I don't know what to make of this. I'm pretty sure they got my name from my former Asimov's magazine subscription. It's about some organization called The Planetary Society where they use solar sunlight to propel a ship in space, called "solar sailing".
Arthur Clarke wrote an introduction letter in it where he described the technology and how it originated in one of his stories called "The Wind from the Sun". The coolest part is it really seems like he signed it himself. It's blue ink, and the more I examine it, the more it seems like it's his own signature and not a photocopy. I even looked on google image search and saw that it's the same kind of signature.
I didn't read the Planetary Society's letter yet, it's 4 pages long, but Arthur Clarke's letter really caught my eye. Does anyone know anything about this organization? If anyone is interested in Arthur Clarke's letter, I'd be willing to type up the part of it where he describes the technology and how it originated in his own story. It's interesting stuff. Just thought I'd share this.
Edit: they also sent me a survey where I'm supposed to tell them my opinions on what they're doing and make suggestions. And theys ent a me a sticker that says "Member The Planetary Society" and a picture of Saturn.
Posted by Theaca (Member # 8325) on :
Oh, I got that in the mail last week. I am almost positive I have recieved similar letters from him twice in the past for the same organization. I'd say maybe during the past 10 years? So I don't think it's really his signature. I barely skimmed it this time before I threw it out, but I remember reading the whole thing the first time. Isn't there a questionaire in there too?
Awww man. It's not really Arthur Clarke's signature? Yeah, they sent me a questionaire too.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
There are machines that can automatically sign things. If it doesn't look like a stamp or a printout, the signature could also be done with a machine that copies a sample signature. It makes for a more "natural looking" copy.
Posted by GaalDornick (Member # 8880) on :
Why couldn't you let me be gullible and believe it was really his signature? Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
Don't you just hate junk mail?
Posted by Fahim (Member # 5482) on :
Sir Arthur C. Clarke's suffering from post-polio syndrome and he doesn't do much moving about these days. I'm afraid that signing thousands of letters (if not hundreds of thousands) might be a bit beyond him at the moment I've seen him at a book-signing about a year ago and he was being taken around on a wheelchair. He did appear much more spry in a TV interview he gave a couple of days ago about Sri Lanka switching their timezone (again!) but still, I think you can safely assume that he didn't (personally) sign the letter you got Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Why do I not remember Arthur at that book signing? Fahim talks about it as if yeah, of course I should remember it. He left the room in a wheelchair just before us, he says.
Sigh. Swiss cheese brain.
Oh. And Sri Lanka's going to +5.30 GMT. *le sigh*
Posted by GaalDornick (Member # 8880) on :
I think he probably just personally signed mine and used a machine for all of the others. Yep, that's it. My apologies to those who got the ones signed by a machine. *runs off, twiddling thumbs, making sure not to step off the edge of the world*
Posted by Fahim (Member # 5482) on :
quote:Originally posted by GaalDornick: I think he probably just personally signed mine and used a machine for all of the others. Yep, that's it. My apologies to those who got the ones signed by a machine. *runs off, twiddling thumbs, making sure not to step off the edge of the world*
I'm absolutely certain that that's exactly what happened ... you wouldn't be interested in buying a bridge by any chance, now would you? Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
I think you're right, Gaal - yours is signed and the rest are machine done. That's absolutely what happened. Gosh, I'm so glad you were smart enough to figure that out. Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
You two are cute.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
Maybe its a different Arthur Clarke? There are probably at least seven people who share that name.
Posted by Theaca (Member # 8325) on :
Why, that's TRUE. I bet if you gathered all the Arthur Clarks and had them split up doing the signatures it would be less work for each of them. Posted by GaalDornick (Member # 8880) on :
Are you all making fun of me? Or are you just jealous that he didn't personally sign yours? Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
I was making fun of you. I don't know about anyone else... Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
I didn't get a letter, so there was nothing for him to personally sign. On the other hand, apparently I've been close enough to him that I could have rubbed his head, so it's a fair trade. Posted by Fahim (Member # 5482) on :
I'm just jealous Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Because we're in the same house sharing an IP address, it wouldn't let Fahim post - flood protection. Sweet justice. Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
I once got a letter from Pizza Hut that was addressed to Current Resident. I bet you can't top that.
Posted by Fahim (Member # 5482) on :
quote:Originally posted by SteveRogers: I once got a letter from Pizza Hut that was addressed to Current Resident. I bet you can't top that.
Depends ... what kind of topping do you want?
I have an e-mail from ACC saying that he's going down to Hikkaduwa (a beach resort) with Gentry Lee Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
Can I get spinach on my pizza?
Posted by prolixshore (Member # 4496) on :
I once got an email from a Nigerian prince.
It was totally a scam though, he promised to send me 5 million dollars, and after I sent him the money he needed to complete the transaction, he only transferred 1 million dollars to my account.
If I ever track that guy down, he's in for a beating.
--ApostleRadio
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Sure you can get spinach on your pizza. The question is... why would you want to?
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
Because spinach on pizza is good. And I'm not eating meat...
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Apostle Radio, I too am investing in Nigerian princes. I figure, the payout is so lucrative, even if most of them are scams--say 90% even--all it takes is for me to find one that is not and it will all be worth it.
![[Cry]](graemlins/cry.gif)
Why couldn't you let me be gullible and believe it was really his signature? ![[Grumble]](graemlins/grumble.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
I've seen him at a book-signing about a year ago and he was being taken around on a wheelchair. He did appear much more spry in a TV interview he gave a couple of days ago about Sri Lanka switching their timezone (again!) but still, I think you can safely assume that he didn't (personally) sign the letter you got ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
On the other hand, apparently I've been close enough to him that I could have rubbed his head, so it's a fair trade. ![[ROFL]](graemlins/rofl.gif)
Because we're in the same house sharing an IP address, it wouldn't let Fahim post - flood protection. ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)