The Sword and Laser discussion
Enough with the GRRM Already!!!!!!
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I'm right there with ya. I'm glad they stick the GRRM talk at the end so I can skip it. Still love the rest of the podcast though.
Hey, complainers. Tom and Veronica are not your bitches! Seriously, they do this for fun. If you want to talk about something else, there is a huge discussion forum where you can do so. You should ask yourself, "What have I contributed lately?" The more interesting we are, the more hope there is that they will talk about what we talk about.
Providing feedback is not the same thing as complaining. As active participants, I would think that our hosts would want to know if we want more or less of something.We appreciate all the Tom ad Veronica do for us as hosts, but I don't think its right to label anyone as complainer if they do it constructively.
Brad wrote: "Providing feedback is not the same thing as complaining. As active participants, I would think that our hosts would want to know if we want more or less of something.We appreciate all the Tom ad ..."
I agree. Ranting is not as constructive as providing suggestions. :) My comment was a little sarcastic, however, with a shout-out to the Neil Gaiman blog post that Veronica and Tom bring up a lot on the podcast.
I grew tried of hearing about GRRM back when everyone started complaint about how long it was taking the new book to come out. His books are ok, but much too long. I appreciate what he's trying to write, but i'm not 16 anymore with loads of spare time to spend on obsessing about fantasy worlds. If I can't finish a book in a couple of days in my spare time, than it's too long. Besides there are many writers out there that I personally feel are better than GRRM, while I enjoy his books, none of them would make my top 50, maybe not even my top 100. Maybe one day i'll sit down and make the list to find out. 8-D
I feel that there is too much Martin especially this year. A year or two ago, I could not get people to read Martin at all, now I see people who don't read fantasy read him.
Snokat wrote: "If I can't finish a book in a couple of days in my spare time, than it's too long. Besides there are many writers out there that I personally feel are better than GRRM, while I enjoy his books, none of them would make my top 50, maybe not even my top 100. Maybe one day i'll sit down and make the list to find out. 8-D ..."Which fantasy authors do you consider better than GRRRM Snokat?
Weiss, Hickman, Salvadore, Bujold, Jordan, Sanderson, McCaffrey, Watts-Evans, Stackpole, Hobb, Pratchett, Gemmell, Lackey, Anderson If you include urban fantasy:
Butcher, Armstrong, Harrison, Galenorn, Frost, Vaughn, Monk, Benson, Maclaine, Daniels, Keener
If you include YA Fantasy:
Sage, Flanagan, Colfer, Mull, Jacques
There are probably others, but that's who I can think of right now, but as you can see while I read and enjoy GRRM, there are many I prefer over him.
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I have to disagree with you while those authors are all good the only one that is at the same level as GRRM is Hobb. Sanderson is not even close to as good as GRRM.
Mach wrote: "I have to disagree with you while those authors are all good the only one that is at the same level as GRRM is Hobb. Sanderson is not even close to as good as GRRM."Snokat said, and I quote "there are many I prefer over him." You can't tell someone their opinion is wrong! Well, you can, obviously.
Jlawrence wrote: "What you all don't know is that GRRM regularly hires a rank clutch of sellswords from the Golden Company to harass Tom and Veronica into always covering GRRM news."lol!
I did not say his opinion was wrong i said that i have to disagree.
Literatarally, GRRM may be considered a better writer than most of those authors, but I judge by readability. With those authors, I can sink myself into their worlds, enjoy their characters, and time will pass without notice. Reading GRRM feels like running in loose sand. I can't enter the world, or care about the people in it. Everyone has their own tastes, and GRRM isn't my flavour.
Never said they were my bitches ;-) (John Anealio should write a song about this!) Just tired of the GRRM talk. Glad it's usually at the end so I can skip easily. Love the rest of the podcast and think T and V do a great job and I'm thankful they do it and that we all can participate in friendly discussions.
I would like to throw down the gauntlet and see if T&V can actually do a show without mentioning GRRM in some capacity. I thought we had it there during the Robert J. Sawyer interview, but sure enough it popped its head in there at one point.I'm not so sure if it can be done.
I'm like Jenny in that Tom and Veronica can talk about whatever they like; it is their podcast after all. That said I can sympathise with Matthew, I do feel like GRRM is starting to feel like that popular song that you love but is getting played everywhere to the point that you wouldn't mind not hearing it so much so you retain the love.In terms of being constructive, I'm curious if T&V have thought about bringing any of the audience in? Even if they took real-time chat questions or something? I really enjoyed the live element of the Sawyer interview... or after hearing some of the S&L alumni on other podcasts having some of these personalities on the S&L podcast now and then.
Andrew wrote: "In terms of being constructive, I'm curious if T&V have thought about bringing any of the audience in? Even if they took real-time chat questions or something? I really enjoyed the live element of the Sawyer interview... or after hearing some of the S&L alumni on other podcasts having some of these personalities on the S&L podcast now and then."Josh (aka JLawrence) was a guest on the S&L episodes that discussed The Book of the New Sun 1-4, and he did a bang up job. I'd also certainly love to hear Jenny or Tamahome be guests on the podcast as well.
