Charles Stross hates TNG, B5 and everything else

[Leto II]

You know, it's hilarious how Stross and all these other people make such a fuss about the horrible science errors, when the show has so many fans at NASA... same goes the film Moon, and other stuff they gleefully bashed.

I wonder... who's got a better grip on the physics, Charles Stross or JPL?

I've read some of his fiction, and it isn't bad, but here he comes across as being way too full of himself. His attitude here is very similar to China Miéville's sneering disdain of J.R.R. Tolkien -- a niche writer pretentiously taking down someone (or something) who's gotten too "big." As someone else noted, he paints with far too broad a brush, which is all the more ironic, considering his complete lack of exposure to that of which he speaks.

You'll notice too in the comments section that he apparently has a TV series project of some sort in pre-production -- and what screenwriting experience has he accumulated to date? Judging by his IMDB credits (or lack thereof), none. He shouldn't be so quick to judge and criticize his betters in this field, when he has yet to prove competency himself. To say nothing of him ignoring the sheer number of science-field, Ph.D.-credentialed fans of the series who have more than legitimized its storytelling in purely scientific/academic terms alone.

[KoshN]

Jan, it is a reference to the final scenes of the ST Next genaration pilot episode where we see two alien squid-like creatures in space. I admit it is not the most original idea, and many Trek fans agree.

From the TNG pilot episode? Weren't they flying saucer shaped with tendrils hanging down from the center of the saucer? When Stoss <spit> said squids in space, I thought he was referring to Vorlon ships.

[babylonlurker]

I just released a post on my blog about some of the irony in the Stross-attack on all things space opera :

http://www.babylonlurker.net/blog/2009/10/22/the-irony-of-charles-stross-hatred-of-space-opera/

If you should be interested.

[babylonlurker]

Looks like Stross is closing the thread for comments [link spammers moving in], so I will post my remaining stuff on my own blog.

[babylonlurker]

Hmmm, what would a Squids in Space bat squad look like? They coule be a formiddable force.

- and possibly very dangerous - they might make you die from laughter.

[G'Quon]

Just a thought : "Squiiiids iiiin Spaaaace" !!!

Hmmm, what would a Squids in Space bat squad look like? They coule be a formiddable force.

[JoeD80]

I assumed by squid he meant the explosive devices used to simulate bullets hitting a wall.

That's a squib.

[I love Lyta]

Just a thought : "Squiiiids iiiin Spaaaace" !!!

Join us next week, if you want to hear Doc Oc say:"Where did I leave the scissors again Sister Pink Ink?"

[Andrew_Swallow]

ômodern audiences want squids in space, with added laserö

I assumed by squid he meant the explosive devices used to simulate bullets hitting a wall.

[babylonlurker]

Besides, what's wrong with squids in space? I like squids.

(They're delicious, too. Mmmm... grilled Vorlon with tzatziki...)

Just a thought : "Squiiiids iiiin Spaaaace" !!!

[Jonas]

Besides, what's wrong with squids in space? I like squids.

(They're delicious, too. Mmmm... grilled Vorlon with tzatziki...)

[babylonlurker]

Thanks. I think I'm always so annoyed with Troi's fatuous description of their gratitude that I've never paid attention to what they look like.

But heck, don't let him see a Vorlon in its natural form, either!

Jan

True - we have to keep him from that info

PS comment posted on Stross' blog and my own - more to come - there are some ironies I would like to explore.

[Jan]

Jan, it is a reference to the final scenes of the ST Next genaration pilot episode where we see two alien squid-like creatures in space. I admit it is not the most original idea, and many Trek fans agree.

Thanks. I think I'm always so annoyed with Troi's fatuous description of their gratitude that I've never paid attention to what they look like.

But heck, don't let him see a Vorlon in its natural form, either!

Jan

[babylonlurker]

I'm not...?? Does it seem to anybody besides me that he may be alienating potential readers? While I made a smart remark about his not ending up on my list of favorite authors, I'm not likely to deprive myself of reading his books if they look interesting. Not everybody is like that, though.

Jan

Jan, it is a reference to the final scenes of the ST Next genaration pilot episode where we see two alien squid-like creatures in space. I admit it is not the most original idea, and many Trek fans agree.

This, of course makes Stross' comment even more infuriating.

The whole post is beginning to look very ridiculous .

I have written my own reply, as politey as I could, it will be on my blog as well. Needs a bit more editing, though, and since it is near ZZZ time here, the rest will have to wait.

[Jan]

ômodern audiences want squids in space, with added laserö

WOW !!!! talk about a sweeping generalisation, the implied denigrating remarks about B5 pale in comparison.

(I am quite well aware of his reference)

I'm not...?? Does it seem to anybody besides me that he may be alienating potential readers? While I made a smart remark about his not ending up on my list of favorite authors, I'm not likely to deprive myself of reading his books if they look interesting. Not everybody is like that, though.

Jan