Lots of pulp and opera stylings here.
Sits up there in both great music and great adventure for me. Is it realistic? Why be less awesome?
When you play Social Justice, the world loses.
Thursday, September 8, 2016
Music Blog- Queen- Flash
Because I love this movie.
Lots of pulp and opera stylings here.
Sits up there in both great music and great adventure for me. Is it realistic? Why be less awesome?
When you play Social Justice, the world loses.
Lots of pulp and opera stylings here.
Sits up there in both great music and great adventure for me. Is it realistic? Why be less awesome?
When you play Social Justice, the world loses.
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Injustice Book Review: Pennsylvania by Michael Bunker
Cower not, fierce readers! Today we have a fine, if ultimately gentle tale of Amish SF. I am reviewing the omnibus edition.Yes, Amish exists, and I'm late to the party, as those in the know will tell you.
I confess, I really only became aware of the existence of SFF that didn't wallow in SocJus last year, and only started this blog in January of this year. So I'm actually over two years late to this particular party. The good news is that good stories remain such, and there are always new folks to show the way.
On to the indictment of Mr. Bunker's work!
Firstly, it's AMISH in nature. While they try to stay out of most of the affairs of the world, it's a faith that secularists cannot begin to understand. And while I disagree with the Amish on some particulars of the Christian faith, I respect their right to practice as they see fit, especially as they don't want to inflict their views on others. Many other crimes flow from this.
Secondly, there is widespread distrust of government among the "English" characters within this book. At least, among those we really see. There's one named character, if I recall, that actually remains on the side of the government of the setting, and that character is not in the tale much.
Thirdly, as a result of being Amish, we see a longing for a community that voluntarily cares for those within it. Not allowing government to meet needs, by performing Christian acts? That's an act of aggression in and of itself.
Family, and a longing for a simple life that revolves around such is actively portrayed as both good and attractive. Again, faith going against government, and against the ways of the world. We are constantly told to want more, when we don't need more.
A fifth crime this story commits is the presentation of farmers as anything but dumb and ignorant. Farmers are shown to be problem solvers, and the good ones still are, Amish or not. This approach to life of getting knowledge as it's needed to be applied is out of step with the scientiism and expert worship of the world.
Mr. Bunker has written an excellent novel with a most interesting perspective. In a few ways, I am positively reminded of Mr. Lansdown's A Stitch in Space, though that character is far more aware of worldly culture. 7/10 fell deeds.
When you play Social Justice, the world loses.
I confess, I really only became aware of the existence of SFF that didn't wallow in SocJus last year, and only started this blog in January of this year. So I'm actually over two years late to this particular party. The good news is that good stories remain such, and there are always new folks to show the way.
On to the indictment of Mr. Bunker's work!
Firstly, it's AMISH in nature. While they try to stay out of most of the affairs of the world, it's a faith that secularists cannot begin to understand. And while I disagree with the Amish on some particulars of the Christian faith, I respect their right to practice as they see fit, especially as they don't want to inflict their views on others. Many other crimes flow from this.
Secondly, there is widespread distrust of government among the "English" characters within this book. At least, among those we really see. There's one named character, if I recall, that actually remains on the side of the government of the setting, and that character is not in the tale much.
Thirdly, as a result of being Amish, we see a longing for a community that voluntarily cares for those within it. Not allowing government to meet needs, by performing Christian acts? That's an act of aggression in and of itself.
Family, and a longing for a simple life that revolves around such is actively portrayed as both good and attractive. Again, faith going against government, and against the ways of the world. We are constantly told to want more, when we don't need more.
A fifth crime this story commits is the presentation of farmers as anything but dumb and ignorant. Farmers are shown to be problem solvers, and the good ones still are, Amish or not. This approach to life of getting knowledge as it's needed to be applied is out of step with the scientiism and expert worship of the world.
Mr. Bunker has written an excellent novel with a most interesting perspective. In a few ways, I am positively reminded of Mr. Lansdown's A Stitch in Space, though that character is far more aware of worldly culture. 7/10 fell deeds.
When you play Social Justice, the world loses.
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
The Salt Must Flow
First things first: I need to thank Vox Day for linking to my last post. The response has been great, and I hope I gained some more readers out of it, and shall endeavor to continue in that quality of post.
For today's post, I must thank Escape Velocity for drawing my attention to this article via Twitter. You need not read it, it's prime fisk material, so original will be in italics, my response in bold.
The inaugural Dragon Awards have taken place at DragonCon, with fifteen works of science fiction and fantasy across the fields of literature, comics, film, television, and gaming being honored with fiery-red trophies.
Good start you've got, that is wholly accurate.
The Dragon Awards claim to offer “a true reflection of the works that are genuinely most beloved by the core audience,” while a report from The Verge states that the results “highlight the populist side of science fiction and fantasy.” However, a closer look reveals that the winners reflect a rather more specific side.
