And what are we doing in the UK?
We should do more than name a street. He should be on our banknotes.
A group of American Douglas Adams fans are seeking to have a street named after him in Portland, Oregon. The chosen street - naturally - is currently called 42nd Avenue. "On May 11, 2001 a very talented writer and activist was taken from this world far before his time," say the activists of rename42nd.org. "Not yet 50 years …
Sounds like the perfect tribute to me. Although I'm not sure what the man who wrote this would think about it:
“This planet has — or rather had — a problem, which was this: most of the people living on it were unhappy for pretty much of the time. Many solutions were suggested for this problem, but most of these were largely concerned with the movements of small green pieces of paper, which is odd because on the whole it wasn’t the small green pieces of paper that were unhappy.”
"That's like saying that it's always possible that some Reg readers haven't seen Star Wars - surely neither is a serious possibility..."
As a big fan of Mr. Adams' work, I fit into one of these categories. However; I've never seen Star Wars (or at least all the way through), for reasons of laziness.. in other words, I've fell asleep during the films. Also, other than the flight sequences (mostly robbed from 633 Squadron) and 'light' sabre fights (insert numerous swash-buckling or-the-like films circa 1920s onwards) they're relatively boring adventure films.
I'd much rather watch something like Indiana Jones, The Battleship Potemkin or Metropolis. They're much better films depicting the genres of adventure, the fight of independence versus imperialism and sci-fi. Then again, I'm not knocking the Star Wars films, just not of the opinion they're as ground-breaking as everyone seems to think they are. I'll get my coat, after all, it is Friday..
like 'the dude', the hhgttg book was perfect for its time and place in history. Plus, its a cult thing. Cearly there is a fair degree of overlap between reg readers/athiests/geeks/people who aren't retarded and people who enjoy hhgttg.
So tbh, anyone who says he's over-rated is totally not in the 'in-group' and should be executed immediately for incitement of religious hatred.
"We should do more than name a street. He should be on our banknotes."
Perhaps he could be put on a one penny coin - stored in the deepest vaults of the Bank of England, down a staircase, in a disused toilet with "beware of the leopard" written on the door, in a little box with Douglas Adams' name on it.
Trillions of years from now this penny will have accured enough compound interest for Adams to afford a seat at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe, where he can watch creation end ad inifinitum. That's where I like to think he will end up, sitting at a nice table, sipping whatever it is he liked to drink, signing autographs etc, giving people tips on how to finish old Infocom games. Trying hard not to think about the "Hitch-Hiker's" film.
"How about naming a bypass after the great man?"
That's a pretty awesome idea. How about Newbury Bypass? That destroyed an incredible amount of the environment and is falling apart. Suitably fitting?
Best contact the Highways Agency about it, although they will no doubt need various forms filled out in triplicate.
Two films the man said. What two films???
There was one. That awful one.
I remember watching the HHGTTG tv series out-takes at a little known hotel in Blackpool in the 80s. Kevin Davies, the mouse keeper, was a hoot!
Tried to sell me cell sheets of the cartoon sequences.
Wish I had...
I've still got my Zaphod Beeble Bear. (Imagine a toy teddybear with 2 heads and 3 arms.) Used to give small children nightmares did that bear.
I'll go back in my closet now...
I once heard an interview with Douglas Adams in which he reveled where the inspiration for Forty Two came from. It was a training video featuring John Cleese and Michael Palin where Micheal was the ignored customer and John Cleese the bank teller. At the end of the skit, John finally looks up from the numbers he has been working on and shouts "Forty Two!"
Great game. Utterly frustrated me tho, I couldn't get off the bleeding ship. I remember you had to put something in a cup of tea, but I never figured out the whole thing. Drove me crazy.
Glad someone else knows The Meaning of Liff - how so many useful words haven't become commonly used is beyond me!
As a lad raised Macclesfield, I have actually driven through Lower Peover.
I have on more than one occasion smiled ruefully to myself as I go to relieve myself at the onset of one!
Naturally my partner has no inkling as to the cause of my amusement, and I haven't tried to explain.
(Paris icon, as I can imagine noone I'd like to experience one with more).
But given the amount of heat that Martin Luthur King, Rosa Parks and Cesar Chavez have generated in Portland, I am so glad to see this progressing nicely - besides, we are planning on storming the City Hall with Vogon Poetry if they try to block us. (teach them!!)
Diana, Portland, Oregon
It's the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. On the book they hyphenated it to fit the cover.
Now I risk having my own arm wrenching itself off from my body and beating me to death for such an act of pedantry.
Just been re-listening to the radio series. Most definitely the best format, and best listened to in the dark.
Douglas Adams should be beatified.