Time for another Wisdom of Heinlein, but for this one I turn to the words of someone else describing Heinlein. It will only mean something to those who have read Starship Troopers, but it was a book that had a real impact on me as I grew up, and I've read it more times than I can remember. If you haven't read it: why not? If you've seen the movie, wash your eyes out with soap and then read the book.
Robert Heinlein Remembered by L. Neil SmithStarship Troopers takes the most heat, which is peculiar, since the society it describes is founded by soldiers fed up with war, no conscription is permitted, the franchise won by military service (aggressively coeducational military service) doesn't apply until the service is over with, and the book's hero, like many Heinlein characters, is (unobtrusively) non-white.
One of the many aspects I like of Heinlein's futures is how race is such a non-issue, even the narrator doesn't have to dwell on it.
That may well have been the most idealistic part of his vision, so it seems in these days when we keep being pointedly reminded that our obvious great advances in equality are no reason not to keep harping on about race.
Comment by Bi-Coloured-Python-Rock-Snake — May 18, 2009 @ 10:22 am
Listen to the commentary on the Star Ship Troopers DVD. The director and writer wanted the movie to be an anti-war satire, but it backfired on them because what they thought was funny about war: courage, obeying orders, fighting when out numbered, and the bonding that occurs between soldiers in the heat of battle, etc. Actually inspired people to serve their country in the armed forces. They had accidentally portrayed the glory of war, and it had resonated with people.
Listen to the DVD commentary. They are furious that people have made this mistake about their film.
I bet they had been getting stick about it from their pinko-liberal pals.
Comment by Marvin the P.A. — May 19, 2009 @ 12:13 am
Hi again Rock Snake ... I remember that the first couple of times I read the book, I never even noticed that race of the main character. I didn't pay much attention to the Hispanic sounding name, and just kind of imagined him looking like me. It was only later when I read it again after I'd learned a bit more about the world that I was stunned to suddenly recognize a word that I guess I'd just skipped over since it meant nothing to me: Tagalog. I thought, "hey! He's Philippino!"
Mr P. Android ... I had no idea. I can't say I'm surprised though. When will we get a serious Heinlein movie made by someone who actually gets it? Nothing seems to have come of the talk about the Moon is a Harsh Mistress.
Comment by Filthy Stinking No.9 — May 19, 2009 @ 5:09 am