Rutabaga Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 An interesting look at a future several decades hence. At least one thing never changes -- being bi is still worse than being gay or straight. R Link to comment
Paul Wren Posted February 1, 2015 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 This is an interesting take on the question of why are we what we are? I suspect the book that Lee refers to is Bryan Magees 'One in Twenty', I have not read it for over forty years but I think the piece about Rabbits is in there. Link to comment
Jeff Ellis Posted February 1, 2015 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 Nigel has created a future that is both a logical development from our present and radically different. It's fascinating to see him make a change to the way people live and then follow through with logical consequences. Regarding the reference to the rabbit book and its view on the role of the homosexual in society, you may be interested to return to Rabbi Simchah Roth's responsum on the subject to see how much the rabbits agree with mdoern Jewish thinking... http://www.bmv.org.il/ab/dd.asp I enjoyed this story immensely, it is both well written and totally credible. Nigel has packed into a short story what others might have been inclined to stretch into a novel. Well done him. It's the ideas he creates and the way the reader responds that are important here, not the length of the work. Link to comment
Guest Dabeagle Posted February 1, 2015 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 What an excellent story, definitely a thought provoking must read. Link to comment
Graeme Posted February 1, 2015 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 I enjoyed it, but I would've preferred it to be longer. As it is, the lecturing was most of the story. An interesting speculation (and it agrees with all the research that I'm aware of), but I would've liked the story part to be a bigger portion. Having said that, Nigel definitely mixed the lecturing into the story so it wasn't dry. What I would like to see is a story set in this universe. The story of the guys as they leave school and start training to be space pilots. The problems they encounter in their chosen career, and the challenges from the bigotry that still exists. I think this could be expanded into a novel -- there's certainly the material there to do so! Link to comment
JamesSavik Posted February 2, 2015 Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 Someone should have paid more attention in class. I always thought the right jeans were 501's. Link to comment
Cole Parker Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 Picky, James. Picky. If I have to voice a complain, which is stetching things with this well-imagined tale, it would be he uses two e's in judgement. Damn the British anyway for not following our spelling rules. Well done, Nigel. Nice to look at gays as the chosen few. C Link to comment
dude Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 I always thought the right jeans were 501's. That's what I thought, I have two pair left in my bottom drawer... unfortunately they are 28-inch waists. That's why they're still there after all these years! Link to comment
Chris James Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 Don't feel bad, Dude...even second hand they are probably worth some money. Goodness, if I had only saved all the bell bottoms I had in high school....... Link to comment
Cole Parker Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 You're right, Chris. Some of us would pay money to see you in those. Link to comment
colinian Posted February 9, 2015 Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 I had to Google "bell bottoms" to find out what you were talking about. Too weird. Makes me glad that I wasn't born until long after they were an affectation. Colin Link to comment
Merkin Posted February 9, 2015 Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 Bell-bottomed trousers were worn by US Navy sailors since at least 1813, and although the rough denim work uniform is no longer bell-bottomed, the current dress blue uniform for enlisted male personnel retains the flared bottom (along with the bibbed blouse and neckerchief). This uniform is affectionately known as the "Crackerjack" outfit, after the well-known delicacy with the prize inside. Google that, Colin. Here is one military outfitter's description:The traditional US Navy Jumpers are made with 100% heavy wool with flared legs. The front features a 13 buttons broadfall panel, in additional to the waistline fastening button. The buttons used are the traditional 25 Line US Navy black with anchors. Contrary to all other military dress pants, these pants do not feature any zippers. On the back side, a series of rounded eyelets (called gussets) are fastened together with a lace. There are two front pockets with openings along the waistband, right behind the broadfall, and another pocket in the back right side of the wearer. The pants are worn with the matching jumpers top, as part the Enlisted Dress Blue Uniform. These pants need to be hemmed so that when worn, they are hanging exactly 2 inches from the floor, on the back side. Waist Size Length Price $199.99 Quantity Link to comment
Pedro Posted February 9, 2015 Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 I was always given to understand the naval bell bottoms were that shape so that they would roll up easily. But on reflection rolling probably wouldn't work and they were probably to 'hitch up' . So that they would stay dry if you had to paddle about in shallow water for whatever reason. I vaguely remember a biographical snippet where the subject bemoans the introduction of zippers to regular naval uniform trousers. He considered the buttoned drawfall described in Merkin's extract so much more fun! I think the author was Quentin Crisp in the Naked Civil Servant, but I am not sure. Link to comment
colinian Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 I vaguely remember a biographical snippet where the subject bemoans the introduction of zippers to regular naval uniform trousers. He considered the buttoned drawfall described in Merkin's extract so much more fun! I think the author was Quentin Crisp in the Naked Civil Servant, but I am not sure. I am so glad the zipper was invented! When I was around ten my mom bought me a pair of jeans with a button fly. She said she didn't notice. I said I hated them and wouldn't wear them after trying them on. She took them back to the store and exchanged them for a pair with a zipper fly. Colin Link to comment
Lugnutz Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 Button flys were the in thing back in the day. Damn kids... Link to comment
DesDownunder Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 I remember button flys. I also remember when I got my first zipper trousers. My Grandmother warned me to not zip up fast. She was right! Link to comment
Lugnutz Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 Franks and beans. Link to comment
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