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Western Star, whole no. 3, August 26, 1950
Page 5
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My concern here isn't with the man personally, with general description, but rather with exploring a bit of the factors involved in the new crusading policies of the DIGEST. So as nearly as I can recall (I haven't been cleared yet, so my memory isn't perfect) I'll try to get down the main line of what he said... "The chief thing is that we want to really play hell with the easy-going toleration fans have displayed toward whatever the publishers are willing to give them. For too long, fans have been content to sit back and take the offal of the publishing trade, but now business is picking up in the science fiction field, and its time for us to be much more sharply critical of what comes out. On the surface of it, it may seem paradoxical, but what we are preaching is real intolerance: intolerance of those who want to cash in on a good thing with junk. "I expect great things of science fiction. I think the growth well may continue, even to the point where science fiction replaces detective fiction in popularity. But beyond that, science fiction has a terrific potential as really good fiction, important fiction. Its up to us to apply a little pressure to get better material in the field. If we don't complain, we certainly can't expect anyone else to. "We should howl every time a story or a magazine comes into the field that is below mature standards of literary quality and scientific responsibility. We should howl good and loud. We have no reason to be grateful to an editor for bringing a new science fiction magazine on the stands, if that magazine is junk. Such magazines are a discredit to science fiction. "We on the Digest are letting the bars down on criticism. If you write for us, you don't have to worry about being polite to the pros. Give them hell where you think they deserve it. "So long as the fans are willing to take whatever they can get they will get chiefly junk. Fandom has too long devoted itself to the interests of the immature readers who have not yet developed any critical standards. Fandom needs to turn more attention to the reading tastes of mature, critical, stable readers. Then fandom will be of some assistance to scientific fiction." *** I almost feel apologetic about putting quote marks around some of the above. I doubt if Don some of those sentences; however, as I said, I have no copy of what he actually said, but the above is in essence, his thoughts, and at least half of it is his wording. And if he wants to sue.... 222333444555666777888999000 --------- 000999888777666555444333222 Westercon Plans are gradually shaping up for the WESTERCON to be held here next year. We've been slow getting publicity set up, but the general outline of the program is evolving. The main theme of the program will be a panel analysis of the reasons behind the growth of science fiction, and its significance. Other panels will discuss the book and magazine publications of this year, and for perhaps the first time at any fan convention, there will be a spotlight turned on fandom itself, to see what makes it tick. If Dianetics is still alive and kicking by next summer, we'll probably pro-and-con that a bit too. The date is still uncertain, but it promises to be a two day affair, here in San Francisco. We'll keep you posted on the plans through WESTERN STAR. Hope you'll be there. As Don Moore says, this could be a trial run for a Bay Area National Convention. ---5---
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My concern here isn't with the man personally, with general description, but rather with exploring a bit of the factors involved in the new crusading policies of the DIGEST. So as nearly as I can recall (I haven't been cleared yet, so my memory isn't perfect) I'll try to get down the main line of what he said... "The chief thing is that we want to really play hell with the easy-going toleration fans have displayed toward whatever the publishers are willing to give them. For too long, fans have been content to sit back and take the offal of the publishing trade, but now business is picking up in the science fiction field, and its time for us to be much more sharply critical of what comes out. On the surface of it, it may seem paradoxical, but what we are preaching is real intolerance: intolerance of those who want to cash in on a good thing with junk. "I expect great things of science fiction. I think the growth well may continue, even to the point where science fiction replaces detective fiction in popularity. But beyond that, science fiction has a terrific potential as really good fiction, important fiction. Its up to us to apply a little pressure to get better material in the field. If we don't complain, we certainly can't expect anyone else to. "We should howl every time a story or a magazine comes into the field that is below mature standards of literary quality and scientific responsibility. We should howl good and loud. We have no reason to be grateful to an editor for bringing a new science fiction magazine on the stands, if that magazine is junk. Such magazines are a discredit to science fiction. "We on the Digest are letting the bars down on criticism. If you write for us, you don't have to worry about being polite to the pros. Give them hell where you think they deserve it. "So long as the fans are willing to take whatever they can get they will get chiefly junk. Fandom has too long devoted itself to the interests of the immature readers who have not yet developed any critical standards. Fandom needs to turn more attention to the reading tastes of mature, critical, stable readers. Then fandom will be of some assistance to scientific fiction." *** I almost feel apologetic about putting quote marks around some of the above. I doubt if Don some of those sentences; however, as I said, I have no copy of what he actually said, but the above is in essence, his thoughts, and at least half of it is his wording. And if he wants to sue.... 222333444555666777888999000 --------- 000999888777666555444333222 Westercon Plans are gradually shaping up for the WESTERCON to be held here next year. We've been slow getting publicity set up, but the general outline of the program is evolving. The main theme of the program will be a panel analysis of the reasons behind the growth of science fiction, and its significance. Other panels will discuss the book and magazine publications of this year, and for perhaps the first time at any fan convention, there will be a spotlight turned on fandom itself, to see what makes it tick. If Dianetics is still alive and kicking by next summer, we'll probably pro-and-con that a bit too. The date is still uncertain, but it promises to be a two day affair, here in San Francisco. We'll keep you posted on the plans through WESTERN STAR. Hope you'll be there. As Don Moore says, this could be a trial run for a Bay Area National Convention. ---5---
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