HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: andy@research.canon.oz.au (Andy Newman)
Subject: Re: Books wot I have read
Keywords: femto reviews, bias.
Organization: Canon Information Systems Research Australia
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1993 13:32:16 GMT

bill@extro.ucc.su.OZ.AU (William Logan Lee) writes:
>>_The Forever War_, Joe Haldeman
>
>Certainly a classic.
Sure is.
>whilst protecting (human) life, liberty and the American Way.
>_The  Forever War_ depict a dehumanising pointless struggle for
pointless aims, much like the movie _Dark Star_, another anti-Vietnam SF work.
>

Along similar lines is a book I love called "We All Died At Breakaway
Station". Can't recall the author but the humans are fighting some
alien race and the aliens are winning. Soldiers are brought back from
death and sent back to battle. Eventually all the humans die. Its
quite depressing really :-)
-- 
Andy Newman (andy@research.canon.oz.au)
Newsgroups: aus.sf
From: ghm@sserve.cc.adfa.oz.au (Geoff Miller)
Subject: Re: Books wot I have read
Keywords: femto reviews, bias.
Organization: Australian Defence Force Academy, Canberra, Australia
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1993 23:42:35 GMT

jon@ephor.tusc.oz.au (Jon Eaves) writes:

>_Tiger, Tiger_ aka The Stars My Destination, Alfred Bester
>Another classic.  Well, I enjoyed this book heaps.  The future is upon
>us and scientists have tapped the power of the brain to enable people
>to "jaunte".  This is a form of teleportation where people can visualise
>a place that they have seen and "jump".  Most jaunters can only jump
>small distances (100km) however the most talented can jump around the world,
>and interstellar/planetary distances are impossible.  Meet Gulliver Foyle.

Certainly one of the classics, and one that stands re-reading.  Another
Alfred Bester book to look out for is "The Demolished Man", also 
excellent, as is a book of short(ish) stories, "Starburst" (I think
that's the title).

>_Brain Child_, George Turner
>An Australian SF author that should be given a look.  I'll certainly
>give any of his other books a read.  Fairly impressive story, neat
>characters however the Private Investigator "Jonesy" was just a little
>too cliched for my liking.

I've read a few of Turner's books, and "Brain Child" was the one I
liked least.  The main character goes around interviewing a number
of people of different backgrounds, but they all talk just the same.
There's no real attempt at characterisation, which I found 
disappointing.  My verdict  -  has done better.

>_Alternate Kennedys_, Mike Resnick ed.

For some reason Resnick appears to be available only in US editions,
but he's a great storyteller.

Geoff Miller  (g-miller@adfa.edu.au)
Computer Centre, Australian Defence Force Academy

Newsgroups: aus.sf
From: ggr@koonda.acci.com.au (Greg Rose)
Subject: Re: Isn't anyone READING anymore?
Organization: Australian Computing and Communications Institute
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 1993 05:51:41 GMT

In article <1hlq5hINNihq@DIALix.oz.au> bongo@DIALix.oz.au (John Bongiovanni) writes:
>One of my beefs about reading in Australia is how expensive the exercise
>is here. If you want to guarantee yourself access to a book, you have to
>be prepared to fork out bonzo bucks. Otherwise, you have to hope it will
>turn up in your local book exchange or library.

I just bought a great early science fiction classic in the foyer of
the hospital across the road from my office. It only cost $1.95, how
can you complain about that?

>I certainly don't buy NEARLY as many books here as when I lived in the U.S.
>OK, now it's time for "why don't you go back home, Yank" ;->

Funnily enough, the book was "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's
Court", by Mark Twain...

