Nice to see that those who are pro child molestation still getting press. Classy New Yorker.
Samuel Delany and the Past and Future of Science Fiction
21–30 of 31 posts
Re: Samuel Delany and the Past and Future of Science Fiction
#22Earlier quoted context omitted.
It seems pretty explicit about it, although "the past and present of science fiction" might be a better descriptor. For example, here are quotes where the past: > Delany came of age at a time when the genre [of science fiction] was indeed characterized by gee-whiz futurism, machismo adventuring, and white, heterosexual heroes. is contrasted with the present: > In the contemporary science-fiction scene, Delany’s race…
The final comments also support the theme: Some of the more conservative authors presently complaining are doing so, Dulaney thinks, because they fear the growing presence of a more diverse community and a wider acceptance of the same. Trends which will continue to grow into the future. I think this might be attributing too much malice to the author in question though; Larry C seems more like a somewhat thoughtless w…
Perhaps Larry C. could raise his profile with the New Yorker by joining NAMBLA. I'm sure that it was an innocent oversight on Bebergal's part to omit that detail about Delaney from the piece.
Re: Samuel Delany and the Past and Future of Science Fiction
#23Interesting. I've still never read Delany despite the fact that he's the only commercially successful, black sci fi author I know.
There are two others, Steven Barnes and (the late) Octavia Butler. Besides being great storytellers, Butler won the MacArthur Prize and Steve has written episodes for a variety of TV shows over the years. Each was (arguably) commercially more successful than Delany. If Butler were still living I'm sure she'd have been interviewed as well.
Re: Samuel Delany and the Past and Future of Science Fiction
#24Nice to see that those who are pro child molestation still getting press. Classy New Yorker.
[Citation required]
Re: Samuel Delany and the Past and Future of Science Fiction
#25Earlier quoted context omitted.
The final comments also support the theme: Some of the more conservative authors presently complaining are doing so, Dulaney thinks, because they fear the growing presence of a more diverse community and a wider acceptance of the same. Trends which will continue to grow into the future. I think this might be attributing too much malice to the author in question though; Larry C seems more like a somewhat thoughtless w…
Perhaps Larry C. could raise his profile with the New Yorker by joining NAMBLA. I'm sure that it was an innocent oversight on Bebergal's part to omit that detail about Delaney from the piece.
None of the following is a defence (his attitude on NAMBLA is deeply squicky to me); but, as far as I know, Delany (not Delaney) was never a member of NAMBLA. The closest that some quick Googling finds is the famous quote:
> I read the NAMBLA [Bulletin] fairly regularly and I think it is one of the most intelligent discussions of sexuality I've ever found.
Will Shetterly has a conversation with Delany on the subject at http://shetterly.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-conversation-with-sa... .
Re: Samuel Delany and the Past and Future of Science Fiction
#26Interesting little profile of Delany. I didn't realize he was so prolific and still writing. And I'm not quite sure where to start his work.... probably not Dhalgren, right?
Dhalgren[1] is a rich, interesting book but it really isn't SF, and is very much a product of its era, the 1960s-70s. I think it is in part a fantastic re-imagining of Delaney's own early years as recounted more prosodically in "Heavenly Breakfast"[2]. There are long passages that are probably sharp parodies of figures and events in the 1970s NY literary scene. Much of it is an elevation of the 1960s San Francisco hippie scene into a dystopian fantasy world. I think it works to read the city of Bellona as a symbol of an economic status: the status of the urban underclass, some of whose members are trapped in it, while some have entered it willingly to explore it.
That smoke blown, it rewards patience with some wonderful writing and some gripping drama as well.
Re: Samuel Delany and the Past and Future of Science Fiction
#27Earlier quoted context omitted.
The final comments also support the theme: Some of the more conservative authors presently complaining are doing so, Dulaney thinks, because they fear the growing presence of a more diverse community and a wider acceptance of the same. Trends which will continue to grow into the future. I think this might be attributing too much malice to the author in question though; Larry C seems more like a somewhat thoughtless w…
Perhaps Larry C. could raise his profile with the New Yorker by joining NAMBLA. I'm sure that it was an innocent oversight on Bebergal's part to omit that detail about Delaney from the piece.
Re that, see: http://shetterly.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-conversation-with-sa...
An email conversation about NAMBLA and sexuality with Samuel Delaney.
Re: Samuel Delany and the Past and Future of Science Fiction
#28Interesting. I've still never read Delany despite the fact that he's the only commercially successful, black sci fi author I know.
Walter Mosley writes a fair amount of science fiction and fantasy, as well as his perhaps better known and more commercially successful mysteries.
Re: Samuel Delany and the Past and Future of Science Fiction
#29Interesting little profile of Delany. I didn't realize he was so prolific and still writing. And I'm not quite sure where to start his work.... probably not Dhalgren, right?
Dhalgren[1] is a rich, interesting book but it really isn't SF, and is very much a product of its era, the 1960s-70s. I think it is in part a fantastic re-imagining of Delaney's own early years as recounted more prosodically in "Heavenly Breakfast"[2]. There are long passages that are probably sharp parodies of figures and events in the 1970s NY literary scene. Much of it is an elevation of the 1960s San Francisco hi…
Not really SF? Do you say this because you don't like SF, or you do? Dhalgren is one of my favorite novels, and I think it's definitely SF.
I think it works to read it a whole bunch of ways. When Katrina happened, it seemed like New Orleans was Bellona for a bit.
Re: Samuel Delany and the Past and Future of Science Fiction
#30Interesting little profile of Delany. I didn't realize he was so prolific and still writing. And I'm not quite sure where to start his work.... probably not Dhalgren, right?
Babel-17 and Empire Star are both excellent and were the first things of his I read. I've tried to read Triton, Stars in My Pocket, Dhalgren, Nova, and Fall of the Towers and every single one of them has failed to gain or keep my interest.