Observations From Hadleyville: 2001 A SPACE ODYSSEY FINALLY COMES TRUE

Friday, December 30, 2011

2001 A SPACE ODYSSEY FINALLY COMES TRUE

My favorite movie as a teenager was "2001, A Space Odyssey." Much of the philosophical content went over my head, but I didn't care. I loved the cool space ships, sentient computers, and gadgets. Sadly, almost none of what we saw on the big screen came true. There have been no manned space expeditions since the Apollo program. The "sentient" computer, HAL 9000, was cool but completely off the mark from actual computer development. (the cool 3D computer graphics in the movie were hand drawn). Compared to 2001's, our space station looks like an erector set with parts missing. And there is, of course, no permanent moon base. What's up with that?

There is one thing from the movie that has happened.* The notebook, or "pad" computer is a reality. In the movie you can see the astronauts watching a news program via "streaming video" on their pads. At the time the idea was super cool. It still is. I got one recently and I can't log onto the internet or watch a video without feeling some of that old Space Odyssey coolness.

(* Okay, I'll grant you that bland, prefab food has also come true)

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Don the Baptist considers himself to be both intellectually deep and extremely humorous. Don the Baptist assumes no responsibility for blog browsers who cannot tell the difference between the two. Blog browsers are advised to consider any "Observations from Hadleyville" content that makes no sense to be the result of a lack of intellect or sense of humor on the part of the blog browser and not that of the blogger. Don the Baptist is a non profit guy so don't bother suing Don the Baptist as it would be a waste of time and resources.

WORDS OF WISDOM FOR WRITERS

The secret of becoming a writer is that you have to write. You have to write a lot. You also have to finish what you write, even though no one wants it yet. If you don't learn to finish your work, no one will ever want to see it. The biggest mistake new writers make is carrying around copies of unfinished work to inflict on their friends.

I am sure it has been done with less, but you should be prepared to write and throw away a million words of finished material. By finished, I mean completed, done, ready to submit, and written as well as you know how at the time you wrote it.
-Jerry Pournelle

WHAT'S THIS HADLEYVILLE THING?

Those of you familiar with Mark Twain’s works might recognize my blog title. As Samuel Clemons grew older, he became increasingly disillusioned with humanity. Towards the end he began referring to the Damned Human Race; employing the secular and religious epithet at one stroke.

I find I’ve not reached that level of despair myself. I still believe in redemption and I still see signs of nobility even among we fallen, damned creatures. So, I could not bring myself to call this blog “On the Damned Human Race.” I do however, resonate with another of Clemmons stories; “The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg.” And viola, there you have it. “Observations From Hadleyville.”