Quote: Randal_Flagg said: In a feeble attempt to win friends here in the forum, I just wanted to mention that last semester I put "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" on my "Introduction to Philosophy" syllabus.
Fantastic! I wish every school required this as reading. Although Adams always said he never meant it to be anything more than a funny sci-fi romp, he defeated his cause by sliding in volumes of social, political, and cultural commentary between the cracks. Unfortunately for him, some of his readers were just a bit smarter than he had anticipated, and actually got his points, subtle as they were.
I read where he would get mail from fans trying to relegate him to great-thinker-level and ask him all sort of philosophical questions, like, "What do you think our purpose on Earth is?", and, "Why is the universe here?". He would answer with things like "Carrots", and, "5+7.6", just to fuck with their minds.
He was a very smart, yet, humble man. He would have been, and was, the first to tell anyone that he was nothing more than a comedy writer, and that if they were looking for any real answers to existence, go and read a book about such things.
Anyone who really wants to hear his views on existence and science should pick up A Salmon of Doubt, published posthumously. It's a collection of all the science articles and university speeches he did over his life. Great stuff. You should look into this Flagg. You might find some more required reading for your students....
I wish every school required this as reading. Although Adams always said he never meant it to be anything more than a funny sci-fi romp, he defeated his cause by sliding in volumes of social, political, and cultural commentary between the cracks. Unfortunately for him, some of his readers were just a bit smarter than he had anticipated, and actually got his points, subtle as they were.
