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Spacewarp, v. 5, issue 5, whole no. 27, June 1949
Page 13
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D.B. Thompson in Phanteur #5 declared: "I think (the article) presents a fair picture of a rather high percentage of those FAPAtes who have outgrown the 'Goshwowboyoboy' stage long ago, or who, because they started with their eyes open, never have regarding fan activity as anything but a pleasant hobby..." # Despite the fact that recent issues of most fantasy mags except aSF are only partly read, I've just had the pleasure of rereading Frodric Brown's "What Mad Universe". It's been a long time since I reread any story -- haven't had time -- but "What Mad Universe" tickles me immensely and I couldn't resist another perusal. Frankly, I'd rather see Eshbach hardcover this yarn than some of those stories he's scheduled. # For an author who was on my personal "dislike" list less than three years ago, George O. Smith has made a remarkable climb in my estimation. Right now he's among the top five of my favorites. Affable George has learned a helluva lot about pulp writing and its a pleasure to see him at work, as in "Fire in the Heavens", which was terrific. Don't you think? AS TIME GOES BY. "Scientifiction's fans, mostly boys of 16 to 20, are the jitterbugs of the pulp magazines. Many keep every issue, which often fetch $25 from collectors. Publishers soon discovered another odd fact about their readers: They are exceptionally articulate. Most of these magazines have letter columns, in which readers appraise stories. Sample: 'Gosh! WOW! Boyoboy! and so forth and so on. Yesiree, yesiree, it's the greatest in the land and the best that's on the stands, and do mean Thrilling Wonder Stories, and especially that great, magnificent, glorious, most thrilling June issue of the mosta and the besta of science fiction magazines...'" Thus Time surveyed the science fiction field at the time of the Nycon2, in its 10 July 1939 issue. Many fans of that era protested this inaccurate picture of the typical fan, and "Goshwowboyoboy" has become an ironic gagline. But it was ten years before Time took it back. In its 30 May 1949 issue Time reviewed Stanley G. Weinbaum's A Martian Odyssey, and managed to take a quick look at the "rabid fans" who support the small publishing houses devoted to science fiction. "Readers of science fiction include a special cult which specializes in collecting the classics in the field and faithfully support the worthy publishing ventures...Several publishers estimate that from 30% to 40% of their readers are professional men, some of them scientists who read the stories for relaxation but with a sharp eye for scientific errors..." Except for the fact that several of the fanzines mentioned in an article are long since defunct -- a common fault of these articles on fandom -- this is a very favorable picture of fantasy and fandom. Whether the change in Time's attitude between 1939 and 1949 is due to the fact that fandom grew up in the interim or that Time became more tolerant of "jitterbugs" is a point you must mull over for yourself. QUIZ ANSWERS. "Robots Return" (the sequel) in ASF, Sept 1938, and "Though Dreamers Die," ASF, Feb 1944. "Trouble Times Two" (the sequel) ASF Dec 1945, and "Trouble" ASF July 1946. (No, Wilkie, "Methuselah's Children" and "Ole Doc Methuselah" isn't right.) -- END -- 13
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D.B. Thompson in Phanteur #5 declared: "I think (the article) presents a fair picture of a rather high percentage of those FAPAtes who have outgrown the 'Goshwowboyoboy' stage long ago, or who, because they started with their eyes open, never have regarding fan activity as anything but a pleasant hobby..." # Despite the fact that recent issues of most fantasy mags except aSF are only partly read, I've just had the pleasure of rereading Frodric Brown's "What Mad Universe". It's been a long time since I reread any story -- haven't had time -- but "What Mad Universe" tickles me immensely and I couldn't resist another perusal. Frankly, I'd rather see Eshbach hardcover this yarn than some of those stories he's scheduled. # For an author who was on my personal "dislike" list less than three years ago, George O. Smith has made a remarkable climb in my estimation. Right now he's among the top five of my favorites. Affable George has learned a helluva lot about pulp writing and its a pleasure to see him at work, as in "Fire in the Heavens", which was terrific. Don't you think? AS TIME GOES BY. "Scientifiction's fans, mostly boys of 16 to 20, are the jitterbugs of the pulp magazines. Many keep every issue, which often fetch $25 from collectors. Publishers soon discovered another odd fact about their readers: They are exceptionally articulate. Most of these magazines have letter columns, in which readers appraise stories. Sample: 'Gosh! WOW! Boyoboy! and so forth and so on. Yesiree, yesiree, it's the greatest in the land and the best that's on the stands, and do mean Thrilling Wonder Stories, and especially that great, magnificent, glorious, most thrilling June issue of the mosta and the besta of science fiction magazines...'" Thus Time surveyed the science fiction field at the time of the Nycon2, in its 10 July 1939 issue. Many fans of that era protested this inaccurate picture of the typical fan, and "Goshwowboyoboy" has become an ironic gagline. But it was ten years before Time took it back. In its 30 May 1949 issue Time reviewed Stanley G. Weinbaum's A Martian Odyssey, and managed to take a quick look at the "rabid fans" who support the small publishing houses devoted to science fiction. "Readers of science fiction include a special cult which specializes in collecting the classics in the field and faithfully support the worthy publishing ventures...Several publishers estimate that from 30% to 40% of their readers are professional men, some of them scientists who read the stories for relaxation but with a sharp eye for scientific errors..." Except for the fact that several of the fanzines mentioned in an article are long since defunct -- a common fault of these articles on fandom -- this is a very favorable picture of fantasy and fandom. Whether the change in Time's attitude between 1939 and 1949 is due to the fact that fandom grew up in the interim or that Time became more tolerant of "jitterbugs" is a point you must mull over for yourself. QUIZ ANSWERS. "Robots Return" (the sequel) in ASF, Sept 1938, and "Though Dreamers Die," ASF, Feb 1944. "Trouble Times Two" (the sequel) ASF Dec 1945, and "Trouble" ASF July 1946. (No, Wilkie, "Methuselah's Children" and "Ole Doc Methuselah" isn't right.) -- END -- 13
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