In general, though, I do agree with your comment.
--
Greg Rose                 Australian Computing and Communications Institute
ggr@acci.com.au                                              +61 18 174 842
`Use of the standard phrase "HIJACKED" may be inadvisable' -- CAA
From: stong@ariel.ucs.unimelb.EDU.AU (Simon Tong)
Newsgroups: aus.sf
Subject: Re: Greg Egan (was: Political Science Fiction)
Date: 13 Jan 1993 10:49:01 +1100
Organization: University of Melbourne
NNTP-Posting-Host: ariel.ucs.unimelb.edu.au

In article <1993Jan12.002438.13124@fulcrum.oz.au> steve@fulcrum.oz.au (Steve Taylor) writes:
>agapow@latcs1.lat.oz.au (p-m agapow) writes:
>
>>PS. a quick recommendation - "Quarantine" by Greg Egan - it's got an
>>absolute minderf*cker of a plot.
>
> [stuff deleted]
>

I really like the Cyberpunk/Private Eye part of the book, but the
quantum mechanic mod (or whatever it's called) is SO strange.
The idea of a New Hong Kong is absolutely out of this world.

Anyone know anything about Egan ?  Is he Australian ?
What else has he written ?





Newsgroups: aus.sf
From: dyfl@kbs.citri.edu.au (Daniel Lam)
Subject: Political Science Fiction
Organization: Collaborative Information Technology Research Institute
Date:  8 Jan 93 06:08:05 GMT

I once heard a talk where the speaker said that science fiction can
be roughly classified politically as either libertarian (e.g. Robert
Heinlein, Vernor Vinge) or socialist (e.g. H.G. Wells).

I am not much of a SF fan myself, but I have read something by Vinge
(can't remember the title, it was the one with the bobbles and the
Peace Authority and the Tinkers), and the politics stands out
clearly.

What do the SF fans have to say about this?  Can you offer a more
elaborate classification?  What do you think the impact of science
fiction has been on political debate?

--
	Daniel Lam			Phone 	+61 3 2822426
	Melbourne, Australia		Fax   	+61 3 2822490

In my opinion, the opinions expressed here are my personal opinions.
From: Cheryle.Matela@f154.n633.z3.fidonet.org (Cheryle Matela)
Newsgroups: aus.sf
Subject: HHGTTG
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 14:05:08

Hiya...

Well I finally got to read Hitch hiker's Guide to the Galaxy.  Which I hear is
the first of the 4.  Wow!  What a great book.  What a laugh.  Douglas Adams has
got an incredibly funny sense of humour. I haven't got hold of the other books
yet, and can't wait.

cya
Chez

        

 * Origin: Cubscout BBS +61 3 894 3002 (3:633/154)
Newsgroups: aus.sf
From: ghm@sserve.cc.adfa.oz.au (Geoff Miller)
Subject: Re: Political Science Fiction
Organization: Australian Defence Force Academy, Canberra, Australia
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 02:31:40 GMT

steve@fulcrum.oz.au (Steve Taylor) writes:

>bongo@DIALix.oz.au (John Bongiovanni) writes:

>>Certainly the politics found in science fiction isn't going to be
>>conservative or reactionary. Almost by definition, science fiction
>>has to have a positive, forward-looking outlook. When it doesn't,
>>it's usually a "dystopia" or "cautionary tale", like "Brave New World".

>If only. What about rednecks like Jerry Pournelle?

Oh, he's forward looking enough.  Calling him a "redneck" simply
means you don't like what he sees.

Geoff Miller  (g-miller@adfa.edu.au)
computer Centre, Australian Defence Force Academy
Newsgroups: aus.sf
From: farrell@coral.cs.jcu.edu.au (John Farrell)
Subject: Re: Books wot I have read
Keywords: femto reviews, bias.
Organization: James Cook University
Date:  6 Jan 93 23:45:45 GMT

In <1iam4qINNqq@ephor.tusc.oz.au> jon@ephor.tusc.oz.au (Jon Eaves) writes:

>Finding a skull on a beach on the Sid and Nancy Scale.
>A deck of cards covered with dust on the Sid and Nancy Scale.
>A cold Frosty Fruit on the Sid and Nancy Scale.
>Calling home on a Sunday on the Sid and Nancy Scale.
>Jelly wrestling with Elle McPherson on the Sid and Nancy Scale.
>3 prawns on a barbeque on the Sid and Nancy Scale.
>A man, a rifle and a book depository on the Sid and Nancy Scale.
>Chocolate melting on the cloth car seats on the Sid and Nancy Scale.
>A can of coke on the Sid and Nancy Scale.
>Drinking a Guinness in an English Pub on the Sid and Nancy Scale.

