sorry marcus

this list doesn't function much.

I actually discovered recently that diamond age is my least favorite neal
book of the 3 cyber books.

It is just too  slow for me, i love the pacing of cryptonomicon and the
breakneck speed of snow crash, but while i liked diamond age, i tried to
read it a second time and i couldn't.

I've read snowcrash 3 times and crypto twice, but i can't get through
dimaond age for the second time.

"It's the millennium, motives are incidental"
"You're so gay, blind and deaf people know"
"When you met me, did you know I was gay? - my dog knew"
--


> From: marcus@...
> Reply-To: snowcrash@egroups.com
> Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2000 01:22:20 -0000
> To: snowcrash@egroups.com
> Subject: [snowcrash] Hi
>
> Hi,
>
>
>
> I really can't say which of his books is my favorite because I change
> my mind depending on the mood I'm in at the time.    Did anyone like
> Diamond Age as much as I did?  It does not seem to be mentioned as
> much as some of the others.
>
>
>

Hi,


I was happy to find this group since there is surprisingly little
about Stephenson on the Web.

I really can't say which of his books is my favorite because I change
my mind depending on the mood I'm in at the time.    Did anyone like
Diamond Age as much as I did?  It does not seem to be mentioned as
much as some of the others.

Ok

I reread Cryptonimicon, no problem, "zipped" through it if you can ever
zip through a book that's almost 1000 pages long.

Now I'm rereading the diamond age, and it's just taking forever.  It
seems slower, plodding and has much extraneous stuff.

Am I the only one who thinks that the dimaond age is the hardest to read
of the cyber three (snow, diamond, crypto?)

Anyone have any ideas when his next book is coming out?

I've seen an interview that says he is going to delve into the crypto
field again, but it doesn't sound like a sequel to cryptonimicon, which
bothers me b/c he will continue his habit of open ended endings.

Sorry to bother you

But this is one of the sweetest funniest things i've seen on the web

check it out

http://www.send4fun.com/resign.htm

A real quick note (to pull myself out of lurking mode)  on what I
heard on NPR yesterday morning...

For those of you who have read his most recent fiction work:

A sultan, with the help of a company, has created a data-haven using
the Sultan's oil reservers (rather than gold, which is the plot mover
in the book) for the bank's infastructure. NPR quickly noted how it
was a wireless connection on a sovereign island somewhere off the
coast of the philipines.

Data Havens, as Neal touched on, create a safe zone for any and all
types of data, encrypted or not. (you can get they are using an
openBSD clone to serve...) This scenario makes anonymous and secure
connections avaliable to anyone who can afford an account at the
haven. I applaud the Sultan and the company that stepped forward to
bring how we, as a global people, communicate. This data haven is
going to heat everything up. watch. The days of Open Source and
Digital freedom are just warming up on the horizon. What a wonderful
incubus....


chris


ps: if you have not read his "In the begining, there was the command
line..." do so, it is a wonderul essay on OS's and everything around
them. Does anyone know how to find this man's email address? ;p

You want to know my assassination theory?

The dentist is a crafty bastard with ties to a very cut throat mob, the
bobolos.

The dentist wants to control epiphyte.

The lawsuit now can't work b/c the value of epiphyte is HUGE thanks the the
gold lake (as i'll be calling it now)

Therefore, the next step is to "remove" a key resource.

Permanent removal seems like a solution.  In the ensuing confusion, maybe
the dentist can swoop in and take over.

Just a thought,

>Message: 4
>   Date: Thu, 25 May 2000 09:00:12 -0700
>   From: "T1 Email" <jemagee1@...>
>Subject: Left out of Cryptonimocon
>
>I hate to say this, i really do, b/c it's cheesy.
>
>While part of cryptonomicon is the data haven, the code breaking, the gold,
>the intrigue, which is all very cool.
>
>I also think part of Cryptonomicon is Randy "growing up" or changing or
>whatever.  The brothers visit and the car antics were necessary in the
>development of Randy.
>
>I'm not sure that we needed so much detail and lawrence's musical career ;-)
>
>Also what about that scene where lawrence is walking along the beach in
>jersey and finds the fire, it's awfully surreal.  I had to read it a few
>times to get a slim clue of what was going on.
>
>My question
>
>A.  When's the sequel coming out?
>
>B.  What happens next?
>
>C.  Who raised Douglas MacArthur Shaftoe.
>
>D.  When will the first assasination attempt occur?


