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Nucleus, v. 3, issue 2, Winter 1941
31858063104982_003
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3 Delusions of Grandeur! My title is inadequate, I fear; for before I get through I plan to let you know not only why is a fan, but what and how. This may seen over-ambitious from the typewriter of a newcomer to fandom, but please remember (or discover) that in science fiction I have played the role of Addison's not unfamous Spectator for seven years. The inspiration for this article was a remark of Trudy's to the effect that some fans seem to regard fandom as a great organization with a world destiny ahead of it, and that those fans are logo on the bogo. I agree with her, and here's why. Fandom is made up of people who are enthusiastic over science fiction and who keep in constant touch with other enthusiasts, via amateur magazines, private correspondence, conventions, visits, etc. The link between fans is exceedingly strong; a Wollheim may part from a Sykora, but he doesn't part from the rest of fandom; he (I'm generalizing) feels that the bond between fans is somehow important to him. He's got to keep in touch with other fans or he's not happy, Naturally, he seeks an explanation for this — and to some fans it has occurred that the bond must be foiled for some high altruistic purpose; all of us must be part of a great forward movement — perhaps we are even supermen. That explanation doesn't hold together. Just look at fandom — a lot of squabbling small groups catering to their own petty spites and indulging their own often grotesque whims; there's intrigue and underground movements and sabotage. It certainly is not very strongly suggestive of a great forward movement. But, you say, it should be, we have a goal to strive for. Well, but just what is this goal? To open the eyes of mankind to the future, Slow but sure, mankind is doing all right by itself; and when stfans try any eye-opening they fail, and badly -- you know that as well as I do. No, I believe, contrary to my preference, that the purpose of fandom is egoistic rather than altruistic. Most fans are altruists, yes, but they either are altruistic in a purely theoretical way, or else they indulge their altruism through channels outside of fandom, fandom exists because fans crave the society of persons who, like themselves, are abnormal in that particular way which finds expression in a strong interest in science fiction. We're snubbed, intellectually, by the world at large; they can't understand our minds, and probably we can't understand theirs. And so, desiring intellectual comradeship, we turn to our fellow fans. Just what this mental difference is, is something t am frankly unable to discuss. I possess it, but it is difficult to select any particular characteristic of mine which fits other fans and answers the qualifications. We may indeed be slans; certainly we are not, most of us, sub-normal. but that has little to do with fandom's purpose; for that purpose, I believe, is simply to provide that comradeship the need for which we all feel. Beyond that it has not gone, and I fear cannot go. Now, all this has no effect whatever on what seems to me to be the most important thing about fandom: for us fans, as a hobby, it's swell. Not perfect, of course, but then at this stage of the game I'm out to criticize fandom for only one thing: delusions of grandeur. -- FINIS -- ...Paul H. Spencer
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3 Delusions of Grandeur! My title is inadequate, I fear; for before I get through I plan to let you know not only why is a fan, but what and how. This may seen over-ambitious from the typewriter of a newcomer to fandom, but please remember (or discover) that in science fiction I have played the role of Addison's not unfamous Spectator for seven years. The inspiration for this article was a remark of Trudy's to the effect that some fans seem to regard fandom as a great organization with a world destiny ahead of it, and that those fans are logo on the bogo. I agree with her, and here's why. Fandom is made up of people who are enthusiastic over science fiction and who keep in constant touch with other enthusiasts, via amateur magazines, private correspondence, conventions, visits, etc. The link between fans is exceedingly strong; a Wollheim may part from a Sykora, but he doesn't part from the rest of fandom; he (I'm generalizing) feels that the bond between fans is somehow important to him. He's got to keep in touch with other fans or he's not happy, Naturally, he seeks an explanation for this — and to some fans it has occurred that the bond must be foiled for some high altruistic purpose; all of us must be part of a great forward movement — perhaps we are even supermen. That explanation doesn't hold together. Just look at fandom — a lot of squabbling small groups catering to their own petty spites and indulging their own often grotesque whims; there's intrigue and underground movements and sabotage. It certainly is not very strongly suggestive of a great forward movement. But, you say, it should be, we have a goal to strive for. Well, but just what is this goal? To open the eyes of mankind to the future, Slow but sure, mankind is doing all right by itself; and when stfans try any eye-opening they fail, and badly -- you know that as well as I do. No, I believe, contrary to my preference, that the purpose of fandom is egoistic rather than altruistic. Most fans are altruists, yes, but they either are altruistic in a purely theoretical way, or else they indulge their altruism through channels outside of fandom, fandom exists because fans crave the society of persons who, like themselves, are abnormal in that particular way which finds expression in a strong interest in science fiction. We're snubbed, intellectually, by the world at large; they can't understand our minds, and probably we can't understand theirs. And so, desiring intellectual comradeship, we turn to our fellow fans. Just what this mental difference is, is something t am frankly unable to discuss. I possess it, but it is difficult to select any particular characteristic of mine which fits other fans and answers the qualifications. We may indeed be slans; certainly we are not, most of us, sub-normal. but that has little to do with fandom's purpose; for that purpose, I believe, is simply to provide that comradeship the need for which we all feel. Beyond that it has not gone, and I fear cannot go. Now, all this has no effect whatever on what seems to me to be the most important thing about fandom: for us fans, as a hobby, it's swell. Not perfect, of course, but then at this stage of the game I'm out to criticize fandom for only one thing: delusions of grandeur. -- FINIS -- ...Paul H. Spencer
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