runsforcelery wrote:cthia wrote:Prerequisites:Thinking is metaphysical.
Communication is not metaphysical
Telepathy straddles the fence.
David, there is lots of wiggle room within the metaphysical realm. This fact has supplied many an author with fuel. Even so, what you have presented, as you've presented it, is a fail. Supported by your own textev and the mechanics of the ideas at hand. I need time to properly digest what you have presented and then present it back to you. I owe that much to us both to resist quickly plunging in where only fools rush in. This topic is not one to blindly and hurriedly Solly along. I
am glad that it is finally sprouting wings. Though some thoughts are still underdeveloped and aren't ready to leave the nest. This isn't a topic to take lightly, as is the nature of the beast dwelling within the metaphysical, philosophical realm.
To:
Joat, JohnRoth and Annachie. I sent you a
Kudos Cake and a
Hooray Cake in the mail. But then you
fell for David's
fail. So don't begrudge my decision to stop payment on the cake. LOL
To:
CmndrAthenaAprilist. 
Cthia, you may disagree with me. That is your privilege. In this instance, however, I don't care.
Determining and defining the nature of treecat communication is something upon which I have spent a lot of time over the last 25 years, and anything you may present to the contrary is a fail because your position is inherently species-centric. We know
one way to structure the nature of communication and thought processes because we are limited to our own experience and the analysis of our own thought processes. I would suggest to you, though, that one function of science-fiction is to suggest the possibility that there may be processes and perspectives of which we know not.
As I say, you are entitled to your opinion. However, nothing is going to change about the fashion in which treecats communicate with one another and process information.
The nature of alien is to
be alien. the nature of processes and perspectives from outside our own experience is to
be outside our own experience.
Treecats are.
Duly noted.
On that note,
if my logic is sound, it will ultimately only serve the purpose of discrediting 25 years of the author's, of one of my favorite series, investment. That is not something I wish to be known for. Richard Pryor did not want to be the one remembered for killing Superman.
As if. I shall leave my opinion in its crate and do what I promised - to leave the table. I'm probably wrong anyway. Besides, who do I think I am, questioning the right of an author to shape his own world and questioning its specifics. Which is actually something I said - on this very forum - I'd never do. As is often done with the technicality of battle scenes. That really isn't who I am.
Thank you David, for 25 years of your time, the Honorverse, the Treecat species and my favorite damsel in distress, Honor Harrington. Along with the many tears I've cried with no beer to catch and conceal the evidence, since I don't drink urine. Last but not least, I thank your family for
their sacrifice. The Honorverse is truly an epic accomplishment that will stand the test of time.
I'm looking forward to that heartbreaking story.
Also, thank you for not killing off Honor, though I hear I have your significant other to thank for that.
Do KISS her big for us both.
Sincerely,
cthiaP.S.My thoughts stem from my fortune of meeting a college professor who was about to embark on a wonderful adventure of attaining a PH.D in her field of study. Language. We collaborated for several years leading to her written dissertation on Consciousness. We remained in contact over the years discussing and refining the material. I mention it only because this chat made me think of her and the year it all started, 1993. Which, after adding 7 and 18, I'm
gobsmacked that it has also been 25 years. That dissertation is sitting on the shelves in the stacks of some library.
This postscript is a late afterthought, which almost didn't make the cut, which changes absolutely nothing regarding the body of this post.
but it would put a lot of this into context for you.
) to tell the author that his position in his literary universe is a "fail," and that can cause more than the occasional flicker of annoyance. But while I may be the Creator in the Honorverse, I am most definitely not God in real life, and it's entirely possible that where I've decided to go isn't the only way --- or even the best way -- to go by real life standards. I'm most likely going to go that way anyway, especially when I've spent 25 years or so working my way in that direction, but that doesn't mean it's the only way, or possibly even the best way, I might have approached the problem in the first place.