<![CDATA[The Ninteenth Century Madman Who Invented Martians - io9 Comments]]> <![CDATA[The Ninteenth Century Madman Who Invented Martians - io9 Comments]]> <![CDATA[The Ninteenth Century Madman Who Invented Martians]]> @Castle1914: Okay everybody, say it with me:
"It's just crazy enough to work!"

Grey_Area

]]> <![CDATA[The Ninteenth Century Madman Who Invented Martians]]> @Discrete-Daniel: I second the motion. All in favor of the insanely high tax rate for the insanely rich and subsequent tax break for the completely insane, say AYE!

Castle1914

]]> <![CDATA[The Ninteenth Century Madman Who Invented Martians]]> (sp) affair

Zantor

]]> <![CDATA[The Ninteenth Century Madman Who Invented Martians]]> I think calling Lowell "a madman" may be a little harsh.

He was guilty of making assumptions based upon a love afair with the red planet, incomplete science and limited "seeing" with the technology he had available.

Although fanciful and incorrect, his published "visions" of Mars captivated the world and motivated a generation of astronomers.

A little respect, please.

Zantor

]]> <![CDATA[The Ninteenth Century Madman Who Invented Martians]]> @Discrete-Daniel: Yes! We should form a mad scientists club and go looking for donors.

I'll carry the sign, "Will explore mars for insane amounts of money (or food)"

Gyrus

]]> <![CDATA[The Ninteenth Century Madman Who Invented Martians]]> We do need more rich eccentrics to fund crazy endeavors. It's very disappointing to see the very wealthy hoard it all or use their riches to make "sound investments" that never produce anything worthwhile.

We need some heir or heiress to bet everything on fusion. Or a space elevator. Or anti-gravity.

If I were President, I'd propose the capital gains tax be raised to 95% with a complete exemption for Mad Science-based investments.

Discrete-Daniel

]]> <![CDATA[The Ninteenth Century Madman Who Invented Martians]]> Didn't Lowell also claim the canals were built as a desperate attempt to irrigate Mars in light of the "desertification" going on there?

And didn't he also warn that Earth might eventually face the same problem?

Discrete-Daniel

]]> <![CDATA[The Ninteenth Century Madman Who Invented Martians]]> I love posts like this!

@92BuickLeSabre: I agree, but note that we do have interestingly eccentric rich crackpots too. Like Ray Kurzweil. Although he's less lovable than Lowell.

noncornbatant

]]> <![CDATA[The Ninteenth Century Madman Who Invented Martians]]> I miss the days when the insanely rich and richly insane heirs of the finest families used their wealth and leisure to pursue grand eccentricities....

...as opposed to using it to convince Britney Spears to ride around town getting in and out of cars without any underwear.

92BuickLeSabre

]]> <![CDATA[The Ninteenth Century Madman Who Invented Martians]]> Always nice too here about ol' P.L.. Did'ja know the symbol for Pluto was chosen in part to honor him? Check it out: [upload.wikimedia.org]
I never thought about his theories about Mars as being reactions to the engineering and political events of his day. It makes a lot of sense. I always thought his canals came from eyestrain and connect-the-dotivisim.

@Tannhauser23: We're a little off topic here but try these Japanese authors: Kobe Abe, his most famous novel is "Inter Ice Age 4". Haruki Murikami is very popular these days. He's considered more magical-realism but uses many science-fiction elements.
Cheers!

Grey_Area

]]> <![CDATA[The Ninteenth Century Madman Who Invented Martians]]> Hi Annalee, loved this article about Lowell.

I just found out that Tristram Cary died last week. RIP.

SEXYLIKEMISO

]]> <![CDATA[The Ninteenth Century Madman Who Invented Martians]]> Hey Annalee, love the site. How about a post on non-Western sci-fi? I've always wondered if there's something out there besides anime (Robotech, Ghost in the Shell, etc.).

Tannhauser23

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