FWIW, I'm a little tired of all of the GRRM talk as well.
Personally, I would prefer it if the S&L podcasts actually discussed the book more. It seems like most of the time they barely discuss the current book selection, and they spend most of the time discussing everything else.
My constructive solution would be to have set reading assignments for a specific episode of the podcast. Like if they're reading some book, say, "OK, we'll be covering chapters 1 through 7 of the book on our next episode." And then actually discuss those chapters in depth (including spoilers) in that episode. Basically, be more like a real book club. The intermediary book "check-ins" where they say how far they've read and whether they're liking the book or not in vague terms aren't really all that useful or interesting. We rarely get any useful discussion until the book "wrap-up" episode, and then it's like 10 minutes and that's it. Just my two cents.
Ed wrote: "Personally, I would prefer it if the S&L podcasts actually discussed the book more. It seems like most of the time they barely discuss the current book selection, and they spend most of the time discussing everything else.My constructive solution would be to have set reading assignments for a specific episode of the podcast. Like if they're reading some book, say, "OK, we'll be covering chapters 1 through 7 of the book on our next episode." And then actually discuss those chapters in depth (including spoilers) in that episode. Basically, be more like a real book club. The intermediary book "check-ins" where they say how far they've read and whether they're liking the book or not in vague terms aren't really all that useful or interesting. We rarely get any useful discussion until the book "wrap-up" episode, and then it's like 10 minutes and that's it. Just my two cents. "
I really like this idea, Ed. I get a lot out of the forums, and I think that is why I enjoyed when Josh was a guest so much - he had so much depth on Gene Wolfe and also did a great job in leading forum discussion.
Ed wrote: "My constructive solution would be to have set reading assignments for a specific episode of the podcast. Like if they're reading some book, say, "OK, we'll be covering chapters 1 through 7 of the book on our next episode." And then actually discuss those chapters in depth (including spoilers) in that episode. Basically, be more like a real book club. The intermediary book "check-ins" where they say how far they've read and whether they're liking the book or not in vague terms aren't really all that useful or interesting. We rarely get any useful discussion until the book "wrap-up" episode, and then it's like 10 minutes and that's it.."I think that would be an excellent idea.
Ed wrote: "Andrew wrote: "Personally, I would prefer it if the S&L podcasts actually discussed the book more. It seems like most of the time they barely discuss the current book selection, and they spend most of the time discussing everything else."To quote the person who operates the swordandlaser twitter account: "we don't do reviews, we're a book club. we do a round-up episode for the book we're reading, otherwise it's news"
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There are other great podcasts out there which do more in depth analyses and round-ups, for example Science Fiction Book Review Podcast or The incomparable
The GRRM hype is particularly annoying since his latest concoction, A Dance with Dragons, was rather grueling.
What lovely suggestions going around here...http://www.collegehumor.com/video/660...
Also, there is some strong language, for the sensitive types.
Ed wrote: "Andrew wrote: "Josh (aka JLawrence) was a guest on the S&L episodes that discussed The Book of the New Sun 1-4, and he did a bang up job. I'd also certainly love to hear Jenny or Tamahome be guests on the podcast as well."Yeah I remembered Josh being on after I posted that, and like you said I thought he did a good job adding another dimension to the discussion. Some of the audience obviously have a real depth of knowledge for particular Authors, whilst others have a truely amazing breadth of books read. Anyway just feedback.. not a suggestion.. ala Colin’s vid.. definitely not a suggestion ;-).
Also re: your more structured reading approach, whilst nice (and I may be wrong here) T&V are just doing this for fun, and based on my impression of their commitments already I'm not sure they would be after another ridged commitment. I mean half the time they are out of sync as is… but who knows maybe they'll take it on board?
Jenny wrote: "Hey, complainers. Tom and Veronica are not your bitches! Seriously, they do this for fun. If you want to talk about something else, there is a huge discussion forum where you can do so. You s..."
Matthew's comment was also free, so why are you complaining about it? He did it for fun, after all.
Also, listening to ads = not free.
I guess I'll be the one guy who doesn't hate the GRRM talk. I can't really defend it specifically. If you don't like him, or are tired of him, or he isn't quite your cup of tea, then that's not going to change.For my part, reading GRRM this past year was a bit like reading Tolkien for the first time. Without writing an essay about why, I'll just say that GRRM's books have moved and affected me in ways no other stories have ever done, Tolkien maybe being excepted. I have only once ever gotten emotional while reading a book, and it was with GRRM. I'm on board with everything he is doing. There are a handful of stories that really get to me and hold a special place in my heart (other examples, for me, are Mass Effect, Deus Ex, Guy Gavriel Kay), and ASoIaF is one of them.
