There's a great poem by Greek Poet Constantine Cavafy that says if you leave a city, or even country, and go to another one, the same city greets you when you arrive. However in your case, something different occurred in that city that changed the city you came from, to a remarkable degree.
This was a cracking read. Robocop is definitely part of my backstory too but not in such a direct way. It opened the question that maybe, just maybe, technology and capitalism will not Solve All The Things and humans have to still try and be the best human they can be. Until then, for me sci-fi was a question of Goodies vs Baddies with some tech, but Robocop highlighted that even our individual efforts are limited in the face of an amoral corporation.
What an incredible story! I love that you had this moment of inspiration in such a random place at that time in your life.
You inspired me a long time ago; I'm the guy who painstakingly recorded the entirety of Thin He Was and Filthy-Haired onto five 90-minute cassette tapes and came to Dimension Jump one year to present them to you. I was 18, and you were very kind to me and encouraged me rather than - as would have been perfectly understandable - laughing in my face.
I've been a professional writer for many years now, and your kindness and encouragement have had a big effect on that. Thank you, and many happy returns for last week.
Robocop's in-universe creators Omni Consumer Products (OCP) were the Tech Bros companies of today. I particularly enjoyed the movie shining a spotlight on hyper-capitalism with zero morals. I loved it then and I still love it now. Peter Weller's movement was convincingly robotic, and who wouldn't want an Auto-9 to triple-shoot goons to oblivion...!?
Weller actually, tongue in cheek, likes to call himself "Dr. Peter Weller (not an honorary PhD!)". A brilliant and funny guy who studied Classics after he was finished with acting. His books are available for purchase, quite pricey though. He's an inspiration!
Would the script for Mammon: Robot Born of Woman be available anywhere? Or would you do a contemporary recording to sell in your new bookshop? Would love to see it!
Oh goodness, I never thought of that. Hmm, I'm not sure I have any record of the script. This play was written on an old manual typewriter my mum gave me.
It would be good to do. I will try and hunt down a script.
I could do an 'audioplay' version, optherwise known as a radio drama.
Life, and robots, moves in mysterious ways, but it always takes the right person to take that inspiration forward! I think you took the inspiration, but you very much made the path your own - and I love that you got to meet that inspiration in person at last! 🥰
There's a great poem by Greek Poet Constantine Cavafy that says if you leave a city, or even country, and go to another one, the same city greets you when you arrive. However in your case, something different occurred in that city that changed the city you came from, to a remarkable degree.
This was a cracking read. Robocop is definitely part of my backstory too but not in such a direct way. It opened the question that maybe, just maybe, technology and capitalism will not Solve All The Things and humans have to still try and be the best human they can be. Until then, for me sci-fi was a question of Goodies vs Baddies with some tech, but Robocop highlighted that even our individual efforts are limited in the face of an amoral corporation.
Great morph, I'm a Red Dwarf fan alright...
Here's an old Indian quip I managed to retain...
Wherever you go,
There you are!🤠
What an incredible story! I love that you had this moment of inspiration in such a random place at that time in your life.
You inspired me a long time ago; I'm the guy who painstakingly recorded the entirety of Thin He Was and Filthy-Haired onto five 90-minute cassette tapes and came to Dimension Jump one year to present them to you. I was 18, and you were very kind to me and encouraged me rather than - as would have been perfectly understandable - laughing in my face.
I've been a professional writer for many years now, and your kindness and encouragement have had a big effect on that. Thank you, and many happy returns for last week.
Would RoboCop go to silicone heaven do you think?
Robocop's in-universe creators Omni Consumer Products (OCP) were the Tech Bros companies of today. I particularly enjoyed the movie shining a spotlight on hyper-capitalism with zero morals. I loved it then and I still love it now. Peter Weller's movement was convincingly robotic, and who wouldn't want an Auto-9 to triple-shoot goons to oblivion...!?
"Sayonara, Robocop!"
Weller actually, tongue in cheek, likes to call himself "Dr. Peter Weller (not an honorary PhD!)". A brilliant and funny guy who studied Classics after he was finished with acting. His books are available for purchase, quite pricey though. He's an inspiration!
Would the script for Mammon: Robot Born of Woman be available anywhere? Or would you do a contemporary recording to sell in your new bookshop? Would love to see it!
Oh goodness, I never thought of that. Hmm, I'm not sure I have any record of the script. This play was written on an old manual typewriter my mum gave me.
It would be good to do. I will try and hunt down a script.
I could do an 'audioplay' version, optherwise known as a radio drama.
Best Comedy Show Nominee shouldn't be lost to history!!! Especially part of the evolution of Kryten. ;-)
Amazing! I had no idea, Robert - thanks!
Funny how these little moments in life can lead to extraordinary things.
Life, and robots, moves in mysterious ways, but it always takes the right person to take that inspiration forward! I think you took the inspiration, but you very much made the path your own - and I love that you got to meet that inspiration in person at last! 🥰