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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
 Posted - 03/18/2008 : 16:47:30
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One of the greats of science and fiction has died.
As a teen, I read many of Clarke's novels and short stories. (If you ever want to get a taste of the latter, try his Tales from the White Hart collection for some wonderful little stories.) 2001: A Space Odyssey is only a tiny part of his contribution. Clarke also came up with the idea of synchronous communications satellites.
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“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
Edited by - HalfMooner on 03/18/2008 16:48:12
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2008 : 16:53:11 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by HalfMooner
One of the greats of science and fiction has died.
As a teen, I read many of Clarke's novels and short stories. (If you ever want to get a taste of the latter, try his Tales from the White Hart collection for some wonderful little stories.) 2001: A Space Odyssey is only a tiny part of his contribution. Clarke also came up with the idea of synchronous communications satellites.
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I raise my glass to one of the greats. I too, am a student/fan of the masters, of which he was one of the truely greatest.
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"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
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Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist! 
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H. Humbert
SFN Die Hard
USA
4574 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2008 : 17:13:53 [Permalink]
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I must sheepishly admit to having no idea the old boy was still kickin'. Since I've never read much of his fiction, my exposure to Clarke's brilliant mind came primarily via the show Mysterious World, which he hosted. Since it covered such strange phenomena as UFOs, Bigfoot, and Atlantis, it appealed to my interests at the time. However, I also remember Clarke's summaries at the end of each show where he provided his personal outlook on the various topics. While demonstrating himself to be quite open-minded, he always cautioned against putting too much stock in the highly improbable. I bet I owe more of my skepticism to Clarke than I've previously given him credit.
And for those fans of his writing, I did find this bit of news on Wikipedia:
Rendezvous with Rama
A movie interpretation of Clarke's award-winning 1972 novel Rendezvous with Rama is currently in pre-production. Acclaimed director David Fincher is assigned to the project together with actor Morgan Freeman. According to IMDb, the movie is expected to be released sometime in 2009. |
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"A man is his own easiest dupe, for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true." --Demosthenes
"The first principle is that you must not fool yourself - and you are the easiest person to fool." --Richard P. Feynman
"Face facts with dignity." --found inside a fortune cookie |
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The Rat
SFN Regular
Canada
1370 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2008 : 17:57:39 [Permalink]
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Heard the news about half an hour ago, felt like a kick in the gut. I may get very plastered tonight.
And you're right HM, Tales from the White Hart is a classic, I would love to see them turned into a mini-series. They combine science, science fiction, humour, charm, and an unforgettable character in Mr. Harry Purvis.
R.I.P Sir Arthur |
Bailey's second law; There is no relationship between the three virtues of intelligence, education, and wisdom.
You fiend! Never have I encountered such corrupt and foul-minded perversity! Have you ever considered a career in the Church? - The Bishop of Bath and Wells, Blackadder II
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Randy
SFN Regular
USA
1990 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2008 : 17:58:21 [Permalink]
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Always like his "Mysterious World" series, brief as it was. It did a fine job of covering assorted 'tabloid' interests such as near death experiences, fire walking, so called spontaneous combustion, etc. in as dignified way as can be; while following up with a (common sense) more plausible explanation.
In honor of his passing, I've dusted off a dvd copy of 2001 and have it playing now. A great man, and mind. And atheist to boot.
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"We are all connected; to each other biologically, to the earth chemically, to the rest of the universe atomically."
"So you're made of detritus [from exploded stars]. Get over it. Or better yet, celebrate it. After all, what nobler thought can one cherish than that the universe lives within us all?"
-Neil DeGrasse Tyson |
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Dr. Mabuse
Septic Fiend
Sweden
9687 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2008 : 05:32:37 [Permalink]
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Sleep tight, Arthur. Your books were an inspiration.
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Dr. Mabuse - "When the going gets tough, the tough get Duct-tape..."
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"Equivocation is not just a job, for a creationist it's a way of life..." Dr. Mabuse
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Arthur C. Clarke dies
