Don't Panic

I have just finished reading "The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy" for the third time, and yesterday I watched the movie of the same name. Douglas Adams, may he rest in peace, was a brilliant man, an incredibly funny man, and light years ahead of his time (which is only fitting for an author of the hitchikers guide to the galaxy n'est pas?)

While I originally enjoyed the books for their unique humour, I think the older I get, the more I appreciate the irreverent and absurd ways that the hitchiker books approach the "ultimate question of life the universe and everything". From narrating the thoughts of a bowl of petunias or a sperm whale as they materialize in the air and fall to certain death, to perfectly expressing the pain and horror of REALLY BAD POETRY, Mr. Adams essentially tells us: "So you have no idea why you're here or what it all means, so what? Just look around you at the weirdness of life, have a good laugh and a cup of tea and stop taking everything so seriously" Or this is what the books say to me anyway (yes, it's true, I talk to books.)

Lesson 1: we learn is DON'T PANIC - a good life lesson, really
Lesson 2: The answer to life, the universe and everything is 42 - you should have asked what the question is.
Lesson 3: Nothing makes sense, and sometimes strange and troubling things happen so you might as well roll with the punches and enjoy yourself.

SO, Don't panic, never stop seeking/asking important questions, and don't forget to have fun.

There you have it folks, the Tao of Adams.

I'm sure everybody in the world has read the Hitchhiker books by now. If you haven't yet, get thee to a bookstore. If you have but it was a long time ago: read them again, you can thank me tomorrow.

The movie is a little different from the book, but I think effectively keeps within the spirit of the books, and is done in a way that honours Douglas Adams' original. The casting is inspired and they keep the irreverent tone - In fact all entries from the actual guide are repeated pretty much verbatim.

So there you are my movie/book review/life philosophy.

Renaissance Girl: more than just a blog - it's a way of life :)