In other words, I personally never get tired of GRRM, and if he has struck a similar chord with T&V, then I'm not surprised. While I can't speak for them, don't begrudge us for our passion :)
On a harsher note, I do have to add that I'm always irked by readers/listeners/etc who are incensed at coverage in a podcast/magazine. Your tastes, even if (clearly) a dozen others share them, do not speak for the whole audience. The content is not produced especially for you, like it or not. Or me. If T&V don't so much as mention GRRM for another two years, I'll miss it, but it's not my show.
I think they did that in the old days, talk about say chapters 1-2. Maybe check out some really old episodes and see how you like it, maybe about Neuromancer.http://www.swordandlaser.com/home/cat...
GRRM has just released a much-anticipated and long awaited novel, the series of which has become a critically applauded and hugely successful TV series, GRRM is important right now! That being said, I would like to see a little more discussion in a book club style....
Sodon wrote: "other examples, for me, are Mass Effect, Deus Ex, Guy Gavriel Kay"Interesting to see some games listed there. I got into a long discussion on another forum surrounding games as storytelling devices.
Matthew wrote: "Ok, rant time. Is anyone else getting just a bit sick and tired of the GRRM talk yet? I have been listening to the podcast for about a year and I get with the show and recent book release that th..."
30 seconds is entirely too long to discuss Terry Brooks.
Jeff wrote: "30 seconds is entirely too long to discuss Terry Brooks."Get. Out.
Michael wrote: "Jeff wrote: "30 seconds is entirely too long to discuss Terry Brooks."Get. Out."
No. Thanks.
He's right. It only takes 15 seconds to say, "The Sword of Shannara is just Lord of the Rings rewritten with smaller words."
Sean wrote: "He's right. It only takes 15 seconds to say, "The Sword of Shannara is just Lord of the Rings rewritten with smaller words.""lol.
The Sword of Shannara is definitely derivative. Magic Kingdom for Sale—Sold! is a good, fun read, however.
Sean wrote: "He's right. It only takes 15 seconds to say, "The Sword of Shannara is just Lord of the Rings rewritten with smaller words.""That's not fair. Terry Brooks writes some entertaining and effective fantasy. The Jerle Shannara and Jarka Russ series were excellent. Have you read them?
Sean wrote: "He's right. It only takes 15 seconds to say, "The Sword of Shannara is just Lord of the Rings rewritten with smaller words.""Don't forget that 'Game of Thrones' the card game is 'Magic the Gathering' rewritten with less cards :)
Andrew wrote: "Sean wrote: "He's right. It only takes 15 seconds to say, "The Sword of Shannara is just Lord of the Rings rewritten with smaller words.""Don't forget that 'Game of Thrones' the card game is 'Mag..."
It any good? Use to like Magic back in the day, but then I sold off all my Beta and Revised or whatever they called it cards and called it a day (in hindsight I wonder what they'd be worth if I'd kept them). Be fun to be able to play again without it being about spending heaps of $.
Andrew wrote: "Don't forget that 'Game of Thrones' the card game is 'Mag..."It any good? Used to like Magic back in the day, but then I sold off all my Beta and Revised or whatever they called it cards and called it a day..."
Judging by the amount of them that have been sitting in the bargain bin at my local games shop for years.. no.
Andrew wrote: "Andrew wrote: "Don't forget that 'Game of Thrones' the card game is 'Mag..."It any good? Used to like Magic back in the day, but then I sold off all my Beta and Revised or whatever they called it..."
Fair enough.
I stopped listening because of the GRRM talk but I still follow the forums here at Good Reads
The Sword and Laser
Books mentioned in this topic
Magic Kingdom for Sale—Sold! (other topics)The Sword of Shannara (other topics)
A Dance with Dragons (other topics)
The Book of the New Sun (other topics)
Is anyone else getting just a bit sick and tired of the GRRM talk yet? I have been listening to the podcast for about a year and I get with the show and recent book release that there is a lot of fervor for the release. I get it, I loved the first book and rate it as one of my top ten all time, but it seems like so much other good news is getting passed over briefly on the podcast. The latest Terry Brooks book was discussed for all of 30 seconds, yet you both have read at least one of the books before.
It has gotten to the point though that it seems like a good third of the podcast is just GRRM talk. Do we really need to listen to 5-10 minutes of speculative casting for season 2 when the entire podcast is only 35 minutes long? 10-15 of that is for the book we are currently reading.
No I loved the Hodor interview, but I really hope that is now the apex of our GRRM discussions now. I get how you guys want to fill some show time, but how about we expand it a little bit. If you are going to talk speculative about AGOT season two, why are you not discussing the stuff happening on the Hunger Games set, the Torchwood or Dr. Who seasons? How about some discussions in the graphic novel world. There is plenty of Sword and Laser out there to discuss, but it all keeps coming back to GRRM constantly.
I just feel like we are becoming a bit too much of the GRRM and Sword and Laser podcast. Is anyone else just getting a bit burned out here?
(steps off soap box)