What is this assasination theory of yours?

I just read some posts on sci-fi.com

search for stephenson

They news bites, but the gist of the bites is that while stephenson will be
writing more books dealing with cryptography, it doesn't seem like he will
be writing a "sequel" to Cryptonomicon

That kind of bugs me, b/c like all stephenson books, Cryptonimicon is
unfinished.  I  remember when the book was first released and there was
mention about his inability to finish books in one of the articles I read.
The article said that with cryptonomicon he had eliminated this problem by
making the story "open-ended".

Anyone else know anything?
"It's the millennium, motives are incidental"
--

The topic says it all.

I have diamond age and cryptonimicon in hard back.

I want snow crash in hard back.

Anywhere out ther ehave it or know where i can get it in hard back?
"It's the millennium, motives are incidental"
--

I hate to say this, i really do, b/c it's cheesy.

While part of cryptonomicon is the data haven, the code breaking, the gold,
the intrigue, which is all very cool.

I also think part of Cryptonomicon is Randy "growing up" or changing or
whatever.  The brothers visit and the car antics were necessary in the
development of Randy.

I'm not sure that we needed so much detail and lawrence's musical career ;-)

Also what about that scene where lawrence is walking along the beach in
jersey and finds the fire, it's awfully surreal.  I had to read it a few
times to get a slim clue of what was going on.

My question

A.  When's the sequel coming out?

B.  What happens next?

C.  Who raised Douglas MacArthur Shaftoe.

D.  When will the first assasination attempt occur?

>
>Topics in this digest:
>
>      1. Hello
>           From: "T1 Email" <jemagee1@...>
>>
>Message: 1
>   Date: Wed, 24 May 2000 13:53:43 -0700
>   From: "T1 Email" <jemagee1@...>
>Subject: Hello
>
>Hello??
>
>Is anybody out there?



Yup, there is. Lets hear some discussion out there!

Dave


PS Possible topic: What could have been left out of the Cryptonomicon book
and you would not have missed it? My vote is for the brothers visit and car
antics.

**************************
"Verbing weirds language."    - Calvin

----- Original Message -----

From: T1 Email

 

Hello??

Is anybody out there?

Hello??

Is anybody out there?

I've had a thought.

Snow Crash would make a great flick, almost Matrix like in it's
possibilities.

But the Metaverse needs a different representation.  I've thought that the
integration of Pixar animation would be kick-ass.

If you cast it with unknowns, and maybe cut out a few things, you could
conceivably cut out the whole Mafia concept after the pizza delivery in the
beginning, you could be able to do it "relatively" cheap.

Maybe if you work out a deal with Pixar to get some money on the back end
they'll do it for less money.

It could be a huge film.  I mean GOOD science fiction movies draw a wider
audience (The Matrix, 2001) wile bad sci-fi movies make me want to vomit
(mission to mars)

Does anyone know the status of the book?  Does any company hold the option?

hey
who cares what you husband thinks

We all know that women wear the pants in relatoinship - just go shaftoe on
his ass ;-)  Pull out a big kris, he'll let you get the cereal ;-)
"It's the millennium, motives are incidental"
--


