tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post4397269631591595513..comments2024-03-29T04:15:38.341-07:00Comments on Writing About Writing (And Occasionally Some Writing): The Literary Review of Skyrim Part 2 Chris Brecheenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07819138776404280633noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-54250589670631358952015-06-15T21:10:07.869-07:002015-06-15T21:10:07.869-07:00I know this is kind of an old article by now, but....I know this is kind of an old article by now, but...<br /><br />These are incredible theories. I admit I was skeptical when you first mentioned it, but every time you added a new piece of evidence or interpretation, I found myself agreeing more and more!<br /><br />I really wondered, as I read this, what you thought of (maybe spoilers?):<br /><br /><br />Eventually getting to learn the Dragonrend shout. It seemed like it was a direct example of people taking control of the narrative by reversing roles.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-70972529253665997512013-01-07T15:57:13.440-08:002013-01-07T15:57:13.440-08:00Not at all. Just got a little distracted by holid...Not at all. Just got a little distracted by holidays, cats dying, and illness. Chris Brecheenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07819138776404280633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-5445190820930135302013-01-07T15:52:38.568-08:002013-01-07T15:52:38.568-08:00I really hope you finish this. I think it's m...I really hope you finish this. I think it's my favorite. Please don't just let this one die.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-61479618203856343842012-10-16T16:30:26.755-07:002012-10-16T16:30:26.755-07:00It's nice to see video games getting some seri...It's nice to see video games getting some serious attention as a legitimate art form.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-74584729167657029962012-10-16T16:17:32.136-07:002012-10-16T16:17:32.136-07:00Yeah, me too. I remember it being really slow in ...Yeah, me too. I remember it being really slow in the middle, but I might appreciate it more now.Chris Brecheenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07819138776404280633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-90205680314872392652012-10-16T11:27:13.249-07:002012-10-16T11:27:13.249-07:00It was hard to stop playing and write. I don'...It was hard to stop playing and write. I don't get a LOT of time to play video games, but I'll write more soon. <br /><br />Though part of me fears I've blown my wad, and my next essay will be like: "Yep....it's still about that stuff." Chris Brecheenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07819138776404280633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-10496634926250494362012-10-15T18:26:51.404-07:002012-10-15T18:26:51.404-07:00And now I want to re-read Snow Crash.And now I want to re-read Snow Crash.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-62377864429022167182012-10-15T18:24:52.995-07:002012-10-15T18:24:52.995-07:00One of the first things in Skyrim that got my atte...One of the first things in Skyrim that got my attention, in the opening scene of the game, was how Ulfric was gagged to prevent him from using the Voice to free himself. He's also presented as a charismatic and persuasive speaker who knows how to use words to his advantage. There is more I can say about how his character develops the themes you discuss in your post, but I'll avoid spoilers for now. Suffice it to say say that there are several moments, depending on which side you join in the civil war, that demonstrate how much he understands the power of words and narrative to control events and people.<br /><br />Anyway, this may be my favorite of your posts so far. I'm looking forward to what you have to say about...well, a lot of things, but especially the Diplomatic Immunity quest (which should be coming up soon) and your first meeting with Paarthurnax. Go play more Skyrim!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-47214892371391253562012-10-15T12:23:45.705-07:002012-10-15T12:23:45.705-07:00Nicely done!Nicely done!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-50008126786639559042012-10-15T11:51:55.430-07:002012-10-15T11:51:55.430-07:00These are awesome insights that I hadn't even ...These are awesome insights that I hadn't even considered. I've got little more than Ancient Civ IA in my brain when it comes to Mesopotamia. <br /><br />Very cool stuff!!Chris Brecheenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07819138776404280633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2660089177097719300.post-26434893491144686182012-10-15T11:47:42.043-07:002012-10-15T11:47:42.043-07:00I got exactly the same impression you did, though ... I got exactly the same impression you did, though more based in my study of Sumerology, my linguistic theory is very hobbyist.<br />"The Voice sounds an awful lot like written language."<br />I can prove the historic intentions here. This is an example of the Dragon language <br /><br />http://iskyrim.webs.com/photos/Skyrim-Gameplay/dragon%20lan.bmp<br /><br />Now here is an example of Sumerian cuneiform, the first known written language <br /><br />http://sipyun1.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/akkadian-cuneiform.gif<br /><br />I am sure this was done on purpose. As well, the oldest Sumerian magic was literacy based. The gods, and those that mastered language would speak, and as they spoke the world changed, fitting their decree. The use of language to dictate reality was called a Nam-Shub in ancient Sumer. The gods and magicians used it against their enemies Writing was another way to make the spell stick.<br /><br />The process of learning to write, by learning a few hundred Cuneiform marks and their myriad meanings in certain contexts, and spending years practicing them by pushing a stylus in wet clay, must have seemed enlightening. The literate held an incredibly cultural and economic power over the illiterate, with an ability to say things and put them somewhere they could be heard in perfect memory years later. This may be the reason that "Teacher" and "Magician" share the same word in Sumerian. <br />Jaryshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04471998118892544099noreply@blogger.com