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Discworld QOTD, from Hogfather

Micah@rincewind.run

Discworld QOTD, from The Wee Free Men “‘What’s your name, pictsie?’ she said. ‘No’-as-big-as-Medium-Sized-Jock-but-bigger-than-Wee-Jock-Jock, mistress. There’s no’ that many Feegle names, ye ken, so we ha’ to share.’”

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This is a Good Quote, but I also think it specifically works well in the context of the story, given that belief is shown to be a tangible force with actual effects on the Disc. Belief in justice (perhaps quite literally) makes justice possible.

just after this is a most important line that unfortunately always gets cut: YOU NEED TO BELIEVE IN THINGS THAT AREN'T TRUE. HOW ELSE CAN THEY BECOME? which is 100% applicable to real life

I spent so much of the book wondering, as Susan did, why the Sun wouldn’t rise. And then… THE SUN WOULD NOT HAVE RISEN. “Really? Then what would have happened, pray?” A MERE BALL OF FLAMING GAS WOULD HAVE ILLUMINATED THE WORLD. and I had to put the book down in awe.

Those and "them as can do has to do for them as can't. And someone must speak up for them as has no voices" have basically formed my entire moral philosophy

I also love the bit that comes right before this. (the below quote) the revelation that He cared for humans so much, he did all that to preserve a metaphor. that is to say, to preserve wonder, and imagination.

This year, my sister had a lovely request for Christmas: giving her music, books, and other media that's important to the giver so she can share it. One of mine to her is Hogfather, with a little note inserted on the page where this passage is

oh this rules. "AND NOW THERE REMAINS ONLY ONE FINAL QUESTION, he said. He raised his hands, and seemed to grow. Light flared in his eye sockets. When he spoke next, avalanches fell in the mountains. HAVE YOU BEEN NAUGHTY… OR NICE? HO. HO. HO."

This quote came up in my facespace memories today - I’ve always loved the idea of being the place where the rising ape meets the falling angel. Says so much about who we humans are.

I hope you continuously get positive feedback. I have always loved how Pratchett took “heavy” ideas and made them accessible and relatable to everyday concerns. Have a wonderful day and thanks.

a very happy Falling Angel/Rising Ape day to you all for my money the single best passage in all of Discworld, and one of the finest passages in the history of literature

yes Discworld made me a better person and those three quotes get to the core of it - a sort of outraged decency from a man angry at the state of the world and the cruelty therein who also knew what we were capable of at our best

Will Code For Pizza@markshatraw.bsky.social

This, the Boots Theory of Economic Unfairness, and the "treating people as things" passage are the basis of really good politics, I think

I am Unitarian Universalist and these three things make up most of my statement of faith. This is the passage that I built my theory of serious bullshit on that has helped guide a lot of my life.

I’m now rereading all of the Discworld. I haven’t read them all since I was in highschool. I knew Terry shaped my sense of humor. I didn’t realized how much of my politics and view of religion came from him and I’m grateful for it.

I have worked in government (all views my own, etc.) for almost 20 years, and my guiding principle, which has never failed me yet, is what would Vimes and Granny tell me to do? It's always made me work harder, but I've never regretted it for a second, and I've done some good for people in need.

though i feel one must also read Douglas Adams to truly comprehend the state of the world we're in right now one looks at the AI industry and the shadow it casts over everything else and can only see the Shoe Event Horizon threatening to take shape, if we have not crossed it already

I saw a discussion recently critiquing his view of people, but, while he IS very cynical, I think THIS is the true heart of terry pratchett. He's critical, yes, but he cares. and he's critical BECAUSE he cares.