one on pertinent) - 03/12/2009 07:14:59 PM 1229 Views
No problem. On the substantive points: - 03/12/2009 08:00:33 PM 1157 Views
more importantly, which I think it being lost in all this, - 03/12/2009 08:05:27 PM 1142 Views
I'm not reading the Iliad again, once was enough - 04/12/2009 12:19:07 PM 1083 Views
Congratulations on the replies count - 03/12/2009 09:30:41 PM 1232 Views
That was a well-thought out response, but I still disagree. - 03/12/2009 10:50:29 PM 1159 Views
Re: That was a well-thought out response, but I still disagree. - 04/12/2009 07:44:56 PM 1165 Views
But the objective truth of a setting can be measured. - 04/12/2009 10:37:10 PM 1087 Views
But does it make any difference in the objective value of the book? - 06/12/2009 09:35:59 AM 1241 Views
YES. - 06/12/2009 03:34:17 PM 1042 Views
NO - 07/12/2009 08:40:33 PM 1137 Views
Re: That was a well-thought out response, but I still disagree. - 04/12/2009 10:25:08 PM 1105 Views
Yes, it is worse with movies. Much worse, in fact. - 04/12/2009 10:33:18 PM 1141 Views
Re: That was a well-thought out response, but I still disagree. - 06/12/2009 09:36:11 AM 1104 Views
Maybe we're different, but I don't care for FX - 06/12/2009 01:37:53 PM 1045 Views
This is not about the personal taste - 07/12/2009 08:50:34 PM 1139 Views
I've obviously missed the show here... - 04/12/2009 12:14:30 AM 1066 Views
I'm not sure that's right. This thing just keeps growing. - 04/12/2009 12:46:24 AM 1178 Views
What, your penis? - 06/12/2009 02:40:09 AM 1069 Views
Don't you know it! - 06/12/2009 03:28:16 PM 983 Views
You talk the talk, that's for sure. - 07/12/2009 08:14:41 PM 1125 Views
Hate to break it to you... - 07/12/2009 09:54:24 PM 1170 Views
I thought you were gonna tell me... - 08/12/2009 03:07:54 PM 1237 Views
Metaphor versus literalism - 04/12/2009 05:42:03 PM 1140 Views
aha. but. - 07/12/2009 03:56:48 PM 1270 Views
Quoting Nietzsche is really hitting below the belt. - 07/12/2009 09:12:34 PM 1210 Views
It is good I was only paraphrasing, then - 08/12/2009 10:44:14 AM 1109 Views

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