Comments on: Photo Contest Part VIII – Eros, Filius, and Agape

By: Raleigh

Raleigh — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 13:54:14 +0000

You make me feel ashamed. I wish we’d fought over good books. We had many (mostly)naked pillow fights in high school, but they were usually over who got to suck on the can of whipped cream next. We were usually watching crappy films(Mean Girls was a favourite for a while), which just makes it worse. We may have been a tad shallow. No less violent though, we used to roll each other down the stairs while wrapped in our sleeping bags if we didn’t agree with that person’s movie choice. And, you don’t know pain until you’ve been hit in the eye by a cushion zipper or ripped out a nail on another girls hair. Pain was no excuse to stop the fight, only permanent injury or imminent death was cause to call a ceasefire. I was very glad to read about another group that had such violent pillow fights(you guys had a better reason), we thought we were a little strange. When I read this I simply had to reply, no matter how late it was, the amount of alcohol I’ve consumed this evening may have something to do with it, as well.

By: The Dark Prince

The Dark Prince — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 08:21:36 +0000

Mr. Rothfuss, I am from India. Your book, although I have ordered it, is long in the coming. I have heard nothing but good stuff about it and being a fantasy nut, i look forward to reading it. Can you tell me if it is an archetypal quest epic or something different? Was Lord of The Rings one of your inspirations? I ll be thankful if you reply.

By: Sofia

Sofia — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 00:11:30 +0000

I lol’d at the winning picture… with the duck.

I’m a huge fan, Pat, and this is my first comment on your blog, though I’ve been lurking it for quite a while (:

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 21:18:41 +0000

This made me laugh. So thank you, Pat. For being a great author and for making me laugh. :)

By: Marty

Marty — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:40:41 +0000

Your analysis of the Greek words for love is somewhat deficient. To begin with, it does not include the word stergô, which tends to signify the form of love encompassed by the concepts of loyalty or liking.

Regarding the Greek words you do include in your analysis, more proper definitions of their various shades of meaning would be as follows:
- Eros is the most all-encompassing form of love; it does not just signify 'erotic' love.
- Agape tends to signify brotherly love.
- phileô tends to signify affectionate regard or friendship.

For the definitive article on the subject, see: Sandys(1868). στοργή, έρως, φιλειν, άγαπαν. Journal of Philology, 1(1), 88-93.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:49:36 +0000

I am deeply uneasy and fell guilty about posting this – you are (I am presuming in the case of Anonymous) both distinctly older than me and probably wiser in pretty much every area. I know it is ridiculous to post at this date and on something so trivial – but my pedantry and sense of justice drive me on – I am a Classics scholar child of two ditto and I am already frustrated at how little of my knowledge I expend in my schoolwork so this is partly letting off steam (again I am sorry to be such a nit-picker but I don’t like loose-ended arguments).
In an English transliteration it is best to use the most common spelling and there is basically no difference between the pronounciations of ‘f’ and ‘ph’.
BUT saying ‘there’s not not much difference’ full stop has roused my pedantic instincts. Also I have no idea how the information in the Anonymous (‘I am sure of my informations.[sic.]‘)was arrived at but I don’t think it’s correct (I don’t know about iod but ‘ϝ’ is the digamma and represented the equivalent of the modern roman alphabet’s ‘w’).
‘ph’ is used as the more accurate transliteration because the original word would not have been pronounced as though it began with an f but a p – specifically an aspirated p (like when you say ‘pool’ as opposed to ’spot’; the syllable is spat out more).

By: spryng

spryng — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 14:49:19 +0000

Oh hey – I’ve seen that READ photo before on Fark. Now I understand why she’s holding your book. At the time, I was pleased, albeit vaguely mystified.

By: Isaac

Isaac — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 21:47:38 +0000

Wish I had seen this in time to partake…I might have made some good use of my degree in photography…ah well…

By: Angela

Angela — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:53:22 +0000

hmmmmmm, *weighs options* Pat Points or keeping video evidence of pillow fights off of the internet……. While Pat Points are tempting, I think I’m gonna pass. Plus, I think I’m breaking some rules regarding myths already anyway. I mean, you’re not supposed to let people know if dragons, faeries, and pilllow occurs are really real, are you? So, while I decline the…… uh, “gracious” offer, I’ll just have to leave you all with childlike belief you came with and a little knowledge……… video evidence of said fights exists even if you’re never, ever going to see it.Later, guys.

By: Kip, "Shwam!"

Kip, "Shwam!" — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 21:03:01 +0000

48 hours? it took me 12 hours to fully read it the first time. Some books take longer than others, because when you read you are taking the writer's thoughts (with some manitulation on the part of the editors) and forcing them into your mind. If your minds are not to much alike then the book will go slower, unles syou have ALOT of time to devote to straight out reading to allow you mind to warp into their tought patterns. There are some authors that I can't read because they are so different my mind just wonders off or gets bored (*cough* Tolken *cough*). I can settle into Pats very easily, along with Eddings. Not to say I'm one of those crazy fans that believe they think the same as their favorite author and blah blah bullshit.I'm thinking about "Lucky Number Sleven" and Chocolate chip pancakes.