HBs, CTs, Deniers, Alien Apologists...

[nomuse]

Or, as Heinlein put it, "A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects."

Surely that must be one of the silliest things Heinlein ever said.

I'd say declaring that "anyone who doesn't know calculus is subhuman" is worse. But the well is almost certainly deeper than that.

[gillianren]

"Gosh, Gillian, why don't you read Heinlein?" 

Actually, I did once.  I read Starship Troopers and liked the unabashed silliness of the movie better.

[raven]

He did write some good stuff. I liked 'Tunnel in the Sky', for example.

[ka9q]

My favorite Heinlein short story is "The Roads Must Roll". Why? Because his job as a science fiction author was to preview the future, and he missed something really big.

The "roads" are a huge solar-powered network of conveyor belts that have replaced all car, truck and train traffic in the US. Restaurants (among other businesses) are built on the roads so you can eat while you travel.

So far so good.

The main character is the chief engineer of the roads. How important was he? So important that whenever he ate on the road, the waitress always brought a phone over to his table and plugged it in just in case his office wanted to call him.

[Obviousman]

Being military myself, I thought that the book 'Starship Troopers' was great but thought that whilst the movie was basically true to the book, it completely corrupted the message.

[Peter B]

Being military myself, I thought that the book 'Starship Troopers' was great but thought that whilst the movie was basically true to the book, it completely corrupted the message.

I'm pretty sure that was the Director's intent.

I enjoy my military science fiction too, but found his politics poorly worked out. Heinlein may have thought he'd come up with a very good way for a society to work, but personally I think there are serious problems with his premises and conclusions.

[Dalhousie]

Or, as Heinlein put it, "A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects."

Surely that must be one of the silliest things Heinlein ever said.

I'd say declaring that "anyone who doesn't know calculus is subhuman" is worse. But the well is almost certainly deeper than that.

I'd forgotten that one....

[bknight]

"Gosh, Gillian, why don't you read Heinlein?" 

Actually, I did once.  I read Starship Troopers and liked the unabashed silliness of the movie better.

I like this movie also, but only the first one, the sequels were not as silly as the first.  Maybe the new concept wore off on me.

[bknight]

Being military myself, I thought that the book 'Starship Troopers' was great but thought that whilst the movie was basically true to the book, it completely corrupted the message.

I didn't read the book so I'll ask a question, what is/was the message of the book?

[Andromeda]

I liked Between Planets.

[gillianren]

I like this movie also, but only the first one, the sequels were not as silly as the first.  Maybe the new concept wore off on me.

Oh, I didn't bother with the sequels.  For one thing, no Neil Patrick Harris.

[bknight]

Oh, I didn't bother with the sequels.  For one thing, no Neil Patrick Harris.

I really judge movies on the story not the actors.  I really like many of the SciFi B movies from the 50's many with actors(actresses) many of whom really didn't obtain mega star status.

[gillianren]

I thought Neil Patrick Harris was one of the best parts of the first one.  With that part removed, I was sure the quality would be reduced.  I assure you, I have undoubtedly seen more movies starring people no one here has ever heard of than anyone else here.  Are you familiar with my Great Library Project?

http://www.the-solute.com/i-havent-seen-it-because-it-begins-with-t/

[bknight]

I thought Neil Patrick Harris was one of the best parts of the first one.  With that part removed, I was sure the quality would be reduced.  I assure you, I have undoubtedly seen more movies starring people no one here has ever heard of than anyone else here.  Are you familiar with my Great Library Project?

http://www.the-solute.com/i-havent-seen-it-because-it-begins-with-t/

Determined, gritty, on task and tenacious is all I can think of at the moment.  Go girl go.

[Abaddon]

I thought Neil Patrick Harris was one of the best parts of the first one.  With that part removed, I was sure the quality would be reduced.  I assure you, I have undoubtedly seen more movies starring people no one here has ever heard of than anyone else here.  Are you familiar with my Great Library Project?

http://www.the-solute.com/i-havent-seen-it-because-it-begins-with-t/

Myself and my siblings quite enjoyed the humour in it. Would you like to know more?