JK Rowling weighs more than a duck. Burn her!

[Gawdzilla Sama]

What is the criteria by which these awards are, um, awarded? I'm not sure Rowling deserves it because, while I enjoy them immensely, I wouldn't exactly call the Harry Potter series great literature. As for the books "promoting sorcery," that's a absolute bullshit reason not to award her the, um, award. Do these fucktards actually believe witchcraft and sorcery are real?! Are we still living in the fucking Dark Ages?!

The Republicans would love to take us back to about 1880. They are frightened of any change and a frightened human is a very dangerous thing.

[FBM]

Harry Potter does in fact promote withcraft. I'm not saying that witchcraft is real of course. But it does. I mean, I put Harry Potter in the same place that I put Twilight, the junk bin. Poorly written dribble with flat characters and magical plot devices created out of nowhere to solve problems created by other magical plot devices that came out of nowhere. Is it evil? No. If Satan were real he'd be offended at the notion that something of such poor quality be associated with him.

I've never read any of the books nor watched any of the movies, but AFAICT, the target audience is adolescents. Adolescents do fantasy. It's probably a hormonal thing, coupled with basic innocent ignorance. But then they're supposed to grow up. I don't have a problem with the whole H.P. thing, but when ADULTS take it so fucking seriously, it's an embarrassment to the whole species. Halloween is a national holiday, and witchcraft symbols and paraphernalia sell millions annually. But there's no significant movement to abolish Halloween, is there? The groups who are trying to get it banned are seen even by their fellow theists as nutjobs.

[tattuchu]

Harry Potter does in fact promote withcraft. I'm not saying that witchcraft is real of course. But it does. I mean, I put Harry Potter in the same place that I put Twilight, the junk bin. Poorly written dribble with flat characters and magical plot devices created out of nowhere to solve problems created by other magical plot devices that came out of nowhere. Is it evil? No. If Satan were real he'd be offended at the notion that something of such poor quality be associated with him.

It's a children's book. Anything beyond that is extra freight.

Well, children's books can be great literature. In fact they should be great literature. They needn't be dumbed down just because they're aimed at young people. While I don't think Harry Potter is in any way great literature, however, I do think Andrew equating Potter with Twilight is unfair and inaccurate. Harry Potter is quite a bit better that that Twilight rubbish.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Harry Potter does in fact promote withcraft. I'm not saying that witchcraft is real of course. But it does. I mean, I put Harry Potter in the same place that I put Twilight, the junk bin. Poorly written dribble with flat characters and magical plot devices created out of nowhere to solve problems created by other magical plot devices that came out of nowhere. Is it evil? No. If Satan were real he'd be offended at the notion that something of such poor quality be associated with him.

It's a children's book. Anything beyond that is extra freight.

Well, children's books can be great literature. In fact they should be great literature. They needn't be dumbed down just because they're aimed at young people. While I don't think Harry Potter is in any way great literature, however, I do think Andrew equating Potter with Twilight is unfair and inaccurate. Harry Potter is quite a bit better that that Twilight rubbish.

Great literature is great because it's rare, and stands out. J.K. just wanted to write a children's book, she didn't sit down and say, "Ok, time for a Pulitzer."

The books are fun, and that's what matters.

[Drewish]

I've never read any of the books nor watched any of the movies, but AFAICT, the target audience is adolescents. Adolescents do fantasy. It's probably a hormonal thing, coupled with basic innocent ignorance. But then they're supposed to grow up. I don't have a problem with the whole H.P. thing, but when ADULTS take it so fucking seriously, it's an embarrassment to the whole species. Halloween is a national holiday, and witchcraft symbols and paraphernalia sell millions annually. But there's no significant movement to abolish Halloween, is there? The groups who are trying to get it banned are seen even by their fellow theists as nutjobs.

