Topic: Most influencial work, outside religion??? (Read 4720 times)

rogue_77 · « **on:** February 23, 2010, 01:32:54 AM »

When I look at a genre and really get into a genre I usually end up digging into it and learning more about it and just get an attempt to stimulate some more action around here I'm wondering what you all think would be some of histories most influential pieces would be?

For this thread I'd keep it limited to this century.

All genre's are open for debate but when I thought of this I was thinking about books in particular.

I'm wondering who were the trendsetters that defined a genre, etc.

Like I've read that Sci-Fi didn't exist before HG Wells. It was called science fantasy before him.

ivan · « **Reply #1 on:** February 23, 2010, 02:34:27 AM »

Quote from: rogue_77 on February 23, 2010, 01:32:54 AM

When I look at a genre and really get into a genre I usually end up digging into it and learning more about it and just get an attempt to stimulate some more action around here I'm wondering what you all think would be some of histories most influential pieces would be?

For this thread I'd keep it limited to this century.

All genre's are open for debate but when I thought of this I was thinking about books in particular.

I'm wondering who were the trendsetters that defined a genre, etc.

Like I've read that Sci-Fi didn't exist before HG Wells. It was called science fantasy before him.

Ok, Rogue, I appreciate your effort. Really. But there are several things in your post that should not have passed your inner editor. I will correct them only because to let them slide would make it impossible for me to respond to your post in the spirit in which it was offered. So please don't take it personally -- it's just something I have to do.

When I look at a genre and really get into a genre I usually end up digging into it and learning more about it

"When a genre of literature interests me, I often study it in depth."

and just get an attempt to stimulate some more action around here I'm wondering what you all think would be some of histories most influential pieces would be?

and in an attempt to stimulate some more action around here, I'm challenging you to comment on what you all think are some of history's most influential pieces [of literature in some hitherto unspecified genre].

For this thread I'd keep it limited to this century.

Please comment on stuff published between 2000 and 2010 only.

All genre's are open for debate but when I thought of this I was thinking about books in particular.

All genres without an apostrophe are open for debate, comma, but when I thought of this I was thinking about books in particular, even though books are not a genre.

I'm wondering who were the trendsetters that defined a genre, etc.

I'm wondering who were the trendsetters that defined a genre, etc., and so on, and so forth. You get the gist.

Like I've read that Sci-Fi didn't exist before HG Wells. It was called science fantasy before him.

For instance, I have read an unspecified source which claims that Sci-Fi did not exist before H.G. Wells. In fact, it was called science fantasy before him.

------

Ok, addressing the last item first: the term "Sci-Fi" was coined by Forrest J. Ackerman in the early 1950s, after H.G. Wells was dead. The term used for what we now call science fiction in H.G. Wells' time was "scientific romance", not "science fantasy". And H.G. Wells was not the first to write what we would now call science fiction. You don't even have to draw on esoteric pieces like the one I just linked to: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is a well-known and legitimate example of early SF -- and notable for being a kick-ass SF story by a chick writer, too. Have you read Gulliver's Travels? No? Read it!

Personally, I have always preferred Jules Verne to Wells. Wells was just so goddam bleak.

pbsaurus · « **Reply #2 on:** February 23, 2010, 12:57:43 PM »

Talkin' 'bout my genre rations....

ivan · « **Reply #3 on:** February 23, 2010, 01:48:18 PM »

rogue_77 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 24, 2010, 02:53:23 AM »

Quote from: ivan on February 23, 2010, 02:34:27 AM

Ok, Rogue, I appreciate your effort. Really.

Actually I meant what I said. Its nice of you to re-write what I said though. Thanks for clarifying as I wasn't sure my point was getting across....

10001110101 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 24, 2010, 03:18:33 AM »

alvin toffler.

pbsaurus · « **Reply #6 on:** February 24, 2010, 11:57:28 AM »

Quote from: ivan on February 23, 2010, 01:48:18 PM

Who?

Exactly.

ivan · « **Reply #7 on:** February 24, 2010, 02:09:21 PM »

Quote from: rogue_77 on February 24, 2010, 02:53:23 AM

Actually I meant what I said. Its nice of you to re-write what I said though. Thanks for clarifying as I wasn't sure my point was getting across....

Stop being so Christ-like when I'm being a complete ass. What do you want? Coolio Points? There you go.

Wunderkind · « **Reply #8 on:** February 24, 2010, 02:11:12 PM »

I thought we were leaving religion out of this one?

You have confused me!

ivan · « **Reply #9 on:** February 24, 2010, 02:37:46 PM »

My work here is done, then.

Quote from: 10001110101 on February 24, 2010, 03:18:33 AM

alvin toffler.

10001110.... Wait. Can I call you 1141 for short? Ok, then.

