It's by the guy who runs / draws xkcd.com web comics, and gives serious scientific answers to absurd hypothetical questions. For example: Is it possible to build a jetpack using downward firing machine guns?

Questions are weird like that, but the science is real, so an interesting read. Specially if you are a fan of xkcd.

What about all of you? What have you been reading or listening to lately?

For details on the c/Books bingo challenge that just restarted for the year, you can checkout the initial Book Bingo, and its Recommendation Post. Links are also present in our community sidebar.

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[–] Kongar@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 1 week ago (3 children)

I’m on book 7 of the expanse. I’m finding this series to be a slog. I almost stopped at book 6, but everyone says the last three are really good and get into more protomolecule stuff. It does get into the protomolecule stuff more, but it’s still a bit of a drag.

I’ve never seen the tv show, but I’m starting to think this is one of the rare cases where the books are NOT better.

[–] SchmidtGenetics@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

It is a space opera. It’s meant to be drawn out, more political and world building than other stories.

Sounds like just not your thing, books AND show are both knockouts. Sucks what happened with the actor and it got cancelled.

[–] zout@fedia.io 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

It is a matter of personal preference obviously, but the world building doesn't have to be too elaborate in a space opera. I liked this comment about earlier this week.

[–] SchmidtGenetics@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

And if you don’t find the particular genre or concept appetizing any amount will be a slog.

As you said personal preference, but people love whining about stuff they just don’t enjoy, but continue to try.

I don’t enjoy Cyberpunk, so any stories, even short stories seem a slog. That doesn’t mean it’s bad writing, and that’s a terrible attitude to have. Ive enjoyed the anthology’s I’ve read though for their history and the writing style. I’m not gonna praise, nor bash the writing, since it’s not my style.

It’s akin to picking up a story with racing and complaining there is cars and races. Well.. what else did you expect…?

A lot of people think Dune is too technical, well yeah, that’s the appeal, sorry you don’t like it, don’t whing about it.

Edit as for linked comment itself. The vast majority of readers aren’t going to get those hints, nor are wanting those in EVERY story, so those genres aren’t entirely meant for them, shit attitude like above. Elitist and gatekeeping as well. Not every piece of media is going to be relatable to everyone, yet people continue to think stories should be for THEM. Not what the writer wants.

[–] misericordiae@literature.cafe 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

The show definitely condenses/changes stuff (mostly in a good way), although weirdly I found the seasons with the Marco Inaros drama to be more grating than the book versions.

Have you liked any of plot lines so far, or has it been a slog all the way through?

[–] Kongar@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I loved the first book - like ate it up. Then the books started doing this “let’s build things up forever, and then one two knockout punch the reader”

I get that approach, but it just draws them out for me. I find myself reading entire chapters a going “so what, get on with it”. I actually liked how book 4 ended. I also liked most of book 5, but I felt books 5&6 could have been one condensed book.

7 started off really good, but now I’m at the part where they are barred from their ship and living the underground thug life and it’s stating to drag for me again.

I DO kind of like all the books-it’s just the pacing isn’t right for me. Maybe they were just overhyped for me. So many people love love love the expanse. For me it’s just an ok amusing read.

[–] misericordiae@literature.cafe 2 points 1 week ago

Totally fair. It's impressive you've kept reading so far into the series; I'll grit my teeth through one book with pacing that doesn't work for me (and complain the whole time), but not much beyond that.

[–] miguel@fedia.io 1 points 1 week ago

I've discovered that sequels, by and large, don't improve on the original. I got to book 2 of the expanse and was like "nah, I'm good". So good on you for keeping with it for so long!

For my money, I prefer stuff like Discworld, where there's just a lot of stories in a given universe. Less worldbuilding, more exploring.