Stephanie posted a link to an article which sparked an interesting discussion about the value of books.
There is a lot of Truth and Beauty in books that simply does not come across as well in other media. When I watched the Lord of the Rings movies in the theatre, particularly The Two Towers and and the Return of the King, there were parts that brought tears to my eyes, but I realized that the reason for the tears was my recollection of the moments and characters in the books. The films captured visually what I already knew in a deeper sense than anything visual can express. Having read about Tolkien’s world before watching it unfold on the screen, I knew just how Old Galadriel is, how powerful Gandalf truly is and how he doesn’t really show his true power except in small glimpses. I understood that when all was hopeless after Gandalf fell, the fellowship had to “do without hope.”
Books can inspire the imagination in a way nothing else can. To watch TV or a film requires little imagination and often a lot of lethargy. It is difficult for me to read a book without creating something in my mind. And if the author is good, scenes and phrases haunt my mind for days or weeks afterwards. It’s a silly example, but I was reading Reave the Just (a story by Stephen R. Donaldson) and the author was describing a character as being very kind:
“His kindness and cheery temper endeared him throughout Forebridge. But he lacked forthrightness, self-assertion; he lacked the qualities which inspire passion. As with women everywhere, those of Forebridge valued kindness; they were fond of it; but they did not surrender their virtue to it. They preferred heroes–or rogues.”
My initial thought was, “Ain’t that the truth.” People have frequently told me that my problems meeting women in the past were due to the fact that I am “too nice.” Pleasantry is all well and good when you are meeting a client or going for a job interview or visiting with relatives, but when seeking a soul mate, I have looked for someone who is unforgettable, strong of mind and soul; someone who keeps me up at night asking the question over and over, “who is she?” Kindness inspires at most a smile and a nod. Never passion.
So because of one phrase in a short story in a book of short stories, I have been thinking over and over about what qualities of a person do inspire passion. And I’m interested to hear what others think. What makes you passionate ? And it doesn’t have to just be passion for a lover. What makes you passionate about writing code? What inspires you to teach a class, sing in a choir, or see how far you can ride a bike in one day?
Tags: Books
July 25th, 2004 at 7:23 pm
My two cents on the subject. I read the entire series by J.R.R Tolkien (starting with the hobbit). Reading I believe, always allows individual to create their own character, and use their imagination.
However, I feel the film takes away the imagination of the reader, when director put his/her view on the story.
I have a philosophy if I read a book, which eventually becomes a film. Then I avoid the film b/c it will ruin my own spin on the book. ( I follow this 95% of the time). Sometimes I am curious on how others interpret a story/book. Then I would go see it.
July 26th, 2004 at 12:39 am
There are many things that give me passion. First off, there is my fiancée. She has ambitious goals that I would love to see accomplished. That motivates me, and my goals motivate her. It is a wonderfully cyclic process.
Second, I have many goals that I would like to accomplish in my life. I would like to run for public office; I would like to change the world for the better. I would like to contribute to the adoption of Free Software. I would like to help overcome the legal challenges being faced by Free Software.
I would like to help others. My passion is driven by the things I see going wrong in the world and the non-existant outrage demonstrated by those with the power to help.
July 26th, 2004 at 3:25 pm
It would help if read entire post while not doing something else. So if my post makes no sense, sorry.
July 26th, 2004 at 3:35 pm
Excellent thoughts. I’ll add some more:
About passion - I think that the most interesting people, the people who are most “alive”, are the people dedicated to constantly bettering their lives and the lives of those around them. These people seem to have a fire in them that propels them towards the future.
Nothing is less passion-inducing than a person content to accept whatever is handed to them, content to complain about their problems instead of fixing them. These people take few risks and reap few rewards.
This partially explains the passion towards people on either end of the “lawful” spectrum. On one end you have heroes aligned with the law who are striving towards a more lawful life. On the other you have rogues who are striving to do what they want despite the law. Only in the middle do you have bland people satisfied with being led through life alternatively by one side or the other.
July 27th, 2004 at 12:34 am
Jared: it *is* wonderful how the passions of others can inspire you, whether it be the free software community, a friend, or lover. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen someone “on fire” for something and a spark flew off them, so to speak, and set some passion on fire within me to go write something, or work on becoming better at something.
Rebecca: I understood your post. You were on topic. I just sort of rambled in my weblog entry so there were a few different thoughts.
Dave: I know people like that in my life, people who seem to struggle against mediocrity, fight back after failure, and I tend to want to surround myself with those types of people hoping some of their strength rubs off on me.
August 10th, 2004 at 9:47 pm
You know, I think that there is a certain type of woman who loves a truly caring and kind man. I’m not sure that she’ll always - or ever - be on the cover of Cosmo, but she is generally rich in the things that matter after 50 or so years.
I know that as a woman seeking a man, I didn’t land the love of my life ’til I was:
A. over my obsessive fascination, then disenchantment with the male species
B. aloof enough to create intrigue (the unfortunate “Creature Like No Other” that is so detailed in The Rules)
For the longest time, I went the path of the “nice girl” - I made a GREAT friend, but no one wanted to date me. If I had a perfect body, the story of my life would’ve made a great “girl-next-door” movie, but in this body, I’m merely pathetic by societal standards. I have always fallen for “nice guys” - and now I’m dating one - but for many years I had to sit around and listen to my nice, cute guy friends talk about how no girl wanted them while I was practically pining away inside for ‘em. It drove me nuts.
I love niceness, and my boyfriend is an absolute sweetheart. I chose him because he the most loving person I have ever met. He has a personality - and I think that’s the key to attraction - being real, a little rough around the edges, letting those delightful eccentricities out to play with others. People seem to like other people for their strengths and love them for their weaknesses.
August 10th, 2004 at 9:52 pm
PS: If you’re interested in finding a woman who will forever make you ask, “Who IS she?”, I have a lot of single woman friends at Eden.