Comments on: The Desert II http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/09/the-desert-ii.html NIGHTTIME IS FOR DREAMING. DAYLIGHT IS FOR ACTION. Mon, 1 Dec 2008 16:33:33 +0000 By: Polly http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/09/the-desert-ii.html#comment-27419 Polly Sat, 29 Sep 2007 17:48:19 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/09/the-desert-ii.html#comment-27419 <blockquote>I tend to think of the residents of the desert not so much as individuals, but more as aspects of the religious consciousness,</blockquote> That opens up some interesting possibilities. Your character said that the desert plays tricks on the mind. What if while traveling under the heat you start to think back on life's regrets and that turns into overwhelming guilt. The guilt drives you to such self-flagellating extremes that you begin to feel like you DESERVE these harsh conditions and that somehow this is "penance" (excuse the phrasing) for all your mistakes. Maybe the real treachery of the desert is what it does to your own mind. Not sure how you'd recover if you're all alone, though. Well, that's why I'm not the writer. :) If this is at all useful feel free to use it, if not, feel free to disregard it.

I tend to think of the residents of the desert not so much as individuals, but more as aspects of the religious consciousness,

That opens up some interesting possibilities. Your character said that the desert plays tricks on the mind. What if while traveling under the heat you start to think back on life's regrets and that turns into overwhelming guilt. The guilt drives you to such self-flagellating extremes that you begin to feel like you DESERVE these harsh conditions and that somehow this is "penance" (excuse the phrasing) for all your mistakes. Maybe the real treachery of the desert is what it does to your own mind.

Not sure how you'd recover if you're all alone, though. Well, that's why I'm not the writer. :) If this is at all useful feel free to use it, if not, feel free to disregard it.

]]> By: Ebonmuse http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/09/the-desert-ii.html#comment-27414 Ebonmuse Sat, 29 Sep 2007 03:07:46 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/09/the-desert-ii.html#comment-27414 The comparison to <i>The Pilgrim's Progress</i> hadn't occurred to me while I was writing this, honestly. I don't know how I overlooked that, although the similarities are certainly there. I assume my subconscious is working ahead of me. I like to think there are more multi-dimensional characters up ahead, although to be perfectly honest, the inhabitants of the desert all tend to be of a type. That's why they're there. But please notice, I didn't say exactly what the desert represents. Perhaps there are religious believers who don't live there. If they're not lost souls like these poor people, they're welcome to try to convince us of that. In any case, I tend to think of the residents of the desert not so much as individuals, but more as aspects of the religious consciousness, as personality traits that appear to a greater or lesser extent in the minds and actions of the believing majority. The comparison to The Pilgrim's Progress hadn't occurred to me while I was writing this, honestly. I don't know how I overlooked that, although the similarities are certainly there. I assume my subconscious is working ahead of me.

I like to think there are more multi-dimensional characters up ahead, although to be perfectly honest, the inhabitants of the desert all tend to be of a type. That's why they're there. But please notice, I didn't say exactly what the desert represents. Perhaps there are religious believers who don't live there. If they're not lost souls like these poor people, they're welcome to try to convince us of that.

In any case, I tend to think of the residents of the desert not so much as individuals, but more as aspects of the religious consciousness, as personality traits that appear to a greater or lesser extent in the minds and actions of the believing majority.

]]> By: Lynet http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/09/the-desert-ii.html#comment-27411 Lynet Fri, 28 Sep 2007 22:41:27 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/09/the-desert-ii.html#comment-27411 I can feel the heat! <blockquote>It sounds like an atheist Pilgrim's Progress at this point of the story.</blockquote> That's a very good analogy, actually. In fact, recognising this as an expression of atheist orthodoxy worries me a little. I'm sure there are plenty of religious people out there who would like to protest that they are not 'lost', just as we atheists feel slightly put off by Christians who refer to us by such adjectives. As a result, I have to second Polly's call for more depth, if possible. I, too, like your way of describing the desert: "... the heat in this country could play tricks with the senses, making the most fantastic and unearthly visions seem solid and real." I can feel the heat!

It sounds like an atheist Pilgrim's Progress at this point of the story.

That's a very good analogy, actually. In fact, recognising this as an expression of atheist orthodoxy worries me a little. I'm sure there are plenty of religious people out there who would like to protest that they are not 'lost', just as we atheists feel slightly put off by Christians who refer to us by such adjectives. As a result, I have to second Polly's call for more depth, if possible.

I, too, like your way of describing the desert: "... the heat in this country could play tricks with the senses, making the most fantastic and unearthly visions seem solid and real."

]]> By: Polly http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/09/the-desert-ii.html#comment-27408 Polly Fri, 28 Sep 2007 18:19:03 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/09/the-desert-ii.html#comment-27408 Obviously, I agree with the sentiments expressed by you, or your character as the case may be. It sounds like an atheist <i>Pilgrim's Progress</i> at this point of the story. I trust the (touchpoint)characters will get more multi-dimensional and sophisticated further down the road? "...the air rippled and shimmered as if in torment." - Nice. In general the writing is pretty good, IMHumbleO. Obviously, I agree with the sentiments expressed by you, or your character as the case may be.
It sounds like an atheist Pilgrim's Progress at this point of the story. I trust the (touchpoint)characters will get more multi-dimensional and sophisticated further down the road?

"...the air rippled and shimmered as if in torment." - Nice. In general the writing is pretty good, IMHumbleO.

]]> By: andrea http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/09/the-desert-ii.html#comment-27406 andrea Fri, 28 Sep 2007 12:59:43 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/09/the-desert-ii.html#comment-27406 excellent. A great antidote to the nonsense of C.S. Lewis. excellent. A great antidote to the nonsense of C.S. Lewis.

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