- Posts: 12707
- Thank you received: 8343
Bugs: Recent Topics Paging, Uploading Images & Preview (11 Dec 2020)
Recent Topics paging, uploading images and preview bugs require a patch which has not yet been released.
Jeb Lund reads Ready Player One
theconcourse.deadspin.com/ready-player-o...algia-1797497066/amp
This is so, achingly, good. I love Lund's writing anyway but I think this perfectly encapsulates the bad part of current nerd/geek culture in general, not just re: the book. I'm open to the criticism "don't take this so fucking seriously, people just like stuff!" but to the extent nerd subculture sucks I think it's bang on.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Michael Barnes
- Offline
- Mountebank
- HYPOCRITE
- Posts: 16929
- Thank you received: 10375
What a stupid fucking concept. And I LIKE nostalgia. I like almost everything referenced. But it sounds to me that this book is the epitome of modern nerd culture- "look at what all I consume". And then it is regurgitated in "mash up" form, juxtaposition serving in lieu of actual creativity or taking inspiration from creators that came before you. It sounds to me like this book is a big apologia for a life spent consuming media, trying to somehow find validation in indulgence.
And it's screamingly juvenile and amateurish- "LOOK AT ALL THE THINGS I LIKE! DO U LIKE THEM TOO?"
When I saw the trailer, I was shocked that Iron Giant was in it. But then it made me sad to realize that he's just there as an empty totem of fan culture. Just pop detritius, like so many Funko Pop figures and whatever merchandise they sell at those "pop culture" stores in the mall where you can buy.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Erik Twice
- Offline
- D8
- Needs explosions
- Posts: 2300
- Thank you received: 2650
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- san il defanso
- Offline
- D10
- ENDUT! HOCH HECH!
- Posts: 4623
- Thank you received: 3560
Also, I think Lund is a bit hard on more recent Spielberg movies. First of all he's made a LOT of movies in the last fifteen years, and a lot of them are very good. I liked Minority Report, Catch Me If You Can, and Munich especially. I haven't seen Lincoln, Bridge of Spies, or Warhorse, but I've heard good things about them as well. I'm also willing to defend the fourth Indiana Jones movie and Tintin, though I'm not really super interested in doing that here.
Hardly a perfect record (a lot of the ones I mentioned are only liked by me), but I don't think the characterization of him being completely past his prime is altogether fair.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Posts: 1700
- Thank you received: 786
But the film looks better as the trailer is mostly devoid of the 80s references and it is possible that you can use the bones of the story to make something watchable.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
That Tintin movie is fuckin awesome, though. I watch it three or four times a year, sometimes without the kids.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
READY PLAYER ONE is execrable. As I read it, it felt like I was reading from the perspective of someone that picked on nerds (like me) rather than actually being one. They were well-versed in the ideas of 80s nostalgic nerdery, but only at a cursory level--enough to craft a cutting jibe about "rolling a low Charisma" or something.
It's incredibly shallow. And even though nerds fucking won, I mean, good lord, Marvel makes the biggest entertainment products in the world, I can't for a second believe in the fundamental conceit of this work. SNOWCRASH is a better book about quasi-dystopian Internet-based culture and STRANGER THINGS is a better homage to 80s nerdery. You can get better exemplars of everything in this book from other places, and I encourage you to do so.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- san il defanso
- Offline
- D10
- ENDUT! HOCH HECH!
- Posts: 4623
- Thank you received: 3560
jeb wrote: Was really hoping for some Thanks on that "shit sandwich" review, folks. It's got nostalgia built right in! I'm meta as hell!
Well that's just nit-picking isn't it?
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.