Author
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Topic: Author and visionary Ray Bradbury (1920-2012)
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Dave Clow Member Posts: 236 From: South Pasadena, CA 91030 Registered: Nov 2003
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posted 06-06-2012 10:34 AM
We've all lost a pioneering space voyager today: Ray Bradbury, author of "The Martian Chronicles", "S is for Space", "R is for Rocket," "The Golden Apples of the Sun," and most famously "Fahrenheit 451" is dead at 91.If it seems somehow inappropriate to memorialize a writer of imaginary space exploration on a board about the real version, consider the inseparability of fantasy and reality in the latter. Jules Verne and H.G. Wells were inspirations to the generation of readers who included rocket engineers and astronauts. Bradbury was one of the circle of visionaries that included Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov, Walt Disney and Gene Roddenberry; all were relentless enthusiasts and promoters of the US space program, and all were welcomed within the rarefied company of NASA leaders and astronauts as colleagues because, indeed, the most powerful propulsion system ever made is the human imagination, and Ray's was an inexhaustible example of sheer boundless drive. His books literally went into orbit: he flew in print aboard Skylab and is now in the ISS. He was a favorite on the campuses of JPL and Caltech near his home in Los Angeles, and at libraries and high schools all over Southern California he is remembered as a funny, stern, grandfatherly presence demanding that literature be revered and consumed with relish. His own work, over 500 unforgettable stories, dozens of novels and anthologies, remains standard reading around the world. He wasn't just ours; he was translated into just about every language on the planet, and is a particular favorite in Russia — when a Soviet delegation including Mikhail Gorbachev's family was visiting the United States, they specifically requested a chance to meet Bradbury. Make no mistake: the first human voyagers to Mars will find his footprints in the red sand at Valles Marineris. The first ones to go, the farthest reachers, are the crazy, fearless poets whose dreams lead the way. I was honored, delighted and humbled to know Ray for 40 years, and while I feel his loss with millions of others today, I know he isn't gone. Once again, he's just leading the way to somewhere new and wonderful. |
capoetc Member Posts: 2169 From: McKinney TX (USA) Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 06-06-2012 10:44 AM
One of my favorite authors — I still re-read many of his stories that I have enjoyed since I was a kid.When Ray was a child, he went to the circus and met Mr. Electrico, one of the side-show performers. Mr. Electrico placed his sword on Ray's shoulder and declared, "Live forever!" ...that declaration has come true; Ray will live forever through his many published works. Ray once said, "Jump off the cliff and build your wings on the way down," advice which I have taken with good results on a number of occasions. Rest in peace, Mr. Bradbury... and, thank you. |
Greggy_D Member Posts: 977 From: Michigan Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 06-06-2012 10:45 AM
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413 is in Member Posts: 628 From: Alexandria, VA USA Registered: May 2006
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posted 06-06-2012 10:49 AM
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rjurek349 Member Posts: 1190 From: Northwest Indiana Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 06-06-2012 11:01 AM
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rjb1elec Member Posts: 212 From: Merseyside, England Registered: Oct 2004
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posted 06-06-2012 11:19 AM
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Fezman92 Member Posts: 1031 From: New Jersey, USA Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 06-06-2012 11:52 AM
I hope NASA names some thing on Mars after Bradbury. He brought Mars to millions of people in a way no one else could. |
randy Member Posts: 2176 From: West Jordan, Utah USA Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 06-06-2012 11:53 AM
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fredtrav Member Posts: 1673 From: Birmingham AL Registered: Aug 2010
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posted 06-06-2012 12:10 PM
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crash Member Posts: 318 From: West Sussex, England Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 06-06-2012 12:15 PM
A very sad day. He will be missed by millions.He was the first SF writer that I read as a child. It was "The Illustrated Man," excellent book. |
Dave Clow Member Posts: 236 From: South Pasadena, CA 91030 Registered: Nov 2003
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posted 06-06-2012 12:23 PM
I neglected to mention that the Apollo 15 crew named a small crater in the Marsh of Decay "Dandelion" after Bradbury's "Dandelion Wine." |
Gilbert Member Posts: 1328 From: Carrollton, GA USA Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 06-06-2012 01:05 PM
I've been dreading this day for years. I can't put into words how much Ray Bradbury influenced me. I was fortunate to have met him a few times over the years and he was always the nicest, friendliest fellow. I treasure my copies of his books that he signed, along with those that he did not sign. I have several versions of "The Martian Chronicles" just because I like the different cover artwork. Bradbury, along with Heinlein, Clarke, and Asimov were the giants of SF when I was growing up. Now they're all gone and that is so depressing and it makes me feel old. Ray Bradbury was a national treasure. |
Blackarrow Member Posts: 3120 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 06-06-2012 01:18 PM
