Yes, the creators of South Park have given many gifts to the world. Now they’ve turned their attention to Buddhism and Zen philosopher Alan Watts by animating a selection of his teachings, in their usually hilarious and irreverent style. It’s wonderful. Press play and enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YgEhvZDZVg And match Watt’s spoken word with his written thoughtsContinue reading “The teachings of Alan Watts animated by the makers of South Park”
Author Archives: Damien Walter
Are video games the end for sci-fi novels?
The megastructure is one of science fiction’s most enjoyable guilty pleasures. There is no other genre of literature that takes quite such glee in describing buildings, whether made by the hand of man or alien. Arthur C Clarke’s Rendezvous With Rama is little more than a guided tour of the titular spacecraft through the eyesContinue reading “Are video games the end for sci-fi novels?”
The shitty #vatmoss laws mirror our shitty piracy laws
If you haven’t encountered it already #VATMOSS refers to a bloody awful new law passed by the European Union on the taxation via VAT of digital goods – which includes things like ebooks and online courses. The aim of the law is to stop Amazon and other big digital retailers from running all their VATContinue reading “The shitty #vatmoss laws mirror our shitty piracy laws”
Why has the imagination been sidelined in literature?
Imagination is a powerful force for progress. So why has it been sidelined in the one place it should be most welcome – literature. In his now famous quote, Albert Einstein claimed that imagination was more important than knowledge. When Einstein wrote those words in 1929, those who knew about such things might have saidContinue reading “Why has the imagination been sidelined in literature?”
Can you name Arthur C. Clarke’s top 5 astounding predictions?
An excellent guest post today from Jared Hill, a blogger living in Chicago who reads science fiction avidly, and who is also keen on sports and film. Arthur C Clarke was a visionary ahead of his time, but do you agree with Jared’s picks for the great sci-fi writer’s top 5 astounding predictions? Follow Jared onContinue reading “Can you name Arthur C. Clarke’s top 5 astounding predictions?”
I interview B&N about their new Sync-Up initiative
DAMO: So tell me about Sync-Up!* B&N: Well, if a B&N customer buys a paperback book from us, they can now buy the ebook as well for $4.99! DAMO: But…isn’t that about what ebooks cost anyway? B&N: Actually the average ebook price is £3.99. DAMO: Er…so why not just buy the ebook the usual way? B&N:Continue reading “I interview B&N about their new Sync-Up initiative”
Branding for writers – just don’t
Nicola Griffith has an excellent and in depth post up about the balancing act between developing depth of craft as a writer, and branding the art that comes of craft. Branded. It’s a brutal word for a brutal practice: a label burnt into the hide without permission. On a cow a brand marks an animalContinue reading “Branding for writers – just don’t”
Why I support #ReaderGate
They want you to believe that #ReaderGate is evil. The Literery Elite want to tell you, that we, the silent majority of readers, yes readers who are the only reason the Literery Elite even get to be elite at al, who have been silent too long, are wrong. But I’m here to tell you not toContinue reading “Why I support #ReaderGate”
Julia Cameron on why creativity can’t be learned, but must be recovered
The bad old days when people were taught that creativity was only for a special, talented few are over. Most of us know we have the potential to be creative. But unleashing that potential can still be a tremendous struggle. Great artists of all kinds – writers, painters, musicians, dancers or any person accomplished inContinue reading “Julia Cameron on why creativity can’t be learned, but must be recovered”
Are these words by Russell Brand baffling nonsense?
I just read a good humoured but frustrating interview with Russell Brand by Lucy Kellaway of the Financial Times. Every time Kellaway quotes anything Brand says, she follows up by calling it nonsense and saying she is baffled. This is a fairly common strategy in response to Brand, whose ideas draw a lot on spiritualContinue reading “Are these words by Russell Brand baffling nonsense?”
What do authors really look like?
A new guest post today from Ferdinand Page asks what, exactly, authors look like? Ferdinand lurked around doing everything to books except write them until the writer’s digestive tract kicked in. An urban fantasy, scripts and short stories are now poised, waiting to re-write the world. Read Ferdinand’s blog and follow @ferdinandpage * What do authors lookContinue reading “What do authors really look like?”
I have a copy of the magnificent Sci-Fi Chronicles to give away
One of the side projects I managed to slot in last year were some entries for the rather magnificent Sci-Fi Chronicles. I can now claim to have literally written the book on Gene Wolfe, Ray Bradbury, Ursula K Le Guin and a bunch of other SF novelists. The Sci-Fi Chronicle is a visually sumptuous book,Continue reading “I have a copy of the magnificent Sci-Fi Chronicles to give away”
Damien Walter 