h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Thanks for your comments, all

Attempting to reply to Rich in particular : yes, I did research this, more than some of my other Entries in fact, and (perhaps) up around the PR average. I referred to three or fours separate sources, and also ran it past a RL expert friend.

Rousseau left a fair amount of writing, including a couple of dodgy literary efforts and various letters. He was moderately well-educated but socially clumsy, and many of his peers mocked him. He wasn't helped by the rather transparent lies he told about his achievements, or by his tendency to mistake sarcasm for praise.

I've written him as a self-important loser because that's how he seems to me. I love his paintings, particularly 'Surprised!', which has personal significance and made me want to write the piece.

It started out in the context of 'Done Too Soon', remember, so it certainly wasn't written as intentional PR iconoclasm. That said, it isn't meant to be an academically rigorous analysis of Rousseau's personality either. I hope it's plausible, but I can't claim it's precise.

And I'm pleased that people like it, whether or not it's EG-fit. At the end of the day, I'd rather be appreciated than edited.

'I'd rather be appreciated than edited.'

I think you've succeeded in being appreciated, mate

I wasn't suggesting you hadn't researched it by the way; more pointing out my lack of knowledge.

I never understand this fear of precedents - unless its in the parachute testing department - unless we're prepared to set new precedents we will stagnate and die.

For we above, read The Guide.

I like this one too, I find Rousseau's art deceptive, and consider this piece to be in his spirit.

Worthy of editing ? I think it would need an intro for that - a bare statement of Rousseau's life, leading to this is how it ends... - though it actually might work better as an outro. Or maybe we could accept that some subjects don't need to written for the uneducated, who probably wouldn't be that interested in the subject.

Boy I'd make a lousy Scout

Well, I have thoroughly enjoyed this. I'm certainly not an authority on what should or shouldn't be in the edited guide and have only this thought to share - that h2g2 is, after all, a guide and not an encyclopedia. So, the question in my mind is whether or not this particular entry would suffice to inform the traveller, as it were, who is exploring Rousseau. In other words, if one were standing in an art gallery looking at a Rousseau painting and pulled out the guide to see what it had to say, would it be helpful? We would need someone who is a complete ding-dong about art to read this entry and see. Fortunately, I know just such a ding-dong. After reading it, I will say that it is, for me, a helpful guide.

My only questions are these:

*Throughout my youth, I made very many fine works that the populace will unfortunately never enjoy, all because my commitment to my vocation was so exemplary*
I don't quite follow - I assume 'vocation' refers to his office in customs - how did this prevent us from enjoying his early works?

*Eighteen days later, on the second of September...*
Is there a previous mention of the calendar that I missed so that I could know what was 18 days before?

In your previous message, you mention 'his tendency to mistake sarcasm for praise' - perhaps you could work an example into his words.

Very nice work

i've left better in the bottom of the pan

Uh oh, I hope I don't get kicked too hard for that 'guide not encyclopedia' comment. I was just trying to make some point or another, but it's late - my brain has kicked into underdrive. Anyway, no offense meant to anyone, and again - very nice work.

no you did't it was nice work welldone

Deemed unsuitable by the Powers.
Oh well.
Thanks, all, anyhow.
Pin

Look forward to seeing it reach a wider Hootoo audience via other channels

for a great read, Pin.

My condolences - it really is a nice piece of work

You're always welcome at , Pin.