Are you bad at English? Are you offended that someone, somewhere thinks you have lousy taste in books? Newsflash: they're right.
Since they were first announced earlier this year, the Dragon Awards caught the eyes of the Sad and Rabid Puppies campaigns, which were initiated to influence the works chosen for Worldcon’s Hugo Awards
Conflating lies. There was no campaign aspect from the ones running the groups during nomination time, and the Sad Puppies campaign said very little about it.
The Dragon Awards’ voting process is conducted through a simple online poll open to anyone with an e-mail address, and the rules state that it is acceptable for authors to campaign for votes; all in all, the new awards were the perfect fit for the strategies used by the Puppy campaigns.
These are the same tactics used by you and yours behind closed doors. Mr. Martin admitted that this year. Stop lying about it being one sided; we prefer to be open and honest about it.
Four of the seven novel categories were won by pro-Puppy authors. Son of the Black Sword, by Sad Puppies founder Larry Correia, was named Best Fantasy Novel; John C. Wright’s Somewhither: A Tale of the Unwithering Realm took the prize for Best Science Fiction Novel; Brian Niemeier’s Souldancer won the Best Horror Novel award; and Nick Cole’s Ctrl Alt Revolt! went away with the trophy for Best Apocalyptic Novel.
Another accurate chunk. Why do you keep returning to lies? Facts win out over feelings.
Most of these authors made specific attempts to rally Puppy supporters in their directions.
Most? That's four guys you don't like out of fifteen categories.
Correia made multiple blog posts encouraging his “wrongfan” readers to vote
Six posts from Larry is hardly a campaign. One of those times is only mentioning that it exists and is free to nominate and vote. Try harder.
Wright stated that “your votes that were unwelcome at the World Con are most welcome at Dragon Con,”
Is he wrong? And how is this a campaign? Explain to me how a word implying a long concerted effort applies here. Please, show me how I'm stupid.
and Niemeier gave his book away for free so as to attract voters.
What's your point? There's no packet, and no fee for the process. It's perfectly within the rules to enable an educated voting pool by making your work more available. Oh, right. You prefer low information voting.
Outside of Puppy circles, the award for Best Military Science Fiction or Fantasy Novel went to Hell’s Foundations Quiver by David Weber
Yes, he's not a Puppy. He also isn't one of yours, just because Tor publishes one of his series. Baen has his more popular works. They even have their own conventions(two!) with a new award.
Naomi Novik’s League of Dragons was named Best Alternate History Novel
Yeah, I'm surprised Turtledove didn't win. Likely her only shot at it, as the series is done.
and the late Terry Pratchett won a posthumous award for Best Young Adult or Middle Grade Novel thanks to his book The Shepherd’s Crown.
Yeah, not a puppy. Not an SJW either. He was a pretty talented author. RIP, Sir Terry.
It is worth noting that a few of the novels not written by pro-Puppy authors still enjoyed support from the Puppy campaigns.
Wait, you mean we don't live in echo chambers like you?
During the voting period, Rabid Puppies founder Vox Day posted a list of his personal picks, which, in terms of the novel categories, almost exactly tally up with the eventual winners; the only difference is that his Best Young Adult choice was Changeling’s Island by Dave Freer rather than the Pratchett book. In the case of Naomi Novik, Day was forced to begrudgingly admit that she is a good writer even while labeling her an “SJW-lite.”
Gee, maybe he's more in touch with reality and the populace than you are. I mean, what kind of bigot holds up an opponent as an example of good work?
One result of this campaigning is that novels with which the Sad Puppies were generally unfamiliar appear to have been at a disadvantage.
Maybe the Sad and Rabid Puppies reflect poplar tastes better than you. Nah, you're an "English transgirl". You clearly know reality and good writing. Or is that World of Darkness fanfic?
This is most evident in the category for horror fiction, a genre in which the Puppies have previously shown little interest. . The winning novel, Souldancer, currently has just eight reviews on Amazon and three on Goodreads; any award handed to it clearly does not reflect “the works that are genuinely most beloved by the core audience” or “the populist side of science fiction and fantasy.”It would seem that Souldancer succeeded in beating out more popular horror nominees, such as Christina Henry’s Alice, merely because its author is pro-Puppy.
Yes, we all trust reviews, do we? Maybe some of us realize how active your type is at disemployment. Maybe we were busy reading books. At any rate, it's not your crappy pastiche of urban fantasy, faerie tales, and WoD fanfic that you love.
Outside of the novel categories, Sad Puppy influence is harder to discern.
Just say Puppy. You're already conflating the two groups, simplify so you won't be lying as badly.
The comic and moving image awards went to works that have also been honoured at the Hugos in recent years:
Another correct statement. Keep going.
Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson and her artistic team, was named Best Comic Book
More truth; can you keep it up? By the way, you don't need that comma. We'll talk later about how crappy most hero books are these days.
Neil Gaiman and J. H. Williams III’s The Sandman: Overture took Best Graphic Novel
True, and a well constructed statement. Congratulations.
the title of Best Science Fiction or Fantasy TV Series went to Game of Thrones; and The Martian was voted Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Movie.
As Vox Day stated, if he'd been campaigning, Deadpool would've won movie. I'm proud you stayed honest here, though.
Finally, unlike the Hugos, the Dragon Awards recognize gaming. Bethesda Softworks’ Fallout franchise won big, with Fallout 4 winning in the PC/Console Game category and Fallout Shelter taking the Mobile Game prize.
And?
In the tabletop gaming categories, Pandemic: Legacy was the choice for Board Game while the Call of Cthulhu Roleplaying Game got the prize in the (frankly rather cluttered) category of Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Miniatures/Collectible Card/Role Playing Game
Wait. Did you not only state facts, but an opinion I agree with? I'm stunned; I may never recover. But, there might be reasons for it; minis games and CCGs tend to die fast without a tournament scene, and RPGs have to contend with the twin collosi of D&D and Pathfinder.
Will future iterations of the Dragon Awards remain dominated by the Sad Puppies circle, or will the awards will attract a broader voting base?
Ah, you're back to your bad assumptions, I see. Wait until we have nominating and voting data; then you can perhaps call it that. Keep in mind it's the first year.
If the latter, we are left with the question of whether the Dragons will continue to honor self-published and niche authors or begin to lean more towards juggernauts such as Stephen King, George R. R. Martin, and Neil Gaiman.
Yes, because Hugh Howley and Andy Weir were picked up by big publishers right away. Big publishing editors would've kept The Martian out of print, and thus, out of Hollywood. Your gatekeepers like crap and hate good stories.
When you play Social Justice, the world loses.
For today's post, I must thank Escape Velocity for drawing my attention to this article via Twitter. You need not read it, it's prime fisk material, so original will be in italics, my response in bold.
The inaugural Dragon Awards have taken place at DragonCon, with fifteen works of science fiction and fantasy across the fields of literature, comics, film, television, and gaming being honored with fiery-red trophies.
Good start you've got, that is wholly accurate.
The Dragon Awards claim to offer “a true reflection of the works that are genuinely most beloved by the core audience,” while a report from The Verge states that the results “highlight the populist side of science fiction and fantasy.” However, a closer look reveals that the winners reflect a rather more specific side.
Are you bad at English? Are you offended that someone, somewhere thinks you have lousy taste in books? Newsflash: they're right.
Since they were first announced earlier this year, the Dragon Awards caught the eyes of the Sad and Rabid Puppies campaigns, which were initiated to influence the works chosen for Worldcon’s Hugo Awards
Conflating lies. There was no campaign aspect from the ones running the groups during nomination time, and the Sad Puppies campaign said very little about it.
The Dragon Awards’ voting process is conducted through a simple online poll open to anyone with an e-mail address, and the rules state that it is acceptable for authors to campaign for votes; all in all, the new awards were the perfect fit for the strategies used by the Puppy campaigns.
These are the same tactics used by you and yours behind closed doors. Mr. Martin admitted that this year. Stop lying about it being one sided; we prefer to be open and honest about it.
Four of the seven novel categories were won by pro-Puppy authors. Son of the Black Sword, by Sad Puppies founder Larry Correia, was named Best Fantasy Novel; John C. Wright’s Somewhither: A Tale of the Unwithering Realm took the prize for Best Science Fiction Novel; Brian Niemeier’s Souldancer won the Best Horror Novel award; and Nick Cole’s Ctrl Alt Revolt! went away with the trophy for Best Apocalyptic Novel.
Another accurate chunk. Why do you keep returning to lies? Facts win out over feelings.
Most of these authors made specific attempts to rally Puppy supporters in their directions.
Most? That's four guys you don't like out of fifteen categories.
Correia made multiple blog posts encouraging his “wrongfan” readers to vote
Six posts from Larry is hardly a campaign. One of those times is only mentioning that it exists and is free to nominate and vote. Try harder.
Wright stated that “your votes that were unwelcome at the World Con are most welcome at Dragon Con,”
Is he wrong? And how is this a campaign? Explain to me how a word implying a long concerted effort applies here. Please, show me how I'm stupid.
and Niemeier gave his book away for free so as to attract voters.
What's your point? There's no packet, and no fee for the process. It's perfectly within the rules to enable an educated voting pool by making your work more available. Oh, right. You prefer low information voting.