> From: Emily Page <mlep@...>
> Reply-To: snowcrash@egroups.com
> Date: Wed, 10 May 2000 20:35:18 -0500
> To: snowcrash@egroups.com
> Subject: RE: [snowcrash] CAPTAIN CRUNCH
>
> heh heh.
>
> if my husband wouldn't pitch a fit, i'd do the same...
>
> <<snip>>
> I went to the store, went down the cereal aisle - and grabbed captain
> crunch ;-)
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Would you like to save big on your phone bill -- and keep on saving
> more each month? Join beMANY! Our huge buying group gives you Long Distance
> rates which fall monthly, plus an extra $60 in FREE calls!
> http://click.egroups.com/1/2567/3/_/591088/_/958008982/
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> This message sent to you from the Neal Stephenson mailing list. Remember, your
> enemies can always be made to listen to Reason.
>

heh heh.

if my husband wouldn't pitch a fit, i'd do the same...

<<snip>>
I went to the store, went down the cereal aisle - and grabbed captain
crunch ;-)

So'

I just finished cryptonomicon for the second time - starting diamond age
again.

I went to the store, went down the cereal aisle - and grabbed captain
crunch ;-)

Thgought I'd let you all know

----- Original Message -----

From: John Magee

 

Yes

I know johhny mnemonic was based on a short story.  It was terrible.
The short story, I've read it, is vague, only about 3 pages, and doesn't
make sense as to why there was a movie made from it.

Snow Crash could be done as a movie, 2.5 hours, easily with cutting
extra parts.  All books have extra parts.  However, it would make a nice
anime series or a mini-series, either the sci-fi channel, or maybe even
the cartoon network could pull it off.

If the sci-fi channel can do dune they can do this.

I think after the matrix they can't be desparate.  They have to make
intelligent well thought out films with a good story or they will bomb
b/c the matrix has raised the bar of any cyberpunk film based on the
possbilities of future technology and virtual reality.

That's my thoughts before i go to sleep.

---

---

This message sent to you from the Neal Stephenson mailing list. Remember, your enemies can always be made to listen to Reason.

Yes

I know johhny mnemonic was based on a short story.  It was terrible.
The short story, I've read it, is vague, only about 3 pages, and doesn't
make sense as to why there was a movie made from it.

Snow Crash could be done as a movie, 2.5 hours, easily with cutting
extra parts.  All books have extra parts.  However, it would make a nice
anime series or a mini-series, either the sci-fi channel, or maybe even
the cartoon network could pull it off.

If the sci-fi channel can do dune they can do this.

I think after the matrix they can't be desparate.  They have to make
intelligent well thought out films with a good story or they will bomb
b/c the matrix has raised the bar of any cyberpunk film based on the
possbilities of future technology and virtual reality.

That's my thoughts before i go to sleep.

----- Original Message -----

From: John Magee

To: snowcrash@egroups.com

Sent: Monday, May 08, 2000 6:59 AM

Subject: Re: [snowcrash] Re: Gibson's last trilogy

The only book that I liked in the trilogy was Idorou.

Something I've noticed about Gibson versus Stephenson is that Stephenson is much more accessible, i.e. I understand it a hell of a lot easier. (And no, I'm not a moron)

Gibson tries to write almost lyrically,  he likes to have "music" in his words.  There are memorable lines.  One of my favorite science fiction lines ever is

"Burgeoning technologies need outlaw zones" (from neuromancer) - Lines that make you think.

However, I like stephenson books (aside from the "ending" problems) much much better.  I enjoy them, they make me laugh, I think they are even better written.

As for movies?  I've not heard of any movies based on William Gibson books, and I'm kind of a movie freak.  Neuromancer, in Gibson's own words, would be way too expensive.

I've recently been thinking that a combination of Pixar, whatever Disney used for dinosaur, and some sort of straight animation might work for many of these books.  Maybe even mixed with Live Action.

I could see snow crash done as a movie the easiest, with the metaverse represented by Pixar animation (which I think would just be super cool)

They could also be done as Anime, but those don't do well as mainstream movies in the US (though the release of SIN might be a good indication of possibilities)

---

---

This message sent to you from the Neal Stephenson mailing list. Remember, your enemies can always be made to listen to Reason.

