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Scientifictionist, v. 1, issue 1, September 1945
Page 12
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STF COMMENTARY (Continued from preceeding page) "Nomad", along with very many others presents the interesting question, "how may we prevent war!" "Nomad" presents the idea of uniting all opposing forces against a common enemy. However, keeping them there forever seems to be improbable, quite impractical, and nearly impossible. Another story with the same question and an equally improbable, impractical and nearly impossible answer was, "Rebirth". I wouldn't care to try this solution. The same thought was behind the story, "Renaissance." None of these stories seem to have the answer. My own view is that there will be war as long as there is one nation within the reach of another. Thus the answer would be to unit all nations under a very democratic form of government, which doesn't seem likely to happen in our lifetime. And maybe even then there would be wars. If there is life on other planets, I only hope that the earth will unite before interplanetary travel is a reality, or we won't have a chance. Wars are not necessary, so there should be a way to prevent them. What do you think? --Norman Wegemer I believe that the subject of war, as discussed in "Nomad" and the preceeding letters, is open to much debate on both sides. While there is some truth in Kennedy's letter; and quite a bit of idealism in Wegemer's, I personally believe that neither of them has the right answer. First of all, the question is asked: "Is war really necessary to progress?" I do not think so. It is true that greater effort is put forth in wartime, but is this due solely to the instinct of self-preservation and patriotism? I do not think such is the case. As for the first, I think one's basic, animal instinct for self-preservation is aroused only in close contact with danger. This is brought out by the fact that the authorities had a hard time convincing us that "there is a war on." Patriotism, I think may be discarded with equal ease. While it is true that these motives may be responsible, I think that even stronger motives could be provided by the right kind of society for peace time progress. I believe that the basic reason for the spurts of "progress" shown in wartime, is the monetary profit to be gained bu such "progress". This brings us to the next subject, elimination of war. I think that if the profit would be taken out of war a great step towards its elimination would be taken. I also do not believe that uniting all the nations in a democratic, or any other form for that matter, of government would solve the problem. Nations are really run by economic forces, not the political administrators. Likewise, all wars including the present one have been fought for economic reasons. Therefore the only solution I can see to war is the economic rebuilding and stabilization of every nation in the world. --The editor STF IDEA CORNER (Continued from page 7) But if a four-dimensional warp would be handy, consider the advantages of a five dimensional warp. And so on up. Come on, authors, give us some real multi-dimensional stories! ((Editor's comment: We think that Walt has some very interesting points for discussion here. Send comments to him at: Box 6, Helena, Montana. When enough comments have been submitted, he will devote an entire column to discussing them) Reprint acknowledgment:- THOSE '34 WONDERS Reprinted from the FAPAzine INSPIRATION, Summer '44 issue, by permission of the editor-author, Sgt. Lynn Bridges. --(page 12)--
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STF COMMENTARY (Continued from preceeding page) "Nomad", along with very many others presents the interesting question, "how may we prevent war!" "Nomad" presents the idea of uniting all opposing forces against a common enemy. However, keeping them there forever seems to be improbable, quite impractical, and nearly impossible. Another story with the same question and an equally improbable, impractical and nearly impossible answer was, "Rebirth". I wouldn't care to try this solution. The same thought was behind the story, "Renaissance." None of these stories seem to have the answer. My own view is that there will be war as long as there is one nation within the reach of another. Thus the answer would be to unit all nations under a very democratic form of government, which doesn't seem likely to happen in our lifetime. And maybe even then there would be wars. If there is life on other planets, I only hope that the earth will unite before interplanetary travel is a reality, or we won't have a chance. Wars are not necessary, so there should be a way to prevent them. What do you think? --Norman Wegemer I believe that the subject of war, as discussed in "Nomad" and the preceeding letters, is open to much debate on both sides. While there is some truth in Kennedy's letter; and quite a bit of idealism in Wegemer's, I personally believe that neither of them has the right answer. First of all, the question is asked: "Is war really necessary to progress?" I do not think so. It is true that greater effort is put forth in wartime, but is this due solely to the instinct of self-preservation and patriotism? I do not think such is the case. As for the first, I think one's basic, animal instinct for self-preservation is aroused only in close contact with danger. This is brought out by the fact that the authorities had a hard time convincing us that "there is a war on." Patriotism, I think may be discarded with equal ease. While it is true that these motives may be responsible, I think that even stronger motives could be provided by the right kind of society for peace time progress. I believe that the basic reason for the spurts of "progress" shown in wartime, is the monetary profit to be gained bu such "progress". This brings us to the next subject, elimination of war. I think that if the profit would be taken out of war a great step towards its elimination would be taken. I also do not believe that uniting all the nations in a democratic, or any other form for that matter, of government would solve the problem. Nations are really run by economic forces, not the political administrators. Likewise, all wars including the present one have been fought for economic reasons. Therefore the only solution I can see to war is the economic rebuilding and stabilization of every nation in the world. --The editor STF IDEA CORNER (Continued from page 7) But if a four-dimensional warp would be handy, consider the advantages of a five dimensional warp. And so on up. Come on, authors, give us some real multi-dimensional stories! ((Editor's comment: We think that Walt has some very interesting points for discussion here. Send comments to him at: Box 6, Helena, Montana. When enough comments have been submitted, he will devote an entire column to discussing them) Reprint acknowledgment:- THOSE '34 WONDERS Reprinted from the FAPAzine INSPIRATION, Summer '44 issue, by permission of the editor-author, Sgt. Lynn Bridges. --(page 12)--
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