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In Science Fiction, some awards have become almost meaningless as they came to be dominated by interests other than the pure enjoyment of a truly good story. The Hugo Awards, for example, have descended into a left/right catfight. They have become as meaningless as a Nobel Peace Prize.
Some, like yours truly, have entirely stopped reading about awards after getting burned once too many times and rely almost entirely on word of mouth or serendipity to find new authors and worthwhile books.
Our recent discussion of "The winners of the 2018 Hugo Awards" brought the idea (from bzipitidoo) that perhaps Soylent News could do a better job of pointing out new works of Science Fiction that could be of interest to soylentils and janrinok supported the idea, going so far as offering a kidney to the best author. (I think he's British, so he might have meant a kidney pie. [Not true, but funny])
Mind you, we would need to separate Science Fiction from Sci-Fi, Fantasy and other genres that have been mishmashed into one by most publishers and awards organizations.
So what do you think? What is the best new author/book in Science Fiction?
(Score: 5, Informative) by PartTimeZombie on Friday August 24 2018, @02:29AM (9 children)
As an outsider who is neither a Democrat or a Republican, I can tell you that Dr. Ben Carson is viewed as neither a doctor, or a successful black man, but as a total fuckwit.
America dodged a bullet when he dropped out of the race.
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Friday August 24 2018, @02:35AM (6 children)
So, uhhhhhh - Carson didn't really perform neural surgery on any patients? And - he didn't make any money doing so? Or, are you arguing the allegation that he is black? Do your views make him un-black, maybe? I think I'm beginning to understand - he's a white guy in the closet, and he should come out now.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 24 2018, @02:45AM (3 children)
I see him as a once successful and brilliant neurosurgeon who happened to be a total fuckwit as a politician.
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Friday August 24 2018, @02:54AM (1 child)
Ahhhh, that's better than the above. Carson may or may not be a fuckwit as a politician, but you do give him credit for being a smart mofo who managed to save a lot of lives.
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 24 2018, @05:17AM
I just want to chime in that I'm not making fun of you for decent comments. You make a good point, too many people mock Carson but it is crazy hard to stand up in front of the entire country.
(Score: 0, Disagree) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 24 2018, @04:31AM
You've just described all politicians.
(Score: 2) by PartTimeZombie on Friday August 24 2018, @03:27AM (1 child)
Conversations about Dr. Carson tended to go something like this:
"That Ben Carson is a brain surgeon"
"Oh, the guy running for president? Must be a smart cookie"
"He doesn't believe in evolution"
"Ha, yeah whatever. Wait, really? What a fuckwit".
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 24 2018, @08:49AM
And that is exactly how it should go.
(Score: 3, Informative) by ikanreed on Friday August 24 2018, @05:25AM (1 child)
Oh yes, the white genuinely mentally unwell asshole we got instead was so much better.
Also we weren't "spared" cain, he's secretary of housing and urban development, and there's been some scandals quietly swallowed up by the ongoing fuckstorm that is trump.
(Score: 3, Informative) by jmorris on Friday August 24 2018, @06:02AM
I guess they all look alike to you, but Herman Cain and Ben Carson are two different black Republicans. One is a world famous neurosurgeon (retired) who is now leading the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the other is a pizza baron turned talk radio host.