Poll: Hunter S Thompson

[sulld1]

I'm guessing many of you will know the genius that was that of Mr Hunter Stockton Thompson and seeing as he invented the journalism now called Gonzo journalism and i'm guessing the post title (gone gonzo) is named after him (correct me if I'm wrong) I was wondering what people thought of the man and whether they had seen Fear and loathing?

if you've seen the film then what's your most liked part, personally it's the bit with the kid in the back of the convertible.


edit: poll title

 

[NeedAUserName]

Hadn't actually heard of him up until now...

 

[Stegofreak]

Who? I'm feeling too lazy to look him up.

 

[sulld1]

I hate the word "fan". I admire the man for having led one of the most interesting lives ive ever read about. Not to mention rivaling Keith Richards in the amount of drugs used per life time, that is an impressive feat.

I can see where you're coming from, maybe admirer of him is better than fan, you can't really be a fan, but he was a truly impressive person... shame the drugs addled his brain a little too much and he blew his brains out.

 

[oliveira8]

I'm not a fan, but I admit he was a very important person in professional journalism.

 

[sulld1]

changed the title of poll

 

[SmokeNoEvil]

great writer that spawned some good movies.

 

[sulld1]

I'm not a fan, but that's probably because I haven't read anything by him.
I've seen "Fear and loathing", but I didn't "get it". I was post-high (I don't know how you call it in English) when watching it and I found it very hard to follow the plot. Anyway I found it really hilarious when the protagonist was describing his sensations on ether and my father, who just walked in said: "Yup, that's how it is"

post high you mean the come down? that bit is classic, and the film is all about being off your face on drugs so no wonder you didn't get it.

 

[cleverlymadeup]

he was great and had his ashes shot out of a cannon, how can you not like a man like that

 

[sulld1]

His writing was terrible for journalism- excited, over-the-top figments of his imagination. But this is also what made him an excellent storyteller, revealing a surreal America that was going through twisted times.

To be honest not all of it was fiction just some of it and he really interwove his stories, we could do with another Thompson in this era I feel, however I fear they would be smothered in the UK by our big brother/nanny state.

 

[SmartIdiot]

I loved the work of Hunter S. Thompson. I was gutted on my 17th birthday to find out he'd killed himself the day before. However, as he was an expert at weaving the surreal into the real, finely honed by this point, I'm sure the man had his reasons, even if still I am too young to understand what they are. He left a lot behind to make people think, so it was not a waste after all. Perhaps he was spent, perhaps he was finally tired, perhaps he'd finally gotten bored? If someone can shed light on it, please let me know, I'd be intrigued.

 

[JamminOz07]

I'm guessing many of you will know the genius that was that of Mr Hunter Stockton Thompson and seeing as he invented the journalism now called Gonzo journalism and i'm guessing the post title (gone gonzo) is named after him (correct me if I'm wrong) I was wondering what people thought of the man and whether they had seen Fear and loathing?

if you've seen the film then what's your most liked part, personally it's the bit with the kid in the back of the convertible.


edit: poll title

Read the book, then watch the film. HST was an amazing author, and has written many books.

They're currently making a film of The Rum Diary, another HST story, and again with Johnny Depp playing HST.


Also, he may have taken his own life because he was old and sick and bored of it all! Apparently this is his "suicide note"...

"No More Games. No More Bombs. No More Walking. No More Fun. No More Swimming. 67. That is 17 years past 50. 17 more than I needed or wanted. Boring. I am always bitchy. No Fun - for anybody. 67. You are getting Greedy. Act your old age. Relax - This won't hurt."

HST rest in peace.

 

[AbsoluteVirtue18]

Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas was sweet.

 

[ThaBenMan]

Honestly, I'm not very familiar with him or his work - I saw Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas a long time ago and that's it. But I admire his rebelliousness regarding drug use and his contribution to counter-culture.

And Col. Hunter Gathers (a character modelled after Hunter Thompson) is hilarious on the Venture Bros. >_>

 

[Flying-Emu]

I prefer the Muckraker movement of Theodore Roosevelt's days, honestly. Like the guy that wrote The Jungle. That was a damn good read.

 

[hotacidbath]

This video [http://www.livevideo.com/video/86DBE9998F7549378097AB54B885FA41/conan-o-brian-and-hunter-s-tho.aspx] will basically sum up everything you need to know about Hunter S. Thompson.

 

[implodingMan]

My sister is a big fan, and I've been mostly exposed through her. I started to read Fear & Loathing a few months back, but I had to stop because of schoolwork increases and I have yet to pick it up again. I am planning on finishing it after exams are done.

 

[Uszi]

I hate the word "fan". I admire the man for having led one of the most interesting lives ive ever read about. Not to mention rivaling Keith Richards in the amount of drugs used per life time, that is an impressive feat.

Yeah. I don't aspire to be like him.
But his life was intriguing.

 

[DoW Lowen]

Fear and Loathing? So that's who it was about. Heard you should only watch that movie when you are really high on drugs.

 

[Nigh Invulnerable]

What I've read and seen of Thompson's work does not particularly inspire me in a meaningful way. I can respect the impact he's had on others, but I just don't really 'get' him.