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San Francisco, 5:10 PM
Thu Dec 10
26 posts in the last 24 hours
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12/01/09
[en.wikipedia.org]
11/30/09
And holy smeg, I got starred! Thanks, io9!
11/30/09
10/28/09
Literature, film and art are derivative of past efforts. The extent to which one is influenced does matter, but it's wrong to pick and chose who gets scorn and who gets praised. There's nothing wrong with seeing a great story and being inspired by it, and that is how some of the best material was created. Without that, we'd have a tiny collection of books and film.
Look at the many examples cited right here of stories all very similar regarding the avatar-like premise, and ask which of those likewise should be derided as unoriginal rip-offs.
Cameron is one of many writers who used the concept of human minds transported into alien bodies. Nor is the notion of "going feral" rare -- someone mentioned werewolves, and that's what I thought of as well. Early writers riffed on other concepts, developed new versions of old ideas, and then many of them used the same new versions.
I understand everyone's concern about actual plagiarism (I am a screenwriter, so the matter is one I take seriously), but I feel the term is too loosely applied to Cameron, and that he catches an undo amount of criticism. He's made great films and great contributions to sci-fi -- as have many other writers who relied on derivative concepts clearly inspired by their writing peers.
10/28/09
10/26/09
It worked for George Lucas!
Oh yeah, and in music it worked for Led Zeppelin who pulled the gold fillings out of old bluesmen's mouths without as much as a tip of the hat.
Well, until latter in their careers when they were pressured to grudging parted with a few 'quid' to settle claims and silence critics. #avatar
10/26/09
Wow, I have that issue in the basement, and I have it in a collection or two as well, because I always tried to have every story Poul ever wrote. Poul Anderson's stories were my first love in the field (I went on to Jack Vance afterward). That's why when I was able to buy John Schoenherr's cover for THE LONGEST VOYAGE, I snapped it up years ago, on a visit to John's studio.
Yes, the 1970s were very good to me. #avatar
10/26/09
10/27/09
Best. Plagiarism defence. Ever.
"I don't read much!" #avatar
10/26/09
Proof that even though I may have a star, nobody's reading my comments. Srsly. Go back and look at my postings on any Avatar article here on io9. I've been beating this drum forever.
And I hope Karen and Astrid get a huuuuge chunk of money and Poul gets a mention -- though, of course, they're not as litigious as Harlan (who is?). #avatar
10/26/09
10/26/09
10/26/09
10/26/09
@Allen_Richards: And this... this is going right up Ellison's ass!
10/26/09
10/26/09
10/26/09
10/26/09
10/27/09
11/12/09
11/12/09
But thanks anyway. #avatar
10/26/09
and it doesnot surprise me about this post.when naming a band or writing a story/film one should do their research first to see if it has been used before.
folks do not take the time to do this step nor do they care.
my 1st punk band The Transplants from the 1970's has releases out and still get back together for reunions and are asked to be on present day comps but we still had our name stolen by some lame bigwig label schmucks who should of known better as all you had to do was look in your computer.go ahead and see on google.now these young ones could of just looked it up and easily then the could of used another name.
my astounding collection is 1930's issues.
10/26/09
Terminator= Demon With the Glass Hand as mentioned
Aliens= Starship Troopers
The Abyss= Into the Abyss by HG Wells
Strange Days= Tek War
I mean come on guys, the guy has been basically ripping off the greats ((and not so greats)) of Science Fiction his entire Career, why should his newest film be a suprise?
10/26/09
10/26/09
However, I care far less about this than I care about the question about whether Avatar is a good movie. If it is, then Cameron has my thanks. #avatar