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“We tend to think human knowledge as progressive; because we know more and more, our parents and grandparents are back numbers. But a contrary theory is possible - that we simply recognize different things at different times and in different ways.”
― The Rebel Angels
― The Rebel Angels
“By convention sweet and by convention bitter, by convention hot, by convention cold, by convention color; but in reality atoms and void.”
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“There will be no curiosity, no enjoyment of the process of life. All competing pleasures will be destroyed. But always— do not forget this, Winston— always there will be the intoxication of power, constantly increasing and constantly growing subtler. Always, at every moment, there will be the thrill of victory, the sensation of trampling on an enemy who is helpless.
If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face— forever. ”
― 1984
If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face— forever. ”
― 1984
“Cities controlled by big companies are old hat in science fiction. My grandmother left a whole bookcase of old science fiction novels. The company-city subgenre always seemed to star a hero who outsmarted, overthrew, or escaped "the company." I've never seen one where the hero fought like hell to get taken in and underpaid by the company. In real life, that's the way it will be. That's the way it always is.”
― Parable of the Sower
― Parable of the Sower
“Each generation exercises power over its successors: and each, in so far as it modifies the environment bequeathed to it and rebels against tradition, resists and limits the power of its predecessors. This modifies the picture which is sometimes painted of a progressive emancipation from tradition and a progressive control of natural processes resulting in a continual increase of human power. In reality, of course, if any one age really attains, by eugenics and scientific education, the power to make its descendants what it pleases, all men who live after it are the patients of that power. They are weaker, not stronger: for though we may have put wonderful machines in their hands we have pre-ordained how they are to use them.”
― The Abolition of Man
― The Abolition of Man
Dubuque Virtual Book Club
— 105 members
— last activity Feb 22, 2024 07:08AM
A place where Dubuquers can share and talk about the books (and audiobooks!) they love and connect with other readers. This group is moderated by libr ...more
RART 2015 Genre Study
— 9 members
— last activity Dec 01, 2014 03:11PM
The Readers' Advisory Round Table of the Iowa Library Association is undertaking a Fantasy Genre Study. Each member is to read 5 titles and share a re ...more
Ben’s 2025 Year in Books
Take a look at Ben’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
1,442 books
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102 friends
2,124 books
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29 friends
1,203 books
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24 friends
798 books
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66 friends
304 books
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279 friends
982 books
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481 friends
409 books
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2 friends
10 books
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117 friends
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Favorite Genres
Art, Classics, Fiction, History, Music, Non-fiction, Paranormal, Philosophy, Psychology, Science, and Science fiction
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