An interesting snippet - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Faramir Jones · 11-29-2016, 10:31 AM

Thanks for that snippet, William!

I had a good laugh at some people thinking that someone of Christopher Tolkien's age would be in any way impressed by Bono's attempt to call him!

I also laughed at Mr. Ohlen calling Mr. Tolkien 'a grumpy guy'!

If any man or woman gets to the age of 92, I believe he or she is entitled to be a little grumpy...

Kuruharan · 11-29-2016, 11:26 AM

That is a very interesting snippet.

I've followed Bioware for a very long time and the quality of their products has taken a steady nosedive to the point of ruin over the past decade.

For that reason I am glad this didn't go anywhere.

Still, I think the setting would make a good video game if done right.

Mithalwen · 11-29-2016, 06:19 PM

No doubt his children could have enlightened him - my cousin and sister are the same ages as Simon and Adam and are great devotees. But my father who was a contemporary of CRT would have associated U2 with submarines.

Otherwise I can only agree with what has been said. Ludicrous to think that Tolkien fils would or should be remotely interested or impressed by such an approach and a reflection of the bizarre arrogance of the modern celebrity culture, but we live in a world where Kate Witless can claim to be a huge fan of Iris Murdoch, whom she portrayed, but in the same breath declare that but of course she hadn't read her books, she didn't have the time.

And of course I would much rather Christopher didn't have his time wasted with such ephemera while there are texts remaining to which he can provide his unique insight if he is so inclined.

Zigûr · 11-29-2016, 07:16 PM

Yes, the idea that "wanting to protect a man's legacy" and "being grumpy" are the same thing is a rather foolish attitude to hold in my view.

On a related note, I'm always bemused by many people's strong desire to see their favourite (allegedly) works of literature adapted as visual media. Why? Do their imaginations not work properly or something?

I'm not much of a fan of Bioware games to be honest. The only one I've ever finished was the first Mass Effect, and I found that to be a slog. Of course they went on to make Dragon Age, the most utterly generic fantasy setting/narrative imaginable, so they didn't really need those Tolkien rights...

Morthoron · 11-29-2016, 07:50 PM

Simon Tolkien: Dad, Bono is in a band, U2.

Christopher: No, not me too, I've never been in a band.

Simon Tolkien: No, U2 is the name of a band Bono is in.

Christopher Tolkien: Bilbo's cousin is in a band?

Simon Tolkien: Who is Bilbo's cousin?

Christopher Tolkien: Bono Baggins from Archet, one of the Bree Bagginses.

Simon Tollkien: Dad, the gentleman who called, his name is Bono. He is a famous rock star.

Christopher Tolkien: What, like The Beatles?

Simon Tolkien: Yes, but a few decades newer.

Christopher Tolkien: Rock and roll is still a thing?

Simon Tolkien: Evidently...

Christopher Tolkien: Well, in any case, I am not interested in joining his band.

Simon Tolkien: Dad, Bono didn't want you to join his band.

Christopher Tolkien: No? It's just as well, I don't play an instrument. Although I did play bassoon in primary school. I wasn't very good...

Simon Tolkien: Ummm...I'll give you a ring tomorrow, Dad, have a good night.

William Cloud Hicklin · 12-01-2016, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuruharan

That is a very interesting snippet.

I've followed Bioware for a very long time and the quality of their products has taken a steady nosedive to the point of ruin over the past decade.

While Bioware certainly laid a massive turd with Dragon Age II, and ruined Mass Effect 3 with an appallingly bad ending, they earned a great deal of redemption with Dragon Age: Inquisition, which (IMHO) is what Skyrim wants to be when it grows up. Certainly Mass Effect 2 was one of the great games of the sixth generation.*

Personally I don't think an evolution away from the D&D-based Baldur's Gate was a bad thing.

================

*Yes, ME1 was kind of a slog, despite its incredible world-building and memorable characters, rather clunky in some of its old-school aspects like the cumbersome BG/KotOR-derived inventory system. And the damn Mako. Fortunately all that was massively** improved in the sequel

**No pun intended

Kuruharan · 12-06-2016, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by William Cloud Hicklin

While Bioware certainly laid a massive turd with Dragon Age II, and ruined Mass Effect 3 with an appallingly bad ending, they earned a great deal of redemption with Dragon Age: Inquisition, which (IMHO) is what Skyrim wants to be when it grows up.

