Comments on: So Who Are You? http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/ Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:56:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: janet http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-26590 janet Fri, 02 Feb 2007 05:08:50 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-26590 I am:<blockquote><b>Ursula K. LeGuin</b></blockquote>Perhaps the most admired writing talent in the science fiction field. <b><a href='http://paulkienitz.net/skiffy.html' rel="nofollow">Which science fiction writer are you?</a></b> ...which is thrilling, since I've been a gigantic fan of hers since I was 11. I am:
Ursula K. LeGuin

Perhaps the most admired writing talent in the science fiction field.
Which science fiction writer are you?

…which is thrilling, since I’ve been a gigantic fan of hers since I was 11.

]]> By: Sara T http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-26167 Sara T Tue, 30 Jan 2007 06:20:09 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-26167 Omigod, Robert Heinlein! I quite like SOME of his stuff, actually, but the way sexist stuff like "Podkayne of Mars" drove me up the wall in my 20s. I didn't discover his juveniles til I was an adult, and some, like the above, were just too annoying. But some, like "Star Beast" were fascinating. I liked "Stranger in a Strange Land" quite a bit in my 20s, now find it boring. Still quite like "Moon is a Harsh Mistress." But wow, I still don't feel like I'm he!!! Omigod, Robert Heinlein!
I quite like SOME of his stuff, actually, but the way sexist stuff like “Podkayne of Mars” drove me up the wall in my 20s.
I didn’t discover his juveniles til I was an adult, and some, like the above, were just too annoying. But some, like “Star Beast” were fascinating.
I liked “Stranger in a Strange Land” quite a bit in my 20s, now find it boring.
Still quite like “Moon is a Harsh Mistress.”
But wow, I still don’t feel like I’m he!!!

]]> By: Elliot http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-26151 Elliot Tue, 30 Jan 2007 04:41:54 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-26151 Another Beneford here. BTW if you haven't read Asimov's foundation trilogy you are missing a great work. Home of one of my favorite quotes... violence is the last refuge of the incompetent. Elliot Another Beneford here. BTW if you haven’t read Asimov’s foundation trilogy you are missing a great work. Home of one of my favorite quotes…

violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.

Elliot

]]> By: Jeff http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-26123 Jeff Tue, 30 Jan 2007 01:30:10 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-26123 I'm Isaac Asimov. That's cool. I'm kinda inspired to go read something of his now, though I think I like Arthur C Clarke a bit more. Benford was one of my profs too -- Joanne, were you at UCI? And since he may read these boards, I'll refrain from any critiques of his writing or his professorial manner. I’m Isaac Asimov. That’s cool. I’m kinda inspired to go read something of his now, though I think I like Arthur C Clarke a bit more. Benford was one of my profs too — Joanne, were you at UCI? And since he may read these boards, I’ll refrain from any critiques of his writing or his professorial manner.

]]> By: spyder http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-26092 spyder Mon, 29 Jan 2007 21:44:25 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-26092 Brunner is awesome Zuska. One of my top ten favorite sci-fi books is Brunner's 1968 classic:<i>Stand on Zanzibar</i>. Prescient and poignant, he introduces a new form of dilettante, one who is fascinated by intelligence gathering and pattern recognition utilizing computers. Brunner is awesome Zuska. One of my top ten favorite sci-fi books is Brunner’s 1968 classic:Stand on Zanzibar. Prescient and poignant, he introduces a new form of dilettante, one who is fascinated by intelligence gathering and pattern recognition utilizing computers.

]]> By: Zuska http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-26032 Zuska Mon, 29 Jan 2007 11:47:44 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-26032 I am: John Brunner His best known works are dystopias -- vivid realizations of the futures we want to avoid. I've never read anything by John Brunner but dystopian sci fi seems appropriate for me. "The futures we want to avoid" does seem to be an obssession of mine, I will admit. I was hoping for Ursula K. Le Guin, though. I am:

John Brunner
His best known works are dystopias — vivid realizations of the futures we want to avoid.

I’ve never read anything by John Brunner but dystopian sci fi seems appropriate for me. “The futures we want to avoid” does seem to be an obssession of mine, I will admit.

I was hoping for Ursula K. Le Guin, though.

]]> By: candace http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-26029 candace Mon, 29 Jan 2007 10:49:04 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-26029 Samuel R. Delany. Maybe I'll get one of his books, then. I expected Lem, honestly. Samuel R. Delany. Maybe I’ll get one of his books, then.
I expected Lem, honestly.

