Wraith Land

Musings at the crossroads of #Tolkien, #Mythology and #Technology.

[Wraith Land @wraith_land]

Is @elonmusk Fëanor — a Techno Fëanor? It’s a not so simple question. We explored a little while back the story of gems, rings, AI and power: https://t.co/1ooxZt5vYp

[Wraith Land @wraith_land]

What can #Tolkien tell us about the drama at OpenAI and the shadow of the One Ring?

Join us on The Ring Writer podcast:
https://t.co/lxuOUvrEd7

[Wraith Land @wraith_land]

"The Rings of Power" Enters the Storm on Wraith Land https://t.co/JbvEKPsGzb

[Wraith Land @wraith_land]

@poopsiekittens @CatImperator @CameronBorgQeen I think this is right if @CameronBorgQeen's theory is on the money. Really great thinking here. Just read EW's review of the season. Another grumpy bro who has no imagination so is angry the show doesn't spoon feed. If your theory is right, it will get to the heart of a lot.

[Wraith Land @wraith_land]

@Matt_L1978 @theseantcollins Right and how many times have we seen this kind of character in male-centered epics going back to Achilles in Homer's Iliad? So she's flawed. So what? She's interesting. And yes, Sauron is a wily adversary.

[Wraith Land @wraith_land]

A cogent, balanced and clearly erudite review of #RingsofPower rather than just reactive bile and bellyaching. The reviewer actually listened to and quoted some of the lines from the finale too, and met this adaptation on its own terms. Imagine that! :

https://t.co/6LSu7unidE

[Wraith Land @wraith_land]

@theseantcollins I am bringing these things to light because I sense a very personal sense of injury. I felt the same first few times I watched PJ's FOTR. But I got into it after a few more viewings. Not saying this is the same, but I think the creators deserve more compassion and distance.

[Wraith Land @wraith_land]

@theseantcollins Also on art being subjective, when we make absolutist statements as if the show has no value, that's where we fall into the same traps we accuse the object of the criticism, e.g., did you consider a different interpretation of its value, like here: https://t.co/bPQIxyesP6

[Wraith Land @wraith_land]

@theseantcollins I remember your byline from your excellent review of Underworld's "Barbara Barbara" for Pitchfork some years back, so I greatly respect your writing and taste. Believe me, I LOVE Tolkien too. But I have to say, Christopher Tolkien hated PJ's films.

[Wraith Land @wraith_land]

@theseantcollins But that's maybe the issue I had with your review, tbh. You are reviewing as a passionate fan of Tolkien, which I am as well. I had low expectations and I am generally happy with it. Not sure why one would have such high expectations for such tricky material.

[Wraith Land @wraith_land]

@nerdoftherings1 @BrophyJed Yeah, that orc was striking! @BrophyJed for the win!!

[Wraith Land @wraith_land]

@MFDruid @eggymcfc96 @StamfordBlue21 @erikkain @Forbes Just drags Tolkien through the mud. And I don't disagree with all of the criticisms here. Or concerns. But the tenor of the language is anti-Tolkien, putting aside concerns about the show, audience, casting, etc.

[Wraith Land @wraith_land]

@MFDruid @eggymcfc96 @StamfordBlue21 @erikkain @Forbes I deeply care about Tolkien, and if established writers are going to champion his mythos, or take offense on his behalf, all I ask is to treat readers with respect and some compassion. That's what Tolkien's whole mythos is about. Not doing so, giving into Twitter's tone...

[Wraith Land @wraith_land]

@MFDruid @eggymcfc96 @StamfordBlue21 @erikkain @Forbes I have concerns too about those things. But @erikkain caught my interest initially because of his pushback on anti-"woke" fretting over the diverse casting of this show. I applaud him for that. But have since found tonally his "stir the pot" voice is sadly, "mock," "ridicule"...

[Wraith Land @wraith_land]

@MFDruid @eggymcfc96 @StamfordBlue21 @erikkain @Forbes Right, "that's the internet" and tone is something Tolkien would have cared about, just as much as the lore. That tone doesn't just come out of the sky. It's set by what we chose to do here. So my bigger point is about the tone set at the top.

[Wraith Land @wraith_land]

@eggymcfc96 @StamfordBlue21 @erikkain @Forbes @eggymcfc96 if you are such a lover of good writing, your argument would be stronger if you spelled storytelling and storyteller correctly.

[Wraith Land @wraith_land]

@erikkain @Forbes Anyhow, have a good one. Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo.

[Wraith Land @wraith_land]

@erikkain @Forbes And on that, I don't enjoy having to point some of this out. I think your just a passionate writer and you have strong opinions. Great. But the tone. If you really love and respect Tolkien, then follow his example.