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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Ok the movie Abed makes “Chief Starr and the Raiders of the Galaxy” is awesome and basically the trailer for Rick and Morty
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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.
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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.
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Ah re: Cringe... it’s Millennial cringe I don’t vibe with I think. The older stuff has a clear X-ish sensibility.
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