# John Carter (of Mars) Teaser Trailer **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 14, 2011, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-carter-of-mars-teaser-trailer/589057 "2011-07-14T21:23:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2011, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-carter-of-mars-teaser-trailer/589057/81 "2011-07-20T19:26:11Z")
> [@Alan\_Smithee](#): > > I’m not sure what the roll-eyes was for, especially since you go on to admit that I was right. Because it’s a bullshit reaction to a comment on art. My status as a “fan” or not, is irrelevant to what I say about it. ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2011, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-carter-of-mars-teaser-trailer/589057/82 "2011-07-20T19:53:34Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Because it’s a bullshit reaction to a comment on art. My status as a “fan” or not, is irrelevant to what I say about it. You’re perfectly entitled to like or not like anything. I don’t see how whether you like something or not can be considered irrelevant to what you say about ti, though, especially when you’re giving an opinion, not a dissertation on technique. If you say that the best thing about a novel is the nudity, I think it’s perfectly reasonable for me to point out that you probably didn’t like it very much. I fact, I don’t see how it could be viewed as _un_reasonable and am totally baffled by your offense. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2011, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-carter-of-mars-teaser-trailer/589057/83 "2011-07-20T20:01:52Z")
It’s an ad hominem move. It seeks to passive aggressively undermine the opinion as it stands. Call me wrong, disagree with me, but “you must not be a fan” implies “you don’t have the credentials to offer a creditable opinion.” ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2011, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-carter-of-mars-teaser-trailer/589057/84 "2011-07-20T20:35:38Z")
Whatever. I guess you weren’t a big fan of my post. I suppose you won’t object if I say the best part of your argument is the spelling. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2011, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-carter-of-mars-teaser-trailer/589057/85 "2011-07-20T20:39:34Z")
Whatever, dude. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2011, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-carter-of-mars-teaser-trailer/589057/86 "2011-07-20T20:44:53Z")
> [@](#): > > In the example you give, I’d draw the line (rather vaguely) at the point where whatever is going on can’t possibly be sustained by known biological processes. I don’t remember the part about the eggs being laid small and then growing-- I had assumed that they were already baby-sized when laid. There was, however, a bit in one of the books about a mad scientist vat monster growing by eating itself. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2011, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-carter-of-mars-teaser-trailer/589057/87 "2011-07-20T20:50:17Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Irrelevant to biology he’s **making up.** Why shouldn’t another planet’s humanoids lay eggs? Because they wouldn’t be mammals and John Carter couldn’t be the daddy. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2011, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-carter-of-mars-teaser-trailer/589057/88 "2011-07-20T21:02:26Z")
The fact that they lay eggs would be a much smaller obstacle than the fact that they’re aliens. As Niven once said, L. L. would have a much better chance trying to mate with an ear of corn than with Superman. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2011, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-carter-of-mars-teaser-trailer/589057/89 "2011-07-20T21:06:26Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > The fact that they lay eggs would be a much smaller obstacle than the fact that they’re aliens. As Niven once said, L. L. would have a much better chance trying to mate with an ear of corn than with Superman. The probability LL would be able to breed with Superman is as miniscule as the propbability a completely alien race would evolve to look exactly like human beings. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2011, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-carter-of-mars-teaser-trailer/589057/90 "2011-07-20T21:07:53Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > The fact that they lay eggs would be a much smaller obstacle than the fact that they’re aliens. True, but the egg thing should be obvious to the meanest intelligence. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2011, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-carter-of-mars-teaser-trailer/589057/91 "2011-07-21T00:39:45Z")
> [@Alan\_Smithee](#): > > You’re perfectly entitled to like or not like anything. I don’t see how whether you like something or not can be considered irrelevant to what you say about ti, though, especially when you’re giving an opinion, not a dissertation on technique. If you say that the best thing about a novel is the nudity, I think it’s perfectly reasonable for me to point out that you probably didn’t like it very much. > > I fact, I don’t see how it could be viewed as _un_reasonable and am totally baffled by your offense. I think the best thing about the Gor novels is the way they work softcore bondage and dominance erotic romance themes into sword and sandal adventures. Do I not really like them? I rather thought I did! ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2011, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-carter-of-mars-teaser-trailer/589057/92 "2011-07-21T00:41:43Z")
