RSS Farewell, Arthur
Filed in BlogToday, at the tender age of 90, Arthur C. Clarke passed away.
I’ve never been a huge science fiction geek. The trouble with science fiction is that the science gets in the way of the fiction, and we’ve already established that I’m not scientifically minded. But still, when I was ten or eleven and expanding my world, Arthur C. Clarke was one of the authors I was reading.
When I was in my first year at secondary school (aged probably twelve or so), I won a school writing contest. The prize was a gift certificate to a book store, and the winners (one from each class) went to said store en masse to choose the book. The only books that I really wanted were science fiction by Clarke or Asimov, but the paperback novels were too cheap relative to the amount of the certificate and we were required to pick one book, not several.
Eventually a teacher “persuaded” me to pick a book of animal stories. It was a nice book, but it wasn’t what I wanted, and it still rankles to remember that he thought that was a more suitable choice (I’m assuming for a girl) than the science fiction novels.
So even though I haven’t read any Arthur C. Clarke for many years, I am always reminded of that incident, and aside from the entertainment value of his writings I am grateful to be reminded not to let others make choices for me. Every time I have, then and since, I have regretted it, and every time I remember that long-ago bookstore.
Whenever my own gut instincts are at odds with what others deem suitable for me, and when I do what others want instead of paying attention to what my intuition is whispering…well, that’s when things just don’t work out for me.
Rest in peace, Mr. Clarke. Thanks for the books, and for the lessons.
If you were quick to read this article, you’ll notice that this is a different version. That’s because I messed up on my facts and my story. Oh well. It doesn’t change the basic fact that an awesome writer left us today.
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One Comment, Comment or Ping
pussreboots (46 comments.)
Arthur C Clarke was partially responsible for my decision to study film in college. From there I ended up in web design.
Mar 19th, 2008
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