I get that you don’t dig his attitude, and you are entitled to limit yourself in any way you want. The point I was trying to make was, of course, the opposite of yours. But you are killing the messenger and ignoring the message.
Let’s imagine, for a brief moment, that you had no idea who Harlan Ellison was. You’d never heard of him, but as a sci-fi fan, a friend suggests you read this story, “The Beast That Shouted Love At the Heart of the World,” or “I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream!,” or one of his other gems. And you came away from that story feeling something, having something to think about, thinking what a heavy story that was. Remember, you have no idea who this writer is, but the story you just read is a memorable one.
That’s something to enjoy.
I’m not trying to change your mind, just open it a little. The planet is swarming with pompous asses, and you sound like one too, when you end your debate with “Carry on now.” I could debate this matter, or any other matter, for as long is it goes on, I don’t need to “carry on.” I understand it bothers you that Harlan Ellison says stuff you don’t like, but it doesn’t bother me, or many other fans of Ellison. He can say whatever he wants, as we all are supposed to be able to do here in the good ole USA, and then one either takes him personally or listens to him the way one listens to Don Rickles. I don’t take him personally, and you shouldn’t either.

And that makes you sound like an ignorant ass! So, if Hemingway wasn’t a particularly nice guy, his writings should be ignored? Because Richard Wagner indulged in anti-Semite rants, his music should be ignored?

Sorry, that’s desperately ignorant. Move out of the ‘Trek-sphere’ and see the real world outside it!

“Any sexist derogatory remark about [Sarah Palin] may go completely unchecked”

Sexist? No, the criticism is not because she’s a woman, but because she’s a five-alarm moron! Very dangerous!

53. T’Cal

That’s a shame because Ellison wrote some of the best work I’ve ever read (and I’m sure there are many others who would agree). You’re preventing yourself from reading some fabulous literature.”

You’ve got that backwards. As good as his work may be, he has painted such an unappealing and unlikeable portrait of himself that I have no interest in reading his stories.

“…I’d like to know what, specifically, Ellison has done that is SO AWFUL? There are many, many people just like him on the planet, except they don’t have the media’s attention. Has this guy committed murder? Has he been involved in kiddie-porn? Has he had adulterous affairs? Has he committed crimes against humanity?”

Wow! Just, wow! You brought that stuff to the table, not me…or anyone else that I read here, for that matter. The guy’s a pompous ass. That’s all. And that’s enough for me to ignore him and his work. Carry on now.

Any sexist derogatory remark about the later may go completely unchecked. The above venom re Elison is evident.

Point out the political references in a discussion on Avatar however, a film that though i enjoyed was clearly preaching at a political level and you are pushing the boundaries or violating forum rules.

Staying away from negatives should be encouraged but should also be consistent.

No one’s denying Roddenberry was good ideas man as a producer, but the obsessive worship given an ordinary bloke who was, frankly, a one-hit wonder is OTT. A lot of the ‘Great Bird of the Galaxy’ stuff was a myth perpetuated by Gene Roddenberryhimself at the expense of the many talented people who brought Star Trek to the screen!

Harlan Ellison is an irascible old sod, but is genuinely a huge talent and deserves every indulgence!

He’s the sort of cantankerous old coot that will only find peace when he’s dead and buried.

I’ve only read a few reports re: his unacceptable behavior and I feel like I’ve been exposed to a lifetime of sorrow and misery. So sick of him.

I suspect the glowing opinion of Mr. Abrams will drop a few orders of magnitude after actually working with him, and seeing what JJ does to one of his brainchildren.