posted
I've read Ender's Game, and I get where the reference comes from.
Just... Why the hell is it used so often? It's not, unless I'm grossly illiterate, philisophical or deep. I know Scott or Moose is going to come and prove me wrong with an essay of very impressive bullshit about how it's a satirical comment on the nature of war and how one must necessarily reduce their enemies to positions below them -- or possibly even point out that the "gate" is, in fact, a reference to Hell and Heaven. As the enemy's gate is down, it clearly points the way to Hell, again reinforcing the irony of both sides considering the other as below them and coming from Hell.
But still. Why. Why oh why. Someone tell me why.
Posts: 3293 | Registered: Jul 2002
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I remember my first Mack thwapping.... Spring it was, of ought-two. Ah, I was a fiery young buck, new to the Hatrack community, with stars in my eyes. I thought I was going to set the on-line world afire.
Until I met her. Mack. The Mackster. The Mack Daddy. The Mackasaurus. One thwapping and now...well, the world just doesn't seem the same any more. The sun shines just a little dimmer. The flowers don't smell as sweet. *twitch*
Don't do it, son. There are some things man is not made for. For all that is holy, right, and good, just do as Ralphie says.
posted
Lalo, I always thought it had something to do with comraderie under extreme pressure. When all was seemingly lost, Bean said it, and everyone calmed down and became relaxed again.
That's what it's always mean for me.
Posts: 3960 | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
I don't think his sig was any more annoying than anyone else's...I hope he doesn't feel bad about a whole thread being dedicated to the task of asking him to stop using it...
Posts: 6415 | Registered: Jul 2000
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posted
I'm with FC on that one. It's also a way of reminding people to think outside the square, to understand the situation you're in, to adapt to different circumstances. When Ender works out that the enemy's gate is down, he has understood more clearly than any other commander exactly how the situation they are in functions. It's not that it's a philosophically deep statement, that it has to do with heaven and hell or belittling enemies or anything... At least, not how I read it.
Posts: 2945 | Registered: Apr 2000
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posted
Lalo, I always thought that the phrase meant to think in new ways, avoid assumptions that can prevent you from seeing solutions. It causes the soldiers to have a paradigm-shift...oops, I forgot, that word has been "retired."
posted
"The enemy's gate is down" is never supposed to have any meaning nearly that deep. It merely symbolizes the first inkling of Ender's genius. He was able to wrap his mind around a concept that had eluded everyone else that had gone through the exercise, and in doing so was able to find a tactical advantage that led to his team's victory against the other teams. Eventually his gift for this type of strategic thought led his team to a victory against the buggers. It's this type of simple and elegant solution to a problem that makes Ender's Game a classic. I love the line.
However, I agree about taking it off the sig. It loses its power with so much repetition.
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Narnia, you're pretty close to a landmark. Sweetness.
wiezcorek, I'm all for having a signature to assert your individuality. But you have to admit, the EG quote is a bit long, and seems patronizing at an OSC forum. How about "The Yellow Dart"? Add a smilie for good measure. And maybe some cash, just to sweeten the deal. Posts: 4089 | Registered: Apr 2003
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posted
Boy, I think the kid is really getting it easy from Ralphie. This was her first communique to me: The Telegram .
Posts: 1843 | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
In a way, it's the one certain axiom in these kid's world. They were beset with uncertainty and manipulation at every juncture; the very game was rotating. I thought it was used as an anchor to refocus everyone's priorities and remind everyone that there is some order and purpose to the world.
I don't know how much thought Card put into it, and it could just be catchy, in a way it's similar to, "Keep your eye on the ball."
Ralphie, I'll join in on the luv and sweetness! I just hope he doesn't feel bad. It just bugs me when people feel bad.
sarcasticmuppet-I know!! It's freaking me out. I'm thinking I should wait til 5,000 to do a landmark cause I'm not sure if I'm up to the task!
Posts: 6415 | Registered: Jul 2000
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posted
Well, the stone age BBs didn't have your name automatically to the side. The .sig file was an automatic way to put your name at the bottom of your post. The idea was to have your name, email addy, etc.
Posts: 3495 | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
Hobbes puts his little "Hobbes " at the end of his posts. That's a signature, neh? It's not annoying because it's short and sweet. Well, short at least.
--Ashley-- my signature if I ever remember
Posts: 4089 | Registered: Apr 2003
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posted
Didn't we establish that people have to type their sig every single time they post? That seems like a huge pain in the behind! The only time I can see it being important is if someone switches user names and needs to be identified. I agree with ya Tom.
posted
I type my sig ever time I post. But then again I type my sig every time I send an e-mail despite the fact that I could just have it automatically added so I wouldn't be the one to ask about auto-sigs.
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Lalo, read ES. When I did I thought more of Ender's quote because of the situation in which Bean used it in the defeat of the buggers. Yes, the same situation is in EG, but it's described more in-depth in ES. I didn't realize that it was bothering anyone. Posts: 667 | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
I have to answer this as a teacher who is currently taking a class on developing curriculum for the gifted and talented.
"Remember, the enemy's gate is down." This quote is powerful because it demonstrates the way the children are using information and making it meaningful. They are thinking "outside the box". And they are connecting with each other. Also, with this information, they are now prepared to kick @**! Posts: 3141 | Registered: Apr 2000
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posted
It provided great fun, wiecz! If you really annoyed people around here, you would just get ignored.
Posts: 1843 | Registered: Aug 2003
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