Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 (Tek) 9/26/83; site tekecs.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!hou3c!hocda!houxm!hogpc!houti!ariel!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!tektronix!orca!tekecs!patcl
From: patcl@tekecs.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.sf-lovers
Subject: Re: aliens in STARTIDE RISING
Message-ID: <3504@tekecs.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 15-Feb-84 20:43:29 EST
Article-I.D.: tekecs.3504
Posted: Wed Feb 15 20:43:29 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 18-Feb-84 07:04:17 EST
Organization: Tektronix, Wilsonville OR
Lines: 40




>     "the aliens in STARTIDE RISING are entirely
>     plausible---not only plausible, but realistically
>     and distinguishably varied despite the fact that
>     most of them are presented only in brief sketches.
>     Some of them may seem less than three-dimensional,
>     but remember that they are mostly fanatics, mostly
>     being presented under conditions of considerable
>     stress, which tends to cause many facets of personality
>     to disappear in a general haze of aggression. Maybe
>     you're simply offended by the thought of mankind not
>     even being considered an equal by the aliens?"

1. I don't see how a fictional character being in a
stressful situation is a reason for cardboard characterization.
The level of the author's craftmanship should not depend on
the particular situation the author has invented. Now maybe if
the *author* is under conditions of stress...

2. Smart aliens, dumb aliens, stuck-up aliens...any kind of
aliens that are believable can be interesting. I'd hardly take
personal offense because a fictional character had attitudes
I didn't like.

3. Brin uses a technique for creating aliens which is usually
associated with comic books or bad 1950's space operas; that is,
make up a lot of strange words and throw them together to get
something that sounds "weird" and "beyond human comprehension"...
I mean, if the Xyzerbletch just rotated through a Quantumized
Hyperchronic Field into a 0-dimensional warp, then we must
be talking about some pretty alien aliens, right? I prefer
a little less arm waving and more solid imagination; ie.,
something very strange but obviously well thought out and
believable.


Pat Clancy