Hold on, y'all! If we are looking for the "10 Best", we must start (if we are to claim any semblance to a "scientific/technical" approach) with an agreed set of evaluation criteria, and objective metrics to measure each. Then, we need to develop a set of candidate literary works (where did I put my Library of Congress?), and assess each work against each criteria. Finally, we need to develop a relative weighting or some other approach to combine these "apples and oranges" into a single Figure of Merit, that will determine the relative rank. This is the pseudo-scientific approach needed for such an important task.
To start this millennial long effort, I suggest some criteria we can add to and flesh out: 1) Impact on our society (The Bible would likely win this one, but the Koran would be a close second!) 2) Clarity of writing (Goodbye, Brothers K) 3) Introduction of new insights into human nature, society, etc. (Welcome SciFi) 4) Introduction of accurate insights into human nature, etc. (Since there is a lot of BS, ideology, and wishful thinking out there) 5) Ability to hold interest 6) Stylistic excellence (Good luck defining this) 7) Importance of ideas 8) Effectiveness in communicating ideas I recognize there is substantial multi-collinearity (i.e., overlap) in these; it would be good to evolve them into a more orthogonal set. So feel free to have at it! Jack From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Robert J. Cordingley Sent: Friday, October 08, 2010 1:45 PM To: The Friday Morning Applied Complexity Coffee Group Subject: [FRIAM] The Best 10 Fictional Works Ok, so I've decided my literary education is somewhat lacking and would like to know this group's recommendations for the "10 Best Literary Works" I should read. They have to be works of fiction and available in English and not just say of 2009 but of all time. Google searches tend to list the best of a year or be listed by one particular publisher. This is a good group to poll since you all (most) have at least some kind of scientific/technical bent. So I know the suggestions will be good ones for me! Once I have a list of all suggestions maybe I'll ask you all to vote on them. My list currently starts with Frank's recommendation today: "Blood Meridian: Or the Evening Redness in the West" by Cormac McCarthy Thanks! Robert C. ============================================================ FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College lectures, archives, unsubscribe, maps at http://www.friam.org