]]> By: theoreticalminimum http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-26000 theoreticalminimum Mon, 29 Jan 2007 06:01:43 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-26000 I'm Isaac Asimov. Quoting: "One of the most prolific writers in history, on any imaginable subject. Cared little for art but created lasting and memorable tales." This, admittedly, comes as a surprise. Sadly, I have never read anything written by Asimov. I’m Isaac Asimov. Quoting:
“One of the most prolific writers in history, on any imaginable subject. Cared little for art but created lasting and memorable tales.”
This, admittedly, comes as a surprise. Sadly, I have never read anything written by Asimov.

]]> By: Jude http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-25977 Jude Mon, 29 Jan 2007 00:18:59 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-25977 I was Arthur C. Clarke, an author whose writing I've never liked--too dry for me--but who always seemed like a nice enough fellow. I haven't read any Gregory Benford in so long that I can't remember his writing. Interesting how they mostly chose dead white guys for us to be like. I was Arthur C. Clarke, an author whose writing I’ve never liked–too dry for me–but who always seemed like a nice enough fellow. I haven’t read any Gregory Benford in so long that I can’t remember his writing. Interesting how they mostly chose dead white guys for us to be like.

]]> By: JoAnne http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-25974 JoAnne Sun, 28 Jan 2007 23:58:19 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-25974 Chalk up another one for Gregory Benford, who happens to be a former professor of mine. Chalk up another one for Gregory Benford, who happens to be a former professor of mine.

]]> By: TBB http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-25945 TBB Sun, 28 Jan 2007 19:49:25 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-25945 I'm Kurt Vonnegut, which is fine, since I am most familiar with him out of that list, and I am fond of 1960s absurdist fiction besides. But if I change #2 to what I'm <i>currently</i> interested/focusing on, then I become Gregory Benford, who I'm not familiar with. Should I be? A find a lot of science fiction writing to be clunky (too juvenile?) and dull in terms of style, even if the ideas are interesting. :-/ I’m Kurt Vonnegut, which is fine, since I am most familiar with him out of that list, and I am fond of 1960s absurdist fiction besides. But if I change #2 to what I’m currently interested/focusing on, then I become Gregory Benford, who I’m not familiar with. Should I be? A find a lot of science fiction writing to be clunky (too juvenile?) and dull in terms of style, even if the ideas are interesting. :-/

]]> By: spyder http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-25938 spyder Sun, 28 Jan 2007 18:41:17 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-25938 Cordwainer Smith (Paul Linbarger, Ph.D.) has always been one of my heroes, and in the top five of my preferenced sci-fi authors. Really an amazing man: professor, military intelligence officer and analyst, China expert, psy-ops advocate, etc.. Oddly, struggling to decide between two choices in two sections (6 & 7) revealed that i was stuck between Cordwainer and HG Wells. mmmmmmm fun though... Cordwainer Smith (Paul Linbarger, Ph.D.) has always been one of my heroes, and in the top five of my preferenced sci-fi authors. Really an amazing man: professor, military intelligence officer and analyst, China expert, psy-ops advocate, etc.. Oddly, struggling to decide between two choices in two sections (6 & 7) revealed that i was stuck between Cordwainer and HG Wells. mmmmmmm fun though…

]]> By: Athena http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-25934 Athena Sun, 28 Jan 2007 17:38:33 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-25934 I'm James Tiptree, Jr. (Alice B. Sheldon). "In the 1970s she was perhaps the most memorable, and one of the most popular, short story writers. Her real life was as fantastic as her fiction." A surprising result; I thought I might be Octavia Butler. Sheldon's stories were lyrical and imaginative. Out of curiosity, I read the Wikipedia entry on her life, and found a few interesting similarities in background, thought I don't think that sets me for a career in science fiction writing -- ha! We both worked in military intelligence, and I studied (human) responses to stimuli in grad school. Also, I've never been one to take on traditional female roles. I’m James Tiptree, Jr. (Alice B. Sheldon).

“In the 1970s she was perhaps the most memorable, and one of the most popular, short story writers. Her real life was as fantastic as her fiction.”

A surprising result; I thought I might be Octavia Butler. Sheldon’s stories were lyrical and imaginative. Out of curiosity, I read the Wikipedia entry on her life, and found a few interesting similarities in background, thought I don’t think that sets me for a career in science fiction writing — ha! We both worked in military intelligence, and I studied (human) responses to stimuli in grad school. Also, I’ve never been one to take on traditional female roles.

]]> By: Plato http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-25921 Plato Sun, 28 Jan 2007 15:33:12 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-25921 Imposters? I'm, the real <b>Gregory Benford</b>? :) A master literary stylist who is also a working scientist...um.....a literary stylist for sure....um...maybe? The real Greg Benford once took this quiz, and it told him he was Arthur C. Clarke. Imposters?

I’m, the real Gregory Benford? :)

A master literary stylist who is also a working scientist…um…..a literary stylist for sure….um…maybe?

The real Greg Benford once took this quiz, and it told him he was Arthur C. Clarke.

