Next up: a cheerful tale about an alternate history where the Axis Powers triumph in World War II, and fascism reigns supreme.
I'm leaving the location open for the moment, because I'm hoping to host this one a bit further from the Capitol-- due to it being a Concert on the Square night, coffee shops in the vicinity will probably be a little busier than usual. Please leave your suggestions in the comments.
I'm also preemptively lowering the cap to 15, since I suspect that will be the best number for a discussion where everyone can contribute. In the interest of fairness I'm also nixing the guest option, but feel free to encourage any interested parties to join the group and RSVP on their own behalf. Depending how things go at the Neuromancer meetup, I may raise it to 20 again and reinstate guest options.
UPDATE: Since there were quite a few last minute dropouts for Neuromancer, I'm raising the cap back up to 20.
SECOND UPDATE: We'll be at the Great Dane off the square, on the lower level. I'll put a sign out for all you newcomers.
August 7
As requested, I've just rated the meetup. That aside, while I favor the view of alternate realities that the group went with, there's also another reading.
Namely that the reality in the book is a dream (or nightmare, or hallucination if you like) and that the elements that point toward a more authentic reality (EdFrank Jewelry, the oracle) are similar to dream or vision quest symbols that point back to reality. Point being that, read like this, the book isn't science fiction at all.
1 · August 7
Sorry this is late notice, but I can't make it today--or rather, I shouldn't. I have pneumonia, don't want to get anyone else sick :/
Have fun, everybody!
August 6
I had a change of plans and I won't be coming to this meetup :( The book was crazy, though! Hope whoever gets to go now will enjoy themselves! (Just to add my two cents about the book...racism, "place", and I love how English was changed to sound more structured like Japanese...awesome!)
August 3
Guys-
What do you think about Memorial Terrace for a location? Weather is predicted to be partly cloudy in the mid-seventies, so it could be nice to hang outside. The only issues are that I'm not sure if the outdoor lighting would be adequate, or if there would be somewhere we could go inside if not. Thoughts?
July 29
the terrace is always great - and there are plenty of indoor spaces, if the weather turns nasty or the light is not sufficient (assuming there is no band playing - but even if so, I think Pete's coffee spot in union would work, and I believe there is still a seating area upstairs (though I cannot say for sure ...).
July 30
Not sure about an early Wed evening ... I have been there in the past when it would have worked. I'm sure they would be able to give an idea. Glass Nickle should work I'd think.
July 9
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2c about the comparison to Neuromancer/Gibson. I find Gibson more flowery or poetic. Beautiful phrasing and imagery from Gibson - Neuromancer is chalk full of it. Things seem more alive and evolving in complex interconnections in Gibson novels where everything is sort of decaying and partially fraud in PKD novels. I also think that Gibson probably has more subject matter knowledge of Japanese culture - seems to be a bit of a cultural historian. PKD on the other hand seems more humorous and jesting but also more into philosophical metaphysical examination. I think work from each author can be pretty complex in their own ways - PKD centering around ideas of what is real and what makes reality, nature of free will and bringing in lots of ideas and elements from religious and ancient texts where Gibson is bringing in more bleeding edge technology and cultural influences - obscure modern subcultures, questions of what creates appeal, what shapes people without their knowing it...