A more adult example is the mysteries/thrillers of Dick Francis. They’re all set in the horse-racing world, and all explore some random nerdy things about that world and some other world it might intersect with, like the Diamond trade or something.
Conversation
Hmm. Douglas Adams I think almost fell into this trap, but was interested enough in the world to forget the character-driven structure repeatedly and chase down random insights into the world. The device of excerpts from the Guide allowed him to insert them.
2
10
Rick and Morty is basically Hitchhikers Guide without a guide checking the nihilism (represented by everyone except Arthur Dent, but especially Zaphod+Marvin). Instead of zillions of encyclopedia entries being teased via excerpts we get Rick’s Derp. Or World According to Abed.
2
2
15
HHG world-building, while often satirizing SF tropes, invariably had a real insight too. The galaxy according to the guide was a museum of sardonic philosophy lessons. R&M galaxy is a bunch of set pieces for Rick to show off.
Still, I like both.
1
8
The cost is that none of Douglas Adams’ characters comes anywhere near as alive as most Harmon characters do. Dirk Gently comes closest. The narcissism of nihilism? The Total Perspective Vortex couldn’t exist in Harmonverse, because Harmonverse is pre-emptively set inside it.
2
10
Several people have been replying with links to Harmon’s story circle stuff. This tweet is just to note that yes, I read all about it last week, thank you. Good stuff.
1
9
Ah shit, this might be hedgehog stories vs fox stories. Szplug.
1
6
Hmm. Strong vs weak halo effect stories. High vs low charismatic energy. Confidently wrong vs superforecaster storytelling.
Harmon is fun but likely on the wrong side of this particular divide.
1
4
This is probably too esoterica reach but Harmon is Heideggerian while Adams was Sartrean. I think.
1
11
“A montage is a movie apologizing for reality”
Why can’t I come up with lines like this
1
4
37
Ok the movie Abed makes “Chief Starr and the Raiders of the Galaxy” is awesome and basically the trailer for Rick and Morty
Replying to
The two shows I’ve liked recently are at extremes. Expanse is unironically played straight. No genre self-awareness showing through, just technically polished late-stage mature genre art. But clean, without baroque or mannerist excess. Community is 10 levels of self-aware irony.
1
3
9
Both are very late stage though, in their respective art forms. I haven’t really liked any early stage stuff. Like “quasi-reality cringe comedy about awful people” is a newish genre I don’t enjoy.
1
6
Thinking of Fleabag era not the older Always Sunny/Office/Curb Your Enthusiasm era.
3
5
Trying to think of other genres that emerged recently 🤔
Was Mr. Robot the beginning of one?
3
5
Ah re: Cringe... it’s Millennial cringe I don’t vibe with I think. The older stuff has a clear X-ish sensibility.
1
3
Done watching Community. That was kinda educational.
1
7
This Tweet was deleted by the Tweet author. Learn more
Replying to
I’m nearly at the end and tbh didn’t notice that much. It got a bit more conventionally sitcomish in S4, but seemed to stay reasonably true to the spirit
1
Show replies
