Oh, I completely agree... The Player of Games was the novel that got me started on Mr. Banks' writing and I found a copy of Consider Phlebas in the overstock section at a bookstore in Thousand Oaks CA when I lived there. I've made every effort to read every Culture novel that has been published. They are always entertaining and just *different*.
I've also read some of his non-Culture works (but finding some of his books in the US can be difficult) and just enjoy his writing.
I know I've always been worried about becoming obsolete in my field. I'm a 42 year old Java developer for a small company, and there is always the fear that you are going to fall behind. I work mostly with much younger developers, and have stayed away from IT and being a "people manager", as I still love this work as much as I did when I was 16.
I have found, though, that it gets difficult to keep up... there is always so much to learn and it's getting worse, not better. I have been quite fortunate to have been "ahead of the curve" when it came to picking job-related items. I was a Windows developer for 15 years (never again!), and moved to Java, Linux, Ruby, etc as I liked... seemingly ahead of the explosions. I've never become rich from doing this, but I have fun... and that's more important.
My big thing is that I've always been neutral to technologies/platforms. I learned OOP using Smalltalk (and still use it at home for fun), learned techniques using Common Lisp (and still use it at home), and love collecting old workstations. I just like keeping it fresh and fun.
One thing I have noticed is that, while I dislike big companies, I like stability (as I get older). I've been at my current company for 5 years now (a record for me) and have no plans on leaving.
I'm certainly not trying to destroy anyone's childhood memories of Gene Wilder's performance, but I was in the bizarre position of being able to read the book but not see the movie. In 1971, when the movie came out, I was 8 years old and my parents would not let me go see a PG movie. However, I read the book over and over, and loved it. I also loved the sequel (Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator).
The problem with the original movie is this... it's a great movie and I love it too, but it's VERY different from the tone of the book. The book is MUCH darker.
Personally, I am thrilled that Burton and Depp have done this. I think the audiences of 1971 would have been unable to handle a true-to-the-story version of the book. I mean, come on... Willy Wonka lives in this weird factory making candy... no one had seen him in years and years, and you're expecting someone normal? If I had stayed locked up in a factory like that for all those years, I'd be pale and creepy too.
Agreed... It's unfortunate that many insitutions are being told to do what parents should have done. The problem is that is it now possible for unruly individuals (either young or old) to cause a great amount of pain and damage by themselves.
It's ridiculous that the Mom in the story couldn't buy the tickets for her kids. Plain and simple.
If parents aren't doing their job, it's not up to corporations to fix that problem. Parents, though, should have to take responsibility for their children's behavior.
I also have a problem with the idea that movies and music can affect kids in bad ways. I was talking to my mother about the Columbine shootings and she said something to me about Marilyn Manson and Quake-playing. I said, "Mom! I *like* Marilyn Manson and Quake, and I'm 35!". She got quiet, and then said "Really?" and I said "Yes!" (and I do). We had a great conversation.
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I think that is awesome.
Oh, I completely agree... The Player of Games was the novel that got me started on Mr. Banks' writing and I found a copy of Consider Phlebas in the overstock section at a bookstore in Thousand Oaks CA when I lived there. I've made every effort to read every Culture novel that has been published. They are always entertaining and just *different*.
I've also read some of his non-Culture works (but finding some of his books in the US can be difficult) and just enjoy his writing.
I know I've always been worried about becoming obsolete in my field. I'm a 42 year old Java developer for a small company, and there is always the fear that you are going to fall behind. I work mostly with much younger developers, and have stayed away from IT and being a "people manager", as I still love this work as much as I did when I was 16.
I have found, though, that it gets difficult to keep up... there is always so much to learn and it's getting worse, not better. I have been quite fortunate to have been "ahead of the curve" when it came to picking job-related items. I was a Windows developer for 15 years (never again!), and moved to Java, Linux, Ruby, etc as I liked... seemingly ahead of the explosions. I've never become rich from doing this, but I have fun... and that's more important.
My big thing is that I've always been neutral to technologies/platforms. I learned OOP using Smalltalk (and still use it at home for fun), learned techniques using Common Lisp (and still use it at home), and love collecting old workstations. I just like keeping it fresh and fun.
One thing I have noticed is that, while I dislike big companies, I like stability (as I get older). I've been at my current company for 5 years now (a record for me) and have no plans on leaving.
EXACTLY.
I'm certainly not trying to destroy anyone's childhood memories of Gene Wilder's performance, but I was in the bizarre position of being able to read the book but not see the movie. In 1971, when the movie came out, I was 8 years old and my parents would not let me go see a PG movie. However, I read the book over and over, and loved it. I also loved the sequel (Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator).
The problem with the original movie is this... it's a great movie and I love it too, but it's VERY different from the tone of the book. The book is MUCH darker.
Personally, I am thrilled that Burton and Depp have done this. I think the audiences of 1971 would have been unable to handle a true-to-the-story version of the book. I mean, come on... Willy Wonka lives in this weird factory making candy... no one had seen him in years and years, and you're expecting someone normal? If I had stayed locked up in a factory like that for all those years, I'd be pale and creepy too.
Can't wait to see the movie!
Agreed... It's unfortunate that many insitutions are being told to do what parents should have done. The problem is that is it now possible for unruly individuals (either young or old) to cause a great amount of pain and damage by themselves.
:)
It's ridiculous that the Mom in the story couldn't buy the tickets for her kids. Plain and simple.
If parents aren't doing their job, it's not up to corporations to fix that problem. Parents, though, should have to take responsibility for their children's behavior.
I also have a problem with the idea that movies and music can affect kids in bad ways. I was talking to my mother about the Columbine shootings and she said something to me about Marilyn Manson and Quake-playing. I said, "Mom! I *like* Marilyn Manson and Quake, and I'm 35!". She got quiet, and then said "Really?" and I said "Yes!" (and I do). We had a great conversation.
Sorry for the rambling.