  Oh, it's so good to see someone remembers the old ways! What books have I
read recently? Well, "Anvil of Ice" by Michael Scott Rohan was OK, a tad
cliched but not awful. A slightly warm XXXX on the Sid and Nancy scale. There
are two sequels, which might stand up OK. I also read the Eyrbyggja Saga,
which is a Penguin Classics publication of an Icelandic saga of the 13th
century. The story is not spectacular for its flowing prose (I don't think
they had invented flowing prose in the 13th century) but reading it you feel
like you are peering backwards down a time tunnel to the time when Iceland was
first settled by the vikings. The saga sounds factual, but as you read the
interesting bit you will realise that Jules Verne did *not* invent science
fiction. Imax theatre on the Sid and Nancy scale.

Friendless
From: cej@dstos3.dsto.gov.au
Newsgroups: aus.sf
Subject: All the Werys of Pern (Mini-Review,minor sp)
Date: 8 Jan 93 12:53:09 CST
Organization: Defence Science and Technology Organisation

All The Werys of Pern    by Anne McCaffery
---------------------
Warning: possible spoilers.

Rating: Read it if you have read the other Pern books & enjoyed them.













So you have read all about Lessa, Flar, Jaxom, Robinton, Mellony, etc.
Rebellions, passes, timing, firelizards, settler ruins have all excited your
imagination. You will want to read this one, which basically wraps up the
series!

The main action in the book involves the discovery of AVIAS (an AI computer
facility) at Landing. What will they think of AVIAS? What will AVIAS think
of them? What are the consequences to Pernese society? What do all the main
characters do? All these, and more questions will be answered in full...

The "major" character in the book is Jaxom (with Ruth). There is somewhat
less characterization in the book than other Pern books, but lots of things
happen. Probably the best parts of the book are the abduction, antics on the
Red Star(!!!), a traitor unmasked, and the last scene with Robinton.

There are some minor unlikely things that happen, like the rate of technology
advance, long timing between with minimal effects, and the combined "lift"
capacity of dragons, but these are minor points that don't spoil the book.

Get it and enjoy!

--
Chris Jones                                  E-mail: cej@dstos3.dsto.gov.au
CSS/CD/ERL                                    Phone: +61 8 259 6758
DSTO Salisbury, South Australia                 Fax: +61 8 259 6328

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are purely personal and do NOT represent
            the official view of DSTO.

"I'm going to put the shame file in the sludge file!  Or is that the sludge
 file in the shame file? Shame, sludge, sludge, shame, ...
 That's life, get nicked.."   Derrin Hunch, Fast Forward
Newsgroups: aus.sf
From: steve@fulcrum.oz.au (Steve Taylor)
Subject: Greg Egan (was: Political Science Fiction)
Organization: The Fulcrum Consulting Group
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 00:24:38 GMT

agapow@latcs1.lat.oz.au (p-m agapow) writes:

>PS. a quick recommendation - "Quarantine" by Greg Egan - it's got an
>absolute minderf*cker of a plot.

You betcha. I praised this on the net a while ago, saying it was a pleasant
Cyberpunk/Private Eye novel. However, I was only halfway through the book,
and hadn't yet got to the quantum mechanical mindfuck which takes up the
second half of the book. Greg Egan is one weird boy.

						
						Steve Taylor
						steve@fulcrum.oz.au
From: raeram@kittyhawk (Richard A. Muirden)
Newsgroups: aus.sf
Subject: Finally! ST:TNG back this thursday (7/1)
Date: 4 Jan 93 05:45:22 GMT
Organization: RMIT Computer Centre
NNTP-Posting-Host: kittyhawk.aero.rmit.oz.au

Finally, TNG is back after it's two week 'vacation' with "The Enemy" which
sounds rather interesting from what I've read (*cheers for vidiot*)

-richard, awaiting "Yesterday's Enterprise"

