November 09, 2003

Is all that we see or seem but a dream within a dream?

Note to writers everywhere: DON'T DO THIS! The plot device where the whole unbelievable episode takes place while the main character is predictably unconscious or in a coma is soooooo tired and overused. Just an humble request to please strive for something a bit more creative.

I believe it was Edgar Allan Poe who asked, Is all that we see or seem but a dream within a dream? Two centuries ago it was still rather original. When it comes to twenty-first century entertainment, however, the answer should be a resounding "No!"

Posted by Ron Pacheco at November 9, 2003 09:15 PM
Comments

Didn't they just do something like this with Hoshi in the transport beam? At least in this part of "history" we don't have to deal with all the holodeck episodes :)

Posted by: Georgia Choate at November 17, 2003 08:23 PM

Err... that's not what that Poe poem is about... the idea wasn't fresh or original when he was writing, but fortunately that poem has absolutely nothing to do with dream sequences. I found your page looking for the poem, and then found the poem at http://www.seeklyrics.com/lyrics/Elysian-Fields/Dream-Within-a-Dream.html, if it will help.

Posted by: Jonathan at December 13, 2004 05:14 PM