Cast the Characters of Trek Literature - Page 67

BrotherBenny · May 29 2008, 03:44 PM

Christopher wrote:

The Laws of Robotics are not a genuine scientific or engineering principle, but a literary device. Heck, the only reason Asimov made up the word "robotics" is because he didn't know enough about the field to be aware there was already a term for it, "cybernetics."

Didn't cybernetics come afterward as a scientific field of inquiry? And when was the word "cybernetics" coined anyway?

Christopher · May 29 2008, 04:39 PM

Actually the term cybernetics was originated by Plato to refer to his theory of self-governance. Its use in computer science was originated by Norbert Weiner in 1948. In fact, Asimov coined "robotics" in 1941, so I was in error. But it would be a mistake to assume that Asimov was in any way a scientist in the field of electronics, robotics, or anything of the sort. He was a biochemistry professor who wrote science fiction and who made up terminology for his robotics stories without any actual expertise in the field beyond the curiosity of an avid student of knowledge in general.

JD · May 29 2008, 09:54 PM

I didn't know Asimove coined the term robtics. I had always assumed the term had been around a lot longer than that.

Christopher · May 29 2008, 10:48 PM

^^Well, the word robot itself only dates back to 1921. So the term robotics is only two decades younger. (And they were both coined in works of science fiction, the former in Karel Capek's play R.U.R.)

JD · May 29 2008, 11:04 PM

Well this has actually been a very educational trip to the boards for me.

Turtletrekker · May 29 2008, 11:16 PM

Just curious, does the board still have the "1000 posts max" rule since the switch-over? If so, it's about time to start a new Cast the Characters of Trek Literature thread.

Defcon · May 29 2008, 11:21 PM

Turtletrekker wrote:

Just curious, does the board still have the "1000 posts max" rule since the switch-over? If so, it's about time to start a new Cast the Characters of Trek Literature thread.

No, at least from a technical standpoint AntonyF has given his ok for larger threads. The official ruling at the moment is that it's up to the respective forum's mods if they still enforce the rule for some reason or not.

ETA: You can find a recent Q,S&F thread about the topic here.

Rosalind · May 29 2008, 11:40 PM

Defcon wrote:

Turtletrekker wrote:

Just curious, does the board still have the "1000 posts max" rule since the switch-over? If so, it's about time to start a new Cast the Characters of Trek Literature thread.

No, at least from a technical standpoint AntonyF has given his ok for larger threads. The official ruling at the moment is that it's up to the respective forum's mods if they still enforce the rule for some reason or not.

Both Emh and myself feel we should leave this one open.

JD · May 30 2008, 02:47 AM

As I've been reading Night of the Wolves, I've "cast" Eliza Dushku as Taryl. So far she's the only original character any actors have popped into my mind for.

Darth_Pazuzu · June 28 2008, 10:35 PM

I've been reading the latest DS9 novel, Fearful Symmetry by Olivia Woods, and I have been enjoying it immensely. And I have a few casting suggestions for some of the minor characters:

I have long been a fan of both John Hurt and Charlotte Rampling, two of my favorite British actors. I can't think of anyone else other than Hurt for Dukat's warden, Dal Rokai. (I mean, can you imagine that terrific scream for when Ileana blasts him in the kneecap??) And for some weird reason I keep thinking of Rampling for the role of the Kressari woman Shing-kur. (Probably it's because she's got such distinctive eyes, and in this story we learn that a Kressari's eyes change color according to mood.)

ShinRa Actual · June 30 2008, 02:06 AM

KRAD wrote:

^ In all seriousness, Nielsen used to be a romantic lead in his younger days, most famously in Forbidden Planet. And I can actually see him doing justice to Gold.....

If anyone's interested in seeing more recent (Mid 90s), semi-serious acting from Mr. Nielsen, checking out the DVDs for dueSouth would be a good idea. It leans towards the absurd, but there's still a few scenes of genuine serious acting, especially in the first episodes he guest stars in.

Of course, he also has Captaining experience from SS Posiedon, too.

flandry84 · June 30 2008, 07:30 PM

Some of the authors on here have suggested Harry Morgan for Capt.Gold.I really don't get the "oy vey" vibe from Mr.Morgan.Maybe Elliot Gould or even George Segal might be more likely.

Now somebody will no doubt tell me Mr.Morgan was originally Morganstern or something.

BrotherBenny · June 30 2008, 08:10 PM

How about Alan Alda as he is now for Capt. Gold?

MichaelS · June 30 2008, 08:14 PM

I'm all for Harry Morgan as Gold myself, but recently I've been watching the second season of Boston Legal, and I believe Shelley Berman would be a good choice, too.

Captaindemotion · June 30 2008, 09:04 PM

^ Berman is a great comedy actor, but after seeing him in Boston Legal and as Larry David's dad in Curb Your Enthusiasm, I couldn't take him seriously in anything, even if he is actually the greatest dramatic actor alive!

Alda I like, though my choice is still Topol.