-- 
Richard Muirden, System Administator, RMIT.Aero. Engineering.. Office: 10.12.26
raeram@kittyhawk.aero.rmit.OZ.AU --- IRC: GA --- 'phone: +61 3 660-3142    LL&P
---------Hopeless Romantic, Fanatic of Shostakovich and "Star Trek" -----------
From: zebee@wattle.itd.adelaide.edu.au (Zebee Johnstone)
Newsgroups: aus.sf
Subject: Re: Political Science Fiction
Date: 12 Jan 93 04:45:52 GMT
Organization: The University of Adelaide
NNTP-Posting-Host: wattle.itd.adelaide.edu.au

mwp@iconix.oz.au (Michael Paddon) writes:

>In <dyfl.726473285@phobos> dyfl@kbs.citri.edu.au (Daniel Lam) writes:
>>I once heard a talk where the speaker said that science fiction can
>>be roughly classified politically as either libertarian (e.g. Robert
>>Heinlein, Vernor Vinge) or socialist (e.g. H.G. Wells).

>How about right wing (eg. Jerry Pournelle)? There's a growing
>body of SF that espouses a political spectrum ranging from imperialist
>to facist. This is usually dressed up as military SF.
 
I tend to see that as "wish-fulfillment escapism" for men, in the same
way that Marilyn Zimmer Bradley and Anne McCaffrey are wish-fulfillment
escapism for women.
  
Not to say that people of both sexes don;t enjoy them, but they seem to
be "men's stuff" and "women's stuff".

I can't stand Pournelle, as he seems to think that the world would be
perfect if only it was run by the US Marines.
i
One good adventure/semi-military author is Lois McMAster Bujold, whose 5
books dealing with the Barryar society (Shards of Homour, Barrayar,
Warrior's Apprentice, Brothers in Arms and somthing Infinity)  are well
written, intelligent and funny.

She is one of the few authors I consistently re-read.

-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
     Zebee Johnstone  DoD #605   | You don't own an Italian motorcycle 
     Adelaide City Council       |  - you merely have the privilege 
    zebee@itd.adelaide.edu.au    |    of paying its bills.... 
Newsgroups: aus.sf
From: mouse@appleoz.apple.oz.au (Giovanna Ostacchini)
Subject: Re: Books wot I have read
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 93 02:47:02 GMT
Organization: Apple Computer Australia Pty Ltd
Keywords: femto reviews, bias.

In article <1993Jan5.122204.5735@ucc.su.OZ.AU> bill@extro.ucc.su.OZ.AU (William Logan Lee) writes:
>In article <1iam4qINNqq@ephor.tusc.oz.au> jon@ephor.tusc.oz.au (Jon Eaves) writes:
>>_The Forever War_, Joe Haldeman
>>One of the classics, so I am told.  I enjoyed the story.  Story revolves
>>around two main characters, William Mandella, a space-grunt and his
>>lover, Marygay Potter and how the side effects of relativistic travel are
>>dealt (or not dealt with).  What happens when you leave for a "real-time"
>>journey of 20 years that is only 3 weeks to you ?
>>
>>Calling home on a Sunday on the Sid and Nancy Scale.
>
>Certainly a classic.  It's been a long time I have read it, but I have read
>it about three times.  Certainly should be viewed relative to the political
>situation and other fiction available at the time.  From memory, it would
>seem as _The Forever War_ was the anti-war antidote to Heinlein's _Starship
>Troopers_.  _Starship Troopers_ has its gung-ho marines exterminate aliens
>whilst protecting (human) life, liberty and the American Way.  _The  Forever
>War_ depict a dehumanising pointless struggle for pointless aims, much like
>the movie _Dark Star_, another anti-Vietnam SF work.

I agree; "Dark Star" was an exercise in the futility of genocide in the name
of whatever cause.


>
>I didn't bother to stay up to watch _1984_ on TV last night, as it didn't
>have that much appeal for me (I've seen it before, and read the book).

"1984" was a great novel for its time.  Having said that though, it still has a
certain appeal ....

