Ellison, Harlan

Noted author Harlan Ellison recently lamented that the Internet is destroying people s use of dictionaries, and this in turn decreases our vocabularies, literacy, and our ability to become great authors. Why Ellison believes that whenever you look up a word in a real, physical dictionary, you pass dozens of other words, some of which will stay in your memory, triggering serendipitous associations, and engendering a sense of wonder. In the old days, when people used dictionaries, Ellison thought that people became better, more literate, smarter and well-rounded. ... 

Even seasoned novelists use memetic ticklers to give a good story even more sparkle and more life. Just as an example, renowned science fiction writer Harlan Ellison in Partners in Wonder describes how, early in his writing career, he frequently used the device-image of someone shoving his fist in his mouth to demonstrate being overwhelmed by pain or horror. Similarly, S. R. Donaldson, best-selling author of the Thomas Covenant fantasy series, makes frequent use of pet words. For instance, the relatively obscure word cynosure (a center of attraction) appears at least once, and usually more often, in most of the books in the series. 

Bly, Robert, Target Internet, Writer sDigest, 84(5) 30-33, May 2004. Describes Harlan Ellison s feelings about the Internet. 

The two most common elements in the universe are Hydrogen and stupidity Harlan Ellison (Science Fiction writer) [1]. 

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