On April 19 2013 02:49 Ryalnos wrote: It is my understanding that the 'Philotes' are in some sense a Mormon idea, or at least an adaptation from their beliefs.
I gather then, that the books which deal with them (e.g. Xenocide) were in part a sort of Mormon apologetic, showing how the 'philotes' could fit into a scientific picture. There's definitely other Mormon themes (imo reflected in emphases on family & having children, and even colonizing planets across the universe).
Not even close. Philotes was an idea OSC pulled from another SCI-FI book. They're related to The Ansible. I grew up mormon, which is why I'm clarifying.
He basically just goes "Oh, there's no way out that fits within the story- so now all of a sudden in a few days we can create the technology to exist outside of time....annnnnnnd problem solved."
There's more than one way to skin a cat, I just feel like he could have done all of the philosophical storylines and wrapped up the loose ends without basically introducing something I found to be completely unbelievable and cheap. I was unable to suspend belief, which I had easily been able to do with the series prior to this twist. It was not well written, just my opinion.
And piggies turning into tress is believable? Or the formics being able to communicate through the mind? Jane? Ender always having the right things to say and do? All of these things contribute to the story, and if they're believable is irrelevant BECAUSE IT'S SCIENCE FICTION. The fact that you're arguing about whether or not is believable makes me think that you focused too much on the aesthetics of the book and not enough about the ideas.
He basically just goes "Oh, there's no way out that fits within the story- so now all of a sudden in a few days we can create the technology to exist outside of time....annnnnnnd problem solved."
There's more than one way to skin a cat, I just feel like he could have done all of the philosophical storylines and wrapped up the loose ends without basically introducing something I found to be completely unbelievable and cheap. I was unable to suspend belief, which I had easily been able to do with the series prior to this twist. It was not well written, just my opinion.
And piggies turning into tress is believable? Or the formics being able to communicate through the mind? Jane? Ender always having the right things to say and do? All of these things contribute to the story, and if they're believable is irrelevant BECAUSE IT'S SCIENCE FICTION. The fact that you're arguing about whether or not is believable makes me think that you focused too much on the aesthetics of the book and not enough about the ideas.
Off-topic about sequel books, not actual spoilers> + Show Spoiler +
Well, i really think the continuation of the Ender series is not good. Aside from the fact that it's forced to be the sequel, the characters arent very strong/ outright horrible. Most of them are just a modest collection of a number of extremly stereotypical qualities. Most humans anyways. And the phiosophical stuff is just... well no... sometimes i felt like the writer is onto something and made me think on a couple of occasions, but most of the times i was feeling like he had no business writing this kinds of a book.
The Shadow series though, it really shows Orson Scott Card's forte, which is the fake-history writing, and the story-telling trough these child-geniuses, i really enjoyed that. The whole struggle for power and human nature is presented very well imo in those.
Also, i passionately hate the argument "it s (sci)-fiction, everything flies, u're so stupid to try to rationalize it". NO. When you set out to read/watch sci-fi, you accept some base-premises. Take Star-Wars, you accept the Force is a thing, that inter-stellar transport exists etc. That doesnt mean that you can't point out, it's strange every planet seems to have a single friggin climate, and 90% of the intelligent species are humanoid etc etc etc. Do these things ruin the story? Certainly not, but i get why people think it's silly / feel it could have been done better.
Likewise, some of the stuff in Card's books are wierd, but can be accepted as base premises, some other though are outright stupid/inconsistnt with the world.
trailer teaser looks really good.. i'm more hyped for this movie then i was for the 3rd batman.
Has anyone read Earth Unaware? I read it after reading all the ender sequels and shadow series and rate it as my 2nd favorite in the ender universe. I think the next one in the series is coming out this summer. I really like how they're fleshing out the world from where it is now to the point of desperation in Ender's time.
On May 04 2013 06:46 mufin wrote: trailer teaser looks really good.. i'm more hyped for this movie then i was for the 3rd batman.
Has anyone read Earth Unaware? I read it after reading all the ender sequels and shadow series and rate it as my 2nd favorite in the ender universe. I think the next one in the series is coming out this summer. I really like how they're fleshing out the world from where it is now to the point of desperation in Ender's time.
I read it and thought that although it wasn't as good as the original book or the Shadow series, it was still intriguing enough to make me desire the next installment.
