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

One of my favourite books, but don't tell anyone, I'm supposed to be too stupid to read stuff like that...

I'm going to tell EVERYONE that you're philosophical and introspective!

Sorry, Helena, but the word is out. Soon people will back away from you in the Forum & Firkin, staring and whispering things like: "She's brainy, her".

Brainy? How dare you spread rumours about my fiancée?
*stands around for a while, wondering if that was the right thing to say*

(Looks awkward, shfts from foot to foot, eyes glance around nervously)
Well look, EV old mate, it's nothing personal. You know, these are liberated times and all that, but it's just that I heard that she... well, you know...
(Breathes deeply) Well, you know how it is these days mate, yeah? The word on the street is that your intended likes a bit of that there... (Whispers)
...reading.
In fact - no offence, like, mate, I'm only passing on what I've heard, right - the word is that she's even been seen in one or two of them there, wossname...
libraries.
(Grins nervously) I mean, so what mate, eh? Honestly, I hear that some of these, er, "readers" have quite happy lives! I wouldn't want to be one myself, but eh, each to their own, yeah? You never know, mate - maybe one day being... wossname... "literate" will be accepted as, being, almost, like, normal!
(Runs for cover, fearing violent reaction)
I reckon there's a fair way to go before that happens, though.

Reedin's not the problem. It's these buggers that get about WRITIN stuff that should be locked up. I mean, if it wasn't for those word dealers, poor unfortunates like Helena wouldn''t have anything to read.
I heard that once you read one thing, then you want to read another, and so it goes until you can't get through a day without reading somthin. FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.
I heard that in Saudi Arabia, they glue your fingers together if they catch you writin somethin. Puts a bloody stop to it that does.
I also heard that there's an experimetal treatment for readin. I think it's called, 'Stephen King'.

Well, I blame the internet. There used to be a time when people would communicate just by making vague gestures and grunting noises, now we have all these... what are they called? Words? ...forced down our throats 24 hours a day. I hope you're satisfied, all of you!

I hear that DragonDictate is bringing out a software bundle aimed at grunters. Apparently no mouse is needed, but it is still recommended to have one as it gives you something to throw at the wall of the cave when your grunts are misinterpreted...

hey now... I am one of those word dealers... poetry, screenplays, lyrics, novels, short stories, essays, book reports, I've got it all. Even a musical if you want it.

So, if anyone is interested.... then grunt your requests. Or wait for a movie to come out, since all of us are boring visual creatures.... (ever notice how most anyone chatting with you right off asks about seeing a picture of you if you're conversing online!???.... or is it just that people are pre-occupied with appearances... no matter if'n they're real or imagined: SEX appeal is 50% what you have plus 50% what people think you have).... hmmmm....

I don't need a picture. I KNOW what you look like. With wings and a halo on anyway...

Don't turn around or you will see me in my stalking gear. Don't want to ruin the immaculate image you have of me all ready... HA!!!

And you DON'T know what I look like.... :;sniffles:: Maybe it is better that way. I have a BEATLE hairdo.

I have read 'the tao of pooh'. Very cool, but i don't think it is very helpful in life as we know it. I liked the book, but i feel that it is just someone's way of trying to over-simplify the complexities of life. One might as well read another fantasy book,"chicken soup for the soul".

Ouch....

You can't say that.... Chicken Soup is a sudden fad brim with cliches and I find it an embarrassment to libraries and literature majors everywhere.

Taoism is an established relgion(as if you didn't all ready know), and Bejamin Hoff simply took another familar, respected approach to life via the well-known character, Winnie the Pooh.

Have a drop of reverence for a light-hearted approach to age-old wisdom. The book introduced Taoism to new audiences, bud, and this should not be overlooked so easily.

Chicken Soup is a fad. Pooh Corner's a bit of modern culture. Hoff made a marriage of tried and true methods of dealing with life, and deserves more acclaim for having done so than an author who stepped on the "SELF-HELP" bandwagon.

Yeah! What she said!

I'm sorry, bad comparison. I just don't think that Taoism, of which I admittedly know little, should be so simplified. Of course, that's just my opinion. I'm sure that 'Pooh' has helped many people in their struggle for truth. I gave up struggling a long time ago. Now I just take it as it comes. Cheers!

Well, then... it's coming to you...

::evil glare::



No... great that you have an opinion of your own....

....even better that I can disagree with it!!!

Once again, I will agree to disagree.

One of the basic precepts fo Taoism is that everything IS simple and that it's only US that makes things complicated, which is why Benjamin Hoff used Pooh (A simple FICTIONAL character) to demontrate these fundamentals. For it is only these fundamentals that are demonstrated in the book, and all that are needed for a basic grasp on what the Tao is about.
::choking back a spiel::

And besides, Pooh embodies the spririt of Tao, just as piglet is te (bookII) but Chickens soup is just pants. It a load of bloody american (no offence) jump on the bandwagon pants!! The only half decent American self help book type thing i have ever seen is Men from Mars women from venus, only cos I like what he says. And I had to see a series on it on the telly first! Eyeores little book of gloom is another masterpeice....
It'll rain soon....
Haven't spoken to you in a while babe, Haze love, now I just remeber why I think you're such a fab bloke!
Hxx

hey!! I ALWAYS know that Hazey's an excellent fellow... I needn't have any reminding!!!