> [@Alan\_Smithee](#): > > I’m not sure what the roll-eyes was for, especially since you go on to admit that I was right. > > I think it’s fair to say that if someone thinks the best feature of any novel is that some characters (or even nearly all the characters) are incidentally nude, that either they don’t think much of the novel or they have extremely low standards. You and I and i think Arscenray and a LOT of people, are very different. Of course a bit of sexual/sensual background can light up a story in a way nothing else can. Ask your genitals … they’ll tell you! ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2011, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-carter-of-mars-teaser-trailer/589057/93 "2011-07-21T00:42:52Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > The fact that they lay eggs would be a much smaller obstacle than the fact that they’re aliens. As Niven once said, L. L. would have a much better chance trying to mate with an ear of corn than with Superman. And of course, it would be one hell of a lot safer. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2011, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-carter-of-mars-teaser-trailer/589057/94 "2011-07-21T01:00:29Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > The fact that they lay eggs would be a much smaller obstacle than the fact that they’re aliens. As Niven once said, L. L. would have a much better chance trying to mate with an ear of corn than with Superman. And a better chance of either than of suddenly teleporting to Mars for no apparent reason. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2011, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-carter-of-mars-teaser-trailer/589057/95 "2011-07-21T01:01:54Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > And he’s a Civil War veteran who’s been “about thirty” for centuries, is a master of both telepathy and blocking telepathy . . . You left out “teleportation over interplanetary distances without mechanical assistance.” ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2011, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-carter-of-mars-teaser-trailer/589057/96 "2011-07-21T01:37:51Z")
> [@Evil\_Captor](#): > > I think the best thing about the Gor novels is the way they work softcore bondage and dominance erotic romance themes into sword and sandal adventures. Do I not really like them? I rather thought I did! I don’t know about you, and I haven’t read the Gor novels, but if the best thing about the way they work softcore bondage and dominance erotic romance themes into them is a passing mention that the characters don’t wear many clothes, I think I’ll give them a pass. Let’s face it, **Acsenray** was being backhandedly dismissive of the novels by saying the best thing about them was the nudity, and then he got upset that his backhanded dismissal wasn’t taken seriously enough. If you’re talking about a work filled with lovingly pornographic descriptions of nipples and pudenda, sure that can legitimately be the high point of the work, even if the work as a whole isn’t just pornography (and especially if it is!) That’s not what we’re dealing with, though. Nudity in the Barsoom novels is mentioned in a description of Tars Tarkas and the Green Martians–where it’s hardly sexual or erotic!–and again briefly in describing Deja Thoris. Her face, eyes, hair, skin, and figure are mentioned, but not her breasts, hips, thighs, or anything else suggestive of eroticism. The next time it’s mentioned is in describing an old man! Nudity is mentioned maybe two or three more times over the course of ten books, as often in relation to men as women and almost never in any sexual or erotic context. Seriously, saying _that_ is your favorite part of the novels is like saying your favorite thing about _The Matrix_ is the use of hard science! ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2011, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-carter-of-mars-teaser-trailer/589057/97 "2011-07-21T02:00:11Z")
> [@BMalion](#): > > on Barsoom ERB wrote that the black race were some of the most beautiful and noble people that John Carter had ever seen. It’s been many years since I read the books but I’m pretty sure he contrasts the black race of Barsoom with the “coarser” blacks he had known on Earth. I recall he described the Barsoomian blacks as looking exactly like Caucasian Earth men except with black skin. Someone please correct me if I’m not remembering this right. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2011, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-carter-of-mars-teaser-trailer/589057/98 "2011-07-21T02:13:39Z")
> [@Alan\_Smithee](#): > > Let’s face it, **Acsenray** was being backhandedly dismissive of the novels by saying the best thing about them was the nudity, and then he got upset that his backhanded dismissal wasn’t taken seriously enough No, I got upset that my light-hearted quip was taken as an opportunity to make an ad hominem comment on my status, particularly the bullshit fanboy question of whether I am a fan. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2011, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-carter-of-mars-teaser-trailer/589057/99 "2011-07-21T02:15:32Z")
**Alan Smithee, Ascenray** , if you have a problem with each other take it to the Pit. You’re off topic in this thread. No warnings issued. **twickster** , Cafe Society moderator ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2011, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-carter-of-mars-teaser-trailer/589057/100 "2011-07-21T03:40:26Z")
When I was the age of the target audience of the Carter books, there was no such thing as a casual offhand mention of nudity, especially not in connection with an incredibly beautiful woman. At that age, _anything_ related to naked babes sticks in one’s mind. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-carter-of-mars-teaser-trailer/589057.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-carter-of-mars-teaser-trailer/589057.md?page=6)