Arthur C. Clarke The talent, the monster?

[Whirlysplat]

Don't get me wrong I read a lot of ACC in my youth, starting with Dolphin Island when I was about 10. However in recent years statements like;


''Once they have reached the age of puberty, it is OK... It doesn't do any harm,'' said Clarke, who has lived in Sri Lanka for 40 years.
"I am trying to think of the youngest boy I have ever had because, of course, you can't tell it here. I think most of the damage comes from the fuss made by hysterical parents afterwards. If the kids don't mind, fair enough,''

-Have soured my appreciation of his talent.

Thoughts?

 

[R0rschach]

OMG is this true?

 

[Whirlysplat]

OMG is this true?

Yes. Clarke denied saying these things the truth never came out. 6 boys also claimed he had sex with them. Who knows?

 

[R0rschach]

Yes.

WTF are you sure cause if so he's up there with MJ.
A great "artist/mind" with a major flaw.

 

[Whirlysplat]

WTF are you sure cause if so he's up there with MJ.
A great "artist/mind" with a major flaw.

He was never charged and the Mirror retracted the allegation. The boys also did not press charges. It was an allegation. Who knows if it was true or not. I guess I should give him the benefit of the doubt.

 

[jaguarr]

Suddenly "Rendezvous With Rama" takes on a whole new meaning.

jag

 

[Whirlysplat]

Suddenly "Rendezvous With Rama" takes on a whole new meaning.

jag

Thing is Jag, even if the allegations were true. Which they may not have been. Should it affect how we view his art or talent? I'm not sure.

 

[jaguarr]

Thing is Jag, even if the allegations were true. Which they may not have been. Should it affect how we view his art or talent? I'm not sure.

It just opens him up for countless kiddie fiddler jokes. Doesn't diminish his contributions to the literary and sci-fi worlds, which are many. I've read most of his earlier works and he was one of my favorite authors in my youth. I bet he'd looooooove to hear that!

jag

 

[Whirlysplat]

It just opens him up for countless kiddie fiddler jokes. Doesn't diminish his contributions to the literary and sci-fi worlds, which are many. I've read most of his earlier works and he was one of my favorite authors in my youth. I bet he'd looooooove to hear that!

jag

Lol.... I once saw Gary Glitter live in the 80's before his "tastes" became public. I wans't in "his gang" though!

 

[jaguarr]

Lol.... I once saw Gary Glitter live in the 80's before his "tastes" became public. I wans't in "his gang" though!

Hey, don't ask don't tell.

jag

 

[Whirlysplat]

Hey, don't ask don't tell.

jag

Indeed

 

[X-Maniac]

It doesn't diminish his talent and his contribution.

It's also worth bearing in mind the different society/culture/attitudes towards sex in some eastern countries such as Sri Lanka. Western attitudes don't always apply in eastern countries. Not that I'm condoning such behaviour, but it isn't the same 'world.'

 

[Superman4ever]

Is this true? I haven't been able to find any info about this. Granted it was a quick search.

 

[MaskedManJRK]

Yeah, unless I see a link from a credible source, I'm going to have to call bulls**t on that.

 

[Whirlysplat]

Yeah, unless I see a link from a credible source, I'm going to have to call bulls**t on that.

No offence but have a look and do you research yourself.


http://www.google.com.hk/search?hl=zh-TW&q=Arthur+C.+Clarke+Pedofile+boys+allegations&meta=&aq=o

 

[MaskedManJRK]

No offence but have a look and do you research yourself.


http://www.google.com.hk/search?hl=zh-TW&q=Arthur+C.+Clarke+Pedofile+boys+allegations&meta=&aq=o

...

CURSE YOU REED RICHARDS!

Okay, seriously, touche', good sir.

 

[Jerry!]

It just opens him up for countless kiddie fiddler jokes. Doesn't diminish his contributions to the literary and sci-fi worlds, which are many. I've read most of his earlier works and he was one of my favorite authors in my youth. I bet he'd looooooove to hear that!

jag

Ahhhh I don't know about that. If the guy is a pedophile, I don't care what books he has written, the guy is a freaking pedo. That's what I will know him as. This is kinda like the "Benoit Situation".

 

[SuBe]

Sad if it is true, one of my favorite writers.

 

[EdRyder]

I agree his contribution shouldn't be diminished simply by allegations.Dont forget he was the brain behind the communication satellite and many other possibilities.(orbital tether)

 

[WalterKovacs]

Mr. Clarke, why dont you have a seat? right over there?

 

[WalterKovacs]

 

[jaguarr]

Ahhhh I don't know about that. If the guy is a pedophile, I don't care what books he has written, the guy is a freaking pedo. That's what I will know him as. This is kinda like the "Benoit Situation".

It may taint his legacy a bit, but honestly, he was one of the most groundbreaking and influential sci-fi authors ever and I just don't see any of that changing in light of this. It reflects more on him as a human being than it does as an author and literary influence on an entire genre.

jag

 

[Whirlysplat]

He was no Frank Herbert. In relation to the communications sat. He popularised the idea rather than thought it up himself. Many scienctists were predicting possible uses for sats. prior to Clarke as we approached having viable rockets, capable of placing a payload in orbit.

 

[EdRyder]

No he thought it up himself.When you say he "popularized" the idea you make it sound like it was borne of his fiction writings.Dont get me wrong Im sure theres plenty of credit to go around for the invention and implementation.But lets give the man his credit for the concept.
http://lakdiva.org/clarke/1945ww/

 

[Ender Durden]

It doesn't diminish his talent and his contribution.

It's also worth bearing in mind the different society/culture/attitudes towards sex in some eastern countries such as Sri Lanka. Western attitudes don't always apply in eastern countries. Not that I'm condoning such behaviour, but it isn't the same 'world.'

x-maniac: always quick to the defense!!