Considering how I celebrate Halloween, I'd prefer it if the day AFTER were a national holiday

But seriously. I'm one of those people who wonders if fantasy is really such a good thing to expose children to after they reach adolescence. And Harry Potter is geared toward a 10 - 15 year old audience. I almost feel like that's the time when they should be giving up fantasy. but to be fair, I'm not a parent, so this is more personal introspection than experienced judgment.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

But seriously. I'm one of those people who wonders if fantasy is really such a good thing to expose children to after they reach adolescence. And Harry Potter is geared toward a 10 - 15 year old audience. I almost feel like that's the time when they should be giving up fantasy. but to be fair, I'm not a parent, so this is more personal introspection than experienced judgment.

Children are built for fantasy, AKA "play".

As for giving up fantasy, I'd hate to think that I might someday do that.

[FBM]

But seriously. I'm one of those people who wonders if fantasy is really such a good thing to expose children to after they reach adolescence. And Harry Potter is geared toward a 10 - 15 year old audience. I almost feel like that's the time when they should be giving up fantasy. but to be fair, I'm not a parent, so this is more personal introspection than experienced judgment.

Children are built for fantasy, AKA "play".

Right, they should be enouraged to play as soon as the whistle sounds and their shift at the factory is over.

As for giving up fantasy, I'd hate to think that I might someday do that.

I think fantasy is a poor substitute for curiosity. Fantasy tends toward delusion, whereas curiosity brings discovery. If you've never read how Richard Feynman's dad brought him up by nurturing and encouraging his curiosity, you might get a kick out of it.

The kind of fantasy that is so intensely marketed towards both adolescents and adults these days encourages self-indulgence, magical thinking and escapism. Too many kids grow up caring less about how the world really is than how they can manipulate it to feed their fantasies.

[Drewish]

I think fantasy is a poor substitute for curiosity. Fantasy tends toward delusion, whereas curiosity brings discovery. If you've never read how Richard Feynman's dad brought him up by nurturing and encouraging his curiosity, you might get a kick out of it.

The kind of fantasy that is so intensely marketed towards both adolescents and adults these days encourages self-indulgence, magical thinking and escapism. Too many kids grow up caring less about how the world really is than how they can manipulate it to feed their fantasies.

Bingo! I have no problem with surrealism. Or even when something is merely improbable. It's when blatant violations of the laws of physics become plot devices that I get turned off.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I think fantasy is a poor substitute for curiosity. Fantasy tends toward delusion, whereas curiosity brings discovery. If you've never read how Richard Feynman's dad brought him up by nurturing and encouraging his curiosity, you might get a kick out of it.

Fantasy and curiosity are not mutally exclusive.

The kind of fantasy that is so intensely marketed towards both adolescents and adults these days encourages self-indulgence, magical thinking and escapism. Too many kids grow up caring less about how the world really is than how they can manipulate it to feed their fantasies.

Well, if something can be prostituted, business will find a way to do it. Rule 34 of Economics.

[Pappa]

"promotes sorcery"

*chortle*

[FBM]

"promotes sorcery"

*chortle*

*snerk*

[FBM]

Bingo! I have no problem with surrealism. Or even when something is merely improbable. It's when blatant violations of the laws of physics become plot devices that I get turned off.

Fantasy and curiosity are not mutally exclusive.

Not mutually exclusive, but a healthy balance between them is necessary for a balanced mind. Fantasy: make up anything that feels good. Good for stress relief and creativity. It sure enhances the quality of life! Curiosity: Imagine what really is going on in the things you can't see and then try to figure out if you're right or not. Likewise, creativity and quality of life are enhanced.

The kind of fantasy that is so intensely marketed towards both adolescents and adults these days encourages self-indulgence, magical thinking and escapism. Too many kids grow up caring less about how the world really is than how they can manipulate it to feed their fantasies.

Well, if something can be prostituted, business will find a way to do it. Rule 34 of Economics.

Amen, brutha! Reality: Like it or not, it's the way it is.

[Chinaski]

She doesn't deserve it anyway. Shoddy writer. Erect a statue to Bukowski instead.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

She doesn't deserve it anyway. Shoddy writer. Erect a statue to Bukowski instead.

What don't you like about her CHILDREN'S BOOKS?

[AshtonBlack]

Anything that get the kiddies reading instead of watching the goggle box is good by me...
You cannot deny the Potter series has done just that, even if only for 6 books (or what ever it is).