The first two weeks of Anti-WoT: My impressions
The first two weeks of Anti-WoT:
My impressions on what's happened so far


This page was designed much like a Wheel of Time book: I knew what I wanted to say, so I threw down my thoughts in totally random, haphazard fashion, and let the page visitors sort out the mess. From the feedback I've gotten, I've suceeded in my main goal of giving all the people who dislike Wheel of Time a place to laugh at what the series has become. I've also suceeded in my secondary goal of annoying die-hard WoT fans and pissing several people off, and they have let me know it through rather expressive E-Mails. No surprises so far.

The one thing that literally left me speechless was the anti-Anti-WoT page that has been created to counter my thoughts. I was kind of flattered in a disturbing sort of way as I read this person attack my arguments: I never thought this page would spawn that kind of reaction from others. Check the page out when you get the time:

The Anti-Anti Wheel of Time Page!

This person proves to me that I have pulled a Jordan in some respects, so I'm going to clear up one of those arguments right now, and save myself a lot of time in the process:

The Sword Forms
I've been all but bludgeoned to death with copies of "Crown of Swords" over my stance on the sword forms. People have E-Mailed me and told me over and over that such forms really exist and were used in Asia and other places throughout history. All I can say is, well, duh. Trust me, I'm well aware of Japanese sword forms and Martial Art stances. Yes they are real. So either I have just misunderstood the many times they were used in the WoT, or RJ failed utterly to communicate what he meant when he wrote about them. I always thought that the sword forms were invented to practice the techniques, to discipline the student for actual combat, to hone their skills and make them more confident in their abilities to fight an opponet. I never saw them as something to be used step for step in a melee. I saw them more as a guideline to learn and practice the different moves. Tell me if I'm wrong in thinking this, because I'm not proud and can admit when I'm mistaken, and I sure to hell ain't a swordsman. But here is a simplification of a combat scene in WoT, where the sword forms are used:

Rand: Oh crap man, here they come, three guys!

3 guys: rargh!! get 'im!!

Rand: Man, I need a sword form that will take care of these losers! Think man think! "Parting the Silk"? No no, too weak. "Puppy Wets the Bed"? No, too predictable. I gotta dig deep for a good one! Damn! Think you idiot!

3 guys: Ahh! Kill the Dragon!

Rand: I got it! (snaps fingers) "Boar Rushes Down the Mountain"! (busts into sword form move for move)

Robert Jordan Narrative: "Boar Rushes Down the Mountain" broke through "Parting the Silk" penetrated "Dead Heron in a River" and shattered "Weeping Jester in Chains". Rand's sword found the neck of one of the men and he gave a strangled cry and fell to the ground."

I wish I could say I'm exaggerating, but that Jordan narrative is pretty much a paraphrase from "THE SCENE" in book 6. He writes it like it's a card game, very academic-like. A Flush beats a Full house, an Ace beats a King, and a "Boar" always beats a "Heron". Sorry chap, that's the game, pay up. I merely contend that a sword fight isn't that predictable. It's not something you can memorize the moves to, like a dance. You train and train but when it comes time to actually fight, you use your instincts and react to your opponet's moves rather than use "set" forms to win. And like I said, either I just don't get it, or Jordan has completely failed to get his ideas across.

Other than that, I don't really have any other comments on the Anti-Anti-WoT page. The arguments there pretty much speak for themselves.

What else have I heard? Oh yes. As I suspected, someone got around to dissing Robin Hobb. It was kind of sad to hear this person, so I really didn't try to change his mind, and pretty much ignored their E-Mail. Someone said that if I thought WoT was so bad, why don't I try to write a book. Well, you know...I just might. Once the semester's over I might try my hand at that, see what happens. It won't be anything like the Wheel,rest assured. (probably be something like John Keats meets Conan the Barbarian, but don't tell the Jordanites that) :)

So overall it's been an intresting first couple of weeks. I look forward to more feedback from anybody that has something to say, and will continue to express my views uncensored for as long as it amuses me to do so.

-MK



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