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Arthur C Clarke RIP

RIP

Excellent author, but I think his greatest strength was in the way he used his sci-fi as a vehicle to convey scientific theory to the wider public. His worlds often seem far more real than other authors simply because they are often entirely plausible.
 
Cid said:
Excellent author, but I think his greatest strength was in the way he used his sci-fi as a vehicle to convey scientific theory to the wider public. His worlds often seem far more real than other authors simply because they are often entirely plausible.
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you mean not unlike Carl Sagan and his knowledge of astronomy and cosmology?

"There are billions and billions of stars...."
 
Belushi said:
Arthur C Clarke's Mysterious World was my favourite show ever when I was a nipper, that crystal skull still spooks me.
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Good god no. I hated that program with a passion, I still watched it though, it was like a train crash. :)

Shame about Arfur but 90 was a good innings.
 
only ever read 2001 and 2010, liked them a lot.

I bet theres a load of young sri lankan boys, whilst unable to appreciate his literature, more than happy to piss on his grave tonight.
 
Last paragraph of the BBC obit story:

His status as the grand old man of science fiction was threatened when, in 1998, allegations of child abuse, which he strenuously denied, caused the confirmation of a knighthood to be delayed. Sir Arthur was cleared by an investigation.
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I hate it when people misuse the word 'genius' - but this is not one of those times.

Clarke was truly one of the most influential and inspiring people I ever read; he showed me what an unbound imagination can achieve, and how to blur the line between the extant and the wished for. He was the daddy who delivered me from the womb of the earth, and his shockwave will be felt long after I am dead and buried.

RIP
 
jonH said:
and defence on urban counts as innocence
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lol that's just non-sensical. So everyone is guilty of everything unless they can prove otherwise?

The facts are the Daily Mirror claimed three sri lankans had told them they were paid for sex, and that the mirror had audio evidence of Clarke admitting an interest in boys. After interviewing the three sri lankans no charges were brought, the mirror retracted it's claims.

I don't know, but I would assume that the mirror went looking for testimonies from Sri Lanka, in which case I would have reservations about testimony made to newspaper in return for money. Secondly I would give reservations about said in a tabloid anyway (remember the iraqi photos the mirror got conned on).
 
Jorum said:
lol that's just non-sensical. So everyone is guilty of everything unless they can prove otherwise?

The facts are the Daily Mirror claimed three sri lankans had told them they were paid for sex, and that the mirror had audio evidence of Clarke admitting an interest in boys. After interviewing the three sri lankans no charges were brought, the mirror retracted it's claims.

I don't know, but I would assume that the mirror went looking for testimonies from Sri Lanka, in which case I would have reservations about testimony made to newspaper in return for money. Secondly I would give reservations about said in a tabloid anyway (remember the iraqi photos the mirror got conned on).
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A Sri Lanken woman I work with tells me it's common knowledge in the area.

Just like in my town it was common knowledge what Jonathan King was up to.

Sri Lanka is a nice enough country, but it's non-enforcement of child sex laws makes it the number 1 spot for sick western men to go to for a spot of noncery. Hence why there are thousands of single, middle aged western men living or having 2nd homes there. Has that fact never seemed odd to you?

Matthew Kelly of course only wanted a home there cos it's a paradise, tropical island. That's why he chose to buy in a city suburb rather than near a beach or in the beautiful countryside :rolleyes:
 
"Life is just one big banana. Science fiction allows us all to peel open the reality and discover the yellow truth inside."
 
votisit said:
Loved his books, what a loss.
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His later books in the 1990's, weren't very good but they were either collaborations or ghost-written. Most his good stuff hasn't dated as much as other Golden Age authors... My personal fav is "The City and the Stars", and his short stories were excellent...

If he's just remembered for the work he did on Space Odyssey then he's done well. Best, and most accurate sci-fi film ever. Just hope the Rendezvous with Rama one gets off the ground...

A sad loss... :(
 
Bahnhof Strasse said:
it's common knowledge in the area.
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Oh well, must be true then.

By the way, it's common knowledge in my area that you felch goats. This was substantiated by someone at my work as well.

Goodbye Mr Clarke. You were a visionary, and your books were a source of immense pleasure and wonder for me. Thank you.
 
Bahnhof Strasse said:
A Sri Lanken woman I work with tells me it's common knowledge in the area.

Just like in my town it was common knowledge what Jonathan King was up to.
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Very dodgy ground, imho.

Maybe he was, only the alleged victims know for sure. Even Jonathan King was innocent until proved guilty.

"common knowledge" probably got lots of women burned as witches....

I prefer to remember his fantastic books - especially the Rama series.

A great sci-fi mind. I'll reserve judgement on anything else.
 
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