>Mind you, if it had been _Brazil_, wild horses would not have dragged me
>away.  It (_1984_) loses some of its impact without the background of the
>ending of the Second World War and the subsequent post war recession.
>Much of the double-speak has come true in our lifetimes (Iraq is our
>enemy and always has been our enemy, the Soviet Union is our friend).
>Perhaps there has been this double-speak, but I see other aspects of
>_1984_ coming true, like the increasing imposition of Government in our
>private lives, "To save us from ourselves".  Does Keating believe that
>parents don't have the ability to select the type of TV programs that
>their children watch? Is 9:30pm sufficiently late to start movies?
>
Unfortunately, politicians believe that they are the only ones who know what is best for everyone else, then forces people (by law) to "do as they say".  I'm
not against politicians as such, it's just the fact of someone *forcing* their
ideals down the collective throat that makes me squirm.
use

-----------------------------------------------------




>Off my soapbox now,


Why?  We've only just started ....

>Bill Lee


Mouse

-----------------------------------------------------
The opinions cited above are mine and nobody else's!
mouse@appleoz.apple.oz.au
-----------------------------------------------------
From: stong@ariel.ucs.unimelb.EDU.AU (Simon Tong)
Newsgroups: aus.sf
Subject: Re: Isn't anyone READING anymore?
Date: 7 Jan 1993 16:50:00 +1100
Organization: University of Melbourne
NNTP-Posting-Host: ariel.ucs.unimelb.edu.au

In article <9300416.15211@mulga.cs.mu.OZ.AU> ggr@koonda.acci.com.au (Greg Rose) writes:
>In article <1hlq5hINNihq@DIALix.oz.au> bongo@DIALix.oz.au (John Bongiovanni) writes:
>>One of my beefs about reading in Australia is how expensive the exercise
>>is here. If you want to guarantee yourself access to a book, you have to
>>be prepared to fork out bonzo bucks. 
>
> [stuff deleted]
>
>In general, though, I do agree with your comment.


Does anyone know why are books so expensive in Australia ?


Ages ago, the current affair program, _Sunday_, did a cover story
on the publishing industry and I think it explained why, but I've
forgotten the reason(s).
Newsgroups: aus.sf
Subject: Re: Books wot I have read
From: agapow@latcs1.lat.oz.au (p-m agapow)
Date: 5 Jan 93 23:21:08 GMT
Organization: Calvin Coolidge Home for Dead Biologists
Keywords: femto reviews, bias.

bill@extro.ucc.su.OZ.AU (William Logan Lee) writes:

>I didn't bother to stay up to watch _1984_ on TV last night, as it didn't
>have that much appeal for me (I've seen it before, and read the book).
>Mind you, if it had been _Brazil_, wild horses would not have dragged me
>away.  It (_1984_) loses some of its impact without the background of the
>ending of the Second World War and the subsequent post war recession.
>Much of the double-speak has come true in our lifetimes (Iraq is our
>enemy and always has been our enemy, the Soviet Union is our friend).

Truly. The doublespeak during times of US invasion is remarkably like that
of 1984. (And this is not an anti-US sentiment but and anti-US
military/industrial complex sentiment.)

But where the film of 1984 fails is in it's realisation of Orwells world
(IMHO). 1984 is at least partly allegorical, and so the physical
manifestation of symbols and metaphors is inevitably disappointing. In our
current age the time of writing of 1984 means that visually its world is
far too grey and  terrible for it to be accepted as real. (Although in a
world where Pol Pot can reign and a good porportion of the East German
population work for the secret police, is 1984 that far-fetched?).

Thankfully, the makers of 1984 decided not to use the Eurythmics
soundtrack. A blow to their fans certainly, but a more inappropriate
musical treatment would be difficult to imagine.

p-m

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
paul-michael agapow (agapow@latcs1.oz.au) Machine Intelligence Lab, LaTrobe Uni

        "Teenage sex, nuclear winter, Junior Miss fashion 
               & the mechanics of emotional capitalism ..."
From: clive@asis.unimelb.edu.au (Clive Newall)
Newsgroups: aus.sf
Subject: Re: Isn't anyone READING anymore?
Date: 7 Jan 1993 06:20:59 GMT
Organization: University of Melbourne
NNTP-Posting-Host: mulgulgum.asis.unimelb.edu.au

stong@ariel.ucs.unimelb.EDU.AU (Simon Tong) writes:

>In article <9300416.15211@mulga.cs.mu.OZ.AU> ggr@koonda.acci.com.au (Greg Rose) writes:
>>In article <1hlq5hINNihq@DIALix.oz.au> bongo@DIALix.oz.au (John Bongiovanni) writes:
>>>One of my beefs about reading in Australia is how expensive the exercise
>>>is here. If you want to guarantee yourself access to a book, you have to
>>>be prepared to fork out bonzo bucks. 
>>
>> [stuff deleted]
>>
>>In general, though, I do agree with your comment.


