Isn't satire supposed to be distasteful and disrespectful?

Space/Science » in reply to re: Phil, you did get that Starship Troopers was a satire, don't you?

Isn't satire supposed to be distasteful and disrespectful?

Hank — 7/3/2007 9:48:27 PM (archived)

I enjoyed both Heinleins's original concept AND the movie's take on it. Heinlein had a lot to say that was worth listening to, but the movie reminded us that, like any good idea, if carried to extremes it tends to fall apart. If I had been tasked with making the film, I would have tried to stick closer to the technical concepts, (budget allowing) and I would have made it a point to let his philosophy be articulated more eloquently. But I certainly would have tempered that aspect by poking a little fun at RAH's utopian vision, too.

When I first read ST as a teenager, I sensed that the book, for all its virtues, was misleading, seductive and potentially dangerous. I just couldn't put my finger on why that was so. As I became older, it started to make sense why and my earlier suspicions were justified. Still, it is not an evil concept, and it has much to commend it. I would not hesitate to recommend it to any teenager, but I would want to discuss it with him or her afterwards. Then again, you could say the same about any of the classics...

The whole thread (31 posts)

Heinlein Centennial Week - phil - 7/1/2007 11:29:52 PM
- re: Heinlein Centennial Week - TB - 7/2/2007 1:15:05 AM
  - The film version of Starship Troopers got a bad rap - TheSheepLookUp - 7/2/2007 9:00:15 PM
    - Hated the movie, but loved the book. - REB - 7/3/2007 5:01:29 PM
      - They didn't have the budget for them - TheSheepLookUp - 7/3/2007 5:28:13 PM
        
        'The Postman' - ARRELL - 7/4/2007 7:52:03 AM
        
        re: 'The Postman' - phil - 7/4/2007 12:33:15 PM
        
        re: 'The Postman' - ARRELL - 7/4/2007 2:41:02 PM
        
        re: 'The Postman' - phil - 7/4/2007 3:32:25 PM
        
        They were a big part of the book. - REB - 7/3/2007 5:38:20 PM
        
        Think of real stupids things that have happened in real wars - TheSheepLookUp - 7/3/2007 5:43:00 PM
        
        That's why they were fighting. - Lee - 7/3/2007 8:20:53 PM
        
        How convenient - TheSheepLookUp - 7/3/2007 8:28:11 PM
        
        The problem was... - TB - 7/3/2007 6:33:02 PM
        
        re: The problem is... - Hank - 7/6/2007 12:16:31 AM
        
        re: The problem is... - gbaikie - 7/6/2007 7:04:21 AM
        
        Anyone can play alternative history. - Hank - 7/6/2007 10:43:59 AM
        
        Other people can do it seriously. - TB - 7/6/2007 5:31:06 PM
        
        From a purely scientific point of view, - Hank - 7/6/2007 5:58:30 PM
        
        Bingo! (n/t) - phil - 7/4/2007 12:31:31 PM
        
        Bingo! (n/t) - phil - 7/4/2007 12:31:25 PM
    - re: The film version of Starship Troopers got a bad rap!?! - phil - 7/2/2007 11:48:35 PM
      - Did you like Robocop? (n/t) - alcaray - 7/3/2007 12:17:50 AM
        
        re: Did you like Robocop? - phil - 7/3/2007 12:58:06 PM
        
        Phil, you did get that Starship Troopers was a satire, don't you? - TheSheepLookUp - 7/3/2007 2:19:43 PM
        
        re: Phil, you did get that Starship Troopers was a satire, don't you? - phil - 7/3/2007 3:24:44 PM
        
        Isn't satire supposed to be distasteful and disrespectful? - Hank - 7/3/2007 9:48:27 PM
        
        To each his own - TheSheepLookUp - 7/3/2007 5:32:00 PM
        
        I loved the uniforms. Very fashionable. (n/t) - Lee - 7/3/2007 4:45:02 PM
        
        They always did know how to dress sharp - TheSheepLookUp - 7/3/2007 5:30:25 PM
        
        Griffin, Heinlein, and spaceflight - TheSheepLookUp - 7/16/2007 6:28:03 PM

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