about Readers

One of the great advantages a good & fast reader has over others is the ability to scan (speedread) vast amounts of information in a short time and the ability to dismiss the crap from the real stuff.

Finding your way through the neverending supply of information now flowing constantly into the net, can be a nightmare if you don't understand how the system works.

The key to this vital source of information is the correct and clever use of keywords or now more commonly known online as tags or labels.

Experienced readers who frequent the hallways of cyberspace and who tread their way through the maze that is the greatest library of mankind, glow as they put their oldworld skills to good use and shifting into gear, they kick dust in the eyes of the lazy reader in the slow lane.

The treachery of the net is subtle, readers are subjected to every form of distraction imaginable, words become traps, little wormholes spawn and one minute you're in Cape Town reading about Pratley Putty glue being used on the Apollo XI mission, and the next you're way out in the solar system, watching an earth sized object impact Jupiter.

Life has never been this good.

I harbour a secret fear for the book. I know the time has come, within decades the wooden book will no longer be mainstream, I have had such an incredible love affair with books, I'm already grieving.

Books are word wormholes. The Writer creates the worlds that bring the word universe into existence, the reader purchases a ticket to travel; a book.

Books offer an offline experience.
There are no distractions.
The reader enters the universe of the Writer.
Full wireless and techfree natural immersion can be attained.
Remember this as we hurtle towards our digital selves.

My multiple universe of Writers are varied and I have my favourites,
with me, once a favourite, always a favourite, it's a longterm relationship.

So, for my love of books, I like to photograph them, there is a remote chance that at least a digital image could survive heh ! (paper definately not)

Recently read



Currently Reading

a Larry Niven, almost finished, just finished the top white book, a Journal of the Flood Year by David Ely and halfway with The Execution Channel by Ken MacLeod.



What are you reading ?

Reading Spots

This is my spot.

I read here, I use the pillows to fascilitate different positions and I often use the green pillow to rest books on.

I've on occasion had to nurse painful arms, after a lifetime of heavy reading.

I weighed Neal Asher's books, aah yes, if only he knew he was not only exercising our imaginations but also our arms and wrists!

Line of Polity 787
Voyage of The Sable Keech 667
Brassman 654
Gridlinked 598
The Gabble 459
Prador Moon 322
Polity Agent 301
Hilldiggers 290

Total 4078 grams

Below are the books I weighed:
From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne weighed in at 97 grams.
is Science Fiction getting heavier ? oh yea baby !

The bus slogan generator

Today on the NAG forum, a superb South African gaming magazine with a lively online community and dedicated supporters, we had some fun with the bus slogan generator. give it a try.

Here are some I generated:

Forum language use

Forum Decorum: Posting styles and language use

It seems as if the younger generation have incorporated these words as every-day words into their vocabulary and don't see them as words that should be censored.

Words like fuck, cunt, shit are simply adjectives and add flavour to their language.

I personally don't care whether people cuss or not, the way people use language, evolves constantly and it does not define who they are, it is simply creative expression and it leaves room for language freestyling which enriches our urban culture.

I've noticed that the older folks have their own way of being creative/expletive in their language use.

Setting a forum scene:

It's another ordinary day on the forum, members are coming and going and posting as the morning progresses into afternoon.

A popular thread has everyone on a roll, except for one member who keeps posting negative and predatory remarks, spoiling the discussion for everyone else.

This member is a regular, who contributes to many posts, but has been moaning a lot more in recent weeks, as they spiral into a pit of negativity.

Individual responses you could expect: This illustrates the different responses and language use you often encounter, note how effective the expletives are.

Please stop moaning all the time, it's creating a negative vibe and we've had enough of it now, thank you.

Listen here birdbrain, go back to kindergarden if you wanna moan like a baby - go suck a dummy asswipe !

Stop moaning, you make me sick !

Your moaning is boring, you're boring, get a life weasle.

Listen here brainless retard, your constant whinging is pathetic - now shut-the-fuck-up !

If you moan once more, you will regret it.

I've had enough of your constant nagging, if you have nothing positive to say, keep quiet.

Why are you always moaning, it's irritating and boring, everyone has problems, what makes you special ?

Listen here fuckface, your fucking whining is pissing me off- now fuck-off and complain to the magistrate !

Your negative outlook and predatory comments are indicitive of someone drunk on their own shit.

Your bitterness is becoming unbearable, go see a psychologist.

(written after taking part in language use poll on NAG forum)

Honouring Frederik Pohl

I came across Frederik Pohl's blog on Neal Asher's blog, and immediately opened another page to read about one of my favourite oldskool science fiction authors.

After reading a while, I found myself with tears streaming down my face, so very sentimental, crying for the death of Arthur C Clarke and all the good things that will pass, very nostalgic, and maybe the fact that I am going through a difficult time on a personal level.

Even though I've read thousands of SF books, it never tires me, and to honour Frederik Pohl I will make 2009 the year in which I get hold of all his books I do not own or have read yet.

Being a serious and dedicated sf reader is the greatest fun I've ever had, I highly recommend it !

Marrow by Robert Reed

Marrow by Robert Reed

Marrow is the one recent (current decade) science fiction book I would recommend to new readers of science fiction. I read Marrow in 2001 and again in 2005.

I can imagine how confusing it must be for sf-n00bs when they have to make choices about what to read from a variety of superb authors, none of which they've read before.

If you want a kickstart, a rollercoaster ride into the amazing and totally awesome world of science fiction, read Marrow by Robert Reed.

This highly intelligent novel will introduce you to a variety of current topics and concepts in science fiction.

Blow your mind wide open by the scope and magnitude of the concepts, ideas, and incredible wit and visions from Robert Reed in Marrow.

Once you have read Marrow you will be left with a yearning for more.
Highly recommended and with highest honours, this is a rare book.

From the backflap of the book:

The ship is home to a thousand alien races and a near-immortal crew who have no knowledge of its origins or purpose. At its core lies a secret as ancient as the universe.

It is about to be unleashed.


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