Outside of Puppy circles, the award for Best Military Science Fiction or Fantasy Novel went to Hell’s Foundations Quiver by David Weber
Yes, he's not a Puppy. He also isn't one of yours, just because Tor publishes one of his series. Baen has his more popular works. They even have their own conventions(two!) with a new award.
Naomi Novik’s League of Dragons was named Best Alternate History Novel
Yeah, I'm surprised Turtledove didn't win. Likely her only shot at it, as the series is done.
and the late Terry Pratchett won a posthumous award for Best Young Adult or Middle Grade Novel thanks to his book The Shepherd’s Crown.
Yeah, not a puppy. Not an SJW either. He was a pretty talented author. RIP, Sir Terry.
It is worth noting that a few of the novels not written by pro-Puppy authors still enjoyed support from the Puppy campaigns.
Wait, you mean we don't live in echo chambers like you?
During the voting period, Rabid Puppies founder Vox Day posted a list of his personal picks, which, in terms of the novel categories, almost exactly tally up with the eventual winners; the only difference is that his Best Young Adult choice was Changeling’s Island by Dave Freer rather than the Pratchett book. In the case of Naomi Novik, Day was forced to begrudgingly admit that she is a good writer even while labeling her an “SJW-lite.”
Gee, maybe he's more in touch with reality and the populace than you are. I mean, what kind of bigot holds up an opponent as an example of good work?
One result of this campaigning is that novels with which the Sad Puppies were generally unfamiliar appear to have been at a disadvantage.
Maybe the Sad and Rabid Puppies reflect poplar tastes better than you. Nah, you're an "English transgirl". You clearly know reality and good writing. Or is that World of Darkness fanfic?
This is most evident in the category for horror fiction, a genre in which the Puppies have previously shown little interest. . The winning novel, Souldancer, currently has just eight reviews on Amazon and three on Goodreads; any award handed to it clearly does not reflect “the works that are genuinely most beloved by the core audience” or “the populist side of science fiction and fantasy.”It would seem that Souldancer succeeded in beating out more popular horror nominees, such as Christina Henry’s Alice, merely because its author is pro-Puppy.
Yes, we all trust reviews, do we? Maybe some of us realize how active your type is at disemployment. Maybe we were busy reading books. At any rate, it's not your crappy pastiche of urban fantasy, faerie tales, and WoD fanfic that you love.
Outside of the novel categories, Sad Puppy influence is harder to discern.
Just say Puppy. You're already conflating the two groups, simplify so you won't be lying as badly.
The comic and moving image awards went to works that have also been honoured at the Hugos in recent years:
Another correct statement. Keep going.
Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson and her artistic team, was named Best Comic Book
More truth; can you keep it up? By the way, you don't need that comma. We'll talk later about how crappy most hero books are these days.
Neil Gaiman and J. H. Williams III’s The Sandman: Overture took Best Graphic Novel
True, and a well constructed statement. Congratulations.
the title of Best Science Fiction or Fantasy TV Series went to Game of Thrones; and The Martian was voted Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Movie.
As Vox Day stated, if he'd been campaigning, Deadpool would've won movie. I'm proud you stayed honest here, though.
Finally, unlike the Hugos, the Dragon Awards recognize gaming. Bethesda Softworks’ Fallout franchise won big, with Fallout 4 winning in the PC/Console Game category and Fallout Shelter taking the Mobile Game prize.
And?
In the tabletop gaming categories, Pandemic: Legacy was the choice for Board Game while the Call of Cthulhu Roleplaying Game got the prize in the (frankly rather cluttered) category of Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Miniatures/Collectible Card/Role Playing Game
Wait. Did you not only state facts, but an opinion I agree with? I'm stunned; I may never recover. But, there might be reasons for it; minis games and CCGs tend to die fast without a tournament scene, and RPGs have to contend with the twin collosi of D&D and Pathfinder.
Will future iterations of the Dragon Awards remain dominated by the Sad Puppies circle, or will the awards will attract a broader voting base?
Ah, you're back to your bad assumptions, I see. Wait until we have nominating and voting data; then you can perhaps call it that. Keep in mind it's the first year.
If the latter, we are left with the question of whether the Dragons will continue to honor self-published and niche authors or begin to lean more towards juggernauts such as Stephen King, George R. R. Martin, and Neil Gaiman.
Yes, because Hugh Howley and Andy Weir were picked up by big publishers right away. Big publishing editors would've kept The Martian out of print, and thus, out of Hollywood. Your gatekeepers like crap and hate good stories.
When you play Social Justice, the world loses.
Sunday, September 4, 2016
The Hurt is Strong at F770
Welcome, fierce readers, to my Dragon Awards post. In case you can't tell, my focus is going to be mostly on the SJW response, largely viewable in the comments at File 770. Some of them are thought out, some outright lies, and some are just insulting.
But first, I'd like to congratulate the winners of the first Dragon Awards.
