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rsdsharp

(11,076 posts)

71. Heinlein's juvenile novels were always timed for the Christmas trade.

Fri Jul 18, 2025, 08:55 PM

Friday

So was Starship Troopers, but Scribners rejected what was intended as the 13th juvenile. He would have liked that you read him over the holidays.

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

Ok, I got ForgedCrank Friday #1

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

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

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

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

That's Vonnegut Orrex Friday #37

Of course. Glad you noticed. erronis Friday #39

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

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

I didn't get into Heinlein's personality or politics at all. MineralMan Friday #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 Friday #9

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

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

Thumbnail avatars aside genxlib Friday #10

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

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

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

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

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

I think I'd describe science fiction as Emrys Friday #54

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

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

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

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

despite the book disappearing from my library slightlv Friday #58

I hated that book genxlib Friday #8

An acquired taste, I guess. MineralMan Friday #13

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

That sounds about right. I had scifi writers I liked a lot better than Heinlein. MineralMan Friday #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 Friday #30

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

Thank you. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Friday #42

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

Yes, indeed. MineralMan Friday #15

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

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

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

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

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

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

Your use of the word "gripping" made me think of MineralMan Friday #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 Friday #32

I'm not surprised. MineralMan Friday #38

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

No. I never talked politics with him. MineralMan Friday #52

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

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

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

Sounds like you knew him better MineralMan Friday #63

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

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

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

Ahh. Thank you. Hekate Friday #69

You mean "MechaHitler?" Karasu Friday #27

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

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

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

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

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

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

But the movie was freaking awesome!!!!! Noodleboy13 Saturday #72

I knew that Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Friday #41

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

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

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

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

It was Heinlein's second sexual adolescence Warpy Friday #49

Heinlein... Godot51 Friday #50

I'm currently reading Mossfern Friday #65

I knew it s Linux command Earl_from_PA Friday #56

Thank you! GAJMac Friday #60

I loved Stranger in a Strange Land LetMyPeopleVote Friday #67