>Does anyone know why are books so expensive in Australia ?


>Ages ago, the current affair program, _Sunday_, did a cover story
>on the publishing industry and I think it explained why, but I've
>forgotten the reason(s).


Short answer: We are a long way from where they are published. Like any
other product, shipping it halfway around the world and supporting the
warehouse/distribution network at this end adds to the cost.

For it to be otherwise, you are asking either the local end to take a
smaller margin than their counterparts in the originating country or
for the publisher to subsidise the local cost.

Outside the mainstream it is possible to buy books in OZ at 'reasonable'
prices - usually via mail-order, and you will most likely get US versions.
These smaller operations avoid the local distribution setup, which is where
much of the higher price is added. Of course, currency fluctuations can
throw all your ideas of 'reasonable price' out the window.

cf. PSA inquiries into: records/CDs, books, computer software

Although some of the details differed, the basic arguments were similar
in all three cases. (At least as far as they were reported in the press.)

TANSTAAFL.


--
Clive Newall			E-mail: clive@asis.unimelb.EDU.AU
Information Technology Services (ASIS), University of Melbourne.
Disclaimer: This is ME talking. Not ITS. Not the University.
Newsgroups: aus.sf
Subject: Re: Political Science Fiction
From: agapow@latcs1.lat.oz.au (p-m agapow)
Date: 11 Jan 93 03:35:08 GMT
Organization: Calvin Coolidge Home for Dead Biologists

steve@fulcrum.oz.au (Steve Taylor) writes:
>bongo@DIALix.oz.au (John Bongiovanni) writes:

>>Certainly the politics found in science fiction isn't going to be
>>conservative or reactionary. Almost by definition, science fiction
>>has to have a positive, forward-looking outlook. When it doesn't,
>>it's usually a "dystopia" or "cautionary tale", like "Brave New World".

>If only. What about rednecks like Jerry Pournelle?

Alas, Mr Pournelle seems to think that his endless variations of "redneck
gun-toting WASPs kick alien / commie butt" _are_ positive and forward
looking.

I'd hold that a lot of the politics (but not all of it) is going to be
highly conventional and conservative as it reflects the beliefs of its
authors and readers. For example, witness the flurry of
ecological-sensitive and politically correct novels in the past few years.
Perhaps more than conservative, sf tends to reflect "trendy" opinions. A
nice example is the appearance of free sex in sf circa late 60's, as
compared to the coy depictions of only a few years previous. Another
example is the way that cyberpunk reflects the nihilistic capitalism and
opportunism of the 80s, in contrast to the humanists of the 70s who
clearly reflect their flower-power heritage.

Hmmm.

p-m

PS. a quick recommendation - "Quarantine" by Greg Egan - it's got an
absolute minderf*cker of a plot.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
paul-michael agapow (agapow@latcs1.oz.au) Machine Intelligence Lab, LaTrobe Uni

        "Teenage sex, nuclear winter, Junior Miss fashion 
               & the mechanics of emotional capitalism ..."
From: rcgaym@minyos.xx.rmit.OZ.AU (Angus Y. Montgomery)
Newsgroups: aus.sf
Subject: Re: Greg Egan (was: Political Science Fiction)
Date: 13 Jan 93 04:26:35 GMT
Organization: RMIT Computer Centre
NNTP-Posting-Host: minyos.xx.rmit.oz.au



>steve@fulcrum.oz.au (Steve Taylor) writes:
>agapow@latcs1.lat.oz.au (p-m agapow) writes:
 [in favour of Greg Egan's "Quarantine"]

brad@hawk.adied.oz.au (Bradley Edelman) writes:
>Is this Greg Egan Australian, by any chance?


yes.

check out his short stories in:
Aurealis, IASFM, Gardner Dozois' Year's Best, &c.

.angus.