Let's speculate because he's dead and can't confirm/deny anything.
His "Trilogy" contained five books.
"Adams" has five letters.
He had an unhealthy belief (real or fictional) that dolphins were more intelligent than the general public (see: Illuminatus! Howard the dolphin).
Plus his sense of humor mirrors that of many "Discordians."
Anything else to add?
Similar jokes, none of the same ideas.
Well, obviously it has far less philosophical references, but that's mainly because it was based on a completely fictional pretext.
I would also like to point out that the "Heart of Gold" (infinite probability drive=chaos) could be a reference to the golden apple.
I will also assert that Zaphod Beeblebrox is the very essence of an intergalactic Dicordian movement.
And, Wonko the Sane has five letters in his first name.
if discordia is the bowl of tulips, he is the whale
You're missing the point of the Law of Fives.
He was part of the hacking community in the 80s, where more than a few references to Discordianism could be found...but mainly what Badges said.
Also, I used to live in the same town as Adams. Which is less than 20 miles from where Terry Pratchett used to live.
Quote from: Dimo1138 on August 01, 2009, 07:27:09 PM
Well, obviously it has far less philosophical references, but that's mainly because it was based on a completely fictional pretext.
So is Discordianism.....
ZOMG, DOUGY ADAMS WAS ONE OF US!
Hi-
5
Quote from: Cain on August 01, 2009, 09:23:10 PM
He was part of the hacking community in the 80s, where more than a few references to Discordianism could be found...but mainly what Badges said.
Also, I used to live in the same town as Adams. Which is less than 20 miles from where Terry Pratchett used to live.
So DNA probably knew about Discordianism (and the Church of the Subgenius). Got a laugh from it. But didn't really really believe in it. From reading Salmon of Doubt I'd say that he was more influenced by Richard Dawkins and Richard Attenborough than any Discordian works.
Quote from: Iason Ouabache on August 01, 2009, 10:41:49 PM
Quote from: Cain on August 01, 2009, 09:23:10 PM
He was part of the hacking community in the 80s, where more than a few references to Discordianism could be found...but mainly what Badges said.
Also, I used to live in the same town as Adams. Which is less than 20 miles from where Terry Pratchett used to live.
So DNA probably knew about Discordianism (and the Church of the Subgenius). Got a laugh from it. But didn't really really believe in it. From reading Salmon of Doubt I'd say that he was more influenced by Richard Dawkins and Richard Attenborough than any Discordian works.
This.
He was a great guy, with great ideas. But his personal philosophy. judging from the Salmon of Doubt, seemed to lie more in the regions of environmentalism and atheism.
Most importantly, I think you can tell from the lack of pranksterism in his writings/personality.
Unlike Richard Feynmann, who had (has?) all the prankster characteristics, but after having read "surely you're joking" I'm convinced he wasnt really discordian either, maybe subconscious, but he never seemed to connect a few dots between his pranks and the think for yourself / question authority business. Too much of an exact scientist, too little introspection/philosophy. Or something like that. Got a bit caught up in the "question authority" prison, IMO, pranking authority for the sake of it, when going along for a littlebit might have caused greater effect.
I M O
I'm sure you could draw up a whole list of famous people who had aspects to them which are a little "Discordian-esque" or otherwise had qualities or ideas that Discordians could approve of.
Quote from: Cain on August 02, 2009, 01:46:29 PM
I'm sure you could draw up a whole list of famous people who had aspects to them which are a little "Discordian-esque" or otherwise had qualities or ideas that Discordians could approve of.
I suppose this is the purpose of dubbing others as "Discordian Saints"
Indeed. We could always draw up a list of Saints, I guess. It'll be hella long and contnetious, though.
Cain,
remembers the sainting of Bush started off the Civil War
Discordians in History (http://www.principiadiscordia.com/forum/index.php?topic=12756.msg401274#msg401274) anyone?
I declared DA as St. Adams of The Towel (also small furry hats), when he passed.
Quote from: Telarus on August 02, 2009, 11:00:44 PM
I declared DA as St. Adams of The Towel (also small furry hats), when he passed.