So, yes, Toffler has been called influential, but not in the way that I think rogue had in mind, although it is still difficult to decypher exactly what it was that rogue had in mind. I think he meant, like, the most influential work of litterature in any given genre, such as Science Fiction or Fantasy or Young Adult Novels or Homoerotic A-Team Fan Fiction.

But I'd be glad to hear what you think about old Alvin.

ALVIN!

Demosthenes · « **Reply #10 on:** February 24, 2010, 03:13:46 PM »

1141's account was removed from life support this morning after being involved in a forum accident.

You're talking to an empty shell, ivan.

ivan · « **Reply #11 on:** February 24, 2010, 03:25:25 PM »

Oh.

Was there a lot of blood?

Demosthenes · « **Reply #12 on:** February 24, 2010, 03:26:51 PM »

Yes, but he went quickly, and didn't feel much. 12AX7 has an experienced hand in easing the passing of st00bs.

ivan · « **Reply #13 on:** February 24, 2010, 03:29:11 PM »

He seemed like he can put words together. Where did he swerve off the path?

Demosthenes · « **Reply #14 on:** February 24, 2010, 03:38:01 PM »

It was the unprovoked "fuck you" that caused the banhammer to tip over and fall on him.

Such promise, too.

Oh well. It was bound to happen to him sooner or later.

ivan · « **Reply #15 on:** February 24, 2010, 03:38:51 PM »

Too much anger in him.

Demosthenes · « **Reply #16 on:** February 24, 2010, 03:41:11 PM »

And fear. Much fear that one had.

BizB · « **Reply #17 on:** February 24, 2010, 04:34:38 PM »

Edgy he was.

12AX7 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 24, 2010, 06:10:35 PM »

Sorry.

I'll leave the next one. Shouldn't be long.

Wunderkind · « **Reply #19 on:** February 24, 2010, 10:03:40 PM »

I don't really know how to answer rogue's question since, the most influential works to me, probably aren't anybody you guys are thinking of.

I don't really know who knocked the socks of what genre. I just know who knocked the socks off me.

A man by the name of Scott O'Dell wrote a work named "Island of the Blue Dolphins".

It probably doesn't qualify as, I don't think the author or the work made any waves, but it certainly had a huge impact on me and was the book that turned me into a writer and not just a reader. It also, steered my writing into the realm of fiction (which was detrimental come time to write that fifth-grade essay on "What I Did This Summer", luckily my mother, who has an immense imagination of her own, was grading me and let my pirate adventures on the green clover sea pass as acceptable).

ivan · « **Reply #20 on:** February 25, 2010, 12:32:34 AM »

Quote from: Wunderkind on February 24, 2010, 10:03:40 PM

I just know who knocked the socks off me.

...
It probably doesn't qualify....

It does now.

xolik · « **Reply #21 on:** February 26, 2010, 06:14:41 PM »

Quote from: Wunderkind on February 24, 2010, 10:03:40 PM

A man by the name of Scott O'Dell wrote a work named "Island of the Blue Dolphins".

I LOVED reading this book back when I was a wee Xoling. I must have read it a dozen times or more. You just brought back some great memories.

Vespertine · « **Reply #22 on:** February 26, 2010, 06:29:17 PM »

When I think about books that just rocked me (and helped to further my obssessive love for reading), only a few come to mind and I think they all qualify as "kid's" books, with one exception.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle - I still own a copy of this and read it once every six months or so.
The Giver by Lois Lawry - Again, I still own a copy of this book. I find it to be something that is very entertaining for an adolescent, but it takes on a much deeper meaning when you read it as an adult. I mean, it's got to be one of the only "kid's books" I've ever come across that deals with euthanasia.
Basically all of the Nancy Drew books - I love puzzles...I do them constantly. As a kid I would chew through these, all along trying to piece it together and figure out the solution to the mystery. I really think these books helped to feed my puzzle addiction.
Columbine by Dave Cullen - This book came out last year, on or near the 10th anniversary of the Columbine shootings. Based solely on this book (and nothing else he's ever authored because I've never read anything else by him) I think this man is an amazing writer. I can't even pinpoint why this book sticks with me, but it does.

xolik · « **Reply #23 on:** February 26, 2010, 06:46:51 PM »

Quote from: Vespertine on February 26, 2010, 06:29:17 PM

Basically all of the Nancy Drew books - I love puzzles...I do them constantly. As a kid I would chew through these, all along trying to piece it together and figure out the solution to the mystery. I really think these books helped to feed my puzzle addiction.

Replace Nancy Drew with The Hardy Boys and that was my thing growing up. I must have read almost all of their books.

pbsaurus · « **Reply #24 on:** February 26, 2010, 07:35:51 PM »

Mine would probably be Oral Sadism and the Vegetarian Personality. Oh and Neal Stephenson.

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Author Topic: Most influencial work, outside religion??? (Read 4720 times)

12AX7