Stephen Fry

[Richard Dawkins]

I just received this in a nice letter from Stephen Fry.

For it is arguable that his (Conan Doyle's) spiritualist message was his greatest gift to humanity. It brought comfort to millions of bereaved parents, wives and children; compared to that, the question of whether it was true or not seems insignificant.

Thus John Carey (an Oxford man, it must grieve you to recall) in the Sunday Times reviewing Andrew Lycett's new biography of Conan Doyle.

There in a nutshell is one of the central arguments we daily face.

Did I mention that I'm following in footsteps later this year and for lots of next year? With Mark Carwardine I'm doing a sort of Last Chance to See 20 years on. Taking Douglas's audio version of the book with us as a kind of Guide, seeking out the latest news of the Yangtse River Dolphin, the kakapo, the Komodo dragon etc.

Best

S

Wonderful news about the Even Laster Chance to See project, and how brilliant to take the audio version with them as their Guide. I can't imagine anybody else filling those footprints, but Stephen Fry has the wit, the charm, and even the height to do Douglas justice. He has also, by the way, been a stalwart enthusiast of our Out Campaign and has ordered several Scarlet A t-shirts.

The rest of John Carey's review of the Conan Doyle biography is quite nice, I should say, setting aside that one regrettable nutshell.
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/ ... 307458.ece

Richard

[Clinton Huxley]

I wish him luck in finding the Yangtze River Dolphin...

[obscured by clouds]

I wish him luck in finding the Yangtze River Dolphin...

Yes and umm come better prepared as not to resort to "prophylactics".

20 years after, a great idea, I'm glad to hear that. I wish Stephen Fry all the best I'm sure he will do it justice.

For it is arguable that his (Conan Doyle's) spiritualist message was his greatest gift to humanity. It brought comfort to millions of bereaved parents, wives and children; compared to that, the question of whether it was true or not seems insignificant.

That's funny is a sad way. Thankfully I do not know one person would say that, rather for his logic and reason. On this note I did enjoy the book The Einstein Paradox by Collin Bruce. Where the Holmes solves crimes with concepts of modern physics.

[Covalent Bonder]

Richard Dawkins said:

I can't imagine anybody else filling those footprints, but Stephen Fry has the wit, the charm, and even the height to do Douglas justice.

Me, either. And good on Stephen for supporting the Out Campaign.

[Vikki]

I've never heard of Last Chance to See. I did a quick Google search, and it appears to be a BBC Documentary series/Radio series/Book series (all of them, really?) where they feature endangered animals, is that right?

[obscured by clouds]

I've never heard of Last Chance to See. I did a quick Google search, and it appears to be a BBC Documentary series/Radio series/Book series (all of them, really?) where they feature endangered animals, is that right?

It's Douglas Adams, though it's not a fun book as such, the plight is serious, but he is able comfort it a little, as only he could. Yes it is a must have, run don't walk, its a quick read but it will be with you for a life time, if you don't like it I'll buy it off ya.

[Vikki]

Yes it is a must have, run don't walk, its a quick read but it will be with you for a life time, if you don't like it I'll buy it off ya

Alrighty, I'll keep an eye out for it, then. Thanks!

[Richard Dawkins]

I've never heard of Last Chance to See. I did a quick Google search, and it appears to be a BBC Documentary series/Radio series/Book series (all of them, really?) where they feature endangered animals, is that right?

Last Chance to See is Douglas Adams's most charming book.

http://www.amazon.com/Last-Chance-See-D ... 311&sr=1-1 (US)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Chance-See ... 0330320025 (Britain)

It tells the true story of Douglas's travels with the zoologist Mark Carwardine, whose role is that of knowledgeable and somewhat lugubrious straight man to Douglas's naive and enthusiastic comic. This double act travelled the world to look at, and lament the imminent extinction of some of our rarest animals (the Yangtze River dolphin now may have gone extinct). The book is sad and funny at the same time, an unforgettable combination, and you can hear Douglas's voice in every line. Listen to this, for example, on the Kakapo, the extraordinary New Zealand flightless parrot:

The kakapo is a bird out of time. If you look one in its large, round, greeny-brown face, it has a look of serenely innocent incomprehension that makes you want to hug it and tell it that everything will be all right, though you know that it probably will not be.

