I'm pretty sure Jesus didn't pray to himself before every meeting. So there's one value she's not following.

It's a simple virus so (they reason) an ETI would choose it to encode a message because it would be amongst the first DNA to be sequenced (as indeed it was, another reason to choose it). They didn't find any message but it's worth reflecting that aliens might choose to communicate THROUGH OUR ASSES.

And now they want to appropriate their culture back? No way. Actually the first American TV show to be shown in the Soviet Union was Fraggle Rock ... so close. But hands off The Muppet Show.

Sure it's not algorithmic - there's always one more layer to be uncovered - so far ..

This is just a spin on the God of the gaps argument - but postulating gaps that aren't necessarily there. Essays based on a priori assumptions are not studies 3/3.

... but since the fundamental level of reality is based on non-algorithmic understanding, the universe cannot be, and could never be, a simulation.”

But there's no evidence offered that the fundamental level of reality _is_ based on non-algorithmic understanding. 2/3

Yes true ... but ... I'd still like to see a Beren and Luthien movie, a Narn i Hin Hurin adaptation and a Fall of Gondolin. That would work as a trilogy I feel. Maybe I am just too optimistic though.

The first of a series of blogs about a cake-based ontology. Next up - fairy cakes and Trin Tragula.

I love the Andy Serkis readings - but yep that's the 13 hour adaptation with Ian Holm and Michael Hordern. And also Peter Woodthorpe as Gollum (from the Bakshi version).

totally - i think the strength of the movies in part came from Jackson's readiness to learn from previous adaptations, and yes why not? - absolutely the right move.

Yes! the elves showing up at helm's deep was the bit that annoyed me too. I mean _maybe_ they still felt allegiance to the Numenoreans but not the Eorlingas, despite the close-ish kinship. So much for keeping true to the lore despite playing about with the storyline.

I think he wanted to finish it - there was always intended to be a part 2 but the funding wasn't there. And some scenes were so good Peter Jackson lifted them for his movies (and quite a lot was lifted for the BBCR4 series including some casting).

But 100% agree - Wizards was a better movie.

"Wild ride for anime fans" in the sense of a descent into bewildering despair as travesties of things they like are pumped out for no apparent reason, I assume.

right?