I like some of Pratchetts' books but think that I'll buy some more.


This is from the BBC. Don't forget to click on the "RELATED" link to the right after watching his main speech.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_7290000/newsid_7294100/7294191.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm&asb=1&news=1&ms3=54&ms_javascript=true&bbcws=2#

This is from a 2008 event.

Thanks for that. I had no idea he had alzheimers.

I had no idea ether...... I do enjoy his works, and wish him the best. Alzheimers to me is perhaps my most feared disease.

Thoughts and prayers go out to Terry and the Pratchett family. Best Wishes

Thoughts and prayers go out to Terry and the Pratchett family. Best Wishes

Well...maybe not prayers, as Pratchett is an atheist.

Well...maybe not prayers, as Pratchett is an atheist.

:D


.

There was a thread about it here when he first announced it - luckily he was diagnosed with it very early, and more luckily, as he says, he has "a good variant of it to have".

I like some of Pratchetts' books but think that I'll buy some more.


This is from the BBC. Don't forget to click on the "RELATED" link to the right after watching his main speech.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_7290000/newsid_7294100/7294191.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm&asb=1&news=1&ms3=54&ms_javascript=true&bbcws=2#

This is from a 2008 event.
Don't go to this link. It will resize your browser window.

Pretty hard to see it without going to the link. Besides that stupid resizing happens all the time....doesn't do it here anyway - Firefox

Pretty hard to see it without going to the link. Besides that stupid resizing happens all the time....doesn't do it here anyway - Firefox
I am running Firefox and it does resize my browser window. Also it wants me to install a Windows Media 11 plugin that I don't want.

I am running Firefox and it does resize my browser window. Also it wants me to install a Windows Media 11 plugin that I don't want.


Hmmm. I don't know why then. It's not doing that here as I said. I may already have that plugin, I didn't have to install anything to see it. And it was definitely worth viewing. :)

I am running Firefox and it does resize my browser window. Also it wants me to install a Windows Media 11 plugin that I don't want.

I am running firefox as well, and it didn't resize browser window for me. I might have had the plugin already installed. I'm pretty certain the page doesn't have any dangerous content, and the speech is very good.

If you don't want to risk the browser windows being resized or having to install Windows Media Player 11 plugin, use MS IE (just for this one site).

If you don't want to risk the browser windows being resized or having to install Windows Media Player 11 plugin, use MS IE (just for this one site).

I'd consider using IE a much bigger annoyance than having the browser window resized :D

Opera has settings that prevent windows being resized with javascript, maybe Firefox has similar settings?

I had no idea he has Alzheimers. I wouldn't wish that on anybody.

Don't go to this link. It will resize your browser window.

Well, to summarize the article-- he is opposed to it.

Well...maybe not prayers, as Pratchett is an atheist.

Pending doom has a way of making us pray.

"I am running Firefox and it does resize my browser window. Also it wants me to install a Windows Media 11 plugin that I don't want."

One of the worst viruses I have EVER had was due to my insistence that I didn't want or need the newest pulg-in:smack:.

But then learning sometimes comes along with great pain.

I had no idea he has Alzheimers. I wouldn't wish that on anybody.

What? Who?

:rofl:

But, yes, we do hope/pray for the best, at his best he is very good.

Well, to summarize the article-- he is opposed to it.

Opposed to what? Resizing your browser window? :rofl:

Pending doom has a way of making us pray.


http://atheism.about.com/b/2004/12/18/no-atheists-in-foxholes.htm

Pending doom has a way of making us pray.

"I am running Firefox and it does resize my browser window. Also it wants me to install a Windows Media 11 plugin that I don't want."

One of the worst viruses I have EVER had was due to my insistence that I didn't want or need the newest pulg-in:smack:.

But then learning sometimes comes along with great pain.

Must be a sign of the apocalypse!

Opposed to what? Resizing your browser window? :rofl:

He's opposed to living with Alzheimer's. He's tried living with Alzheimer's, he's tried living without Alzheimer's, and overall he prefers the latter.

I thought he had passed away!

I thought he had passed away!

Not yet.

:p

What? Who?

:rofl:

Trolling a bit KennyC?