Interesting, I don't agree with that assessment at all. I thought Inquisition was the worst of the three. It did visit more locations other than Kirkwall over and over, but I did not enjoy the storyline very much and I did not like the characters either.

I certainly would never rate Inquisition over Skyrim.

11-29-2016, 10:31 AM	#1
Faramir Jones Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Lonely Isle Posts: 706	Thanks for that Thanks for that snippet, William! I had a good laugh at some people thinking that someone of Christopher Tolkien's age would be in any way impressed by Bono's attempt to call him! I also laughed at Mr. Ohlen calling Mr. Tolkien 'a grumpy guy'! If any man or woman gets to the age of 92, I believe he or she is entitled to be a little grumpy...

11-29-2016, 11:26 AM	#2
Kuruharan Regal Dwarven Shade Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: A Remote Dwarven Hold Posts: 3,593	That is a very interesting snippet. I've followed Bioware for a very long time and the quality of their products has taken a steady nosedive to the point of ruin over the past decade. For that reason I am glad this didn't go anywhere. Still, I think the setting would make a good video game if done right. __________________ ...finding a path that cannot be found, walking a road that cannot be seen, climbing a ladder that was never placed, or reading a paragraph that has no...

11-29-2016, 06:19 PM	#3
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,460	No doubt his children could have enlightened him - my cousin and sister are the same ages as Simon and Adam and are great devotees. But my father who was a contemporary of CRT would have associated U2 with submarines. Otherwise I can only agree with what has been said. Ludicrous to think that Tolkien fils would or should be remotely interested or impressed by such an approach and a reflection of the bizarre arrogance of the modern celebrity culture, but we live in a world where Kate Witless can claim to be a huge fan of Iris Murdoch, whom she portrayed, but in the same breath declare that but of course she hadn't read her books, she didn't have the time. And of course I would much rather Christopher didn't have his time wasted with such ephemera while there are texts remaining to which he can provide his unique insight if he is so inclined. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace Last edited by Mithalwen; 11-30-2016 at 08:52 AM.

11-29-2016, 07:16 PM	#4
Zigûr Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 785	Yes, the idea that "wanting to protect a man's legacy" and "being grumpy" are the same thing is a rather foolish attitude to hold in my view. On a related note, I'm always bemused by many people's strong desire to see their favourite (allegedly) works of literature adapted as visual media. Why? Do their imaginations not work properly or something? I'm not much of a fan of Bioware games to be honest. The only one I've ever finished was the first Mass Effect, and I found that to be a slog. Of course they went on to make Dragon Age, the most utterly generic fantasy setting/narrative imaginable, so they didn't really need those Tolkien rights... __________________ "Since the evening of that day we have journeyed from the shadow of Tol Brandir." "On foot?" cried Éomer.

11-29-2016, 07:50 PM	#5
Morthoron Curmudgeonly Wordwraith Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ensconced in curmudgeonly pursuits Posts: 2,515	Simon Tolkien: Dad, Bono is in a band, U2. Christopher: No, not me too, I've never been in a band. Simon Tolkien: No, U2 is the name of a band Bono is in. Christopher Tolkien: Bilbo's cousin is in a band? Simon Tolkien: Who is Bilbo's cousin? Christopher Tolkien: Bono Baggins from Archet, one of the Bree Bagginses. Simon Tollkien: Dad, the gentleman who called, his name is Bono. He is a famous rock star. Christopher Tolkien: What, like The Beatles? Simon Tolkien: Yes, but a few decades newer. Christopher Tolkien: Rock and roll is still a thing? Simon Tolkien: Evidently... Christopher Tolkien: Well, in any case, I am not interested in joining his band. Simon Tolkien: Dad, Bono didn't want you to join his band. Christopher Tolkien: No? It's just as well, I don't play an instrument. Although I did play bassoon in primary school. I wasn't very good... Simon Tolkien: Ummm...I'll give you a ring tomorrow, Dad, have a good night. __________________ And your little sister's immaculate virginity wings away on the bony shoulders of a young horse named George who stole surreptitiously into her geography revision.