# Arthur C. Clarke passes away **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 18, 2008, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-c-clarke-passes-away/441843 "2008-03-18T21:56:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-c-clarke-passes-away/441843/41 "2008-03-19T01:16:52Z")
[QUOTE=Exapno Mapcase] Never. He was a _good \* writer._ Of the Big Three, though, Clarke was clearly the best as a dealer in prose. He had a plain style but used it effectively. He could create landscapes, images, and scenes that were highly visual and nobody was ever better than he at making ideas soar. Like Asimov, he eventually became a more important figure for his nonfiction, with dozens of science essays (collected in multiple books) that helped define the image of science in the early days of the Space Age. We badly miss the days when people could consider science and engineering optimistically and look forward to a better and greater future. Clarke’s death means the death of that era and that’s far more of a loss than the end of the Golden Age. - And he was 100 times more important than Clarke in making sf respectable in the 1950s. [/QUOTE] Sounds like a good debate for another thread sir. I suggest _Cites at Dawn_, I choose \*\*Silenus \*\* for my Second. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-c-clarke-passes-away/441843/42 "2008-03-19T01:18:19Z")
☹ ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-c-clarke-passes-away/441843/43 "2008-03-19T01:25:04Z")
[QUOTE=Icerigger] Yes, I am in tears for he was my favorite. His “A Fall of Moondust” has a special place in my heart, I try to read it once a year for old times sake. It will be very hard to open it again. [/QUOTE] Wow, same here. _A Fall of Moondust_ was the first SF book I read (well, either it or Heinlein’s _A Door Into Summer_, I got them both at the same time). I used to visualize them both as movies in my head. I just re-read ADIS but I haven’t read AFOM for a couple of decades. I need to do that. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-c-clarke-passes-away/441843/44 "2008-03-19T01:25:16Z")
[QUOTE=Exapno Mapcase] Never. He was a _good \* writer._ Of the Big Three, though, Clarke was clearly the best as a dealer in prose. He had a plain style but used it effectively. He could create landscapes, images, and scenes that were highly visual and nobody was ever better than he at making ideas soar. Like Asimov, he eventually became a more important figure for his nonfiction, with dozens of science essays (collected in multiple books) that helped define the image of science in the early days of the Space Age. We badly miss the days when people could consider science and engineering optimistically and look forward to a better and greater future. Clarke’s death means the death of that era and that’s far more of a loss than the end of the Golden Age. - And he was 100 times more important than Clarke in making sf respectable in the 1950s. [/QUOTE] sorry to hijack When I read the unabridged collection of Bradbury’s short fiction I was surprised by the fact that most of it didn’t even come close to being science fiction. And what was science fiction is the softest of science fiction. I love him as an author but I don’t see him grouped with Asimov, Heinlein and Clarke. Actually I see him more like Vonnegut. An author that uses science fiction elements when it suits him. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-c-clarke-passes-away/441843/45 "2008-03-19T01:36:50Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] Sounds like a good debate for another thread sir. I suggest _Cites at Dawn_, I choose \*\*Silenus \*\* for my Second. 😉 [/QUOTE] I shall endeavor to serve with honor. **Exapno** , who do you chose to represent you? ---
**Author:** ![Dilton\_Doiley\_Philosopher\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f1d935/32.png) [@Dilton\_Doiley\_Philosopher\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dilton_Doiley_Philosopher_King)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-c-clarke-passes-away/441843/46 "2008-03-19T01:47:47Z")
Good luck, on your journey to Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite… ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-c-clarke-passes-away/441843/47 "2008-03-19T01:52:13Z")
Good Og, I’d forgotten all about “Childhood’s End”. What a monumental work. I saw “2001” when it first came out. It was in a Cinerama theater (with the wraparound screen) in Hollywood, and I remember being in awe of the special effects and nearly falling out of my chair during the flight in the pod through the universe. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-c-clarke-passes-away/441843/48 "2008-03-19T02:18:38Z")
