Libertarianism and Hitchhiker's Guide

[South Park Fan]

It seems like, based on the avatars of RPF members, that there is a lot of crossover between libertarians and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I have always thought it was an amusing series, but are underlying libertarian messages prominent in the series, or is it just a result of the nerdiness that overlaps both groups. I can think of the irony of demolishing Earth to build a bypass, the hyperbureaucracy of the Vogons, the President of the Galaxy being a figure head instead of the one man who actually does rule the universe (even though he doesn't realize it), it's satire of copyright laws through the use of time travel, and the robots on the Krikkit planet manipulating their people into war with the rest of the universe. Are there any other themes I may have missed?

 

[BuddyRey]

Hitchhiker's Guide and the Lord of the Rings trilogy are two major staples of geekdom that I have yet to experience, among others.

 

[torchbearer]

hitchkiker's guide is satire, poking fun at the stupidity of british rule and most modern government in general.

 

[Vessol]

Hitchhiker's Guide and the Lord of the Rings trilogy are two major staples of geekdom that I have yet to experience, among others.

How can you live with yourself?

hitchkiker's guide is satire, poking fun at the stupidity of british rule and most modern government in general.

Don't forget organized religion.

 

[KCIndy]

Don't forget organized religion.

Hey! Watch it!


Sincerely,

The Great Green Arkleseizure

 

[Bman]

How can you live with yourself?

Seriously!

 

[Uriel999]

Hitchhiker's Guide and the Lord of the Rings trilogy are two major staples of geekdom that I have yet to experience, among others.

my god man! do yourself a favor and read the Guide! I read the first book in under 2 hours and was hooked.

 

[Brian4Liberty]

just a result of the nerdiness that overlaps both groups.

You answered your own question. Awesome series!

 

[pcosmar]

Nerdness Overlap.

I heard the Guide on radio first, (while in prison) Then read the books. Great series, pokes fun at everything.
Watched the movie,,not as good as the book, but better than expected.

Hobbit/LOTR, Have read the whole series and the Silmarillion.
Great series.
I think the movies were well done, but the books are much better.

 

[nayjevin]

Those books helped me appreciate the grand scheme value of a towel. See you at the apocalypse my micro-fibered friend.

 

[specsaregood]

Hitchhiker's Guide and the Lord of the Rings trilogy are two major staples of geekdom that I have yet to experience, among others.

I didn't really care for either. But I do like the line, "So long, and thanks for all the fish"

 

[BuddyRey]

How can you live with yourself?

I know, right? I've always been interested in checking them out but got a bit intimidated by the size and depth of the two books' respective literary universes. In the case of LoTR, I don't know if I'm supposed to read Fellowship first, or start at the beginning of the story with The Hobbit. Like when someone calls the first Star Wars movie Star Wars Part IV...that just confuses the crap out of me.

 

[BlackSand]

Loved the books and just watched the movie again last night. I dont know if its libertarian. But it certainly does point out some obvious absurdities of government. Also, I think you can read anything with a libertarian bias. There are few books that I can read and not think "Oh this guy must be libertarian!" Like Firefly. Joss Whedon isnt a libertarian, he even said that he wouldnt get along with Malcom Reynolds because of his politics.

LoTR...how can live with yourself? Go watch it NOW!

 

[specsaregood]

LoTR...how can live with yourself? Go watch it NOW!

This about sums it up in my opinion:
YouTube - Clerks 2 LOTR Vs. Star Wars scene - good quality

LOL @ "Even the trees walked in those movies"

 

[The Dude]

I grew up with Hitchikers and LOTR. I guess it makes sense.

 

[pcosmar]

I know, right? I've always been interested in checking them out but got a bit intimidated by the size and depth of the two books' respective literary universes. In the case of LoTR, I don't know if I'm supposed to read Fellowship first, or start at the beginning of the story with The Hobbit. Like when someone calls the first Star Wars movie Star Wars Part IV...that just confuses the crap out of me.

Start with The Hobbit.

p.s. I am a small man with hair on my toes.

 

[BuddyRey]

Start with The Hobbit.

p.s. I am a small man with hair on my toes.

Awesome! Thanks!

Knowing where to start is a big step forward.

 

[Knightskye]

So long and thanks for all the fish.

 

[Promontorium]

I was absolutely disapointed by the fifth book Mostly Harmless. Mostly because it completely ignored all the previous books. It's been 10 years since i've read those books but I could still bring up a list of slights. First and foremost the entire plot of book 3 Life The Universe And Everything was to change the Hitchhiker's Guide to no longer just say "Mostly Harmless" and was instead have a detailed report on humans. The fifth book just wiped that out.

Then it proceeded to wipe out book 4 So Long And Thanks For All the Fish which was my favorite book, it was so beautiful and loving and should have ended the series. Arthur finshed book 4 with a loving woman and started book 5 inexplicably single, a daughter that came from nowhere, and suddenly a crush he had on Trillion in book 1 took his love's place.

Oh yeah. Forgot where I was for a moment. I'll spare the 20+ more criticisms I have of book 5.

I came across those books because I spent so much time in libraries. I don't think it's political.

I would also like to say I think the LOTR movies are equally as good as the books in their own medium, though tie goes to the originator.

 

[Uriel999]

This about sums it up in my opinion:
YouTube - Clerks 2 LOTR Vs. Star Wars scene - good quality

LOL @ "Even the trees walked in those movies"

nice! even the trees walked in those movies!