tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198390912401056862.post8082994070318380692..comments2023-10-14T06:19:18.000-05:00Comments on Rocket Scientist: Separating the Chaff from the Grain: Part Four - What Makes a Classic?Stephanie Barrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17772217449161603561noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198390912401056862.post-31989749312783251202010-03-23T03:38:51.081-05:002010-03-23T03:38:51.081-05:00Interesting post. I have been wondering this issue...Interesting post. I have been wondering this issue, so thanks for sharing. I will definitely be coming back to your blog.coach purses outlet storeshttp://www.discount-coach.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198390912401056862.post-67281368473075719462010-01-26T14:08:24.091-06:002010-01-26T14:08:24.091-06:00I have been spending some time rereading classics ...I have been spending some time rereading classics lately; unfortunately, I often find myself being disappointed.<br /><br />While I agree with your points in general, I have to say that there are a lot of "classics" out there that really don't make the modern cut. I'm sure they were fantastic in their era.<br /><br />So I'm not sure what makes a modern classic. I think it needs more study.The Motherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15157821003454766570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198390912401056862.post-54726546307535592172010-01-24T17:34:25.046-06:002010-01-24T17:34:25.046-06:00I think the term you used, "standard," i...I think the term you used, "standard," is an excellent one. <br /><br />The only thing I would add to your comment (which is well-thought out) is that there may be more than one standard, because not everyone judges the works the same. Because writing, although having standards and rules and all that, is still a subjective medium, not everyone will be looking to the same literature as an example, though some will be referred to more than others.Stephanie Barrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17772217449161603561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198390912401056862.post-39903427049762285832010-01-24T12:42:32.784-06:002010-01-24T12:42:32.784-06:00Here is another long-winded comment, but I think t...Here is another long-winded comment, but I think this subject is important, so I have thought about it a lot. I don’t think any of the following conflicts with what you’ve said. You were very thoughtful.<br /><br />I agree with the main thrust of your thesis which (I think) is that an overriding factor in defining what is “classic” is that the work must stand the test of time. I just think there may be more to it than that. (Some of which you’ve also mentioned.)<br /><br />As writers, we all do our best to find just the right word when we are writing. Even when we are not writing, we have an interest in correct usage (most of us have even written posts about improper usage of words, and of things that drive us up a wall when we hear them. It is from this standpoint of trying to be as complete as possible that I dare to add a bit to your post, if you don’t mind.<br /><br />“Classic”, of course, as you have pointed out before, can apply to more than just literature. It can be other “art”; music, for example. It can refer to an automobile, even.<br /><br />“Classic” things not only stand the test of time as being “good”, they are (by definition) great examples of what a certain genre entails: “A classic example of science fiction”, for example. A “classic” is the description of, or standard of the breed, or so I've been taught, and therefore is more than simply something which is in general “good” and has stood the test of time.<br /><br />To be truly "classic" eople must also be able to refer to classic things in the acedemic sense - beyond simple subjective personal opinion - and be able to “use them as a guide” for what is “good” in that field.<br /><br />“David Copperfied” isn’t a classic simply because it is a great story which is incredibly interesting and which has satisfied the requirement of standing the test of time; it is a classic because it contains certain literary elements that embody the very definition of classic literature. (An interesting future post, if you are not already too tired of posting about writing, might be a discussion of what those “elements” are.) <br /><br />A classic is an archtype of something; one not only enjoys it, but one must be able to refer to it as a “model” to follow. True classics actually define excellence. Critics of other subsequent works use that definition to evaluate what is “good” or “in error or deviation from the classic” in an acedemic sense, in other literature or sculpture or music or paintings.<br /><br />One does not have to guess or speculate what “classic” means. David Copperfied is a classic. Beethoven’s fifth symphony is a classic. Van Gogh’s Starry Night is a classic. A ‘55 Chevy is a classic. It goes beyond simply a matter of personal opinion.<br /><br />A classic is that which against all other subsequent attempts are judged.Relax Maxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01051381168322495999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198390912401056862.post-199492902423774782010-01-24T08:39:21.800-06:002010-01-24T08:39:21.800-06:00Thank you, Jeff.
And thank you, FishHawk. I'm...Thank you, Jeff.<br /><br />And thank you, FishHawk. I'm honored.Stephanie Barrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17772217449161603561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198390912401056862.post-28350706907646793572010-01-24T04:50:55.720-06:002010-01-24T04:50:55.720-06:00"Rocket Scientist" has been included in ..."Rocket Scientist" has been included in this weeks A Sunday Drive. I hope this helps to attract even more new visitors here.<br /><br />http://asthecrackerheadcrumbles.blogspot.com/2010/01/sunday-drive_24.htmlAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16349087080262856079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198390912401056862.post-84995996020068555782010-01-24T01:13:24.729-06:002010-01-24T01:13:24.729-06:00You summed that up well, at least for me.
I could ...You summed that up well, at least for me.<br />I could not agree more... in fact I couldn’t find anything I disagreed with.<br />Bravo…Jeff Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00667419764890599092noreply@blogger.com