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Scientifictionist, vol. 1, issue 5, June-July 1946
Page 19
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story does not become "dated". It should be just as good today as when it was written. One should be able to read it any number of times and still find something new and refreshing in it. I think the test of rereading is much more important than that of remembering after a period of years. In this way one probably eliminates most of the stories he read shortly after becoming addicted to stf., and which he remembers perhaps more than they deserve because those particular stories introduced him to a vast cosmos of new and interesting ideas. As a matter of interest, the stories that I reread most (about 5 times each) during the wartime American stf blackout in Canada were SLAN, by van Vogt, THE BLACK FLAME, by Weinbaum, and UNCERTAINTY, by Campbell (despite its faults, for some unknown reason). Lastly, a classic must contain no glaring scientific errors, for then it becomes silly. Perhaps this point doesn't matter as much to others, but in one year I will become what is known as a "technical person" in gov't files (meaning I graduate from U.) and so it counts for quite a bit with me. -- Alastair Cameron, Ste. 21 Brussels Apts., Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Speculations on Radar I would like to uncork a few ideas in your readers' department for a bit of old fashioned BRASS TACKS discussion if I may. To begin with, I wonder how many of your readers ever listen to Capt. Eddie Rickenbacher's Sunday radio program? About a month ago there was one that was very interesting to me and would have been to any scientifictionist if he had known in advance of its subject. The program is called, I think, "Famous Flights; and this one was a dramatization of future operations at the South Pole by an American crew of a B-29. It wasn't a story, but the theme has possibilities for some s-f author to develop. The gist of the whole episode was the bombing of the Antartica glacial ice sheet so as to rid the selected area of the ice, and thus enable American mining engineers to reach the sheathed mountains and valleys to obtain the natural resources there. To accomplish this operation the crew of the B-29 drop a single atomic bomb and then return to their base. Interesting was the use of "anti-radiation" suits, as was the description of the concussion waves that followed in the bomb's wake, engulfing the plane, as told by the tail gunner. The use of the atomic bomb in this instance might be one of its more humane applications, but the old fear of a possible chain-reaction still haunts me despite what so many authorities say on the subject. I may be ridiculed for such a thought, but better living, besieged by brickbats, than vindication in sudden disintegration. All know by now of the radar contact with the moon, so I won't have to explain from whence come the following opinions of mine regarding theoretical future application of its possibilities. For one thing, when it has been perfected, I think that radar may be used for "tri-planetary chartography". By reason of its ability to map the contours of an object by wave patterns, we could some day obtain a reasonable map of the Martian globe. By its aid even the extension of the Martian "lines" could be determined in their entirety. But now I would like to really let fancy free. If radar can be developed to the point of being able to ascertain depth, it's possible that we may even be able to sound for the depth of the Martian canals -- if they are canals. Venus also would come in for a share of attention, as her veil of misty vapors would be rudely thrust aside in an attempt to discern is she has any land mass or is just a hydrosphere. And the sun's outer envelope might be contacted and perhaps the true extent of her corona be established. One could go on and on. Suppose that a supersensitive radar could be developed and its echo bounced off other "island universes". Their actual distances might be found rather than those calculated by astronomical and mathematical formulas. Other facts relative to their composition, their general structure, might also be revealed by this "spatial probe ray". The so-called "hole in space", the "coal sack" could be sounded; the extent of the asteroid belt could be discovered; the red spot of Jupitar could be scrutinized; the width of Saturn's rings determined; and Lord know what other astronomical mysteries could if not solved, at least surrender some of their secrets. (continued on page 20) page 19
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story does not become "dated". It should be just as good today as when it was written. One should be able to read it any number of times and still find something new and refreshing in it. I think the test of rereading is much more important than that of remembering after a period of years. In this way one probably eliminates most of the stories he read shortly after becoming addicted to stf., and which he remembers perhaps more than they deserve because those particular stories introduced him to a vast cosmos of new and interesting ideas. As a matter of interest, the stories that I reread most (about 5 times each) during the wartime American stf blackout in Canada were SLAN, by van Vogt, THE BLACK FLAME, by Weinbaum, and UNCERTAINTY, by Campbell (despite its faults, for some unknown reason). Lastly, a classic must contain no glaring scientific errors, for then it becomes silly. Perhaps this point doesn't matter as much to others, but in one year I will become what is known as a "technical person" in gov't files (meaning I graduate from U.) and so it counts for quite a bit with me. -- Alastair Cameron, Ste. 21 Brussels Apts., Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Speculations on Radar I would like to uncork a few ideas in your readers' department for a bit of old fashioned BRASS TACKS discussion if I may. To begin with, I wonder how many of your readers ever listen to Capt. Eddie Rickenbacher's Sunday radio program? About a month ago there was one that was very interesting to me and would have been to any scientifictionist if he had known in advance of its subject. The program is called, I think, "Famous Flights; and this one was a dramatization of future operations at the South Pole by an American crew of a B-29. It wasn't a story, but the theme has possibilities for some s-f author to develop. The gist of the whole episode was the bombing of the Antartica glacial ice sheet so as to rid the selected area of the ice, and thus enable American mining engineers to reach the sheathed mountains and valleys to obtain the natural resources there. To accomplish this operation the crew of the B-29 drop a single atomic bomb and then return to their base. Interesting was the use of "anti-radiation" suits, as was the description of the concussion waves that followed in the bomb's wake, engulfing the plane, as told by the tail gunner. The use of the atomic bomb in this instance might be one of its more humane applications, but the old fear of a possible chain-reaction still haunts me despite what so many authorities say on the subject. I may be ridiculed for such a thought, but better living, besieged by brickbats, than vindication in sudden disintegration. All know by now of the radar contact with the moon, so I won't have to explain from whence come the following opinions of mine regarding theoretical future application of its possibilities. For one thing, when it has been perfected, I think that radar may be used for "tri-planetary chartography". By reason of its ability to map the contours of an object by wave patterns, we could some day obtain a reasonable map of the Martian globe. By its aid even the extension of the Martian "lines" could be determined in their entirety. But now I would like to really let fancy free. If radar can be developed to the point of being able to ascertain depth, it's possible that we may even be able to sound for the depth of the Martian canals -- if they are canals. Venus also would come in for a share of attention, as her veil of misty vapors would be rudely thrust aside in an attempt to discern is she has any land mass or is just a hydrosphere. And the sun's outer envelope might be contacted and perhaps the true extent of her corona be established. One could go on and on. Suppose that a supersensitive radar could be developed and its echo bounced off other "island universes". Their actual distances might be found rather than those calculated by astronomical and mathematical formulas. Other facts relative to their composition, their general structure, might also be revealed by this "spatial probe ray". The so-called "hole in space", the "coal sack" could be sounded; the extent of the asteroid belt could be discovered; the red spot of Jupitar could be scrutinized; the width of Saturn's rings determined; and Lord know what other astronomical mysteries could if not solved, at least surrender some of their secrets. (continued on page 20) page 19
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