]]> By: Paul http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-25919 Paul Sun, 28 Jan 2007 15:14:00 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-25919 I'm Olaf Stapledon - who'd have thunk it? "Standing outside the science fiction "field", he wrote fictional explorations of the futures of whole species and galaxies." Very nice. Very nice. I wanted Roger Zelazny or Philip K. Dick though :( Nevertheless, I am happy with my lot. I’m Olaf Stapledon - who’d have thunk it?

“Standing outside the science fiction “field”, he wrote fictional explorations of the futures of whole species and galaxies.”

Very nice. Very nice.

I wanted Roger Zelazny or Philip K. Dick though :( Nevertheless, I am happy with my lot.

]]> By: Navneeth http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-25914 Navneeth Sun, 28 Jan 2007 14:55:23 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-25914 table width='90%' border=1 cellpadding=8 align='center'>I am:<blockquote><b>Hal Clement (Harry C. Stubbs)</b></blockquote>A quiet and underrated master of "hard science" fiction who, among other things, foresaw integrated circuits back in the 1940s. <b><a href='http://paulkienitz.net/skiffy.html' rel="nofollow">Which science fiction writer are you?</a></b> table width=’90%’ border=1 cellpadding=8 align=’center’>I am:
Hal Clement (Harry C. Stubbs)

A quiet and underrated master of “hard science” fiction who, among other things, foresaw integrated circuits back in the 1940s.
Which science fiction writer are you?

]]> By: Bee http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-25900 Bee Sun, 28 Jan 2007 14:13:05 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-25900 Hmm, I'm Stanislav Lem: <i>This pessimistic Pole has spent a whole career telling ironic stories of futility and frustration. Yet he is also a master of wordplay so witty that it sparkles even when translated into English.</i> I always found his stories seriously depressing. I'd have hoped for Jules Verne. Anybody found out whether he's on the list at all? btw, Clifford: speaking of writing, I've written some lines about what inspires me... hope you were serious with the guest post? Best, B. Hmm, I’m Stanislav Lem:

This pessimistic Pole has spent a whole career telling ironic stories of futility and frustration. Yet he is also a master of wordplay so witty that it sparkles even when translated into English.

I always found his stories seriously depressing. I’d have hoped for Jules Verne. Anybody found out whether he’s on the list at all?

btw, Clifford: speaking of writing, I’ve written some lines about what inspires me… hope you were serious with the guest post?

Best,

B.

]]> By: Romain http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-25872 Romain Sun, 28 Jan 2007 11:21:35 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-25872 I am also Cordwainer Smith. Let's write a story together Cliff :) I am also Cordwainer Smith. Let’s write a story together Cliff :)

]]> By: Aggie http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-25856 Aggie Sun, 28 Jan 2007 09:33:00 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-25856 I am:<blockquote><b>Gregory Benford</b></blockquote>A master literary stylist who is also a working scientist. <b><a href='http://paulkienitz.net/skiffy.html' rel="nofollow">Which science fiction writer are you?</a></b> I am:
Gregory Benford

A master literary stylist who is also a working scientist.
Which science fiction writer are you?

]]> By: Carl Brannen http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-25854 Carl Brannen Sun, 28 Jan 2007 09:26:27 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-25854 I got Arthur C. Clark. But it turns out that I collect Benford, who's a physics prof still at U. Cal., Irvine. I got Arthur C. Clark. But it turns out that I collect Benford, who’s a physics prof still at U. Cal., Irvine.

]]> By: Amara http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-25853 Amara Sun, 28 Jan 2007 09:09:31 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-25853 Justin: Don't worry. <a href="http://www.gregorybenford.com/" rel="nofollow">Gregory Benford</a> is great! Me? the answers aren't reproducible, I'm either Stanislaw Lem, Hal Clement, Arthur C. Clarke, or Isaac Asimov. (Maybe I should clear the web browser cache.) Justin: Don’t worry. Gregory Benford is great!
Me? the answers aren’t reproducible, I’m either Stanislaw Lem, Hal Clement, Arthur C. Clarke, or Isaac Asimov. (Maybe I should clear the web browser cache.)

]]> By: Justin http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-25851 Justin Sun, 28 Jan 2007 08:55:47 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/so-who-are-you/#comment-25851 I'm flattered to find that I'm this person whom I've never heard of: I am:<blockquote><b>Gregory Benford</b></blockquote>A master literary stylist who is also a working scientist. <b><a href='http://paulkienitz.net/skiffy.html' rel="nofollow">Which science fiction writer are you?</a></b> I’m flattered to find that I’m this person whom I’ve never heard of:

I am:

Gregory Benford

A master literary stylist who is also a working scientist.
Which science fiction writer are you?

]]>