4 responses so far ↓

• 1 reyhan // Apr 2, 2008 at 12:13 am

  Enjoyed the idea of how fulfilled prophecy reconciles the seeming contradiction betwen free will and destiny, and how free will acts as the agent of destiny.

  Enjoyed also CS Lewis’ distinction between surprise and surprisingness. The latter explains why I can watch PoA over and over again - the perfect Mobius strip construced by the Time-Turner sequence - and read CoS over and over again - where Harry can talk to the memory trace of Tom Riddle in real time. And of course the conversation with Dumbledore that takes place in King’s Cross in Harry’s head in real time. All of these scenes are impossible and stand reality on its head, and fulfill the definition of surprisingness as “extraordinariness by virtue of being unexpected” that no amount of repetition seems to take away.

  Thanks for the concept, Travis.

  yet go beyond reality to express some kind of metaphorical truth.

• 2 revgeorge // Apr 2, 2008 at 1:27 am

  Thanks for the Lewis quote, Travis. I’ve always been intrigued by Oedipus Rex. It always seemed like the gods were setting things up the way they wanted & then punishing humans when they followed what the gods had already dictated.

  After all, what father & mother wouldn’t be appalled if they were told their son would grow up to kill his father & marry his mother? This is an excellent example of a prophecy fulfilling itself. For what parents are going to let their child do such a thing. Of course, we never know what might have happened if Oedipus’ parents had simply raised him the best they could. Like I said, kind of a catch 22 thing put on by the gods.

• 3 Dave Bruno // Apr 4, 2008 at 9:53 pm

  Hi Travis

  Thanks for the callout for the free audiobook of the month. I’m glad you are enjoying it!

  Blessings, Dave

• 4 Penny // Apr 8, 2008 at 3:39 pm

  Just had a chance to listen to this one. I am glad you were able to articulate WHY we are still talking about Harry. Good rambling!

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