:D
Quote from: Cain on August 02, 2009, 04:54:05 PM
Indeed. We could always draw up a list of Saints, I guess. It'll be hella long and contnetious, though.
Cain,
remembers the sainting of Bush started off the Civil War
Woah, no way. :lol: That's AWESOME.
I agree that generally any of this is Lo5ing at heart, but since the first post noted that this is *speculation*, I might as well go ahead:
- The BOGMM is similar to the concept in the PD of the universe being pure chaos (containing both order and disorder). It meshes with the idea of reality grids.
- Dirk Gently's main mode of operation is a combination of bavarian fire drill and going with the flow. He is probably one of Adams' most discordian-esque characters.
- As it is known (this was mentioned before) that Adams was part of the hacking community in the 80s, which probably had more discordians and discordian references than you can shake a stick at (the discordian calendar app is a core part of the GNU file utilities, and any GNU-based system will have ddate), it is difficult to imagine that he didn't come into contact with some discordian 'stuff'. That said, this doesn't mean that he recognized it as discordian, nor that he identified as discordian.
Quote from: la neige cône on August 01, 2009, 09:15:31 PM
if discordia is the bowl of tulips, he is the whale
i like my answer better.
Quote from: Enki v. 2.0 on August 06, 2009, 02:02:41 AM
I agree that generally any of this is Lo5ing at heart, but since the first post noted that this is *speculation*, I might as well go ahead:
- The BOGMM is similar to the concept in the PD of the universe being pure chaos (containing both order and disorder). It meshes with the idea of reality grids.
- Dirk Gently's main mode of operation is a combination of bavarian fire drill and going with the flow. He is probably one of Adams' most discordian-esque characters.
- As it is known (this was mentioned before) that Adams was part of the hacking community in the 80s, which probably had more discordians and discordian references than you can shake a stick at (the discordian calendar app is a core part of the GNU file utilities, and any GNU-based system will have ddate), it is difficult to imagine that he didn't come into contact with some discordian 'stuff'. That said, this doesn't mean that he recognized it as discordian, nor that he identified as discordian.
The Dirk Gently books are awesome. Far better than the Hitchhikers series, IMO.
Quote from: Dimo1138 on August 06, 2009, 08:35:50 PM
The Dirk Gently books are awesome. Far better than the Hitchhikers series, IMO.
Actually, I have to agree with you on that one. Maybe I should reread them though. I read them when I was ~12 and the Hitchhiker stuff just didn't seem that amusing at all to me.
:fnord: bbc radio did the audio book
Quote from: fictionpuss on August 06, 2009, 09:09:13 PM
Quote from: Dimo1138 on August 06, 2009, 08:35:50 PM
The Dirk Gently books are awesome. Far better than the Hitchhikers series, IMO.
Actually, I have to agree with you on that one. Maybe I should reread them though. I read them when I was ~12 and the Hitchhiker stuff just didn't seem that amusing at all to me.
I've recently re-read both the Hitchhikers and the Dirk Gently series, and honestly, Dirk holds up much better in the long run. The subject matter is a bit more thought provoking and the humor is really top notch. I like his Zen way of figuring out how to get places. He just finds a car on the high-way that looks like it knows where it's going and follows it.
....Is Larry the cucumber a Discordian?
Dirk Gently was pretty good, but I still laugh out loud in public when re-reading HHG.
Quote from: The Lord and Lady Omnibus Fuck on August 07, 2009, 07:11:07 PM
Dirk Gently was pretty good, but I still laugh out loud in public when re-reading HHG.
The first two books in HHG were the best, after that it started to taper off a bit. I felt the last book was kind of boring. I liked the first DG better, I have an unhealthy fascination with wacky time-travel.
still cant believe they are making another one
Quote from: la neige cône on August 07, 2009, 11:29:09 PM
still cant believe they are making another one
Whoah, What!
http://sffmedia.com/books/science-fiction-books/229-new-hitchhikers-guide-to-the-galaxy-novel-for-gods-sake-why.html
Quote from: la neige cône on August 07, 2009, 11:34:19 PM
http://sffmedia.com/books/science-fiction-books/229-new-hitchhikers-guide-to-the-galaxy-novel-for-gods-sake-why.html
:x
could be interesting.
any devaluation of the original books is solely inside your head. reading the new book can only hurt you if you let it.