This is hardly a laughing matter anyway. I heard about Terry's condition a while back. It just goes to show you never know what's around the corner.
My thoughts are with him and his family. Wishing him all the best.

Trolling a bit KennyC?

This is hardly a laughing matter anyway. I heard about Terry's condition a while back. It just goes to show you never know what's around the corner.
My thoughts are with him and his family. Wishing him all the best.

Lighten up. I'm a firm believer in making the best of any situation. Humor is important. No the disease is not funny, and yes, I too have "remembering" issues and may just have the beginnings of the same thing. If you watched the videos or have done any research on the disease then you'll know there is very little real information as to it's origin and course. It's also been around far longer than it has had a name and if you're ever been around any number of older people you will have seen it or parts of it. Now, go read some comics, or maybe even some of his work, I understand there are some quite funny bits.

I do wish I had his money though. :eek: :D

http://atheism.about.com/b/2004/12/18/no-atheists-in-foxholes.htm

Thanks for that!

Well...maybe not prayers, as Pratchett is an atheist.
So, to be consistent, he shouldn't pray-but that doesn't mean others shouldn't pray for him. (FWIW I'm an atheist/agnostic-depends on how I feel on a given day. One of my strongest beliefs though is that I shouldn't require others to follow *my* beliefs. If they believe in prayer, and want to pray for me, they should feel free to do so-without me (or anyone else) telling them that I don't believe in it. I'll do that only if they ask me to pray with them.)

Although I can't (won't) pray for him, I do wish him & his the very best of luck.

Don't go to this link. It will resize your browser window.
Although rude, why is this a problem? (Note: I haven't visited the site-I'm at work & videos are blocked.) I can certainly see the issue about installing the WMP 11 plug-in. (I have it & see no problem, but am fully aware that others have had different experiences with it.) But I don't see the problem with it resizing your window-you can resize it back, can't you? (No, you shouldn't have to-but if you can, then the site resizing it is rude rather than malicious. If it does something that makes you unable to resize it back, then that's malicious.)

He has actually made some television programs about him living with alzheimers that detailed his experiences during his first year or so with the disease as he investigated some potential treatments, met other sufferers and so on, its well worth a watch if you can track it down.

So, to be consistent, he shouldn't pray-but that doesn't mean others shouldn't pray for him. (FWIW I'm an atheist/agnostic-depends on how I feel on a given day. One of my strongest beliefs though is that I shouldn't require others to follow *my* beliefs. If they believe in prayer, and want to pray for me, they should feel free to do so-without me (or anyone else) telling them that I don't believe in it. I'll do that only if they ask me to pray with them.)

Although I can't (won't) pray for him, I do wish him & his the very best of luck.

I do wish the best for him and his family, and if there is some overarching Intelligence out there concerned with the well-being of hairless apes on a minor planet that circles a average star in a outlying arm of one of billions of typical spiral galaxies, then I hope that Intelligence looks kindly on him and his family as well.

Unsolicited religious activity can be a problem for some folks. Just look at the uproar created by Holocaust survivors who are offended by Mormons who perform baptism rituals for dead Jews (http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/undergod/2008/11/mormons_jews_contend_for_souls.html). Or the Pope's annual Prayer for the Jews (http://wapedia.mobi/en/Catholic_Good_Friday_%27Prayer_for_the_Jews%27). Of course, these prayers and baptisms have ulterior motives, so I can understand why they take offense. But why should unbelievers feel any less offense at prayers whose aim is to change them in ways they don't desire?

That having been said, as a secular humanist it doesn't bother me when other people offer prayers on my behalf. In truth, I'm flattered. I realize that from their perspective, they have my best interest in mind. Not to mention the fact that as long as they're on their knees, it's hard to launch an attack!

Lighten up. I'm a firm believer in making the best of any situation. Humor is important. No the disease is not funny, and yes, I too have "remembering" issues and may just have the beginnings of the same thing. If you watched the videos or have done any research on the disease then you'll know there is very little real information as to it's origin and course. It's also been around far longer than it has had a name and if you're ever been around any number of older people you will have seen it or parts of it. Now, go read some comics, or maybe even some of his work, I understand there are some quite funny bits.
I do wish I had his money though. :eek: :D

Fair enough - we can agree to disagree on this one :) I am happy to lighten up about my own condition(s), but not to that of other people.
BTW, I'm just introducing some light Terry Pratchet to my 7 year old daughter - I've been hooked since the early '90 - The Carpet People should be a good start.

