Technology

[RichardX]

I would be curious to know how much technologies like cell phones and the Internet have impacted the plots of King's books? It would seemingly make them more difficult to write since every character has almost instant access to a phone or information that can help them out of a bind. Horror movies now have that obligatory scene where the characters have to hold up the phone and confirm they "have no signal." Something the younger kids find more terrifying to be without than confronting a maniac in the woods. In reading some older books, you come across a lot of places where you say to yourself don't they have a cell phone or computer? Then you realize it was written in the 70s. It kind of makes me wonder how much different those books would be if written today.

 

[summer_sky]

...they "have no signal." Something the younger kids find more terrifying to be without than confronting a maniac in the woods.

Ha! True dat!

Regarding your query...
Suspension of disbelief is timeless.

 

[Pucker]

Horror movies now have that obligatory scene where the characters have to hold up the phone and confirm they "have no signal." Something the younger kids find more terrifying to be without than confronting a maniac in the woods.

Tropes become tropes for a reason.

Even in Mr. King's stories, often the greater horror is beyond (or beneath ... or within ... or whatever) the obligatory "evil."

 

[summer_sky]

Tropes become tropes for a reason.

Even in Mr. King's stories, often the greater horror is beyond (or beneath ... or within ... or whatever) the obligatory "evil."

"Trope" - had to look that up. I just learned something new today.
Thanks, P
[I'd push the "like" button, however I prefer an old-fashion 'thank you'. *curtseys* ]

Side observation: I do not understand the 'like' button. Members of this community will "like" my post, yet write that they find my post offensive. wtf? *scratches head in confusion* Is the 'like' button more of an acknowledgement that any particular post has been read??

 

[Moderator]

"Trope" - had to look that up. I just learned something new today.
Thanks, P
[I'd push the "like" button, however I prefer an old-fashion 'thank you'. *curtseys* ]

Side observation: I do not understand the 'like' button. Members of this community will "like" my post, yet write that they find my post offensive. wtf? *scratches head in confusion* Is the 'like' button more of an acknowledgement that any particular post has been read??

The "like" button can be many things including an acknowledgement the post was read rather than an agreement with the sentiments expressed.

 

[summer_sky]

The "like" button can be many things including an acknowledgement the post was read rather than an agreement with the sentiments expressed.

Thank you, Mod.
I also noticed there is some sort of validation system or contest with receiving the most number of "likes". I'm supposing this is the driving force behind pushing the "like" button. ?

Now... back to other aspects of present technology in the context of past decades and SK's writings...

PS. Love your avatar, Ms. Mod. It is not far from the truth, I suspect

 

[Moderator]

Thank you, Mod.
I also noticed there is some sort of validation system or contest with receiving the most number of "likes". I'm supposing this is the driving force behind pushing the "like" button. ?

Now... back to other aspects of present technology in the context of past decades and SK's writings...

PS. Love your avatar, Ms. Mod. It is not far from the truth, I suspect

That's part of the software package but nothing we really pay attention to so there's no reward given by management for how many "likes" a person has.

That's how most days feel, for sure.

 

[summer_sky]

That's part of the software package but nothing we really pay attention to so there's no reward given by management for how many "likes" a person has.

That's how most days feel, for sure.

Thanks for taking the time and the keystrokes for answering my (stoopid?) questions/queries.
My 5th grade teacher would be proud of your patience . (She said I asked too many questions!)
Have a good one!

 

[Owenk]

Horror movies now have that obligatory scene where the characters have to hold up the phone and confirm they "have no signal." Something the younger kids find more terrifying to be without than confronting a maniac in the woods.

Hahahahahahahaha genius. So true. Mind you it's not just the youngsters. Even an old gimmer like me can get jumpy when my phone drops out of 3G coverage.

 

[Moderator]

Thanks for taking the time and the keystrokes for answering my (stoopid?) questions/queries.
My 5th grade teacher would be proud of your patience . (She said I asked too many questions!)
Have a good one!

That's what I get paid the big bucks for.

 

[summer_sky]

That's what I get paid the big bucks for.

Ha. I can only imagine...

 

[skimom2]

I would be curious to know how much technologies like cell phones and the Internet have impacted the plots of King's books? It would seemingly make them more difficult to write since every character has almost instant access to a phone or information that can help them out of a bind. Horror movies now have that obligatory scene where the characters have to hold up the phone and confirm they "have no signal." Something the younger kids find more terrifying to be without than confronting a maniac in the woods. In reading some older books, you come across a lot of places where you say to yourself don't they have a cell phone or computer? Then you realize it was written in the 70s. It kind of makes me wonder how much different those books would be if written today.

Access to instant communication for most people has made genre writers (who many times rely on miscommunication or lack of communication or information to enhance conflict in stories or to drive the narrative entirely) stretch logic muscles--lol. It's easy to let such a plot contrivance become a fallback. I can't speak for Mr. King, of course, but I can't think of a story of his that uses lazy plotting, anyway. (I'm not being mean by calling it lazy plotting, BTW. I've used it myself--lol. It is lazy, but oh-so-easy--almost expected--in certain genres )

 

[GNTLGNT]

....well, the Gunslinger might be carrying an "assault rifle".....

 

[Pucker]

[I'd push the "like" button, however I prefer an old-fashion 'thank you'. *curtseys* ]

Side observation: I do not understand the 'like' button. Members of this community will "like" my post, yet write that they find my post offensive. wtf? *scratches head in confusion* Is the 'like' button more of an acknowledgement that any particular post has been read??

You and I (and some others) agree on this. In fact, there's an entire thread about it around here somewhere. The "like" button is fine, as far as it goes, and it is useful to know that at least your (my) posts are actually being read. But I'm like you (even though I won't "like" your posts very often). If I enjoy your post, you will know, because I will respond to it . . . as I have done here.

 

[mal]

Whether communication is instant or old fashioned it can still get all "mixed" up based on human assumption and misunderstanding. I like that you started this thread but am being redundant as I clicked the "Like" button when I first read it. I agree with Ms. Mod in that the "Like" button can be many things. I read recently that the Facebook was going to experiment with different emoticons to convey different types of feedback when reading or viewing information. I'm not on the Facebook but when I read the article in a newspaper I thought to myself "I like that!".

 

[Pucker]

Well . . . we can use or not use the "like" button as we see fit, but somebody on here (I think it was Walter) said he had an i-condmen button on his phone.

I asked if that was a real thing and nobody responded, but if it is, we've already lost the war.

 

[blunthead]

Tropes become tropes for a reason.

Even in Mr. King's stories, often the greater horror is beyond (or beneath ... or within ... or whatever) the obligatory "evil."

Dammit, I don't want to look up "tropes"! The only sK book impacted much by such technology that I can think of which I've read is Cell.

 

[blunthead]

The "like" button can be many things including an acknowledgement the post was read rather than an agreement with the sentiments expressed.

I like posts because I like people. Sometimes I can't bring myself to like a post due to its sentiment, though.

 

[Pucker]

I like posts because I like people.

You like people?

That's amazing!

 

[blunthead]

You like people?

That's amazing!

Why do you say that?