Quote from: la neige cône on August 07, 2009, 11:34:19 PM
http://sffmedia.com/books/science-fiction-books/229-new-hitchhikers-guide-to-the-galaxy-novel-for-gods-sake-why.html
Hmph. I suppose we'll have to wait and see. When in '09 is this supposed to be out? I didn't (look) see it mentioned.
well I like THHGTTG too much to let this new book spoil it for me, so I'm gonna wait and see too, and if in any way possible I'm going to enjoy it.
also I didnt like the DG series as much as THHGTTG (all the books except the before-last one that one's a bit tedious imo), problem with DG for me is that the story simply is not finished. all the books have a very unfinished feel to me, and the third one (publish in the Salmon of Doubt) actually really isnt finished because they reconstructed it from files on his computer ...
I didn't realize that there was a DG piece in Salmon of Doubt. I own it but I only skimmed through it. For one reason or another it didn't seem to hold my attention. It's been a while since I've given it a look, maybe I'll dig it out and give it another shot.
Incidentally, I'm writing a Sci-Fi novel with humorous undertones, in the same vein, but in no way the same, as THHGTTG. If there's anyone who wants to give me a little constructive criticism (key word: Constructive) let me know. I could really use it...
www.tvtropes.com
It really will help.
Quote from: LMNO on August 12, 2009, 07:16:40 PM
www.tvtropes.com
It really will help.
AmateurTip: Allocate at least four hours, used tabbed browsing, open up a new tab for everything which even remotely sparks your interest, and get lost.
I had, at one point, over 100 entries on that site bookmarked.
On the other hand, I do have a great premise for a novel...I just need to finish off the research and write it...
Quote from: LMNO on August 12, 2009, 07:16:40 PM
www.tvtropes.com
It really will help.
Can I get constructive criticism and feedback here?
Quote from: Dimo1138 on August 13, 2009, 01:46:57 AM
Quote from: LMNO on August 12, 2009, 07:16:40 PM
www.tvtropes.com
It really will help.
Can I get constructive criticism and feedback here?
Bring'n'brag might be a better section once you have something to present which can be critiqued.
Quote from: fictionpuss on August 13, 2009, 02:51:40 AM
Quote from: Dimo1138 on August 13, 2009, 01:46:57 AM
Quote from: LMNO on August 12, 2009, 07:16:40 PM
www.tvtropes.com
It really will help.
Can I get constructive criticism and feedback here?
Bring'n'brag might be a better section once you have something to present which can be critiqued.
Thanks.
Quote from: Dimo1138 on August 13, 2009, 01:46:57 AM
Quote from: LMNO on August 12, 2009, 07:16:40 PM
www.tvtropes.com
It really will help.
Can I get constructive criticism and feedback here?
No, but you can find you the majority of plot points, characters, and storytelling techniques there, and how to do them right, and how to do them wrong.
Quote from: LMNO on August 13, 2009, 06:55:07 PM
Quote from: Dimo1138 on August 13, 2009, 01:46:57 AM
Quote from: LMNO on August 12, 2009, 07:16:40 PM
www.tvtropes.com
It really will help.
Can I get constructive criticism and feedback here?
No, but you can find you the majority of plot points, characters, and storytelling techniques there, and how to do them right, and how to do them wrong.
Fair enough. Although, I am attending college for English and writing, I'm sure I'll pick up some of that stuff there. BTW, I sent you a copy. Chiggity-check yo' E-mail.
Trust me: If you're any kind of writer, www.tvtropes.com will be like drinking scotch in a hot tub getting a blowjob from a chick with gills.
Quote from: LMNO on August 13, 2009, 07:20:38 PM
Trust me: If you're any kind of writer, www.tvtropes.com will be like drinking scotch in a hot tub getting a blowjob from a chick with gills.
Fair enough. That reminds me of last weekend. There was no scotch or blow jobs from fishy broads, but I was relaxing in a heated swimming pool with nothing but my boxers, eating NY system with a cooler of PBR's floating right next to me 'till six in the morn'.