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Literature and Genre

Over the years that I’ve been reading (and writing) genre fiction, I’ve noticed this annoying tendency of literary fiction readers to look down their noses at genre fiction as shallow and simplistic. And, in retaliation, I’ve watched genre readers accuse literary fiction of being dense and obscure and stuffy. And, I’ll be honest, I’ve been in the latter category more often than not, largely because it annoys the hell out of me that some select genre writers (*cough* Margaret Atwood *cough*) get moved over to the bookstores’ literature shelves and get described as “transcending genre.” Bullpucky. Genre writers who explore the human condition with their stories, who create commentary on sociology or psychology or religion or politics, and/or who write stunningly beautiful prose, are just as plentiful as those in literary. Most of them just get overlooked by people who don’t read “that stuff.”

Anyway, Daniel Abraham has a lovely take on the issue right here: A Private Letter from Genre to Literature.

The Dybbuk in Love

Go and read this. It’s wonderful.

How Not to Stay in Business

My nominee for worst customer service of 2011. And pissing off the powers that be at Penny Arcade, when you’re representing a company that sells game controllers…? That’s what I call stupid. Paul Christoforo, can you spell “viral”? No, looking at your emails in this thread, probably not. Hope you’re having fun reading about yourself on Slashdot and PCWorld and Comics Alliance, and watching the parody vids on YouTube, dimwit.

And, yes, I do see, via techdirt among others, that he’s apologized. Sort of. Well, he’s apologized for not realizing how big Penny Arcade is. Because, as you know, it’s okay to treat people badly as long as they can’t fight back.

OMFG

Will you look at this guy’s HAIR?!?

Covet. Covet. Covet.

Plot Device

Really really fun little short film. (Watch right to the very end.)

Plot Device

Keynes vs. Hayek Round Two

John Papola and Russ Roberts have made a followup to “Fear the Boom and Bust” a Hayek vs. Keynes Rap Anthem which I posted last year.

Fight of the Century: Keynes vs. Hayek Round Two

Elisabeth Sladen 1948-2011 RIP

The news of Elisabeth Sladen’s death yesterday came as a bit of a shock to me. More than a bit, if you really want to know, especially following so closely on the heels of Nicholas Courtney’s passing a few weeks ago. The Whoniverse is in deep mourning.

Harry, Sarah, and the Doctor

As Sarah Jane Smith, companion to Doctors number three and four, Lis was a major role model for me growing up. She was my introduction to the archetype of the intrepid girl reporter. She was spunky, stubborn, smart, outspoken, and brave.

Sarah Jane and K-9

When Russell T. Davies brought Sarah Jane back in the new series, for the episode School Reunion, I went into paroxysms of fangirlish delight. In fact, I squeeeeed so much during the airing that I had to watch it more than once to make sure I’d heard all the dialogue.

I saw the first few episodes of The Sarah Jane Adventures a while back, and the rest have been on my to-be-watched list for some time now. I’m going to have to move those up in the queue. And Netflix is going to see a whole lot of Classic Who requests from me in the next few weeks.

We’re going to miss you, Lis.

Game of Thrones

Watched last night’s premiere of HBO’s adaptation of George R.R. Martin‘s A Game of Thrones, and overall they did a damned good job. I understand why they aged the younger Stark children a few years, but I think Lady Stark still should have been younger. Peter Dinklage promises to be a fantastic Tyrion. And of course, I adore Sean Bean. Also, the sets and locations and costumes and… well, the worldbuilding in general looks really gorgeous: just earthlike enough not to be a distraction and just alien enough to remind us subtly that this is not somewhere familiar.

And of course I’d be remiss if I neglected to mention that what we’ve heard of the Dothraki language so far is just delicious. David J. Peterson did a bang-up job there. But then, from what I know of David from the Conlang mailing list, I’d have expected nothing less.

I do have one gigantic bone to pick with HBO, though, and it’s spoilery, so I’m putting it behind the cut.

(more…)

Religious Discrimination in the Workplace

I’m painfully aware of the fact that I’ve been lucky. I’ve always worked in places where my religion hasn’t been an issue. I’ve had coworkers and supervisors who’ve known nothing about Paganism ask me about it out of curiosity. Once, I had a teen-aged part-timer who worked for me tell me I couldn’t be a Witch because “there’s no such thing.” (It took me a couple of weeks to convince her that, no, I really wasn’t pulling her leg.) But I’ve never had anyone suddenly become hostile or, gods forbid, fearful of me after finding out where my spiritual center happens to lie.

Like I said, I’ve been lucky. Maybe because my professional life has been spent in and around Boston, which is, after all, only a stone’s throw from Salem.

Lots of other folks who belong to earth-based religions, though, aren’t so blessed. Jason Pitzl-Waters of The Wild Hunt wrote a piece for the Washington Post last week on the subject which may be an eye-opener for some folks. Progress is a lot slower in some places than you might think it is.

Nicholas Courtney 1929-2011 RIP

The Whoniverse lost one of its longest-standing and most-beloved citizens yesterday, with the death of actor Nicholas Courtney, who played Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart of UNIT. Lethbridge-Stewart took part in (if you count the Big Finish audios) adventures with every single doctor from Two to Eight. The Brig was a fan favorite, and Nick Courtney was, too. By all accounts, he was always a gentleman even when he wasn’t being an officer. He made countless convention appearances over the years and was the honorary president of the Doctor Who Appreciation Society. He will be sorely missed.