Under the Dome released. We're now officially e-screwed. - Page 4

kindlekitten · 11-11-2009, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sporadic

Really? Didn't they dumb down the entrance exam a few years ago since they are desperate for people?

I also don't disagree with Stephen King's comments. I have had way too many friends join the service because they thought that was their only option. One of my best friends almost made a horrible decision after his dad passed away. He felt like he had to do something with his life and almost signed with the Army since he thought it was the only way to get training. Thankfully (for his wife and children) I talked him out of it. He has to fight a little harder to make his dreams come true (working as a prison guard and going to school to be a firefighter on the side) but at least there is no chance of his children growing up without a father.

no they did not "dumb down" the test.

it may be too bad for your buddy that you "talked him out of it". the military has some of the best continuing education possibilities in the country as well as health care for families.

I'd go on, but this isn't the place for it

Spectrum · 11-11-2009, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madam Broshkina

This is why I will never purchase a Stephen King book. This is from an address to high school students.

"I don't want to sound like an ad, a public service ad on TV, but the fact is if you can read, you can walk into a job later on. If you don't, then you've got the Army, Iraq, I don't know, something like that. It's not as bright,"

What's wrong with that opinion? Some sort of sacred cow here?

Faenad · 11-11-2009, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madam Broshkina

This is why I will never purchase a Stephen King book. This is from an address to high school students.

"I don't want to sound like an ad, a public service ad on TV, but the fact is if you can read, you can walk into a job later on. If you don't, then you've got the Army, Iraq, I don't know, something like that. It's not as bright,"

I would not blame King for saying the truth.
He's not saying that military people are stupid. He's basically saying that if you're stupid, the only job you can get is in the military.

And sadly, this is a known fact :
http://www.slate.com/id/2182752/

“We’re enlisting more dropouts, people with more law violations, lower test scores, more moral issues,” said a senior noncommissioned officer involved in Army personnel and recruiting. “We’re really scraping the bottom of the barrel trying to get people to join.” (Army officials agreed to discuss the issue on the condition that they not be quoted by name.)

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/09/us...ewanted=2&_r=1

Educated young people (ie who have a choice between the army and a good regular jobs) are a declining proportion in the enlistment.
That also why the current incentive to join are so good, much more than in peacetime. You need that and more to have young people considers joining and doing x tours in Iraq or Afghanistan, instead of going for a civilian job.

rcuadro · 11-11-2009, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sporadic

Really? Didn't they dumb down the entrance exam a few years ago since they are desperate for people?

Yes... They will not admit to lowering standards but they just make it easier to achieve.
It is not easy to keep people in when they spend a year in Iraq, come home for a little bit, and then back for another year.

Moejoe · 11-11-2009, 08:59 AM

Okay, all Stephen King bashing aside, who the hell did the cover for this book, and where can I find them to punch them in the face?

Nate the great · 11-11-2009, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moejoe

Okay, all Stephen King bashing aside, who the hell did the cover for this book, and where can I find them to punch them in the face?

What's wrong with the cover?

Moejoe · 11-11-2009, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate the great

What's wrong with the cover?

Everything? Looks like it was slapped together with Photoshop 7 in about 5 minutes using a very early iteration of the warp tool. The colour is off and has no real overall tone. The text is uneven and doesn't fully conform to the actual arch of the dome. The image is lazy and contrived, the equivalent of singing a love song with the lyrics - I love you as the chorus. I could go on, but it's so bad that its making my eyes bleed and my heart ache.

Here's the European release of 'From A Buick 8', a really good example of design. The whole reprinted line had a matching design ethos.

HarryT · 11-11-2009, 09:11 AM

The cover seems to accurately reflect the subject-matter of the book. That's more than can be said for many of them!

Moejoe · 11-11-2009, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

The cover seems to accurately reflect the subject-matter of the book. That's more than can be said for many of them!

Seriously? That's what you think a book cover design should be? A mere reflection of the subject matter? We may as well go back to the Gollanz Yellow-covered sci-fi hardbacks with just text on them if that's all that design has to do.

HarryT · 11-11-2009, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moejoe

Seriously? That's what you think a book cover design should be? A mere reflection of the subject matter? We may as well go back to the Gollanz Yellow-covered sci-fi hardbacks with just text on them if that's all that design has to do.

I think that a book cover should be based on the subject matter. There's no "mere" about that. I really don't like books where you look at the cover and think "what the heck does that have to do with the book"?

But no, I'm all in favour of creativity in cover art.

Sporadic · 11-11-2009, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madam Broshkina

This has to be the most idiotic post I have read on this site. Do you really believe that no prison guards or firefighters have lost their lives in the line of duty?

Are you saying it's the same thing as entering a combat zone as a solder? 5267 have died and almost 35,000 have been injuried so far in Iraq/Afghanistan.

And that is beside the point. My friend wants to be a firefighter. He was planning to use the Army as a way to reach that goal but when he really sat down and looked at what he could do, he realized there was another way and he took it.

joobies · 11-11-2009, 10:05 AM

Sporadic, your comments on the military really disappoint and offend me.

HarryT · 11-11-2009, 10:15 AM

Please let's keep this discussion at least vaguely related to the works of Mr. King. If you want to talk about the merits of a career in the armed forces, please start a separate thread in the "Lounge".

Thanks,

[Moderator]

desertgrandma · 11-11-2009, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Please let's keep this discussion at least vaguely related to the works of Mr. King. If you want to talk about the merits of a career in the armed forces, please start a separate thread in the "Lounge".

Thanks,

[Moderator]

Oh, please, I'm begging you.

No more threads about the armed forces, pro or con.

joobies · 11-11-2009, 10:37 AM

Sorry, folks. Knee jerk reaction.

On topic, I am reading a library copy of Under the Dome and really enjoying the craziness of his earlier style of writing.
After one night with this behemoth book, I was ready to order a Kindle copy.
Gotta love these ereaders!

11-11-2009, 10:15 AM	#58
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Please let's keep this discussion at least vaguely related to the works of Mr. King. If you want to talk about the merits of a career in the armed forces, please start a separate thread in the "Lounge". Thanks, [Moderator] Last edited by HarryT; 11-11-2009 at 10:19 AM. Reason: Typo

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Hacks Think I screwed up my Kindle 1 screensavers	clerky96	Amazon Kindle	0	06-28-2010 01:02 PM
I screwed up BIG TIME!	Alfy	Sony Reader	11	11-05-2009 06:25 PM
Am I screwed?	FligMupple	Amazon Kindle	36	10-11-2009 09:55 AM
Screwed by Tor again...	Taylor514ce	Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links)	293	09-04-2008 03:47 PM

11-11-2009, 08:59 AM	#50
Moejoe Banned Posts: 5,100 Karma: 72193 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: South of the Border Device: Coffin	Okay, all Stephen King bashing aside, who the hell did the cover for this book, and where can I find them to punch them in the face?

11-11-2009, 09:11 AM	#53
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	The cover seems to accurately reflect the subject-matter of the book. That's more than can be said for many of them!

11-11-2009, 10:05 AM	#57
joobies Addict Posts: 234 Karma: 1856 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Midwest USA Device: Kindle 1, Sony PRS-505	Sporadic, your comments on the military really disappoint and offend me.

11-11-2009, 10:37 AM	#60
joobies Addict Posts: 234 Karma: 1856 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Midwest USA Device: Kindle 1, Sony PRS-505	Sorry, folks. Knee jerk reaction. On topic, I am reading a library copy of Under the Dome and really enjoying the craziness of his earlier style of writing. After one night with this behemoth book, I was ready to order a Kindle copy. Gotta love these ereaders!