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Damn Thing, v. 1, issue 2, December 1940

Page 15

THE DAMN THING     PAGE 15

THE SUCKER BITES

STEP RIGHT UP FOLKS. WATCH THE GUIDING GENIUSES OF SCIENCE FICTION PERFORM FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT. BELOW, WE HAVE HEAPED TOGATHER THE PRIZE EXAMPLES OF OUR CORESPONDENCE, FEATURING BOTH LETTERS IN A FRIENDLY VEIN, AND ALSO SOME NOT QUITE SO ENTHUSIASTIC. WE HAVE COPPIED (WITH PERMISSION) THE VOICE OF THE IMAGI*NATION IN COMMENTING EDITORIALY DIRECTLY AFTER THE ITEM IN PARANTHESIS, THIS BEING CALCULATED TO NOT GIVE OUR OPPONENTS A CHANCE.

FROM RAYMOND VAN HOUTEN:

Enclosed find a short note, addressed to Mr. Damon Knight, but meant for every fan, which I hope you have the fairness and decency to publish in "THE DAMN THING." (We have. We publish only the most hostile of our criticisms.) (Ed.)

However, realising that your magasine is meant to foster bad feeling among fans,  (this is a gross mischarge) and having read therein that you support Mr. Knight's statements, I have taken the precaution of keeping a carbon copy of the letter, (he doesn't trust us, which I don't blame him.) which will be released to some other source, with certain addenda and explanations, in case you do not care to publish it.

It seems that Mr. Knight and yourself, not able to catch the full implication of science fiction, are using it as a playground in which to vent your infantility. (Oh goodness!) Please do not waste the time of more serious fans with discussion of issues which are beyond your depth. (Yes, teacher!) You are only making a damn fool of yourself. (From the foregoing it appears that anyone who dares to criticise the Pro-Scientists is making a fool of himself.)

You may be convinced that you are sincere in your hatred of fan feuds, but if that is so, the fact that you are also editor of THE DAMN THING is an incongruity which cannot be rationalised. (See editorial.) For the true purpose of the journal is only thinly veiled by the coat of "humour" which you have laid on it. Its demise will be better than its inception.

(We omit a paragraph about the "Newark Con." which is taken up elsewhere.)

WITH THIS FRIENDLY SEND OFF, WE TURN TO OUR CONTRIBUTOR OF LAST ISSUE, DAMON KNIGHT:

Thanx oodles for displaying my frothings so prominently in your first issue. It was, I may say, a pleasant supprise to find them displayed anywhere. I thought Forrie had given them to the Ashman as being what is politly termed "too controversial. (Nothing is too controversial for the DAMN THING.)

In spite of your admirable indifference to the opinions of your readers, or because of it, THE DAMN THING is positivly the first mag I'd subscribe to, if I had any money. As it is, I am enclosing a little something for your next issue, hoping thereby to get the same for nothing. (Fresh, isn't he?)

Best in #1 was, of course, ASSAILING THE PRO-SCIENTISTS, by Damon Knight, (Mr. Van Houten differs with you.) Next, The Editor Sits on His Platform!, & after that, Bedlam on 9th St., Over Hill & Dale to Pomona, "To Hell With You," Bradbury, The Critique, Boosing the Editor, and the rest more or less lousy, especially that alleged poem. (We delete the remaining two paragrahphs.) Moscowitz is a louse. -Damon.

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THE DAMN THING PAGE 15 THE SUCKER BITES STEP RIGHT UP FOLKS. WATCH THE GUIDING GENIUSES OF SCIENCE FICTION PERFORM FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT. BELOW, WE HAVE HEAPED TOGATHER THE PRIZE EXAMPLES OF OUR CORESPONDENCE, FEATURING BOTH LETTERS IN A FRIENDLY VEIN, AND ALSO SOME NOT QUITE SO ENTHUSIASTIC. WE HAVE COPPIED (WITH PERMISSION) THE VOICE OF THE IMAGI*NATION IN COMMENTING EDITORIALY DIRECTLY AFTER THE ITEM IN PARANTHESIS, THIS BEING CALCULATED TO NOT GIVE OUR OPPONENTS A CHANCE. FROM RAYMOND VAN HOUTEN: Enclosed find a short note, addressed to Mr. Damon Knight, but meant for every fan, which I hope you have the fairness and decency to publish in "THE DAMN THING." (We have. We publish only the most hostile of our criticisms.) (Ed.) However, realising that your magasine is meant to foster bad feeling among fans, (this is a gross mischarge) and having read therein that you support Mr. Knight's statements, I have taken the precaution of keeping a carbon copy of the letter, (he doesn't trust us, which I don't blame him.) which will be released to some other source, with certain addenda and explanations, in case you do not care to publish it. It seems that Mr. Knight and yourself, not able to catch the full implication of science fiction, are using it as a playground in which to vent your infantility. (Oh goodness!) Please do not waste the time of more serious fans with discussion of issues which are beyond your depth. (Yes, teacher!) You are only making a damn fool of yourself. (From the foregoing it appears that anyone who dares to criticise the Pro-Scientists is making a fool of himself.) You may be convinced that you are sincere in your hatred of fan feuds, but if that is so, the fact that you are also editor of THE DAMN THING is an incongruity which cannot be rationalised. (See editorial.) For the true purpose of the journal is only thinly veiled by the coat of "humour" which you have laid on it. Its demise will be better than its inception. (We omit a paragraph about the "Newark Con." which is taken up elsewhere.) WITH THIS FRIENDLY SEND OFF, WE TURN TO OUR CONTRIBUTOR OF LAST ISSUE, DAMON KNIGHT: Thanx oodles for displaying my frothings so prominently in your first issue. It was, I may say, a pleasant supprise to find them displayed anywhere. I thought Forrie had given them to the Ashman as being what is politly termed "too controversial. (Nothing is too controversial for the DAMN THING.) In spite of your admirable indifference to the opinions of your readers, or because of it, THE DAMN THING is positivly the first mag I'd subscribe to, if I had any money. As it is, I am enclosing a little something for your next issue, hoping thereby to get the same for nothing. (Fresh, isn't he?) Best in #1 was, of course, ASSAILING THE PRO-SCIENTISTS, by Damon Knight, (Mr. Van Houten differs with you.) Next, The Editor Sits on His Platform!, & after that, Bedlam on 9th St., Over Hill & Dale to Pomona, "To Hell With You," Bradbury, The Critique, Boosing the Editor, and the rest more or less lousy, especially that alleged poem. (We delete the remaining two paragrahphs.) Moscowitz is a louse. -Damon.