----- Original Message -----

From: John Magee

 

Gibson's
new one - All Tomorrow's Parties is curious, interesting, but not
really good.

I read the two messages from april so I thought I'd reply.

As for other good cyber punk writers.  There are very few.  Gibson's
new one - All Tomorrow's Parties is curious, interesting, but not
really good.

I consider stephenson the best out there, but he still can't finish a
book so he decides not to with Cryptonomicon.

As for the other post - I'm 28 - I've read the three stephenson
books,
I'm considering picking up In the beginning there was the command
line.

I've become fascinated with getting involved in information theory
and
cryptography.  Books on cryptography at borders at $80 - and this
book
was only about 75 pages and it was a paper back.

I actually liked the present part of cryptonimcon more than the past.

I'm still curiouse about quite a few things, but i'm sure it will be
cleared up in the next books.

BTW - there is an interview with Neal Stephenson on www.scifi.com -
you
need realplayer.  I've tried to watch it twice but i crashed both
times.  Of course I''m using a mac.

So who else is out there?

I've also just finished reading Cryptonomicon
and I find I'm still confused about alot of
things!

It took me a while to get thru it, as I can
only spare time to read right before bed. The
book is like eating fudge, you can only read
for a while, not in big gulps.

I must have missed some stuff, but I really
liked it, and would love to discuss it,
although I don't think I want to delve too
deeply into the crypto theories, as it starts
to make my brain hurt.

Most of the characters are well drawn, but
like lots of SF, you have to extrapolate and
hope your right about a few motivations that
carry them forward in the story. Shaftoe the
Marine was the most interesting to me, you
seem to get a better inner voice about his
ideas and thinkings.

Amy's brother could have been cut from the
book entirely, but he had to meet her family I
guess.

So what else can we discuss that helps to
clear up issues in the book? I see there are
20some people signed up here, let's hear ya!

Dave in Detroit

Neal Stephenson has a new book out. Its an essay he wrote in January called
"In the Beginning Was the Command Line." I've only had time to read a small
portion of it (ugh, schoolwork) but its really interesting. The essay is about
operating systems, but that's like saying Shakespeare's "Midsummer Night's
Dream" was about faeries.

     If you don't want to buy it, go to
http://www.cryptonomicon.com/beginning.html and download a copy of it.

     Cheers!

     --Britt

Britt A. Green - Particle Records
PO Box 3461
Eugene, OR 97401
ICQ 45008592
When they broke open molecules, they found they were only stuffed with atoms.
But when they broke open atoms, they found them stuffed with explosions.

Hey! Sorry that this list has been so quiet. In addition to getting =
my ISP account cancelled, I've been super busy with schoolwork. So =
that's why there's been no web page or activity on this list.

     But I'm hoping to change all that. I've started work on a web page =
and will hopefully have something up by the end of this weekend. If =
anyone has any input as to what they'd like to see on the web page, I'd =
be happy to hear it. URLs are definately welcome!

     So, since this is a Neal Stephenson mailing list, I was wondering =
what your favorite books are? The thing I like about Neal is that all of =
his books are just different enough that he doesn't write "more of the =
same". I think William Gibson tends to do this. Plus, unlike Gibson, his =
books are not so dry. Anyways, right now Cryptonomicon is my favorite =
just because its so here-and-now and more realistic than the other two, =
which are set off in the future.

     What do you think?

     bg
Britt A. Green - Particle Records
PO Box 3461
Eugene, OR 97401
ICQ 45008592
When they broke open molecules, they found they were only stuffed with atoms.
But when they broke open atoms, they found them stuffed with explosions.

I've just finished reading Cryptonomicon and I find I'm still confused about
the character of Enoch Root.

Did I miss something in between the moment that Root dies and the moment he
makes his reappearance in the story?

Given his new-found brilliance at cryptography and the vaguely alluded to
disappearance of Lawrence Pritchard Waterhouse, I was half-expecting the
1990s Root to turn out to be Randy's grandfather.

Regards,

Ted