From: "Strong, Lee" <StrongL at MTMC.ARMY.MIL>
To: "WSFAList (E-mail)" <WSFAList at keithlynch.net>
Subject: [WSFA] Culture Dark and Light and Sometimes Both
Date: Mon, 20 May 2002 15:59:18 -0400
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>

	Mike and I am discussing culture in SF, especially Star Wars.  I
periodically start new posts on the same subject because our esteemed
webmaster points out that hitting the reply button all the time creates a
huge "tail" of repitious messages.
	The "good old days" were rotten:  Yah, you will never hear doctors
of medicine talking about the good old days when medical science was less
developed than now.  The scene in Star Trek movie IV in which Dr. McCoy was
visiting a 20th Century hospital was hysterical because it was so true.
	Your comment that the underside of Corescent was too clean was
especially interesting since I have often heard it said of Star Wars
generally that the universe looks lived in in contrast to Star Trek which is
especially tidy.  Well, let's give Master George [Lucas] credit for trying
to depict the underside.
	Anime, like other literature, obeys Sturgeon's Law, and I have
certainly seen my share of crap.  Sam Lubell is holding a number of reviews
of anime for publication.  However, the best of anime is truly beautiful,
especially since it is produced by non-Americans.  The glimpses into a
different culture lend added power to an impressive national style.  I
highly recommend _El-Hazard, the Magnificent World_, _Bubblegum Crisis_,
_Princess Mononoke_, _Saber Marionettes J_, and _The Vision of Escaflowne_.
None of them will destroy your VCR, but will destroy any preceptions you
might have about "cartoons."