Thought I'd throw a few weird but interesting reads this time, mostly experimental stuff and science fiction.
Exhalation - Ted Chiang
http://www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/exhalation/
Ted Chiang works are probably the platonic embodiment of short science fiction. The writing is normally only satisfactory, but his ideas are always breathtakingly original. Exhalation is a short and beautiful metaphor.
"For most of history, the proposition that we drew life from air was so obvious that there was no need to assert it."
The Northern Caves - Nostalgebraist
http://archiveofourown.org/works/3659997/chapters/8088522
I put this here for it's unusual format. The Northern Caves is a story about a group of dedicated fans trying to wrestle some meaning from the insanity of their favourite author's last book. Tinged with Lovecraft, and formatted largely as an online forum conversation, The Northern Caves is pretty unique, and probably worth reading.
"Don't go into the caves."
Three Worlds Collide - Eliezer Yudkowsky
http://lesswrong.com/lw/y4/three_worlds_collide_08/
Much lighter on pedagogy than the God-fucking-awful Harry Potter fanfiction for which EY is best known, the writing of Three Worlds Collide still leaves a lot to be desired. If you can ignore the cringe-worthy references though, TWC will make you think, telling the story of humanities first contact with extraterrestrials with utterly alien value systems. You may not agree with the authors answers, but you will probably find it an interesting read.
"...and they all lived happily ever after."
Please feel free to post some free short stories you've found that are better written, or to just bitch at me.
Solitary bump, for my own sanity,
I love you
>>7858947
Aww, thanks, which one did you enjoy?
>>7858956
Well, I always prematurelyejaculateenjoy being offered short stories. Sci-Fi short stories are really entertaining, there's a lot of diversity. I'm reading Exhalation, it's intriguing so far.
>>7858984
It's the best one there, almost all of Ted Chiang's stories are available for free online. If you like it I'd recommend Story of Your Life and Tower of Babel.
>>7859017
Oh, I've heard of Story of your life. Quite some time ago, actually. Thanks, I'll check those out.
What's your opinion on Harlan Ellison, btw? I can't find his shit online and I'd have to buy it from amazon, is it worth it?
>>7859044
I've only personally read I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream.
It's free online here:
http://styrofoam.voidaudio.net/ihavenomouthandimustscream.pdf
I liked it, but I won't say more so I don't colour your expectations.
If you want another story in a similar sort of genre, Yes, Jolonah, There is a Hell is similar, larger in scope but not quite as good.
http://www.orionsarm.com/page/233
There's one paragraph, however, that gave me true chills. Scary stuff.
Doing God's work OP.
>>7859109
Yes, I Have no Mouth is the most famous one, I've read it as well. Thanks. It really surprised me, though. I've read few ending lines with as much impact. One of the best ones to a short story, imo.
>>7859166
One of the things that really makes you think about how long eternity would be.
>>7859174
And how humans aren't made for it, yeah. I feel like exhalation would have been slightly better if it was writen as an academic essay, or a report. Basically because the exposition at the beginning changed abruptly to the actual narrative. Other than that, I love it.
Oh shit, I nearly forgot. Considering my post was for weird, speculative, free fiction, here's one of the weirdest, most speculative and freest of them all;
Blindsight - Peter Watts
http://www.rifters.com/real/Blindsight.htm
Mankind makes first contact with an alien spacecraft that calls itself Rorschach. This was nominated for a Hugo award for a reason. Blindsight one of the bleakest and most nihilistic works of fiction you will ever read.
But, after all, you didn't choose to read it.
Ted Chiang rules. well thats just my opinion thanks by
Final bump for visibility before I sleep
The last question is always a good one. By Isaac asimov
>>7859978
no, it isn't, go away
The Egg
By: Andy Weir
http://www.galactanet.com/oneoff/theegg_mod.html
