 |
|
The Official Abel G. Peña Thread (Halagad Approved) - 629 replies | 42 pages |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date Posted: Jan 05, 2007 11:18 AM
You got me.
I initially thought it was too obvious, but I guess that's just because I have philosophy on the mind all the time. But the names flowed into each other nicely in that particular order, and I thought it'd be nice to pay tribute to the three heavyweights of the ancient world.
There was also a perverse pleasure in smooshing them all together, since their philosophies weren't always complimentary. One of the things I like about science fiction is that it's given me a freedom to explore impossibilities, symbolically and theoretically. Plaristes and Jeng Droga are good examples of the former, while the philosophies of the ancient Sith, discussed in Evil Never Dies, is a good example of the latter.
Take care,
Abel
|
|
|
|
|
|
jSarek
Total Posts: 2259
Member Since: 12/03
|
|
Date Posted: Jan 05, 2007 12:46 PM
Halagad:
I initially thought it was too obvious
It probably was; I know when I realized it I felt like I *should* have caught it long before.
But the names flowed into each other nicely in that particular order, and I thought it'd be nice to pay tribute to the three heavyweights of the ancient world.
They do flow together quite nicely; I'm sure that's why it tool me so long to realize it was a blending of the Big Three rather than just a coinage designed to sound Greekish.
There was also a perverse pleasure in smooshing them all together, since their philosophies weren't always complimentary.
At least you weren't creating Milkantnietzsche. THAT would be perverse. 
One of the things I like about science fiction is that it's given me a freedom to explore impossibilities, symbolically and theoretically. Plaristes and Jeng Droga are good examples of the former
Jeng Droga as an example of symbolic impossibility? Please, do elaborate.
|
|
|
|
|
|
DuDisNow
Total Posts: 270
Member Since: 01/07
|
|
Date Posted: Jan 06, 2007 07:24 PM
Yoda.
|
|
|
|
|
Date Posted: Jan 07, 2007 08:49 PM
Dontchumean yodaman?
|
|
|
|
|
Date Posted: Jan 10, 2007 03:07 AM
jSarek:
They do flow together quite nicely; I'm sure that's why it tool me so long to realize it was a blending of the Big Three rather than just a coinage designed to sound Greekish.
The order might have something to do with the delayed reaction too... what, doesn't everyone know the line of succession goes Socrates, Plato, Aristotle?
Jeng Droga as an example of symbolic impossibility? Please, do elaborate.
I need to watch what I say around smarties like you.
As part of my first official Star Wars project, I I took secret pleasure in fleshing out Jeng Droga's backstory. The reason was I felt I'd succeeded in finding a way, quite by accident, to crush together two "irreconcilable" approaches to the Expanded Universe. Jeng Droga was of course created for the Star Wars roleplaying game by Eric Trautmann in collaboration with a little someone named Timothy Zahn. But by the time I was through with the character, Droga was firmly anchored in the plot of Tom Veitch's Dark Empire. It's no secret that the pioneering works of these authors, and based on interviews perhaps the writers themselves, had issues of ideological compatability.
Thus, in The Emperor's Pawns, Jeng Droga became an exploration of a kind of impossibility: a mating of these two authors "incompatible" visions... sieved through my special point of view, of course. Label this one a transcendental retcon. A-cha-cha-cha-cha...
Take care,
Abel
|
|
|
|
|
|
jSarek
Total Posts: 2259
Member Since: 12/03
|
|
Date Posted: Jan 10, 2007 04:29 AM
what, doesn't everyone know the line of succession goes Socrates, Plato, Aristotle?
If not, they should. They're only the 3 founders of Western thinking, after all (though some of the pre-Socratics like Thales get too short a shrift, IMO).
I need to watch what I say around smarties like you.
Flattery will get you ... where is it you want to go again? 'Cuz it'll get you there.
As for the background, I can definitely see the symbolic impossibility in bringing those two together, and thus how it'd be fun beyond the regular joy of weaving together threads from all over into a cohesive whole.
Label this one a transcendental retcon.
