Comments on: William Gibson on Starship Troopers

By: Kudzu Bob

Kudzu Bob — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 05:22:24 +0000

A little off-topic, but…

If we ever do successfully colonize the solar system, then Heinlein will probably deserve some of the credit for having inspiring the first generation of space pioneers. And while that wouldn’t make him a great writer in a literary sense, it would make him one of the most influential and important writers in human history. Not too shabby.

By: Scipio Americanus

Scipio Americanus — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 01:25:48 +0000

You’re probably right about me reading too much into it, Morgan. I think over the years I’ve come to automatically assume the dreaded “f-word” will come up in any discussion involving Starship Troopers.

I have not read Count Zero, but thanks to you its been added to my list. Thanks.

By: Morgan

Morgan — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 00:07:40 +0000

I didn’t really get that from Gibson’s quote; he never mentions fascism or anything. It doesn’t sound like he’s defending the delinquents, just that he’s more interested in their lives.

Also, if you read Count Zero, Bobby (prototypical delinquent) comes off as a total tool who isn’t very good at hacking.

By: Scipio Americanus

Scipio Americanus — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 19:51:24 +0000

Interesting how, with the passage of years, recruits defending themselves after being jumped in a bar can transform into vicious fascistic thugs beating up delinquents for no particular reason. Why, they were just on their way to the computer lab to practice their Python!

By: Isegoria

Isegoria — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 19:24:48 +0000

Cet animal est tres méchant. Quand on l'attaque il se défend.

By: Morgan

Morgan — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 18:35:08 +0000

There’s a scene in the novel where the protagonist goes to a bar with some of his fellow recruits. They end up getting jumped by people in their late teens or early twenties, and the recruits beat the delinquents half to death. That’s probably what Gibson was referring to.

By: Scipio Americanus

Scipio Americanus — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 14:40:44 +0000

Indeed, James James, that’s some serious bubble-syndrome.

By: James James

James James — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 14:20:25 +0000

Meanwhile, back in the real world, juvenile delinquents are not computer hackers.

By: Scipio Americanus

Scipio Americanus — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 13:30:53 +0000

Sounds like an imperfectly understood book read while young being filtered through adult prejudices.