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PaperclipPerfector  1mo ago (text post)   2588 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for March 17, 2024

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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So, what are you reading?

I'm still working through McGilchrist.

Theft of Fire by Devon Eriksen.

The basic premise is that it's a hard sci-fi adventure novel, starring three characters on a single ship as they attempt a heist.

Very fun, very much a page turner and also does a good job at touching on lots of Big Ideas.

Most relevant to this forum, it is a brilliant illustration of all of @HlynkaCG's bugbear, "Academic vs street smarts", "success in the contested environment", whatever you want to call it. My thoughts are only partially formed right now, but I think I'm going to try and write up a longer review that is also going to be at least a partial defense of @HlynkaCG's philosophy. He actually got banned the day I started the book and I'm pretty bummed about it because I'd love to discuss it with him (if you're reading this, create a new account and PM me or something?).

What ages would you say it's appropriate for?

I'm still working through the best sci-fi from a decade ago, when reading on my own; my best opportunities for finding time to read newer stuff is to kill two birds with one stone and find things I can read with my kids.

I would have loved it at 13, though I wouldn't have understood all of the themes or subtext. "R-rated" graphic violence, though not gratuitous. So far no actual sex, but erections and breasts are occasionally discussed.

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