John C. Wright for Somewhither
Larry Correia for Son of the Black Sword
Terry Prachett for The Shepherd's Crown(RIP)
David Weber for Hell's Foundations Quiver
Naomi Novik for League of Dragons
Nick Cole for Ctrl Alt Revolt!
Brian Niemeier for Souldancer
Ms.Marvel in comics
Sandman: Overture in graphic novel
Game of Thrones in TV
The Martian in movie
Fallout 4 in PC/Console game
Fallout Shelter in mobile game
Pandemic Legacy(s1) in boardgame
Call of Cthulu in other tabletop game
Some of you that have been reading here will know that I don't like all of these by any means. They won the award, end of story. I don't have to support it or encourage it; I will congratulate it for now, if only as an impetus to get more like minded folks to care about the other categories.
I would also like to congratulate Declan Finn, for accepting on behalf of Misters Cole, Niemeier, and Wright. You are an excellent writer on your own, and it speaks well of your writing and you that these gentlemen would see fit for you to be their surrogate.
Now, to the SocJus crowd, from the comments at File 770(I need a bath):
1. Mike Glyer saw fit to publicize the fact that someone took a stab at F770 for not being on the ballot when his blog couldn't be due to no category for that work. Way to make it all about you, Mike.
2. "Soon Lee" wants to know who the administrators of the award are, calls the site unhelpful(she's correct there), denounces Declan for his incomplete posting of finalists, and says that she trusts the Hugos more. You can't watch the video and figure out who the admin is? You can't use email? It's an open campaigning award, I'm not going to fault him for not listing things he didn't care about.
3."Andrew M." finds it suspect that you had to be registered to know what was nominated, thinks turnout was low, and basically thinks Vox Day gamed what he could, followed by mentioning some books aren't published in the UK w/out a Hugo. You could have registered and nominated and voted. Vox barely mentioned them. And print is no longer an obstacle to that, tool.
4. "Rick Moen" thinks a voting fee makes for a legitimate award, and the Dragon is just an opinion poll. Isn't that what the Hugo was supposed to be, an award from the FANS of SF/F?
5. "Lee Whiteside" thinks that DragonCon owed truefen more publicity about the award. Why? There's no publicity about the fact that ANYONE can pay to nominate and vote in the Hugos.
6."Sean Wallace" thinks that sales of Castalia House books are harder to track, and one of the ones on the ballot only sold 11 copies. I'd like to see your pack of lies source of data, Sean. There's no way any book from CH only sells 11 copies. Amazon tracks all the ebook sales very precisely, so shove off.
7. Kurt Busiek buys the lie, which saddens me greatly. His Astro City is usually good, and sometimes great.
8. "Cat Elridge" lies blatantly about a single ballot per email address, thinking it was a Chicago voting style scam. Project much, Hugo lover?
9. "Ryan Radlien" believes it a valid criticism that none of the nominees at DragonCon won. What? This isn't a "must be present to win" raffle, moron, and neither are the Hugos.
10."Nickpheas" is surprised that some might think Somewhither science fiction. Also demonstrates the belief that he doesn't need to read it to judge it based on it's cover. Ignorant of Appendix N style SF aren't you?
11."alexvdl" among others calls it an award put together by puppies. Show your work, give me interviews, post a reference for this accusation when, as far as I know nobody in the puppy organizational scheme did any of the work to put it together.
12. Mike Glyer stated that Vox Day made a large number of picks that weren't human shields that won, showing his voters are in control of it. Maybe there's far more of us than you believe.
13. "TexasReed" make no bones about his hatred of Brian Niemeier and his work, calling the affair a circle jerk. Did you read the work? I'd be surprised if you did, and you clearly know jack squat about the excellent Mr. Niemeier.
14. "Chris S" is among those with the effrontery to insult Mr. John C. Wright's prose, calling the first page a piece of sophomoric crap. Get a dictionary, he uses the words correctly, well, and has a much better vocabulary than you do.
15. "kathodius" is incredulous to the idea that Dave Freer could create a coherent world after reading his blog posts. I'm incredulous to the idea it lives in the real world after not comprehending Mr. Freer's fine entertaining prose.
16. TYP wants it to become subject to the vote of DragonCon "members" . Dragoncon has attendees, fool, worldcon cons you into thinking you joined a club.
17. Cat Eldridge thinks the Dragon Award voters aren't interested in books. Maybe they just don't like conventions where they get told they're evil and need to die.
As you can see, there's a great lack of thought, and a great amount of hate available at F770. I don't know why Mrs. Wright bothers to respond at all over there, given she and her husband get lied about continually there.
For next year: we really need folks to be reading the better works in comics and playing boardgames. I have no real complaint on Pandemic, but it's an iffy one in my book. I'll try to do some new posts on comics soon, so perhaps some of my readers might find some of the good work that is out there.
