Stupid Evil

There is the theory out there that anything that is evil is by definition also stupid. It’s not actually a science or anything, but I come across it a lot. Especially amongst fiction writers, who have a tendency to follow it like a religion. Let me explain. The writing usually portrays the bad guys outnumbering the good guys a million to one, but they run in straight lines only and are slow thinkers as they all belong to retarded races, the hero or heroine outwits them at every turn and the evil people never see any of it coming, they all live in dull flea ridden villages and cannot read or speak foreign languages, they leave keys or incriminating evidence out in the open for the hero to find, and so on and so forth. I wonder why that is? I mean it is a good thing to see a clever protagonist but authors should realize that there is a big difference between smart heroes against normal people, and clichéd heroes against an even dumber people.

For those out there who are interested in writing believable bad guys Peter Anspach has a humorous list that can be reached by clicking here. It has some interesting pointers to keep in mind when writing.

Medalon Review

I just finished reading Medalon by Jennifer Fallon. It was definitely good enough to make me go out and buy Treason Keep, the second book in the Hythrun series. Of course, a bibliophile like me is cursed to read to the end anything I pick up. Still, the book does a very good job in the perhaps over-crowded fantasy genre. The characters are unique and have to, some extent, quite believable motivations. R’shiel, the main protagonist is a very strong lead and has very human aspects for a “good guy”. Tarja, the required companion in any fantasy, is perhaps a little too concerned about honor but that is me being fussy. The book gives us a good mix of politics and intrigue without getting bogged down in them like some other series; cough, Wheel of Time, cough. In addition, another criticism I have about most fantasy writers is that they overwhelm the reader with something I refer to as the superman aspect. We get an inordinate amount of fight and battle scenes and magic thrown in so that the reader gets the Hollywood feel. Personally, I like human stories where the author keeps these aspects in check. At the same time, myself being a wannabe writer, I feel that Medalon did a good job at hinting at these things to come in future installments. I just hope we get to see some cool battles and powers soon, rather than none at all until the climactic scene in the final book. One thing the book was probably lacking was moments of humor. The book has a very serious tone from the get go and after midway, we rarely see the characters attempt any sarcastic remarks or the like. Still, the bottom line is that I would definitely recommend this book as a good read to anyone looking to pick up a series. And those looking for synopsis and plot summaries, there are too many out there already. Still if you need one, look up the book on Amazon.

Tiger and I

I once asked a tiger to take me on a journey; to show me something, anything, it thought I should know. It asked me to follow it and it ended up showing me four things. First, I saw a field littered with carcasses and bones. I could not tell if they were human or animal. Second, it showed me a grave in a cemetery. I thought it was mine, but only for a moment. Next, it took me to a field where I saw daisies in bloom. I wondered how they'd smell. Finally, it led me to a small hill top where sitting under a tall shady tree, there was someone waiting for me. I thought, I hoped, she might be Dawn, the bringer of good tidings. The tiger left me there. I haven't seen it since.

Sports and Newtypes

I am a huge tennis fan, not to be confused with rabid, but still a huge fan. The sad news is that Martina Hingis just lost to Kim Clijsters 3-6, 6-2, 4-6 in the Quarterfinals of the Australian Open. I was really rooting for the Swiss. Alas, it was not meant to be. I still hope she will do well in the future and win a Grad Slam in a year or two.

Anyway, I stray from the point to be made. In all spectator sports there are so many people watching, cheering, wishing, and hoping and so on. Is there really the possibility that a million people watching an event could some how telepathically or telekinetically influence the outcome? Just bear with me here. If humans do have the potential to evolve into, for a lack of better word, “Newtypes”, then shouldn’t we start seeing signs first in spectator sports? Maybe we already are. How many times have underdogs gone on to win, despite the odds, against stronger opponents. Could it be because of the tiny psychic energy of millions of humans was simultaneously directed towards influencing the outcome. I guess there is no science to verify this but it would be somewhat cool to believe that there is a remote possibility to this being true. After all, who doesn’t want to be a newtype?

To Another Beginning

Well, here is to the beginning for another project. I never started a blog before because there was never anything I thought that I needed to say; I still don't. But now this project starts, shakely and purposeless in direction. The idea is to construct a place where I can past all the ideas that dwell in the depths of the mind and usually end up dying without ever seeing the light of day.

So here in this place titled "Radium's Space" I will be pasting all sorts of useless tidbits. Who knows how long this lasts and what shapes it ends up taking.