For a drearier, scarier, better ‘downs.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Originally Posted by the phantom

Speak for yourself, Fea- I'm absolutely terrifying when I play Werewolf.

Hush up, love, you know you're just a pup. A sheep in wolf's clothing, if you insist on keeping up the illusion.

Hey, Squatter, my first Books post was also my first thread...

Originally Posted by Feanor of the Peredhil

Forgive me if this has been asked before, but I've yet to explore all of this site. In the Fellowship of the Ring, Aragorn finds a "single pale-green jewel." He identifies it as a beryl (ie: an emerald), but emeralds are not pale green. In general stone-lore, beryls are historically elf-stones and are associated with the merry folk of the wood. However (this is where my question comes into play) a peridot IS a pale green jewel. In basic stone-lore, peridots were always used to ward off terrors of the night, and wraiths. The stone was placed on the bridge after Glorfindel dispelled the Nazgul, thus causing me to believe that the stone was, in fact, a peridot, and that Aragorn wrongly identified it. Is my conclusion correct, or have I missed an important fact?

Let's see... Shortly following my [over-formal/pretentious/embarassing] post:

the phantom linked me to a site showing that my color logic was pretty much completely bad.

burrahobbit gave me a seven word response telling me that my logic, again, was faulty.

'Vana posted a dictionary quote and I pretty much assumed I was surrounded by people who can directly quote Webster without effort at any given time.

Keeper of Dol Goldur asked if most people of the Third Age would even have any clue about the fundamental differences of gemstones that look alike.

So I ended the thread firmly of the opinion that, for all that I was brilliant, wise, awesome, incredible, I was totally out of my league and that I should just sit in a corner for the rest of my life.

[Durelin]

Since we're going over embarrassing threads and moments (oh, and to think there's an entire thread dedicated to that! Goes to show how smart we people actually are... ), perhaps a brief 'guide' to a good "The Books" topic, or any type of good topic, would be quite nifty.

Here's one question to start off that I've wondered about: is it better for the topic to be more general, or more specific?

(I would say a good "The Books" post, but I think that's far too difficult, since that could be so many things.)

[Mithadan]

What I sometimes do is sort of plot out an issue, thinking about what I want to ultimately say, but in my initial post starting the thread I will merely give a general overview, state a position and solicit comments before pouring out my whole theory or interpretation. Sometimes less is more. If you write a thesis for your first post members may be less likely to respond thinking the issue is fully addressed. Alternatively, members might be intimidated by a lengthy initial post, particularly if you are planning on using quotes or referring to less common texts.

[Lhunardawen]

I agree that it's the verbosity that I find intimidating more than the BDers posting. It's funny, but back when I still visited Books frequently, the words "Letters" or "Canonicity" or "HoME" (among others) were my signs to click on the Back button right away. Nah, Lhuna, don't even try.

When I do find an interesting topic, I tend to stumble on it too late, in which either all my ideas have been said, or I've taken too much time reading the posts that by the time I see the Reply button, I've forgotten what I was to say, and then become too lazy to gather my thoughts again.

So much to read, so little time. Sigh. Short, sweet, yet altogether very though-provoking threads are such a relief when they appear.

[Boromir88]

What I sometimes do is sort of plot out an issue, thinking about what I want to ultimately say, but in my initial post starting the thread I will merely give a general overview, state a position and solicit comments before pouring out my whole theory or interpretation.~Mithadan

I'll agree with that...I haven't started a thread in a long time, but I won't forget one of my earliest threads I started...about oaths, and I pretty much explained everything in detail, and I think it was Gurthang who said 'What's the point here, seems like you've explained everything.' (paraphrasing that). And I realized that there truly was nothing to argue or debate about. So, I approach starting threads differently now...kind of like laying down the foundation of what the argument will be about, and then later on arguing my side.

[Farael]

Well, I think we have reached somewhat of a consensus here, or otherwise everything that we wanted to say has been said. Since it was my proposition I might as well wrap it up a little.

From all the talk I gather that:
*Perhaps linking without discussing can be seen as discouraging, and posters should be aware that in spite of their best intentions this may just happen
*Even if it feels a little scary, the "old time posters" (meaning those that make long, very very elaborate posts) don't mind different views, even if not expressed as fluently.
*Thus, we should all take a big breath, choose one topic and give it a try!!

I think there was a small increase on movement on The Books... might just be a coincidence, but let's all go over there and share our thoughts! =)

This post, obviously, does not mean that the lack of activity on The Books sub-forum can no-longer be discussed, but I believe Jenny had something else to comment on... the floor is yours =)

[JennyHallu]

Um. This is embarrassing.

But I forgot.

[Beleg Cuthalion]

I find everone's comments here interesting, because they hit very close to home. I’ve always had that problem on forums, though perhaps I don’t quite give this impression here, I’m a member on a number of different forums, and I almost never post anything anywhere. The reason being that I feel inadequate, or I could not possibly make any worth while contribution to any topic, and I almost always think that, like in this post right now is not really to the point of this thread. It’s probably why I haven’t been here in a year. Sorry I must be starting to sound cofuseing, I’m hardly an academic and all the very intelligent people that seem to inhabit these Tolkien forums just make one feel rather inferior. IMHO

-Beleg

>>--->

[Kath]

Agreed Beleg. When I first joined this site I did sit in the corner and watch because I was terrified of looking stupid or being yelled at by a mod. It took me a good year to realise that, though there are some people on here that come only for the literary discussion, most 'Downers take part in all areas of the site. And if you ever want to get over your fear or a particular person then play werewolf with them, because I guarantee that after you spend three days building a case against them and getting them lynched they'll be more scared of you than you are of them. Though, my first game with Sauce I didn't dare say a word against him to start with, damn irrational fears ...

[Beleg Cuthalion]

Originally Posted by Kath

Agreed Beleg. When I first joined this site I did sit in the corner and watch because I was terrified of looking stupid or being yelled at by a mod. It took me a good year to realise that, though there are some people on here that come only for the literary discussion, most 'Downers take part in all areas of the site. And if you ever want to get over your fear or a particular person then play werewolf with them, because I guarantee that after you spend three days building a case against them and getting them lynched they'll be more scared of you than you are of them. Though, my first game with Sauce I didn't dare say a word against him to start with, damn irrational fears ...

I don't think I'd say a word against him ether.





On the positive side I’m still not sure why it is because I’ve attempted to take part discussions else where, this is the only forum where I’ve made posts longer the two lines! I don’t know why this is, it seems to be a very mentally simulating place to be. Maybe it's all the great members, maybe it's somthing just a little bit special..... but what ever it is I think it’s great. So in closing I would just like to say; long live the barrow downs! May it’s bandwidth never die!! '



-Beleg


>>--->

[mark12_30]

lmp started a lovely thread recently in Books for comparison/contrast with Phantastes.

Comparison/contrast is a well- established and often fun method of literary analysis. But there are others. Pick a literary method, pick a Tolkien story, and try it. The worst that can happen is you get redirected to an old thread that you can read and add to.

Fordie, I so wanted to rep you for that link to canonicity. You have a Terribly Evil streak. Go cackle at Movie-Gandalf and have it cast out, will you? And where are your Capitalized Nouns in your post? I don't see any. Canonicity and any serious references thereto must have Capitalized Nouns. Capitalize, I say, or I shall heave a Gauntlet at thee, thwack.