I think "To not die" was often his primary desire.
Negative desires are hard to work, though. They're not uncommon in real life, but they don't usually make a great story.
You know, with the exception of one deadly and unpredictable midget, this girl is the smallest cargo I've ever had to transport. Yet by far the most troublesome. Does that seem right to you?
Early ,'Objects In Space'
Natter 68: Bork Bork Bork
Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.
Amy - Apr 11, 2011 4:57:18 pm PDT #2827 of 30001
Because books.
Ginger - Apr 11, 2011 4:59:10 pm PDT #2828 of 30001
"It didn't taste good. It tasted soooo horrible. It tasted like....a vodka martini." - Matilda
I think Arthur wanted to go home. I don't know that the protagonist has to want something that's possible.
DavidS - Apr 11, 2011 5:01:09 pm PDT #2829 of 30001
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
What did Arthur Dent want?
He wanted a cozy, unexceptional British middle-age. It was actually a pretty strong urge on his part, but life, the universe and everything conspired against it.
tommyrot - Apr 11, 2011 5:01:25 pm PDT #2830 of 30001
Sir, it's not an offence to let your cat eat your bacon. Okay? And we don't arrest cats, I'm very sorry.
I don't know that the protagonist has to want something that's possible.
That article says 'no', which I agree with.
§ ita § - Apr 11, 2011 5:03:13 pm PDT #2831 of 30001
Well not canonically, no, but this is transformative fiction.
I don't know that the protagonist has to want something that's possible.
For the purposes of the article, which is to create a compelling story, it has to be something that can be striven towards.
DavidS - Apr 11, 2011 5:08:41 pm PDT #2832 of 30001
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
Hitchhiker's Guide is basically a comedy of manners disguised as a space opera. All of the characters are comic staples transplanted from a 19th century British novel into the future.
§ ita § - Apr 11, 2011 5:16:24 pm PDT #2833 of 30001
Well not canonically, no, but this is transformative fiction.
How does that address desire?
billytea - Apr 11, 2011 5:17:02 pm PDT #2834 of 30001
You were a wrong baby who grew up wrong. The wrong kind of wrong. It's better you hear it from a friend.
For the purposes of the article, which is to create a compelling story, it has to be something that can be striven towards.
I think this may hit why I find Terry Pratchett's novels to make better stories. The Hitchhiker's Guide series is funny as hell, but characterisation and plot never felt that strong to me.
Gudanov - Apr 11, 2011 5:19:30 pm PDT #2835 of 30001
Coding and Sleeping
I got the call that my grandfather isn't expected to live the week. It's official, today sucks.
Polter-Cow - Apr 11, 2011 5:20:05 pm PDT #2836 of 30001
What else besides ramen can you scoop? YOU CAN SCOOP THIS WORLD FROM DARKNESS!
I'm sorry, Gud.