Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf] • Hacker News Board

Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

#41

Post by jcadam » Sat, Jun 25, 2022, 6:04 PM UTC

abcanthur wrote: post #34

gHA5 wrote: post #25

See also "Flowers for Charlie", S9E8 of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia https://m.imdb.com/title/tt2999352/

For a very similar but different up and down story arc that both makes one appreciate the value of one's own mental faculties, and stirs compassion for those with diminished abilities, I highly recommend the movie "Awakenings." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awakenings De Niro and Robin Williams, based on an Oliver Sacks book, which I haven't read but it probably great.

Too sad to watch more than once.

Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

#42

Post by radicalbyte » Sat, Jun 25, 2022, 6:13 PM UTC

I read this book as part of me GCSE English in the UK. It's the only book they had which I enjoyed and, like many others, it had a big impact on me.

It's up there with being taught about the evils of modern history: Nazi's, Chile, Yemen, Slavery, Thatcher, Rand, Holodomor, Leopald II, various Chinese genocide, European genocides in both Americas..

That should be a part of the education of everyone living in free and democratic societies.

Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

#43

Post by blader » Sat, Jun 25, 2022, 6:14 PM UTC

Ted Chiang wrote a short story inspired by Flowers for Algernon ("Understand") that explores what might happen if a guy just never stopped getting smarter: https://web.archive.org/web/20140527121332/http://www.infini...

I love Flowers for Algernon, but Understand is my favorite short story of all time.

Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

#44

Post by gramie » Sat, Jun 25, 2022, 6:15 PM UTC

travelling_54 wrote: post #23

I guess Flowers for Algernon might be considered science fiction, but in any case it was set in the future (1965). The original short story was published in 1959. Maybe should change the title of this entry?

I learned about the book after several famous SF authors said that it contained their favourite last line.

Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

#45

Post by ncmncm » Sat, Jun 25, 2022, 6:16 PM UTC

Compare Wilmar Shiras, "in Hiding" (1948) and David Palmer, "Emergence" (1981).

Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

#46

Post by icedchai » Sat, Jun 25, 2022, 6:27 PM UTC

tanseydavid wrote: post #10

I was first exposed to it in movie form, called Charly and starring Cliff Robertson. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062794/ It had a big impact on me and I immediately wanted it in book form after seeing the movie.

I remember reading the book back in the late 80's. I was probably in 7th grade? Enjoyable book. I'll check out the movie.

Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

#47

Post by sydthrowaway » Sat, Jun 25, 2022, 6:28 PM UTC

uniqueuid wrote: post #2

Despite all my rational efforts; all the maths and research - there is a speck of insight that only poetry and literature can reach. It's irritating and comforting at the same time.

All the world’s combined poetry and literature won’t get you to the moon, or solve the world’s energy crisis. It’s all a bunch of tosh - don’t stop building.

Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

#48

Post by SV_BubbleTime » Sat, Jun 25, 2022, 6:30 PM UTC

jcadam wrote: post #41

abcanthur wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For a very similar but different up and down story arc that both makes one appreciate the value of one's own mental faculties, and stirs compassion for those with diminished abilities, I highly recommend the movie "Awakenings." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awakenings De Niro and Robin Williams, based on an Oliver Sacks book, which I haven't read but it probably great.

Too sad to watch more than once.

It’s fine, I’m the next episode Charlie goes back to bashing rats.

Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

#49

Post by [deleted] » Sat, Jun 25, 2022, 6:34 PM UTC

radicalbyte wrote: post #42

I read this book as part of me GCSE English in the UK. It's the only book they had which I enjoyed and, like many others, it had a big impact on me. It's up there with being taught about the evils of modern history: Nazi's, Chile, Yemen, Slavery, Thatcher, Rand, Holodomor, Leopald II, various Chinese genocide, European genocides in both Americas.. That should be a part of the education of everyone living in free and…

[deleted]

Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

#50

Post by objectivetruth » Sat, Jun 25, 2022, 6:38 PM UTC

sydthrowaway wrote: post #47

uniqueuid wrote: post #2

Despite all my rational efforts; all the maths and research - there is a speck of insight that only poetry and literature can reach. It's irritating and comforting at the same time.

All the world’s combined poetry and literature won’t get you to the moon, or solve the world’s energy crisis. It’s all a bunch of tosh - don’t stop building.

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