[QUOTE=silenus] I shall endeavor to serve with honor. **Exapno** , who do you chose to represent you? [/QUOTE] How about [this guy at Salon.com](http://www.salon.com/tech/htww/2008/03/18/rendezvous_with_arthur_c_clarke/)? 🙂 > [@](#): > > But we didn’t read them for their craft! (Excluding Ray Bradbury, who really did know how to write.) ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-c-clarke-passes-away/441843/49 "2008-03-19T02:27:23Z")
Farewell Mr. Clarke. You had some very large, very strange ideas. Why are people in this thread referring to Ray Bradbury in the past tense? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-c-clarke-passes-away/441843/50 "2008-03-19T02:28:25Z")
I shall call on him on the morrow. (I should mention that I have the greatest respect and admiration for Bradbury. I have a number of autographed volumes of his work, and have had lunch with him on occasion. A true gentleman and amazing writer. Even though, like the other mentioned, he has gotten a bit…potty in his dotage.) As the challenged party, you will have coice of weapons. May I suggest First Editions at 5 paces? ---
**Author:** ![NinjaChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-c-clarke-passes-away/441843/51 "2008-03-19T02:30:09Z")
Aw man. It’s hardly a surprise and it’s not like he died before his time, but what a loss to the world. Him, Asimov, and Heinlein - and those influenced by them, of course - were defining forces of my childhood. And talk about leaving tremendous shoes to fill. Rest in peace, Mr. Clark. You’ll be sorely missed. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-c-clarke-passes-away/441843/52 "2008-03-19T02:30:42Z")
I read his stuff, along with Heinlein’s, Asimov’s, and many others, when I was little, and I think that of the three he had the most thought-provoking short stories that I encountered. This just … amazingly sucks. Sorry, I’ve got a little something in my eye. Er, both eyes. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![I\_m\_No\_Saint](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/977dab/32.png) [@I\_m\_No\_Saint](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_m_No_Saint)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-c-clarke-passes-away/441843/53 "2008-03-19T02:33:33Z")
He was brilliant right until the end. We should all be so lucky. Damn, this sucks. ---
**Author:** ![cashoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cab0a1/32.png) [@cashoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cashoe)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-c-clarke-passes-away/441843/54 "2008-03-19T02:39:07Z")
Rest In Peace, may you find out that little which your keen mind could not discover here on our world. Thank you for the magic and wonder of your science. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-c-clarke-passes-away/441843/55 "2008-03-19T03:41:15Z")
F 451 the first Sci-Fi book I ever read. Tales From the White Hart, the book that taught me that Sci-fi cold be fun. I will be drinking at the White Hart tonight. I may have to fie up the Fenton Silencer. RIP AC, you were one of the best. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-c-clarke-passes-away/441843/56 "2008-03-19T04:23:44Z")
I think Clarke was a category all to himself. IMO neither Asimov or Heinlein were in his league. The latter two wrote stories about people with science and technology as as props – Clarke wrote about interactions of humans and technology that created these wonderful environments. He made me believe the world could turn into something better, and think about how great it would be to live in his imagined future. Of course I’ve grown much more cynical since, but he made my youth a far more enjoyable place than it would have been without him. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-c-clarke-passes-away/441843/57 "2008-03-19T04:30:53Z")
Words escape me. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-c-clarke-passes-away/441843/58 "2008-03-19T04:31:50Z")
Damn. He was the first SF author I ever read, back when I was a kid: I still have fond memories of _Dolphin Island_. A mighty talent, and a sad loss. ---
**Author:** ![Mayo\_Speaks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mayo\_Speaks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mayo_Speaks)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-c-clarke-passes-away/441843/59 "2008-03-19T04:33:29Z")
While I’ve never read it, I’ve often thought that “The Nine Billion Names of God” is the best title I’ve ever heard. I love the Rama books. The end of Rama Revealed is the only time I’ve ever cried when reading a book. RIP. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-c-clarke-passes-away/441843/60 "2008-03-19T04:35:01Z")
Overheard, without any fuss, one of the stars went out. Goodnight, Mr. Clarke. Thank you for _2001_. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-c-clarke-passes-away/441843.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-c-clarke-passes-away/441843.md?page=4)