I really seriously doubt that the movie can even approach the awesomeness that was the book and I am slightly reprehensive that they are trying. Then again, I had the same with LotR (another childhood favourite) and it turned out okay. We'll see.
On April 08 2013 11:10 WolfintheSheep wrote: To be fair to the spherical concept, it actually enhances Ender's Zero-G philosophy rather than annul it. With a cubical (rectangular?) battle field you still have multiple frames of reference to orient your planes. When you lose the walls and corners, it becomes even more futile to try and maintain an up-down perspective.
Even better, the only real reference points become the two gates, making "The enemy's gate is down" just as symbolic, if not more.
Correct me if i'm wrong, but wasn't there a whole few paragraphs dedicated to the War Room, and that how it was physically impossible for it to be zero g and most likely designed from bugger technology?
IIRC the space station rotated to generate artificial gravity via centrifugal force at the edges, and the battle room was simply located at the center where there was no centrifugal force.
On April 08 2013 11:10 WolfintheSheep wrote: To be fair to the spherical concept, it actually enhances Ender's Zero-G philosophy rather than annul it. With a cubical (rectangular?) battle field you still have multiple frames of reference to orient your planes. When you lose the walls and corners, it becomes even more futile to try and maintain an up-down perspective.
Even better, the only real reference points become the two gates, making "The enemy's gate is down" just as symbolic, if not more.
Correct me if i'm wrong, but wasn't there a whole few paragraphs dedicated to the War Room, and that how it was physically impossible for it to be zero g and most likely designed from bugger technology?
IIRC the space station rotated to generate artificial gravity via centrifugal force at the edges, and the battle room was simply located at the center where there was no centrifugal force.
There's a sharp gradient between the ready room and the actual battle room. That's why the kids suggested that the humans had some control of gravity through the use of bugger technology.
On May 04 2013 06:46 mufin wrote: trailer teaser looks really good.. i'm more hyped for this movie then i was for the 3rd batman.
Has anyone read Earth Unaware? I read it after reading all the ender sequels and shadow series and rate it as my 2nd favorite in the ender universe. I think the next one in the series is coming out this summer. I really like how they're fleshing out the world from where it is now to the point of desperation in Ender's time.
I don't like the trailer. I think certain aspects of it are really cool, but I don't like how the trailer ends.... The war room looks pretty interesting, and I think the ender is casted well. I know i'm going to be scared when I go to see this movie that they are going to ruin it. One of my favorite books growing up.
On May 04 2013 06:46 mufin wrote: trailer teaser looks really good.. i'm more hyped for this movie then i was for the 3rd batman.
Has anyone read Earth Unaware? I read it after reading all the ender sequels and shadow series and rate it as my 2nd favorite in the ender universe. I think the next one in the series is coming out this summer. I really like how they're fleshing out the world from where it is now to the point of desperation in Ender's time.
I read it and thought that although it wasn't as good as the original book or the Shadow series, it was still intriguing enough to make me desire the next installment.
Honestly Card has become worse as a writer over time. I think the Bean series while enjoyable isn't literature like the ender's game was and his more recent stuff is approaching John Grisham status.
Bit worried about the movie. Don't like the diversity first casting. Mucks up my mental image a bit. (I could pick more points about an Indian for the future leader of the caliphate...) I think black lady anderson offers a very different dynamic from an AMERICAN male. Actually on that note wasn't Graff part of the new Warsaw pact? Their dynamic with this underlying question of loyalty was very interesting.
Think bean is going to be hit or miss. It'll be interesting if the actor can bring intelligence to the roll.
Wonder if they have the balls to do a bitter sweet ending.
Is it just me, or does the trailer not do a good job at hiding the plot twist at the end of the book? The trailer makes it look like he is doing what he is actually doing when it isn't suppose to look like he is doing what he is doing, if that makes sense >.>
On May 08 2013 07:43 Rowrin wrote: Is it just me, or does the trailer not do a good job at hiding the plot twist at the end of the book? The trailer makes it look like he is doing what he is actually doing when it isn't suppose to look like he is doing what he is doing, if that makes sense >.>
It feels like a double red herring. People see him + Show Spoiler +
using dr device on a planet in the trailer, but when they see the film they think "oh it's just a simulation". And then the double reveal happens at the end.
On May 08 2013 08:56 Mazzi wrote: As someone who has never read the books, this movie looks HORRID
Yea i've heard great things about the book and i was supposed to pick it up in a few weeks but that trailer really didn't make me want to go to see that movie :/