The stupid debate that ABF made even stupider thread

[OB1]

No. In fact, I have never seen any of the LOTR movies, nor did I care for the books. I like fantasy, but these merely didn't seem to be my thing. Of course, I will give it another chance one day.

That was more directed to ABF.

I'm not saying it's harder to enjoy a book. I'm saying it requires more imagination, more comprehension from the person. It requires more effort on the part of the recipienct because you don't see it, you don't hear it. You have to read it, and you have to allow your mind to create it all. A lot of people aren't willing to exercise their minds and imaginations like that.

Again, visual metaphors can be very difficult to comprehend, and require a great imagination. I could just as easily argue that books require less imagination than some movies because with a book you have everything described to you which leaves very little to the imagination (unless you like to imagine extra stuff, or the book is not descriptive enough), but then I'd be ignoring some facts just like you are. My point? Neither medium inherently requires more or less imagination on part of the viewer. At least no way that can be accurately quantified.

But many movies, I think, would benefit from having more time to allow for explanation, or fleshing out scenes better, or for better pacing. When a book suffers from a lack of any of these, it is only the fault of the author.

Many movies, yes. And I'm not quite sure what your other point is.

I disagree, but I think we've both seen examples of this that the other has not.

You are partially correct. :) I don't consider one medium to be superior to the other while you do.

Don't think for a minute that all symbolism is visual, though.

I don't believe I ever said anything about visual symbolism being the only kind. Don't be an ABF, Ryan. :p

One reason I love Stephen King so much is that he can create a totally compelling dream sequence, and better still, he can create a character better than practically anyone I've ever read, seen, heard, what have you. I simply do not think such characterization is possible

I too have read plenty of well-written dream sequences in novels, but again I am not talking about one being superior to another. The different mediums can do things that the other cannot, some aspects probably being better than others. Each one is unique and can offer the same idea in a very different yet equal way. For an example of that read the book "The Woman in the Dunes" and then watch the movie of the same name.

I'm not saying the visual medium is crappy. I think a lot of it is, but there are a handful of movies I absolutely love. Of course, I explained much of what I was going to say here in the IM.

Yes.