Transcendental? Will we be seeing a Waldo Hawthorne Thoreau next? ;-p
It's a good turn of phrase for what it is - a reconciliation of two different philosophies and worldviews of Star Wars, rather than facts.
I'll need to keep my eyes peeled for articles with feet in both Marvel and Curtis Saxton worldviews next.
|
|
|
|
|
Date Posted: Jan 16, 2007 01:16 PM
jSarek:
If not, they should. They're only the 3 founders of Western thinking, after all (though some of the pre-Socratics like Thales get too short a shrift, IMO).
We're definitely drifting into dangerous message board territory now...
Of the pre-Socratics, the only one that thoroughly captivates me is Parmenides. I think his journey with the goddess Truth is spellbinding, and that philosophy has never been able to adequately address the assumptions he posed and the fundamental questions he raised.
Flattery will get you ... where is it you want to go again? 'Cuz it'll get you there.
Celebration 4.
As for the background, I can definitely see the symbolic impossibility in bringing those two together, and thus how it'd be fun beyond the regular joy of weaving together threads from all over into a cohesive whole.
The truth is I'm obsessed with irony. The Derrida joke in the Dark Forces Saga was one of my most satisfying "tretcons." My personal fav remains undiscovered, however.
Transcendental? Will we be seeing a Waldo Hawthorne Thoreau next? ;-p
Not in Star Wars. Maybe in some of my other work, though.
It's a good turn of phrase for what it is - a reconciliation of two different philosophies and worldviews of Star Wars, rather than facts.
I just coined tretcon. What do you think?
I'll need to keep my eyes peeled for articles with feet in both Marvel and Curtis Saxton worldviews next.
 That is what I aim for. (For the record, The Story of General Grievous: Lord of War did reference both). To me, it's fascinating that these interpretations of Star Wars coexist with equal validity. It's a good game.
Take care,
Abel
|
|
|
|
|
|
jSarek
Total Posts: 2259
Member Since: 12/03
|
|
Date Posted: Jan 17, 2007 02:53 AM
Of the pre-Socratics, the only one that thoroughly captivates me is Parmenides. I think his journey with the goddess Truth is spellbinding, and that philosophy has never been able to adequately address the assumptions he posed and the fundamental questions he raised.
Yes, Parmenides, too, though personally I find Thales's rationalistic and naturalistic approach to be of vital importance to our current understanding of the world, even if the specifics of "everything is water" have since been shown to be incorrect.
The truth is I'm obsessed with irony. The Derrida joke in the Dark Forces Saga was one of my most satisfying "tretcons." My personal fav remains undiscovered, however.
Yes, the Derrida joke was a good one.
I guess I have to dig more to find your fav . . . perhaps Fett and Shysa's relationship and denouement at Shogun?
|
|
|
|
|
|
jSarek
Total Posts: 2259
Member Since: 12/03
|
|
Date Posted: Jan 17, 2007 02:55 AM
I just coined tretcon. What do you think?
Needs more salt. Actually, it can work, since it can alternately be read as "thematic retcon," which is also an appropriate term for what is done in these cases.
That is what I aim for. (For the record, The Story of General Grievous: Lord of War did reference both). To me, it's fascinating that these interpretations of Star Wars coexist with equal validity.
Yes, but I didn't get the same sense of ironic juxtaposition in that article (okay, to be fair, I didn't get it on first pass on Jeng, either, but in retrospect I can see it).
I agree that it's fascinating that these interpretations can coexist. That's fitting with the real world, where views of World War II include Saving Private Ryan, Hogan's Heroes, Life is Beautiful, Tora Tora Tora, South Pacific, and Sands of Iwo Jima. It actually makes the world more real, not less, that such disparate styles and viewpoints can all validly represent the GFFA.
|
|
|
|
|
Date Posted: Jan 20, 2007 07:10 PM
jSarek:
Yes, Parmenides, too, though personally I find Thales's rationalistic and naturalistic approach to be of vital importance to our current understanding of the world, even if the specifics of "everything is water" have since been shown to be incorrect.
