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

Entry: Sashimi and the Japanese Syndrome - A83039709
Author: Neverlander - U14825871

Is this good? Is it bad? Is it politically correct? Maybe, maybe not.
42.

It floats the line. It's obvious parallels with Hitchhiker's make me want to chuckle, but at the same time it's trying to say that the damage caused to the Japanese was deserved, which is a message I'm not comfortable with.

Definitely on the line.

Welcome to h2g2, by the way. It's great to have new writers on board. Hopefully one of the more regular commenters in the Alternative Writing Workshop will be along to be a bit more constructive.

I'm in agreement with Vip (including the welcome ).

While deploring whaling, I wouldn't have the hubris to suggest industrialists' crimes against nature caused an earthquake and tsunami. If that sort of thing were to happen, half of the continental US should be under water. I say nothing about any other country other than the one I was born in. Also, as we've commented on these pages before, the time to hit people about their sins is *not* when they're down.

T've got a suggestion if you want to be funny and critical at the same time:

If you're want to make a point, invent an imaginary case study. Allow people to draw parallels. I offer an example of mine from the UG, just because I remember it, and it gets into this sort of thing (outrageous punishments for environmental sins): A6749751 Yeah, I said Californians were horrible. But I didn't advocate opening the San Andreas Fault. I gave them a whole imaginary planet to be miserable in.

I like the idea of the whales and other species retaliating, and the h2g2 procedures they go through.

I agree with Dmitri, though, that it would be better to dream up some alternative punishment to the Japanese earthquake.

Well, first of all thank you for your welcome.
I was not very comfortable with this piece of mine, as it is definitively NOT politically correct. On the other side, whaling is not as well, and all flew out of my pen like a tidal wave ... I just tried to be sort of aligned to DA writing style or ideas, while commenting this very sad event from a different perspective.
Besides, just to let you know about me a little more, my doughter, and I also, do LOVE Japan, for what it is and what it represents, its traditions and culture, its people, all of it. For years we dreamed of having some holidays there, and possibly even take some chances to work there for few months or a year. And now ... this Godzilla kind of thing.
We'll see very soon how it will end. Clear enough, whales went too far, they can't be proud of their job, and they are going to pay the consequences as well.

I'm very glad to see you back.

Perhaps this is what would make this piece tick - the whales getting swept away by the angry fish (who were displaced in the tsunami), who in turn manage to anger the birds... etc.
Essentially, it changes the message to 'revenge is not justified', because it always affects not just those intended but those around them as well. Just an idea, I know it completely changes the message of the piece.

I've always found the Japanese culture fascinating. I even attempted to learn the language, but found that without someone to practice with it was rather useless, and I've forgotten most of it now. The closest I get is memorising the Japanese terms for the martial art that I learn (well, sadly lapsed).

Good points there. That's what rough drafts are for: to find out what we really wanted to say.

Might I also suggest not trying for a Douglas Adams writing style? I'll bet you'll find that your own brand of dry wit is much funnier...

Big secret around here: not everybody on h2g2 has even *read* 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'. One Researcher read the books after about 5 years on the site. She said, 'Oh, *that's* what all those jokes are about.'

Well, I guess I read them all about 5 times over the years ...
Does it make a difference?

Plus the last one from EO (6th)
42

I don't think it makes a difference.