I would say an international treasure. The world is a poorer place today. |
David Carey Member Posts: 782 From: Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 06-06-2012 01:29 PM
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history in miniature Member Posts: 600 From: Slatington, PA Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 06-06-2012 02:07 PM
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Michael Davis Member Posts: 528 From: Houston, Texas Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 06-06-2012 02:44 PM
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mach3valkyrie Member Posts: 719 From: Albany, Oregon Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 06-06-2012 03:18 PM
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dom Member Posts: 855 From: Registered: Aug 2001
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posted 06-06-2012 04:57 PM
Not only was he a writer touched by genius but he also came across as a very interesting, decent man. RIP Mr. Bradbury. |
747flyer Member Posts: 99 From: New York, NY Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 06-06-2012 06:04 PM
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Delta7 Member Posts: 1505 From: Bluffton IN USA Registered: Oct 2007
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posted 06-06-2012 06:08 PM
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GACspaceguy Member Posts: 2476 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 06-06-2012 06:49 PM
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Cozmosis22 Member Posts: 968 From: Texas * Earth Registered: Apr 2011
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posted 06-06-2012 06:54 PM
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328KF Member Posts: 1234 From: Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 06-06-2012 07:04 PM
quote: Originally posted by Dave Clow: Make no mistake: the first human voyagers to Mars will find his footprints in the red sand at Valles Marineris. The first ones to go, the farthest reachers, are the crazy, fearless poets whose dreams lead the way... Once again, he's just leading the way to somewhere new and wonderful.
Dave, what an eloquent post.. |
KSCartist Member Posts: 2896 From: Titusville, FL USA Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 06-06-2012 07:11 PM
Thank you for sharing your visons with us Mr. Bradbury. Godspeed you on your own journey. R.I.P |
Jerry Brouillette Member Posts: 147 From: Louviers, CO Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 06-06-2012 07:47 PM
BIG. |
bwhite1976 Member Posts: 281 From: Belleville, IL Registered: Jun 2011
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posted 06-06-2012 07:57 PM
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dss65 Member Posts: 1156 From: Sandpoint, ID, USA Registered: Mar 2003
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posted 06-06-2012 09:32 PM
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Richard Rogers Member Posts: 49 From: Desoto, Tx Registered: Sep 2011
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posted 06-06-2012 09:34 PM
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Scott Member Posts: 3307 From: Houston, TX Registered: May 2001
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posted 06-06-2012 09:41 PM
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Joe Frasketi Member Posts: 191 From: Florida USA Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 06-06-2012 09:59 PM
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DChudwin Member Posts: 1096 From: Lincolnshire IL USA Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 06-06-2012 10:44 PM
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spaceman1953 Member Posts: 953 From: South Bend, IN Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 06-06-2012 10:53 PM
I never "did" science fiction, when it came to reading books as a kid or young adult, but you always knew the name Ray Bradbury!I got a particular kick from a local news anchor, who said one of his most memorable books was Fahrenheit 4-5-1. Just thinking about it... four-five-one! . |
cjh5801 Member Posts: 185 From: Lacey Registered: Jun 2009
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posted 06-06-2012 11:11 PM
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arjuna unregistered
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posted 06-07-2012 01:48 AM
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Philip Member Posts: 5952 From: Brussels, Belgium Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 06-07-2012 01:48 AM
RIP |
NavySpaceFan Member Posts: 655 From: Norfolk, VA Registered: May 2007
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posted 06-07-2012 06:22 AM
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edorr Member Posts: 64 From: Chelmsford, MA Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 06-07-2012 07:39 AM
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MrSpace86 Member Posts: 1618 From: Gardner, KS, USA Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 06-07-2012 09:15 AM
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ringo67 Member Posts: 179 From: Seekonk, Mass., USA Registered: May 2003
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posted 06-08-2012 01:25 PM
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GoesTo11 Member Posts: 1309 From: Denver, CO Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 06-08-2012 07:40 PM
quote: Originally posted by Fezman92: I hope NASA names some thing on Mars after Bradbury.
I can't second this strongly enough. Today we have touched Mars. There is life on Mars, and it is us — extensions of our eyes in all directions, extensions of our mind, extensions of our heart and soul have touched Mars today. That's the message to look for there: We are on Mars. We are the Martians now!— Ray Bradbury, speaking at JPL, 8 October 1976 . |