Actually, one of the characteristics I enjoy about the pre-Socratics is their quirkiness, such as Thales definitive statement and Protagoras' "man is the measure of all things." Though, probablistically speaking, they do not deserve it, when we give these statements the benefit of the doubt, and interpret them as intended metaphorically, the results can be very surprising. In that sense, the pre-Socratic texts become more like literature. Parmenides' journey is certainly remarkably similar to that of Dante in the Divine Comedy.
Yes, the Derrida joke was a good one.
Who knew this simple response would get me to wax philosophical? Maybe Derrida, if he were alive.
In any case, presenting...
Plot, Subtext, Metatext, Transcendental Fable
I guess I have to dig more to find your fav . . . perhaps Fett and Shysa's relationship and denouement at Shogun?
In a sense, my take on Boba Fett is another Jeng Droga-type situation, but with so many people contributing to Fett's convoluted backstory, my work on him wasn't nearly as surgical and premeditated except insofar as I tried to be true to the Daniel Keys Moran and Andy Mangels interpretations above all others.
Good guess, but no. You'll likely know it when you see it.
Needs more salt.
I thought so too. The new version is a bit more refined.
Actually, it can work, since it can alternately be read as "thematic retcon," which is also an appropriate term for what is done in these cases.
Don't gimme your pity rationalization, sir!
Yes, but I didn't get the same sense of ironic juxtaposition in that article (okay, to be fair, I didn't get it on first pass on Jeng, either, but in retrospect I can see it).
Your insight has served you well.
It's true, I was totally trying to cheat by mentioning Lord of War, which was merely metatexting and not transfabing. Wouldn't you agree?
I agree that it's fascinating that these interpretations can coexist. That's fitting with the real world, where views of World War II include Saving Private Ryan, Hogan's Heroes, Life is Beautiful, Tora Tora Tora, South Pacific, and Sands of Iwo Jima. It actually makes the world more real, not less, that such disparate styles and viewpoints can all validly represent the GFFA.
Ziiing!
Take care,
Abel
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wari
Total Posts: 9625
Member Since: 12/99
|
|
Date Posted: Jan 20, 2007 08:19 PM
In a sense, my take on Boba Fett is another Jeng Droga-type situation, but with so many people contributing to Fett's convoluted backstory, my work on him wasn't nearly as surgical
You need to just pack your damn bags an move in with us......just move in!!
|
|
|
|
|
Date Posted: Jan 21, 2007 01:56 AM
I'm packin! I'm packin! 
Don't I even get a "We would be honored if you would join us"?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wari
Total Posts: 9625
Member Since: 12/99
|
|
Date Posted: Jan 21, 2007 02:07 AM
This message was edited by Wari on Jan 21, 2007 02:09 AM
ahem...
But of course!
But this time I would have food on the table.
|
|
|
|
|
Date Posted: Jan 21, 2007 03:47 AM
lol you two!
sup Mr. Abel!
|
|
|
|
|
|
IllogicalRogue2
Total Posts: 9805
Member Since: 02/03
|
|
Date Posted: Jan 21, 2007 06:15 AM
Man I realy wish I could go now!! We were going to be going but I just can't afford it. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
![[ Message Boards ]](/skin/default/img/msgboards_title.gif)
![[ Help ]](/skin/default/img/nav/help_off.gif)
![[ Frequently Asked Questions ]](/skin/default/img/nav/faq_off.gif)
![[ Categories ]](/skin/default/img/nav/cats_off.gif)
![[ Books, Comics and Television ]](/skin/default/img/forums/24.gif "[ Books, Comics and Television ]")
![[ Reply ]](/skin/default/img/buttons/reply.gif "[ Reply ]")
![[ Beginning ]](/skin/default/img/shell/arrow_double_back.gif "[ Beginning ]"){kind=icon}
![[ Previous ]](/skin/default/img/shell/arrow_single_back.gif "[ Previous ]"){kind=icon}
![[ Next ]](/skin/default/img/shell/arrow_single_next.gif "[ Next ]"){kind=icon}
![[ End ]](/skin/default/img/shell/arrow_double_next.gif "[ End ]"){kind=icon}