When you play Social Justice, the world loses.
But first, I'd like to congratulate the winners of the first Dragon Awards.
John C. Wright for Somewhither
Larry Correia for Son of the Black Sword
Terry Prachett for The Shepherd's Crown(RIP)
David Weber for Hell's Foundations Quiver
Naomi Novik for League of Dragons
Nick Cole for Ctrl Alt Revolt!
Brian Niemeier for Souldancer
Ms.Marvel in comics
Sandman: Overture in graphic novel
Game of Thrones in TV
The Martian in movie
Fallout 4 in PC/Console game
Fallout Shelter in mobile game
Pandemic Legacy(s1) in boardgame
Call of Cthulu in other tabletop game
Some of you that have been reading here will know that I don't like all of these by any means. They won the award, end of story. I don't have to support it or encourage it; I will congratulate it for now, if only as an impetus to get more like minded folks to care about the other categories.
I would also like to congratulate Declan Finn, for accepting on behalf of Misters Cole, Niemeier, and Wright. You are an excellent writer on your own, and it speaks well of your writing and you that these gentlemen would see fit for you to be their surrogate.
Now, to the SocJus crowd, from the comments at File 770(I need a bath):
1. Mike Glyer saw fit to publicize the fact that someone took a stab at F770 for not being on the ballot when his blog couldn't be due to no category for that work. Way to make it all about you, Mike.
2. "Soon Lee" wants to know who the administrators of the award are, calls the site unhelpful(she's correct there), denounces Declan for his incomplete posting of finalists, and says that she trusts the Hugos more. You can't watch the video and figure out who the admin is? You can't use email? It's an open campaigning award, I'm not going to fault him for not listing things he didn't care about.
3."Andrew M." finds it suspect that you had to be registered to know what was nominated, thinks turnout was low, and basically thinks Vox Day gamed what he could, followed by mentioning some books aren't published in the UK w/out a Hugo. You could have registered and nominated and voted. Vox barely mentioned them. And print is no longer an obstacle to that, tool.
4. "Rick Moen" thinks a voting fee makes for a legitimate award, and the Dragon is just an opinion poll. Isn't that what the Hugo was supposed to be, an award from the FANS of SF/F?
5. "Lee Whiteside" thinks that DragonCon owed truefen more publicity about the award. Why? There's no publicity about the fact that ANYONE can pay to nominate and vote in the Hugos.
6."Sean Wallace" thinks that sales of Castalia House books are harder to track, and one of the ones on the ballot only sold 11 copies. I'd like to see your pack of lies source of data, Sean. There's no way any book from CH only sells 11 copies. Amazon tracks all the ebook sales very precisely, so shove off.
7. Kurt Busiek buys the lie, which saddens me greatly. His Astro City is usually good, and sometimes great.
8. "Cat Elridge" lies blatantly about a single ballot per email address, thinking it was a Chicago voting style scam. Project much, Hugo lover?
9. "Ryan Radlien" believes it a valid criticism that none of the nominees at DragonCon won. What? This isn't a "must be present to win" raffle, moron, and neither are the Hugos.
10."Nickpheas" is surprised that some might think Somewhither science fiction. Also demonstrates the belief that he doesn't need to read it to judge it based on it's cover. Ignorant of Appendix N style SF aren't you?
11."alexvdl" among others calls it an award put together by puppies. Show your work, give me interviews, post a reference for this accusation when, as far as I know nobody in the puppy organizational scheme did any of the work to put it together.
12. Mike Glyer stated that Vox Day made a large number of picks that weren't human shields that won, showing his voters are in control of it. Maybe there's far more of us than you believe.
13. "TexasReed" make no bones about his hatred of Brian Niemeier and his work, calling the affair a circle jerk. Did you read the work? I'd be surprised if you did, and you clearly know jack squat about the excellent Mr. Niemeier.
14. "Chris S" is among those with the effrontery to insult Mr. John C. Wright's prose, calling the first page a piece of sophomoric crap. Get a dictionary, he uses the words correctly, well, and has a much better vocabulary than you do.
15. "kathodius" is incredulous to the idea that Dave Freer could create a coherent world after reading his blog posts. I'm incredulous to the idea it lives in the real world after not comprehending Mr. Freer's fine entertaining prose.
16. TYP wants it to become subject to the vote of DragonCon "members" . Dragoncon has attendees, fool, worldcon cons you into thinking you joined a club.
17. Cat Eldridge thinks the Dragon Award voters aren't interested in books. Maybe they just don't like conventions where they get told they're evil and need to die.
As you can see, there's a great lack of thought, and a great amount of hate available at F770. I don't know why Mrs. Wright bothers to respond at all over there, given she and her husband get lied about continually there.