Cheers,

m-reader

He has actually made some television programs about him living with alzheimers that detailed his experiences during his first year or so with the disease as he investigated some potential treatments, met other sufferers and so on, its well worth a watch if you can track it down.

It was a two-part programme called, if I recall correctly, "Living with Alzheimers" and shown on the BBC. Very worthwhile watching.

There's a video here (http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/video/2009/dec/19/terry-pratchett-religion) of him talking about religion since it came up in this thread. (No resizing of browsers required:))

There's a longer video here (http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/video/2009/dec/19/terry-pratchett-book-club) taken from the same Guardian book club but I've not watched it through yet. He's always interesting to listen to though.

It's a horrible disease that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. My grandmother and my aunt both have it now. Watching people you love degenerate from the inside out is sickening. I have my fingers crossed that some kind of genetic patch or stem cell therapy is found in time to save Mr.Pratchett. It won't come soon enough for the people close to me, but he and many others might have a chance.

Here's a link of him talking about Alzheimer's:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z44ip5kYQ8w

(I was about to post a link about him on religion, too-- I'm sure Sir Pratchett will remain an atheist in his foxhole, and implying that his convictions are shallow enough to be changed simply by "bad times" is an insulting slur)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qqnTmBTwOo

I'd consider using IE a much bigger annoyance than having the browser window resized :D

Opera has settings that prevent windows being resized with javascript, maybe Firefox has similar settings?
Yes, Firefox does have a similar setting. But this prevents proper popup windows from being resized.

Not yet.

:p
MORTICIAN: Bring out your dead!
[clang]
Bring out your dead!
[clang]
Bring out your dead!
[clang]
Bring out your dead!
[clang]
Bring out your dead!
[clang]
Bring out your dead!
[clang]
Bring out your dead!
[clang]
Bring out your dead!
[clang]
Bring out your dead!
[clang]
Bring out your dead!
[clang]
Bring out your dead!
[clang]
Bring out your dead!
CUSTOMER: Here's one -- nine pence.
DEAD PERSON: I'm not dead!
MORTICIAN: What?
CUSTOMER: Nothing -- here's your nine pence.
DEAD PERSON: I'm not dead!
MORTICIAN: Here -- he says he's not dead!
CUSTOMER: Yes, he is.
DEAD PERSON: I'm not!
MORTICIAN: He isn't.
CUSTOMER: Well, he will be soon, he's very ill.
DEAD PERSON: I'm getting better!
CUSTOMER: No, you're not -- you'll be stone dead in a moment.
MORTICIAN: Oh, I can't take him like that -- it's against regulations.
DEAD PERSON: I don't want to go in the cart!
CUSTOMER: Oh, don't be such a baby.
MORTICIAN: I can't take him...
DEAD PERSON: I feel fine!
CUSTOMER: Oh, do us a favor...
MORTICIAN: I can't.
CUSTOMER: Well, can you hang around a couple of minutes? He won't
be long.
MORTICIAN: Naaah, I got to go on to Robinson's -- they've lost nine
today.
CUSTOMER: Well, when is your next round?
MORTICIAN: Thursday.
DEAD PERSON: I think I'll go for a walk.
CUSTOMER: You're not fooling anyone y'know. Look, isn't there
something you can do?
DEAD PERSON: I feel happy... I feel happy.
[whop]
CUSTOMER: Ah, thanks very much.
MORTICIAN: Not at all. See you on Thursday.
CUSTOMER: Right.
[clop clop]
MORTICIAN: Who's that then?
CUSTOMER: I don't know.
MORTICIAN: Must be a king.
CUSTOMER: Why?
MORTICIAN: He hasn't got shit all over him.

It's a horrible disease that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. My grandmother and my aunt both have it now. Watching people you love degenerate from the inside out is sickening. I have my fingers crossed that some kind of genetic patch or stem cell therapy is found in time to save Mr.Pratchett. It won't come soon enough for the people close to me, but he and many others might have a chance.

Ditto. My Dad is in his ninth year of Alzheimer's. I, too, would not wish it upon my worst enemy. :(