Douglas Adams draws upon Asimov?
Ravinder Gill
>whu...@cco.caltech.edu (Wei-Hwa Huang) wrote:
>>Gerry Canavan <ger...@pop3.cris.com> writes:
>>>I've been a fan of Douglas Adams for years, and just recently began
>>>reading Isaac Asimov's books. I have a question:
>>>Throughout DNA's novels, he refers to the Encyclopedia Galactica. Having
>>>just begun Asimov's FOUNDATION novel, he too refers to an Encyclopedia
>>>Galactica. Was Adams' use of this title a bit of a tribute to Asimov, or
>>>what?
>>I'd say without more evidence, the theory is a bit farfetched. After all,
>>what would *you* call an encyclopedia that catalogues all the information
>>in the galaxy?
>Oh I think there is little doubt that Adams was referring back to
>Asimov. Asimov's books were written in the 1940's and 1950's while
>Adams' were written in the early 80's as I recall. The beauty of the
>Adams series is that he understood, and I think liked, science fiction
>and the conventions of the genre. Anyway I'm sure Adams would know
>the foundation series well and would use the form "Encyclopedia
>Galactica" purposely for satirical reasons.
>Ed Seedhouse
>Victoria, B.C.
I reckon Adams seems most similar to Stanislaw Lem, more than anything
else. I mean in terms of style, ideas and humour. Or maybe it's just
me...?
Trevor Clarke
>..>snipped
>..Ed, I don't think there is any tribute to Asimov in the expression
>.."Encyclopedia Galactica". For me it is just the logic extension
>..of the expression "Encyclopedia Britannica" into the galaxy.
>..Besides this, Douglas Adams stated several times in the past
>..that he doesn't read SF; he prefers P.G. Wodehouse, etc.
It may also be an allusion to the fact that the publication from which
the name 'Encyclopaedia Galactica' derives is in fact a misnomer. The
'Encyclpoaedia Britannica' should in fact be retitled the
'Encyclopedia Americana', as it is edited and printed in Chicago and
biased towards American (US) interests, the only concession to Britain
being a dedication to our Queen, and the British version being
published with UK spelling conventions.
This is in much the same vein as the HHGTTG being a parody of the
Hitch-Hiker's Guide to Europe, or 'How to get around Europe on less
than $30 a day'.
--
The Pseudosophist
--
Nietzche, where are you now, when we need you most?
Organised religion sucks, its everyone for themselves!!
Trevor Clarke
>..pe...@primenet.com (Omri Ceren) wrote:
>..>1. Its well-known that DNA isn't that big a fan of sci-fi, but I'm damn _sure_
>..>that he's read the Foundation series... He could be taking a swipe at sci-fi
>..>by constantly making fun of the Encylopedia Galactica...
>..Who is this well-known by? I do not know this 'fact', nor do I
>..remember reading it in the many articles I have read about his work on
>..Doctor Who and the Hitchhiker's radio series.
>..By the way, it's also well-known that... Never mind, it's so
>..well-known there is no reason for me to mention it.
IMHO Douglas Adams is one of those quintessentially English authors
who is able to poke fun at both his own and other cultures (Apologies
to Douglas if he is Irish, Scots or Welsh). From my own (limited)
understanding of his work, and being English myself, much of his work
appears to parody American (US) West Coast and English cultures. The
fact that he is achingly funny takes much of the sting out of the
barbs that he is placing.
Woody Brison
were mostly advertising people. They have a shop talk that is a
lot like the jokes in Adams' books I think. Who are Adams' friends?
(besides this group I mean).
I'm not saying this to detract from the humor. This language is
beautiful, like a kind of poetry. I read that the Japanese are
studying it as poetry (and to make a few bucks from US corporations
thru advertising consulting). When Coca-cola tried to market in the
Orient they renamed their product "Happiness in the Mouth" which
fits the same style. (Their original attempt I understand was
phonetically "ko-kah-ko-la" which means "bite the wax tadpole" in
Chinese - reminds me of "stick your head in a pig")
Truly great literature often says something that really cuts to
the heart of the matter as I notice DNA frequently does.
Woody the Time Traveller
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The Pseudosophist had written:
