Brian W. Aldiss: Thing

“"Teddy, you know what I was thinking? How do you tell what are real things from what aren't real things?"
The bear shuffled its alternatives. "Real things are good."
"I wonder if time is good. I don't think Mummy likes time very much. The other day, lots of days ago, she said that time went by her. Is time real, Teddy?"”

Brian W. Aldiss book Super-Toys Last All Summer Long

Super-Toys Last All Summer Long (1969)

Thinking , Time

“There have been mechanicals on the market with mini-computers for brains — plastic things without life, super-toys — but we have at last found a way to link computer circuitry with synthetic flesh.”

Brian W. Aldiss book Super-Toys Last All Summer Long

Super-Toys Last All Summer Long (1969)

Life , Way

“It was extraordinary to be in two places at once, doing two different things — extraordinary, but not confusing.”

Brian W. Aldiss

Let's Be Frank (1957)
Context: It was extraordinary to be in two places at once, doing two different things — extraordinary, but not confusing. He merely had two bodies which were as integrated as his two hands had been.

“I can't help believing that these things that come from the subconscious mind have a sort of truth to them. It may not be a scientific truth, but it's psychological truth.”

Brian W. Aldiss

Locus interview (2000)

Truth , Help

“Obeying an inalienable law, things grew, growing riotous and strange in their impulse for growth.”

Brian W. Aldiss book Hothouse

Source: Hothouse (1962), Chapter 1 (first line)

Law

“That’s one thing about these religious boys—they reckon that if they are on God’s side, then the enemy must be on the devil’s, and so they have no qualms about giving it to ’em hot and strong.”

Brian W. Aldiss book Greybeard

Source: Greybeard (1964), Chapter 4 (p. 112)

God , Boy , Strong

“The thing was not discussable, even with a near acquaintance like Calvin because … because of the nature of the thing … because one had to behave like a normal, unworried human being. That at least was sound and clear and gave him comfort: behave like a normal human being.”

Brian W. Aldiss book Outside

Outside (1955)

Nature

“They enjoy their show of might,” Adam said. “These people have to express their unhappiness by using ugly things like guns and ill-fitting uniforms, and the whole conception of the camp.”

Brian W. Aldiss

“Man on Bridge” p. 89
Short fiction, Who Can Replace a Man? (1965)

People

“That first novel of mine, Non-Stop, is directly attributable to Heinlein. His "Common Sense" seemed to me such a good story, but bereft of any human feelings. I thought long about that story, and then I thought how wonderful it would be to write about a spaceship in which people have been imprisoned for generations and to put in something of the human feeling. So that novel is directly attributable to Heinlein. I thought, in my youthful arrogance, that I could do it better — I didn't! I thought I could do it differently, and I think I did do it differently. And I suppose that on the whole, I've concentrated on doing things differently ever since.”

Brian W. Aldiss

Locus interview (2000)

People , Youth , Feeling , Thinking

“All over the world there must be far-reaching changes in animal behavior and habitat; if only one could have another life in which to chart it all…. Ah, well, that’s not a fruitful thing to wish, is it?”

Brian W. Aldiss book Greybeard

Source: Greybeard (1964), Chapter 5 “The River: Oxford” (p. 147)

Life , World , Behavior , Change

“Did the others here feel the disquiet he felt? Had they a reason for concealing that disquiet? And another question:
Where was "here"?
He shut that one down sharply.
Deal with one thing at a time. Grope your way gently to the abyss. Categorize your knowledge.”

Brian W. Aldiss book Outside

Outside (1955)

Way , Feeling , Question , Knowledge

““Are you a religious man, Joe?”
Flitch pulled a face. “I leaves that sort of thing to women.””

Brian W. Aldiss book Greybeard

Source: Greybeard (1964), Chapter 5 (p. 149)

Women