On 19/03/2008, Apptech <apptech@paradise.net.nz> wrote:
> >> > A force for good.
>
> >>  For a discontinuous range of good, alas.
>
> > I don't understand what you mean by "discontinuous range"?
>
> What part of discontinuous don't ... :-) ?
>
> What say I just let the comment remain as oblique as
> Cedric's "a force for good"?
>
> If you want to explain it away you could refer to his SciFi
> writing (which I wasn't) - I considered his early work
> excellent but found his later material became far too like
> that of others which I didn't especially like. Up to about
> Rama he was still OK on a good day (and Rama was a very good
> day), but perhaps his willingness to allow others
> cooperative material to meld without it being distinguished
> from his own input sounded the death knell. His early stuff
> in its class was as good as Tom Clancy's stuff in its class
> up until the middle of Rainbow 6. Thereafter both were
> different, but Clancy's (if it is in fact Clancy's) was
> worse. Each to his own. [As long as "his own" doesn't
> compromise somebody else's].
>
> "The Star", despite or because of its simplicity and
> retrospective obvious enough-ness, was utterly stunning at
> the time. Even now it evokes the feelings it was meant to
> evoke then. Even though it's premise was wholly artificial
> and meant to make a point which was hardly valid. An
> excellent short story.
>
> I remember being enthralled by "A fall of moondust", (title
> correct?). Not so good on rereading years later.
>
> "The Sentinel" was superb. 2001 a good but pale shadow,
> although OK till they got to the moon. Zero g toilet indeed.
> Waltz of the flowers - inspired. HAL and Dave were good. I
> suspect few will remember and value the Sentinel's breakfast
> sausage sizzling scenario. But it was that sort of touch
> that made his stories stand out. From vvv dim memory " ...
> had made their 250,000 mile journey in vain". And, not
> verbatim I'm sure "We have broken with nuclear force ...
> wait". Poignant. Almost. [Where are they then?]
>
> FWIW (!) for a story NOT written by Clark (but by me) that I
> like to think (even though nobody else probably will) is
> somewhat early Clark like, any who like short SciFi may like
> to look at
>
>        http://others.servebeer.com/misc/1stfoot.doc
>
> NOT for copying on or other posting please. Comments
> welcomed.
> (The "wrapper" is part of a larger scenario).
>
>
>            Russell
>            "What are you doing Dave? ..."
>


Russell,

I liked it - definately reminicent of earlier Clarke.

Got any more?

Richard P
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