May 29 2008, 04:39 PM	#992
Christopher Writer	Re: Cast the Characters of Trek Literature Actually the term cybernetics was originated by Plato to refer to his theory of self-governance. Its use in computer science was originated by Norbert Weiner in 1948. In fact, Asimov coined "robotics" in 1941, so I was in error. But it would be a mistake to assume that Asimov was in any way a scientist in the field of electronics, robotics, or anything of the sort. He was a biochemistry professor who wrote science fiction and who made up terminology for his robotics stories without any actual expertise in the field beyond the curiosity of an avid student of knowledge in general. __________________ Christopher L. Bennett Homepage -- Updated 5/28/13 with discussion of Rise of the Federation Book 1. Written Worlds -- My blog

May 29 2008, 09:54 PM	#993
JD Admiral Location: Arizona, USA	Re: Cast the Characters of Trek Literature I didn't know Asimove coined the term robtics. I had always assumed the term had been around a lot longer than that. __________________ Over the course of many encounters and many years, I have successfully developed a standard operating procedure for dealing with big, nasty monsters. Run away. Me and Monty Python. Harry Dresden - Blood Rites (The Dresden Files #6)

May 29 2008, 10:48 PM	#994
Christopher Writer	Re: Cast the Characters of Trek Literature ^^Well, the word robot itself only dates back to 1921. So the term robotics is only two decades younger. (And they were both coined in works of science fiction, the former in Karel Capek's play R.U.R.) __________________ Christopher L. Bennett Homepage -- Updated 5/28/13 with discussion of Rise of the Federation Book 1. Written Worlds -- My blog

May 29 2008, 11:04 PM	#995
JD Admiral Location: Arizona, USA	Re: Cast the Characters of Trek Literature Well this has actually been a very educational trip to the boards for me. __________________ Over the course of many encounters and many years, I have successfully developed a standard operating procedure for dealing with big, nasty monsters. Run away. Me and Monty Python. Harry Dresden - Blood Rites (The Dresden Files #6)

May 29 2008, 11:16 PM	#996
Turtletrekker Vice Admiral Location: Tacoma, Washington	Re: Cast the Characters of Trek Literature Just curious, does the board still have the "1000 posts max" rule since the switch-over? If so, it's about time to start a new Cast the Characters of Trek Literature thread. __________________ Coulson lives!

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May 30 2008, 02:47 AM	#999
JD Admiral Location: Arizona, USA	Re: Cast the Characters of Trek Literature As I've been reading Night of the Wolves, I've "cast" Eliza Dushku as Taryl. So far she's the only original character any actors have popped into my mind for. __________________ Over the course of many encounters and many years, I have successfully developed a standard operating procedure for dealing with big, nasty monsters. Run away. Me and Monty Python. Harry Dresden - Blood Rites (The Dresden Files #6)

June 28 2008, 10:35 PM	#1000
Darth_Pazuzu Rear Admiral	Re: Cast the Characters of Trek Literature I've been reading the latest DS9 novel, Fearful Symmetry by Olivia Woods, and I have been enjoying it immensely. And I have a few casting suggestions for some of the minor characters: I have long been a fan of both John Hurt and Charlotte Rampling, two of my favorite British actors. I can't think of anyone else other than Hurt for Dukat's warden, Dal Rokai. (I mean, can you imagine that terrific scream for when Ileana blasts him in the kneecap??) And for some weird reason I keep thinking of Rampling for the role of the Kressari woman Shing-kur. (Probably it's because she's got such distinctive eyes, and in this story we learn that a Kressari's eyes change color according to mood.) __________________ "You're gonna pay for all the Jedi you killed here today, Darhe'el!" "Oh, I don't think I can pay for all of them, Skywalker. There were so many. And you can only execute me once!"

June 30 2008, 07:30 PM	#1002
flandry84 Captain Location: Sunshine cottage,Lollipop lane,Latveria	Re: Cast the Characters of Trek Literature Some of the authors on here have suggested Harry Morgan for Capt.Gold.I really don't get the "oy vey" vibe from Mr.Morgan.Maybe Elliot Gould or even George Segal might be more likely. Now somebody will no doubt tell me Mr.Morgan was originally Morganstern or something.

June 30 2008, 08:10 PM	#1003
BrotherBenny Rear Admiral Location: BrotherBenny	Re: Cast the Characters of Trek Literature How about Alan Alda as he is now for Capt. Gold? __________________ "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined." - Henry David Thoreau My blog / My crime stories

June 30 2008, 08:14 PM	#1004
MichaelS Fleet Captain Location: Austria	Re: Cast the Characters of Trek Literature I'm all for Harry Morgan as Gold myself, but recently I've been watching the second season of Boston Legal, and I believe Shelley Berman would be a good choice, too. __________________ Exploring the Universe Out now: Star Trek: A Choice of Catastrophes

June 30 2008, 09:04 PM	#1005
Captaindemotion Vice Admiral Location: Ireland	Re: Cast the Characters of Trek Literature ^ Berman is a great comedy actor, but after seeing him in Boston Legal and as Larry David's dad in Curb Your Enthusiasm, I couldn't take him seriously in anything, even if he is actually the greatest dramatic actor alive! Alda I like, though my choice is still Topol. __________________ Hodor!!!!!!!