The books that changed my life.
First up, 'Neuromancer' by William Gibson. When I read it as a kid, I prayed that it could be real and that I would be able to be a cyber jockey.

Secondly, 'Dune', by Frank Herbert. I read this as a kid but I also read this probably every year. The whole premise of the books made me adore politics and ecology. And fighting in a weirding way.

The other book that changed my life was 'Simulacres et Simulation' by Jean Baudrillard. I was introduced to snippets of it in university in a philosophy class but I really wanted to enjoy the original. Thus, it first changed my life by making me learn French, then it changed my life by wowing me with intangible concepts that messed with my way of thinking.
(powervator and NONE SHALL PASS, Thu 15 May 2008, 16:27, 6 replies)

Baudrillard
I loved that book at Uni, the idea of a "perfect copy without an original".
I was well please with an essay I wrote about the Matrix with particular reference to S&S. Really obvious connection, mind you.
( Boss Keloid Got your mother's maiden name tattooed on my arm, Thu 15 May 2008, 16:33, closed)

@ Boss K
I mentioned not only Baudrillard but also Plato to a class of undergrads in reference to The Matrix - the look of astonishment was quite a sight to behold...to think a book could possibly alter the way a film maker might think!

Whatever next?
( chickenlady b3ta's very own Elizabeth Taylor, Thu 15 May 2008, 16:38, closed)

Dune is engrossing, I even had dreams that I was Paul Atreides after I read it
I am stuck on book 6 "Chapter House Dune", I think Mr Herbert ran out of ideas at this point.

Yeah, it's got sandworms and Reverend Mothers in it, but who gives a shit?
( Colonel Dracula Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf, Thu 15 May 2008, 16:39, closed)

@Chickenlady
Plato and the Matrix?
Interesting. Never thought about it from that perspective. It has now been around 9 years since I read Republic. Think I shall dig it out again.
( Boss Keloid Got your mother's maiden name tattooed on my arm, Thu 15 May 2008, 16:47, closed)

Well there goes my entry for this weeks QOTW
Neuromancer and Dune blew me away when I read them. Don't think they will ever cease to amaze me.
(Errorist, Thu 15 May 2008, 16:50, closed)

Interesting stuff
I wrote my Philosophy dissertation on how modern science fiction films have brought the questioning of reality to the masses. I wrote about a number of films, the obvious one being The Matrix, and yes I referenced Baudrillard (the map) and Plato (the cave allegory).
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Thu 15 May 2008, 16:52, closed)