It is an extremely fat bird. A good-sized adult will weigh about six or seven pounds, and its wings are just about good for waggling a bit if it thinks it's about to trip over something -- but flying is completely out of the question. Sadly, however, it seems that not only has the kakapo forgotten how to fly, but it has also forgotten that it has forgotten how to fly. Apparently a seriously worried kakapo will sometimes run up a tree and jump out of it, whereupon it flies like a brick and lands in a graceless heap on the ground.

It's all like that, page after page, chapter after chapter. You'll laugh yourself to tears, and then suddenly realise you are crying for the Yangtze River dolphin -- and for Douglas.

Richard

PS Sorry I posted the wrong link for Amazon.com before. Thanks to Hugo for pointing it out. The correct link is
http://www.amazon.com/Last-Chance-See-D ... 311&sr=1-1

[Dagoth]

My sister has the book but I haven't read it yet. Sounds a lot like Hitchhiker's absurd and hilarious descriptions, except with real animals.

[CJ]

I couldn’t find any YouTube clips of Last Chance but did come across this which makes unfortunately depressing viewing.

[Thurston]

For it is arguable that his (Conan Doyle's) spiritualist message was his greatest gift to humanity. It brought comfort to millions of bereaved parents, wives and children; compared to that, the question of whether it was true or not seems insignificant.

Thus John Carey (an Oxford man, it must grieve you to recall) in the Sunday Times reviewing Andrew Lycett's new biography of Conan Doyle.

There in a nutshell is one of the central arguments we daily face.

Conan Doyle was, it seems a very odd fellow; that the creator of Sherlock Holmes could be taken in by such irrationality seems absurd. One of his great friends was Harry Houdini. Apparently Conan Doyle would write him letters pleading with him to admit he had the power to de-materialise from inside his various cabinets and re-materialise outside of them. I doubt he took kindly to Houdini's relentless quest to expose fraudulent psychics.

[z8000783]

I can't imagine anybody else filling those footprints, but Stephen Fry has the wit, the charm, and even the height to do Douglas justice. He has also, by the way, been a stalwart enthusiast of our Out Campaign and has ordered several Scarlet A t-shirts.

Richard

On the assumption that Stephen is not a member here how about using your charm to persuade him to join up.

I am sure it would be delight for all of us to read his perspective on some of the subjects under discussion here.

John

[LeonardHatred]

Great to see the brilliant Mr Fry active in the Out campaign. Wouldn't it be fantastic if he got his old (no less talented) comedy partner Hugh Laurie involved?

[mcc]

Conan Doyle was, it seems a very odd fellow; that the creator of Sherlock Holmes could be taken in by such irrationality seems absurd. One of his great friends was Harry Houdini. Apparently Conan Doyle would write him letters pleading with him to admit he had the power to de-materialise from inside his various cabinets and re-materialise outside of them. I doubt he took kindly to Houdini's relentless quest to expose fraudulent psychics.

Conan Doyle is if I recall correctly, the same man who was convinced by the Fairies photos. I dont think he'd have put up much resistence to spiritualist explanations.

M

[Hugo]

Last Chance to See is Douglas Adams's most charming book.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/061861 ... oding=UTF8 (US)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Chance-See ... 0330320025 (Britain)

That US link goes to RD's The Ancestor's Tale, this is the US link to Last Chance To See

[Shaker]

Well, Stephen Fry was already a hero, but now I hear that he's actively supporting the Out campaign and has ordered several T-shirts ... well, what can I say to that?

It would indeed be fantastic to see him here. Perhaps, as someone suggested, Professor Dawkins could put in the good word? Richard Dawkins and Stephen Fry on the Forum - how cool would that be?!?!?!

