Talk:Canopus in Argos

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[edit] Small Rewrite

I added a little about the background. I've no idea whether the reference to Sufism is correct, or whether it might serve as a valid introduction to Sufism - perhaps a real Sufi could comment. I did think that a lot of potential readers would be put off by the original stub. It does work perfectly well as an SF adventure story, for readers not inclined to mysticism.

--GwydionM 18:31, 17 January 2006 (UTC)

Thanks for the changes - I tried to rewrite again - toned down the Sufism part, although the connection to sufism is well known and is noted also in the Doris Lessing article.

I think the following text is to POV:

"The series name confuses the Greek city of Argos with the historic constellation of Argo Navis, of which the star Canopus was traditionally a part. Most of the ancient history is legendary or imaginary. Despite these faults, there is real power in the writing."

I don't think we really know what Lessing's intention was, so how do we know the name argos is a confusion? Also, that the ancient history is legendary or imaginary is not necessarily a fault. --Chinawhitecotton 22:54, 17 January 2006 (UTC)

Perhaps i did not read all of CinA, but it made a huge impression, (i think esp. canopus) This sentence in the article: "The focus is on forced evolution being carried out on less advanced species and societies." Does not relate. For me, i think the focus is the attempted description of the evolution of intelligence and culture. In that sense representative for Doris Lessings work for emancipation. Also i think this book has been a trendsetter for modern SF, wich is not related at all. Basically after lessing the difference between fantasy, and SF is a social sciences one, not anymore a technological. eg. Larry Niven , Ringworld you might consider a huge canopus-event, and Dune is pretty much about social evolution. to name a few great. There is little mere "Adventure-sf" after lessing, (extra)terrestial social evolution actually became a theme. Or is it perhaps because everyone became so much more familiar with technology? Opinions?77.251.179.188 14:14, 13 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Argos and Argo Navis

I think Lessing simply got it wrong, confused Argos and Argo Navis or Argo. But I'm not going to get into an edit war.

I did modify the main page. Your comments could be considered 'spoilers': let readers decide.

--GwydionM 18:20, 19 January 2006 (UTC)

Yes, about the spoilers you are right - I forgot that in the 4th book what happens to the planet is only really revealed towards the end. If you think they give away too much I have no problems with changing them. Now that you created pages for each book the descriptions can go there... --Chinawhitecotton 09:03, 20 January 2006 (UTC)