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Fantasy Digest, v. 1, issue 6, August-September 1939
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FANTASY DIGEST WHAT IS A "FAN"? by Frederick Shroyer It has always been my contention that the word "fan" is probably one of the most debasing and humiliating words that could possibly be applied to one whose interest in science-fiction is an interest purely literary in character. Discounting, with vast pleasure, that group of science fictioneers whose sole interest in science fiction is to advance some hair-brained political delirium, or gain publicity for the purpose of salving their warped egos, I believe that one will find that the remaining science fiction readers are individuals who regard this form of fiction as an established literature; a field of letters that is rich & rewarding in terms of pure aesthetic pleasure. It is indisputable that there are those who place science-fiction in the position of a vehicle for the carrying of repressed fetishes. They are, I believe, to be placed in the category of a group of little marvels who form "Deanna Durbin Fan Clubs" and collect large numbers of pictures showing the object of their adoration playing tennis, fondling her dog, emerging through a huge, paper heart, intently regarding a stocking hung in front of a fireplace, etc. The only difference is that they in turn collect vast store houses of junk: 50 issues of the first "Amazing"; issues of magazines which contain the same material but are different in respect to the number of staples used in their binding; the various types of ink blotches' and various discolorations on the cover. These scientifictional pack rats are worthy of the term "fan". They are fans in the full meaning of the word. I would suggest that they be given, cheerfully, the full custodianship of the abomnible word. One may well imagine that in the good days of Mr. Shakespeare, there were "Shakespeare Fan Clubs" and that school boys collected his pipe stems, fingernails, and shirts. Thank God this breed died out & we, of the present age, find that Shakespeare is remembered for his literature; pursued for the enjoyment and education that is to be derived from the study of his efforts. Why, oh, why, cannot this same mature attitude be taken toward that branch of literature called science fiction? I can well imagine that it will be answered that science-fiction is not literature, but eligible to be called such. I would suggest that much of the tea-pot turmoil of "Fandom" (& whoever coined that horrible, linguistic abortion should be hung by his largest hicky till dead!) would disappear once the "fans" were separated from those interested in science fiction for science fiction's sake. It is not my purpose to address polemics against magazines published by science fiction readers. These magazines, as a whole, are commendable and are written in the literary interest. Information relative to stories, authors, etc. are legitimate according to the bylaws and purposes of any literary group. My polemics are directed towards the use of the word "fan" connotes. There are, of course, a gras to which group I refer to. FINIS
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FANTASY DIGEST WHAT IS A "FAN"? by Frederick Shroyer It has always been my contention that the word "fan" is probably one of the most debasing and humiliating words that could possibly be applied to one whose interest in science-fiction is an interest purely literary in character. Discounting, with vast pleasure, that group of science fictioneers whose sole interest in science fiction is to advance some hair-brained political delirium, or gain publicity for the purpose of salving their warped egos, I believe that one will find that the remaining science fiction readers are individuals who regard this form of fiction as an established literature; a field of letters that is rich & rewarding in terms of pure aesthetic pleasure. It is indisputable that there are those who place science-fiction in the position of a vehicle for the carrying of repressed fetishes. They are, I believe, to be placed in the category of a group of little marvels who form "Deanna Durbin Fan Clubs" and collect large numbers of pictures showing the object of their adoration playing tennis, fondling her dog, emerging through a huge, paper heart, intently regarding a stocking hung in front of a fireplace, etc. The only difference is that they in turn collect vast store houses of junk: 50 issues of the first "Amazing"; issues of magazines which contain the same material but are different in respect to the number of staples used in their binding; the various types of ink blotches' and various discolorations on the cover. These scientifictional pack rats are worthy of the term "fan". They are fans in the full meaning of the word. I would suggest that they be given, cheerfully, the full custodianship of the abomnible word. One may well imagine that in the good days of Mr. Shakespeare, there were "Shakespeare Fan Clubs" and that school boys collected his pipe stems, fingernails, and shirts. Thank God this breed died out & we, of the present age, find that Shakespeare is remembered for his literature; pursued for the enjoyment and education that is to be derived from the study of his efforts. Why, oh, why, cannot this same mature attitude be taken toward that branch of literature called science fiction? I can well imagine that it will be answered that science-fiction is not literature, but eligible to be called such. I would suggest that much of the tea-pot turmoil of "Fandom" (& whoever coined that horrible, linguistic abortion should be hung by his largest hicky till dead!) would disappear once the "fans" were separated from those interested in science fiction for science fiction's sake. It is not my purpose to address polemics against magazines published by science fiction readers. These magazines, as a whole, are commendable and are written in the literary interest. Information relative to stories, authors, etc. are legitimate according to the bylaws and purposes of any literary group. My polemics are directed towards the use of the word "fan" connotes. There are, of course, a gras to which group I refer to. FINIS
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