Mixed I tell you, mixed!

I can't hear you. We've talked about this.
It's something of a one-sided conversation.

You know, not everything has to be a thing but still, I have mixed feelings about the news that Amazon is no longer developing a TV series based on The Culture. Since you're almost certainly shouting questions at your computer, I'll press on and address all the questions I imagine you to be asking me. The first is probably something like, whoa, there was going to be a Culture TV series? And yeah, there was. Although I think the first news I heard about it was yesterday's announcement that it was off.  

A blurry picture of me pointing at a book
is probably a more articulate description
than the one I've made, so here.

Your next question is almost certainly what the hell is The Culture series? Because I've met like two other people ever who've even heard of it. They're a series of sci-fi novels written by late Scottish author Iain M. Banks. I love these books, but usually find myself incapable of describing them in a way that makes them sound interesting to others, but here goes: It's a loose series of ten novels set in a single narrative universe and usually revolve around The Culture; a hyper-advanced post-scarcity, semi-anarchic utopia made up of different alien species. Sort of like Star Trek's Federation but everyone uses recreational drugs.

The President also hates Amazon, but is a
 terrible person, so I don't know how to feel.

Which brings me to my next imaginary question: how do I feel about Amazon adapting The Culture in the first place? I'm glad I pretended you asked. I work for an independent bookstore, and Amazon is, you know, a cancer on the American small businesses so I don't feel great about it. But that aside, it would be cool to see a live-action adaptation of one of my favorite sci-fi series. And besides, who doesn't love working it in to the conversation that the book was better?

What? Don't look at me like that Witcher.
You're an adaptation of a book that's also a
video game. You're a walking franchise. 

On the other other hand, an hour long prestige television adaptation of a cult classic sci-fi/fantasy novel is the exact opposite of creativity. Everything is an adaptation now. Or a sequel. Or a reboot. Or part of a cinematic universe. Not to sound like, well a curmudgeonly nerd with a blog (don't say it...), but it's ok to make a new thing sometimes. Financially risky sure, but-oh...I think I just lost an argument with myself. Why try something new when you could have a built in audience?

Well, whatever. Maybe it would have been great, maybe it would have been terrible. Who can say? But the TV show getting canceled doesn't change the books. You can still go read one despite my terrible summary. I mean, it's not like having a TV adaptation legitimizes a novel. If anything it usually diminishes it with those dumb "Now an Amazon Series" stickers they slap on them. Anyway, like I said, I have mixed feelings about this.

"What are books if not grist for the television mill?"

-people who make streaming content