[Faust Iamnot]

Originally Posted by bafflemeant

I do enjoy Ambrose Bierce's fiction writing. This shit is whack tho.

Really? Ah well...

I don't see what's so bad about it.

[Faust Iamnot]

Damn, now I'm going to think about everyone's objections whenever I read this guy's work... pussies...

Just kidding . Best to let this topic die (I swear I wasn't expecting that sort of reaction...). Here's a link to a different free online resource, then: Phun - 2D physics sandbox. 2d physics sandbox, check it out, it delivers or your money back

[Soma]

I like the way these stories are worded but they go nowhere. There's a ton of buildup as if there's going to be some profound lesson and then it's just...nothing. And not even a good "nothing", as some "nothing" endings are profound in and of themselves because they force you to reflect on things you wouldn't normally consider. However these stories just end up coming off as pretentious and empty. Hopefully the author will change this because as I said I really do like the wording.

[muerteverde]

Originally Posted by Faust Iamnot

Of course I didn't write it...

How is it terrible? Are you objecting on a moral basis or something? Did you skim the selections or read them? I'm actually curious - what don't you like about it?

(I think this be from the 19th century, by the way, for everyone's knowledge)

I am objecting on a literary basis. There is a flourish of flowery language, but there isn't any deeper meaning behind these little fables. I read the ones you pasted in here and was dissappointed. Usually I love this type of writing, but here it has fallen flat.

The moral comes off as contrived, not witty, and fairly nonsensical in some of them (or not fitting the fable). With a good fable, the moral should flow naturally from the plot so you really don't even have to have the part at the end where you tell it explicitly. If not, the connection between the moral and the fable is broken and it turns out to be just a couple sentences about talking animals.

[Faust Iamnot]

Originally Posted by muerteverde

I am objecting on a literary basis. There is a flourish of flowery language, but there isn't any deeper meaning behind these little fables. I read the ones you pasted in here and was dissappointed. Usually I love this type of writing, but here it has fallen flat.

The moral comes off as contrived, not witty, and fairly nonsensical in some of them (or not fitting the fable). With a good fable, the moral should flow naturally from the plot so you really don't even have to have the part at the end where you tell it explicitly. If not, the connection between the moral and the fable is broken and it turns out to be just a couple sentences about talking animals.

I see... I think you (and the poster above you) maybe might be reading or thinking about these in the wrong way. The fables are not typical in their flow, and that's primarily why I posted them. To me, I could see the messages rather easily... but like I said I'm also used to reading Nietzsche and other mean guys like that.

I can see where you're coming from (and the author anticipated such things if you read the preface), but perhaps if you adjust your expectations slightly you will have a lightbulb moment. So, I can see where you're coming from, but I can't agree ... especially about the fables being "contrived" and "not witty" (I think quite the opposite about them; that they are quite organic and very witty).

I should have warned that these aren't your typical fables. Here's an analogy to clear things up: as the Daily Show is to CNN, these fables are to other fables. (Actually that analogy doesn't do these fables justice, and I don't actually watch the Daily Show much...)

[Faust Iamnot]

Oh yeah, one more thing:

With a good fable, the moral should flow naturally from the plot so you really don't even have to have the part at the end where you tell it explicitly.

If this is what you were expecting you won't find it here. It's strange: the fables are in a form that is almost like a satire of typical fables, but they actually reveal more truths than the latter (in my opinion anyway. And I'm not knocking other fable-writers... they're fine in my book).

[fightingrabbit]

well i was pretty high while i was reading them .

[Soma]

Originally Posted by Faust Iamnot

I see... I think you (and the poster above you) maybe might be reading or thinking about these in the wrong way. The fables are not typical in their flow, and that's primarily why I posted them. To me, I could see the messages rather easily... but like I said I'm also used to reading Nietzsche and other mean guys like that.

I can see where you're coming from (and the author anticipated such things if you read the preface), but perhaps if you adjust your expectations slightly you will have a lightbulb moment. So, I can see where you're coming from, but I can't agree ... especially about the fables being "contrived" and "not witty" (I think quite the opposite about them; that they are quite organic and very witty).

I should have warned that these aren't your typical fables. Here's an analogy to clear things up: as the Daily Show is to CNN, these fables are to other fables. (Actually that analogy doesn't do these fables justice, and I don't actually watch the Daily Show much...)

The problem does not lie in the mean spirit of the tales, I actually like that, it's a little more dark and edgy. Just my cup of tea. The problem lies in how much these tales suck in the end.

[Soma]

Originally Posted by Faust Iamnot

Oh yeah, one more thing:




If this is what you were expecting you won't find it here. It's strange: the fables are in a form that is almost like a satire of typical fables, but they actually reveal more truths than the latter (in my opinion anyway. And I'm not knocking other fable-writers... they're fine in my book).

I feel that you like these stories, not because they are actually good, but because they fit the image of who you perceive yourself to be; someone who understands things other do not, someone who sees beauty where others do not.

I don't think you understand these stories anymore than the rest of us, but feeling that you do reinforces the image you have of yourself. And that feels good.