Brian, if I had to make one complaint about the book...

[Bongo Bill]

...which, granted, is pretty much what I'm doing right now, it would be as follows:

The passages containing social commentary were, in my opinion, often very clumsy - that is, lacking in subtlety and depth, making their point with a sledgehammer, and occasionally (gasp) just not very funny or interesting (in comparison to the rest of the book, that is).

Not that it didn't have its high points. The later developments in the dichotomy between Dr. Genius and Dr. Menace, for instance, and the whole mall incident before Nihel showed up. They were mixed with story development, interesting characters, and silliness; they presented the point without insulting the reader's intelligence if they thought otherwise; and basically they were a good read.

But the low points are there as well. The dialogue between Television and America was enjoyable for what it was, hyperbole, but as honest social commentary the same hyperbole that made it interesting also made it unusable. It seemed to me to be exaggerated just barely too far beyond accuracy.

And, of course, the whole part where the key to making a grand and highly enviable galactic empire is to do everything the opposite of the way we're doing it now ain't exactly Mark Twain either. I don't doubt Jonathan Swift would've given it a try, but that's because he's Jonathan Swift. And he'd devote the whole book to that idea, rather than just sort of making it a significant but not strictly necessary footnote.

I love the book, Mr. Clevinger, but I thought that there's no one so good that they couldn't stand to benefit from a little criticism coming from a new direction. Is all.

[Kurosen]

Well, those jokes are supposed to be funny because of how hamfisted they are. They lacked subtlety because I wanted them to. Sometimes you're just in the mood for a pie in the face.

[Kairamek]

I found the conversation between Television and America to be quite hilarious. Because it's so true I have to laugh or I'll get really scared. I have quoted the line "I shall believe it for it word of the Magic Box" in casual conversation as well. Though I don't believe I'll use the term "Bovine Audiance" because that would be in the presence of a half dozen female co-workers who would take exception to be related to cows. I can't imagine why.

[Gary Thunder]

I too doubt the fact that Earth's civilization could be used as a direct counterexample to society. Hell, we aren't THAT flawed.

[Kurosen]

The history of Earth's nations should be called "The 10 Do's and 500 Don'ts of Civilization." We've come a long way, mostly after fumbling through all the stupid and bad parts on our own. The people on that planet basically recieved a blueprint to avoid the bad parts.

[Slackbot]

Planet, singular?

[Kairamek]

Originally Posted by Gary Thunder

I too doubt the fact that Earth's civilization could be used as a direct counterexample to society. Hell, we aren't THAT flawed.

We aren't? We subjegate people based on the color of their skin, or their genitilia, or mere differences of opinion as a matter of course. We squander natural resorces at a far higher rate than nessisary can call it a divine right. We continue to repoduce without reguard for the concequences, thus consuming those resources even faster when large populations are desperate for those very resources. Our systems of aid to the disadvantaged teach those who are responsible, ie don't bring children into the world they can't care for, that they are expendible by giving all the aid to baby machines who don't work and have kids regularly to draw a bigger goverement check. We are greedy, self serving people who rather risk causing other people harm than inconviencing ourselves for five seconds and be polite. Our society promotes those who grab for power and money at the expence of others and tells the other's "tough luck." Our "enlightened" society is made of assholes and is ruled by shitheads. I'm sorry, modern civilization in first-world countries is an excelent counter example to build a civilized society.

[Jhonka]

Originally Posted by Slackbot

Planet, singular?

Yes, singular, because the disk only landed on one planet.

[Slackbot]

Originally Posted by Jhonka

Yes, singular, because the disk only landed on one planet.

Fair enough. I was thinking along the lines of it having been used as a kind of anti-Bible for "every sentient being within the Galactic Territories," therefore ultimately being received by everyone in said territories. But, yes, it was initially found on one planet. My correction stands corrected.

[Kairamek]

Yeah, I have one huge complaint about the book. Mine was STOLEN! So, Brian, any idea when the revised version will be available? If I have to lay down another forty bucks for another one I might as well get the typo free version.