For next year: we really need folks to be reading the better works in comics and playing boardgames. I have no real complaint on Pandemic, but it's an iffy one in my book. I'll try to do some new posts on comics soon, so perhaps some of my readers might find some of the good work that is out there.
When you play Social Justice, the world loses.
Saturday, September 3, 2016
Music Blog: Hatebeak- Seven Perches
Because avian death metal
Yes, that is a parrot. It's name is Waldo.
When you play Social Justice, the world loses.
Yes, that is a parrot. It's name is Waldo.
When you play Social Justice, the world loses.
Friday, September 2, 2016
Fisking Publisher's Weekly Review of Beyond the Mist
I was made aware of this review of the book via Facebook yesterday, and am appalled at how terribly written this review is. Apparently it's originally from BookLife, but they're supposed to be professionals. Let there be Injustice!
Original will be in Italics, my response will be in bold.
The setting of a (redacted) in the far future
You couldn't go one sentence without spoiling a good chunk of the plot. And you write for a professional trade journal reviewing books? How can I monetize this? I'm more entertaining than you, that's for sure.
doesn’t quite fit this story centered on Christian values, free will, redemption, forgiveness, and repressive roles for women
Why not? Christian themes are universal to the human experience, and it's themes of mercy and redemption call to everyone. Also, you're the one repressing women, by stating they don't have free will to choose their role.
Zephyr Walker(redacted). (Five more redacted sentences)
What, is this going to be a plot point a sentence? Are you stupid enough you can't discuss a journey without starting at the end? From Alice in Wonderland: Start at the begining, go until you reach the end, and stop. I don't start a book knowing the end, I want to discover it.
The fascinating premise eventually lags
Your attention lagged because you can't imagine anyone different than your sad, sorry circle.
(Nobility Among Us) exacerbates uneven plotting with long-winded descriptions
Yeah, because everything in life happens at an even pace, there's never an internal struggle, and I don't have to think about the details involved. Stop projecting your lack of introspection.
one-dimensional characters;
This is a tale of mercy, forgiveness, redemption, and self discovery; you are projecting hard if you think that's one dimensional.
women whose only goals involve cooking, marriage, and babies;
Because nobody ever does anything that they enjoy in service to another in your world. You must really hate life if you hate well made food, pleasant company, and babies; these are some of the best pleasures on earth.
and a detour into a whodunit
It's good to know that your life went entirely according to plan, was all plotted out, and NOTHING interfered with it. My life has not gone so smoothly, and changes story types within a day. I'm guessing my life is a bit more real than yours.
Yeah, that's it, but I had to redact that much because the person couldn't describe the book without the plot. For reference and contrast, here's my section from the second set of quick reviews:
Beyond the Mist by Ben Zwycky- I actually read this before Nobility Among Us, and it was great. An adventure story about restoration and redemption. Major crime: mercy, and forgiveness 8/10 Fell deeds.
Gee, I think my short review was better. I didn't give away the story.
When you play Social Justice, the world loses.
Original will be in Italics, my response will be in bold.
The setting of a (redacted) in the far future
You couldn't go one sentence without spoiling a good chunk of the plot. And you write for a professional trade journal reviewing books? How can I monetize this? I'm more entertaining than you, that's for sure.
doesn’t quite fit this story centered on Christian values, free will, redemption, forgiveness, and repressive roles for women
Why not? Christian themes are universal to the human experience, and it's themes of mercy and redemption call to everyone. Also, you're the one repressing women, by stating they don't have free will to choose their role.
Zephyr Walker(redacted). (Five more redacted sentences)
What, is this going to be a plot point a sentence? Are you stupid enough you can't discuss a journey without starting at the end? From Alice in Wonderland: Start at the begining, go until you reach the end, and stop. I don't start a book knowing the end, I want to discover it.
The fascinating premise eventually lags
Your attention lagged because you can't imagine anyone different than your sad, sorry circle.
(Nobility Among Us) exacerbates uneven plotting with long-winded descriptions
Yeah, because everything in life happens at an even pace, there's never an internal struggle, and I don't have to think about the details involved. Stop projecting your lack of introspection.
one-dimensional characters;
This is a tale of mercy, forgiveness, redemption, and self discovery; you are projecting hard if you think that's one dimensional.
women whose only goals involve cooking, marriage, and babies;
Because nobody ever does anything that they enjoy in service to another in your world. You must really hate life if you hate well made food, pleasant company, and babies; these are some of the best pleasures on earth.
and a detour into a whodunit
It's good to know that your life went entirely according to plan, was all plotted out, and NOTHING interfered with it. My life has not gone so smoothly, and changes story types within a day. I'm guessing my life is a bit more real than yours.