[DaveD]

Some excerpts from the original radio series can be heard on "Douglas Adams at the BBC".
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Douglas-Adams-B ... 97&sr=1-45
(Also available as a download from Audible.com)

[aw6334]

I've never heard of Last Chance to See. I did a quick Google search, and it appears to be a BBC Documentary series/Radio series/Book series (all of them, really?) where they feature endangered animals, is that right?

Last Chance to See is Douglas Adams's most charming book.

http://www.amazon.com/Last-Chance-See-D ... 311&sr=1-1 (US)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Chance-See ... 0330320025 (Britain)

It tells the true story of Douglas's travels with the zoologist Mark Carwardine, whose role is that of knowledgeable and somewhat lugubrious straight man to Douglas's naive and enthusiastic comic. This double act travelled the world to look at, and lament the imminent extinction of some of our rarest animals (the Yangtze River dolphin now may have gone extinct). The book is sad and funny at the same time, an unforgettable combination, and you can hear Douglas's voice in every line. Listen to this, for example, on the Kakapo, the extraordinary New Zealand flightless parrot:

The kakapo is a bird out of time. If you look one in its large, round, greeny-brown face, it has a look of serenely innocent incomprehension that makes you want to hug it and tell it that everything will be all right, though you know that it probably will not be.

It is an extremely fat bird. A good-sized adult will weigh about six or seven pounds, and its wings are just about good for waggling a bit if it thinks it's about to trip over something -- but flying is completely out of the question. Sadly, however, it seems that not only has the kakapo forgotten how to fly, but it has also forgotten that it has forgotten how to fly. Apparently a seriously worried kakapo will sometimes run up a tree and jump out of it, whereupon it flies like a brick and lands in a graceless heap on the ground.

It's all like that, page after page, chapter after chapter. You'll laugh yourself to tears, and then suddenly realise you are crying for the Yangtze River dolphin -- and for Douglas.

Richard

PS Sorry I posted the wrong link for Amazon.com before. Thanks to Hugo for pointing it out. The correct link is
http://www.amazon.com/Last-Chance-See-D ... 311&sr=1-1

Thank you Richard, the book sounds wonderful, I have just ordered it from Amazon.

Do you have any idea when the Stephen Fry show will be on TV?

[mcc]

I've just ordered a copy, I'll have read it by the weekend so if anyone is in the Edinburgh area and wants to borrow a copy there'll be one knocking about.

"Will we never learn? Who knows. Religion. Shit it."
Stephen Fry an atheist ?? Who'd have thought it?

M

[Randy Ping]

I wish American TV was a third as good as British television.

[seals]

I'm kinda wary of wildlife tv programs - they all have the same depressing ending, obviously I'll have to force myself with this one.

Only today I heard how some duck billed platypuses (platypi?) have been ousted for a branch of Woolworths. Until today, I didn't know they had Woolworths in Australia.

Unbelievably, those in favour of conservation are still sometimes seen as tree huggers!

[owen m]

Conan Doyle was, it seems a very odd fellow; that the creator of Sherlock Holmes could be taken in by such irrationality seems absurd. One of his great friends was Harry Houdini. Apparently Conan Doyle would write him letters pleading with him to admit he had the power to de-materialise from inside his various cabinets and re-materialise outside of them. I doubt he took kindly to Houdini's relentless quest to expose fraudulent psychics.

Conan Doyle is if I recall correctly, the same man who was convinced by the Fairies photos. I dont think he'd have put up much resistence to spiritualist explanations.

M

doyle's son was killed in World War 1. It was after this that he turned to spiritualism. he went through some tough times and gained some comfort from spiritualism. its also easy, in hindsight, to fail to understand how anyone could fall for the fairy photos but at the time he thought kids would never lie about something like that. years later they admitted they were fake.

[Shaker]

Sir Oliver Lodge really kick-started the craze for spiritualism in the UK after WW1, and for exactly the same reason.

[Katherine]

He has also, by the way, been a stalwart enthusiast of our Out Campaign and has ordered several Scarlet A t-shirts.

Richard

That's the best thing I've read since waking up! Do you know of any other famous atheists? I know that Adam Hart-Davis is a definite atheist.......

[Shaker]

AH-D's partner, Sue Blackmore, for one!