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slightlv

(6,192 posts)

58. despite the book disappearing from my library

Fri Jul 18, 2025, 05:45 PM

Jul 18

at various points of time (due to moving across country a couple of times, as well as a few copies never returned after loaning it out), I've always kept a copy in my library. I recently decided I need to read it again... I've forgotten as much now as I've remembered of it! I read it as a teen in high school... and it made enough of an impact that I vowed I'd always have a copy to refer back to. Very few books are like that to me. One other book I've bought copy after copy, after "losing" it from my library is "Good Omens: the Nice and Accurate Predictions of Agnes Nutter, Witch"... I've bought more than a few copies of that over the years! And strangely, the 2nd book in a trilogy of books on Numerology, based on the Divine Triangle method. I guess that method resonates with those of us who are into Numerology! (LOL)

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eShirl

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Highlight:

The Origins of "Grok." [View all] MineralMan Jul 18 OP

Ok, I got ForgedCrank Jul 18 #1

I did not enjoy that story, had to slog through it. Swede Jul 18 #2

A lot of his stuff was complicated and erratic. MineralMan Jul 18 #6

In my opinion, he wrote two stories in his career. nilram Jul 18 #23

I'd guess it was assigned reading. I was at the U in the mid 60s. A lot of profs thought Heinlein erronis Jul 18 #28

That's Vonnegut Orrex Jul 18 #37

Of course. Glad you noticed. erronis Jul 18 #39

I figured you knew, but I couldn't resist geeking out Orrex Jul 18 #51

Heinlein became libertarian, even if he still had some compassion. The Wikipedia article has a section muriel_volestrangler Jul 18 #3

I didn't get into Heinlein's personality or politics at all. MineralMan Jul 18 #4

Thanks for the link. The writer is pretty balanced but is harsh on Heinlein's flaws, as he should be. Bernardo de La Paz Jul 18 #9

I recommend this thread :) Bernardo de La Paz Jul 18 #5

everyone should read Stranger in a Strange Land at least once, IMHO eShirl Jul 18 #7

Thumbnail avatars aside genxlib Jul 18 #10

I was an avid reader of "hard" science fiction in the 50s and 60s. MineralMan Jul 18 #12

What was so wonderful about Asimov is that he wrote a wide variety of topics both in fiction and nonfiction. HeartsCanHope Jul 18 #20

Yes. He was one of the most prolific non-fiction writers ever. MineralMan Jul 18 #21

My background is in library science. Asimov was able to reach his readers at their level. HeartsCanHope Jul 18 #26

I think what you're describing is the difference between science fiction, and science fantasy. erronis Jul 18 #31

I think I'd describe science fiction as Emrys Jul 18 #54

I like your viewpoint. And as you said, it depends on where we are in our intellectual development. erronis Jul 18 #61

Pure fantasy writing has never been a major interest of mine Emrys Jul 18 #64

The "Golden Age of Science-Fiction"... GJGCA Jul 18 #35

That's usually attributed to H.L. Gold. highplainsdem Jul 18 #62

despite the book disappearing from my library slightlv Jul 18 #58

I hated that book genxlib Jul 18 #8

An acquired taste, I guess. MineralMan Jul 18 #13

I rate it in the middle part of his works, above average. But he has lots better. Bernardo de La Paz Jul 18 #14

That sounds about right. I had scifi writers I liked a lot better than Heinlein. MineralMan Jul 18 #22

I think Heinlein is the most American of all SF writers and the best story teller too. Others are more lyrical Bernardo de La Paz Jul 18 #30

Not a surprise that you would think so professor FBaggins Jul 18 #40

Thank you. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Jul 18 #42

...and, Grok is powered by the largest AI supercomputer in the world, Colossus. LudwigPastorius Jul 18 #11

Yes, indeed. MineralMan Jul 18 #15

Have they said which Colossus they named it after? muriel_volestrangler Jul 18 #34

There were buttons that said "I grok Spock" back in the day Maeve Jul 18 #16

Yes, I remember that. The word sort of dropped out of use, though, MineralMan Jul 18 #17

For a libertarian Musk has certainly sucked up a lot of taxpayer dollars. hunter Jul 18 #47

I and my friend used to frequently use the term "grok". forgotmylogin Jul 18 #18

Musk has a childish (in good and bad senses) fascination with the Red Planet Bernardo de La Paz Jul 18 #19

Your use of the word "gripping" made me think of MineralMan Jul 18 #25

Pournelle has politics many here do not like. He wrote good hard science SF but has PhD in Political Science. . . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Jul 18 #32

I'm not surprised. MineralMan Jul 18 #38

Jerry didn't handle political arguments well. highplainsdem Jul 18 #45

No. I never talked politics with him. MineralMan Jul 18 #52

My previous post was a statement, not a question. highplainsdem Jul 18 #53

A lot of people saw him as a laughing stock. MineralMan Jul 18 #55

He was very intelligent and could be very nice and helpful. But he tended to be wrong on politics, highplainsdem Jul 18 #57

Sounds like you knew him better MineralMan Jul 18 #63

Neither eLoon nor tRump have the ability to Grok anything. flashman13 Jul 18 #24

"Uncensored version"? Do tell -- I read the first paperback as a teenager mid-60s. What's the history? Hekate Jul 18 #59

There are some Heinlein books and stories that he toned down for publication. rsdsharp Jul 18 #66

Ahh. Thank you. Hekate Jul 18 #69

You mean "MechaHitler?" Karasu Jul 18 #27

I've used "grok" in its original sense for decades. Ocelot II Jul 18 #29

I was an avid Sci-fi reader in my twenties Mossfern Jul 18 #33

Huge Heinlein fan. Although his political leanings were obvious in his fiction early on The Moon is a Harsh Mistress etc Noodleboy13 Jul 18 #36

The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress was 1966; pretty much the midpoint of his career. rsdsharp Jul 18 #68

My exposure to Heinlein is all through XMas gifts from my uncle. Who was head of polisci at creighton in omaha. Noodleboy13 Jul 18 #70

Heinlein's juvenile novels were always timed for the Christmas trade. rsdsharp Jul 18 #71

But the movie was freaking awesome!!!!! Noodleboy13 Jul 19 #72

I knew that Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Jul 18 #41

Well then, thank you for teaching me today irisblue Jul 18 #43

Heinlein's political views tended to track those of his wives. rsdsharp Jul 18 #44

I have a relative who's changed political views based on her husbands' views. Always struck me as highplainsdem Jul 18 #48

Musk has referenced other SF writers as well, and IMO never really understood them. highplainsdem Jul 18 #46

It was Heinlein's second sexual adolescence Warpy Jul 18 #49

Heinlein... Godot51 Jul 18 #50

I'm currently reading Mossfern Jul 18 #65

I knew it s Linux command Earl_from_PA Jul 18 #56

Thank you! GAJMac Jul 18 #60

I loved Stranger in a Strange Land LetMyPeopleVote Jul 18 #67