Yeah, that's it, but I had to redact that much because the person couldn't describe the book without the plot. For reference and contrast, here's my section from the second set of quick reviews:
Beyond the Mist by Ben Zwycky- I actually read this before Nobility Among Us, and it was great. An adventure story about restoration and redemption. Major crime: mercy, and forgiveness 8/10 Fell deeds.
Gee, I think my short review was better. I didn't give away the story.
When you play Social Justice, the world loses.
Thursday, September 1, 2016
Injustice Book Review- Swan Knight's Son by John C. Wright
Cower not, fierce readers! The inimitable Mr. Wright has graced us with a tome that calls for immediate judgement! I was initially going to place this in a quick review, fearing my skills inadequate to the task, but the Grand Inquisitor's work is such that it demands a full hearing.
Of course, the most prominent crime this book makes is that of being written by Mr. Wright. I am certain there are those in tears, collapsed in their safe spaces over the fact that he has put out yet another novel, given his Catholic faith and refusal to compromise it. The forces of Social Justice cannot tolerate one that would defend the unborn, stand against extramarital activity, and the proper definition of marriage. This book is simply guilty by association.
My good friend Brian Niemeier has stated that this novel bears a family resemblance to the work of Mr. Neil Gaiman. That, I find to be an inadequate statement, as the work of Mr. Gaiman indeed does have a cruel and at times vicious world of faerie, yet it is also projected to have kindness and gentleness. Mr. Wright gives faerie no such mercy, but rather exposes its motives and honor to be foreign to our own. Mr. Wright also presents faerie as in service to the Lord of Darkness, ultimately, something Mr. Gaiman would not contemplate. The other matter concerning the world of faerie is that it was subdued in Mr. Wright's presentation through Christianity, and driven from the sight of men.
Another crime of Mr. Wright's is that of the assumption of the power of Christianity. I'll avoid the details, but the idea that Christianity redeems more than men is evident at a critical point, and possibly flows throughout the story(we shall see on that point with the next books). The Christian symbolism in the sword is an excellent presentation, and of course, we know that SocJus cannot stand for militant Christianity to be presented as good in any way.
We do also see some potential lesson on when to be wise in the presentation of truth. While good and noble, there are those that cannot comprehend the fullness of it, and need a severely abridged version. After all, SocJus believes in Science! and not in Truth, and miracles have no home in the world of scientific consensus.
One small note: This book is published as a YA novel. Put aside any fears as to the possibility of a simple story; it is not here. The vocabulary and mythology employed throughout this fine text put it well within the appreciation of adults, and in fact is likely to have a fuller appreciation by adults, especially those versed in mythology and Christendom.
This book meets several lofty premises, and commits more crimes than I would attempt to list here. Mr. Wright has indeed accomplished a majestic thing here, and surpassed his other work in my estimation. 10/10 fell deeds.
When you play Social Justice, the world loses.
Of course, the most prominent crime this book makes is that of being written by Mr. Wright. I am certain there are those in tears, collapsed in their safe spaces over the fact that he has put out yet another novel, given his Catholic faith and refusal to compromise it. The forces of Social Justice cannot tolerate one that would defend the unborn, stand against extramarital activity, and the proper definition of marriage. This book is simply guilty by association.
My good friend Brian Niemeier has stated that this novel bears a family resemblance to the work of Mr. Neil Gaiman. That, I find to be an inadequate statement, as the work of Mr. Gaiman indeed does have a cruel and at times vicious world of faerie, yet it is also projected to have kindness and gentleness. Mr. Wright gives faerie no such mercy, but rather exposes its motives and honor to be foreign to our own. Mr. Wright also presents faerie as in service to the Lord of Darkness, ultimately, something Mr. Gaiman would not contemplate. The other matter concerning the world of faerie is that it was subdued in Mr. Wright's presentation through Christianity, and driven from the sight of men.
Another crime of Mr. Wright's is that of the assumption of the power of Christianity. I'll avoid the details, but the idea that Christianity redeems more than men is evident at a critical point, and possibly flows throughout the story(we shall see on that point with the next books). The Christian symbolism in the sword is an excellent presentation, and of course, we know that SocJus cannot stand for militant Christianity to be presented as good in any way.
We do also see some potential lesson on when to be wise in the presentation of truth. While good and noble, there are those that cannot comprehend the fullness of it, and need a severely abridged version. After all, SocJus believes in Science! and not in Truth, and miracles have no home in the world of scientific consensus.
One small note: This book is published as a YA novel. Put aside any fears as to the possibility of a simple story; it is not here. The vocabulary and mythology employed throughout this fine text put it well within the appreciation of adults, and in fact is likely to have a fuller appreciation by adults, especially those versed in mythology and Christendom.
This book meets several lofty premises, and commits more crimes than I would attempt to list here. Mr. Wright has indeed accomplished a majestic thing here, and surpassed his other work in my estimation. 10/10 fell deeds.
When you play Social Justice, the world loses.
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