Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

sdfo.org

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

61–70 of 272 posts

Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

#61

Post by trylfthsk »

keiferski wrote: post #47

It's interesting to compare this story to the movie Limitless , which has a fairly similar premise, but ends on a positive note. Algernon seems to have more influence, probably because of it is fundamentally a kind of morality tale, but I actually kind of prefer Limitless, [0] as limited as its plot is. There is something motivational about it, which is probably why there are so many YouTube productivity videos with…

Can also recommend the Ted Chiang story Understand [1], which adds in a dash of The Most Dangerous Game.

[1] https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?40835

Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

#64

Post by keiferski »

trylfthsk wrote: post #61
keiferski wrote: post #47

It's interesting to compare this story to the movie Limitless , which has a fairly similar premise, but ends on a positive note. Algernon seems to have more influence, probably because of it is fundamentally a kind of morality tale, but I actually kind of prefer Limitless, [0] as limited as its plot is. There is something motivational about it, which is probably why there are so many YouTube productivity videos with…

Can also recommend the Ted Chiang story Understand [1], which adds in a dash of The Most Dangerous Game . [1] https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?40835

Ah yes I read that one too and it's another good example.

Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

#65

Post by abraxas »

This is the original short story. I recommend that people read the full book instead or at least read the book first to avoid spoilers. It's at least as good as the short story but expands on the ideas and the story line significantly.

Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

#66

Post by Topgamer7 »

LeafItAlone wrote: post #62
eismcc wrote: post #51

After my class read this book in high school, we wrote the author and he responded. How often does that happen in today’s schools?

Probably not often, the author died in 2014.

I think he was referring to schools writing to authors. Not this author.

Maybe referring to the author responding too.

Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

#67

Post by qgin »

vouaobrasil wrote: post #27
sorokod wrote: post #2

I remember reading the story for the first time and my feelings of pity and horror when the protagonist's decline began. With lifespans increasing, many of us will have Charlie's experience.

Indeed. I wish I could have been born in a world where I could use my skills for survival in the forests and die younger but have a more fulfilling life. Modern technological society is a disappointment, even if I am more comfortable.

You could get pretty close if you wanted to

Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

#68

Post by zabzonk »

midn1ghtexpress wrote: post #45
jjice wrote: post #34

This story is part of the reason I'd never want to know about where I land intelligence wise compared to other people. No matter the outcome, I don't think it could be good. I it's below average, I'll feel limited. If it's above average, I'll have added pressure of self expectations and maybe arrogance. That's not the case for everyone, but I'm happy where I am currently. Back to the story - the use of grammar and sp…

Frankly, everyone's familiar with the Dunning-Kruger effect, but the lack of intelligence in this story reminds me of Roog by Philip K. Dick. It's about a dog's paranoia regarding the local garbage men. He tries to warn his "guardian," but all he can say is: Roog.

of course, it is not actually paranoia - the garbage men really are evil non-human beings!

Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

#69

Post by alexb_ »

midn1ghtexpress wrote: post #45
jjice wrote: post #34

This story is part of the reason I'd never want to know about where I land intelligence wise compared to other people. No matter the outcome, I don't think it could be good. I it's below average, I'll feel limited. If it's above average, I'll have added pressure of self expectations and maybe arrogance. That's not the case for everyone, but I'm happy where I am currently. Back to the story - the use of grammar and sp…

Frankly, everyone's familiar with the Dunning-Kruger effect, but the lack of intelligence in this story reminds me of Roog by Philip K. Dick. It's about a dog's paranoia regarding the local garbage men. He tries to warn his "guardian," but all he can say is: Roog.

This just sounds like Courage the Cowardly Dog lol

Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

#70

Post by alexb_ »

fortran77 wrote: post #42
roshin wrote: post #11

Great story, but terrible title. I'm not sure exactly what the point of a title is, but if it's to inform about what the story is, or entice, it does neither.

[flagged]

Is this your personal hackernews hate subreddit? All submissions are from one user
Post reply on HN