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En Garde, whole no. 17, April 1946
Page 6
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page 6. FANTASY CRITIC: At last! After all these years. There will be a lot of fans rubbing their eyes when they glimpse the long awaited Fantasy Critic, Sam. The Book reviews are excellent, but entertaining and informative as they are, there is little comment I can make. The Henderson essay was a choice bit. Apparently he's read current stf quite widely, but he still manages to miss the boat a little. Still it is a good idea to see ourselves as other see us now and then. I'll be looking for Volume I, Number II now. So will others, Sam, so don't disappoint us. BROWSING (Summer 45): "Words of Wisdom On The Weird" departs from the more usual custom of presenting two sides of an argument and becomes especially interesting as a result of the variety of viewpoints offered. After due consideration and comparison, I believe Aiken's comments most nearly express my views. Anyway, I found this a particularly refreshing issue of Browsing. FULL LENGTH ARTICLES: This certainly provides an exhaustive coverage of the subject and throws considerable light on what has been generally confusing to fandom at large. While it naturally cannot be considered definitive, a lack of any further evidence capable of successfully refuting it might permit it to stand as such. At least it brings things out in the open instead of leaving them to fester in the dark. SUSTAINING PROGRAM: Fan Profiteers cartoon at bottom of page 5 was perfect. Fornch was never intended as a synonym for rosebud. If it has actually acquired that meaning, it must be due to fen jumping to conclusions. And while we're on the subject, what's the origin for the term, "nank-word"? Gardner brings out a very interesting and important point re the atom bomb that barring the less probable eventuality of destroying the whole planet, the white race now stands at the crossroads. Its future course will determine whether or not it will maintain its supremecy. Somehow I get a feeling that should strike we representatives of said race as important. "In Defense of Homo Sapiens" mentions survival value as not being the sole criterion of worth, and suggests that we, with our artistic senses, are more entitled to the earth than a superman who lacked them. Isn't that a bit specious, and not a little irrelevant? What right have we to judge the abstract worth of superman by our own human standards? Furthermore, who shall inherit the earth is more likely to be determined by degree of adaptibility than by abstract comparisons of worth. On the other hand, I've recently heard some very convincing arguments that homo sapiens is better fitted to survive in the present environment, and has the capacity for a great deal more adaptation. Considerable doubt was thrown on the likelihood of any probable superman-mutation acquiring characteristics of superior survival value to what homo sapiens now has, or will have when he has learned to use his potentialities to advantage. In fewer words, Superman is here now---and we're it! FANTASY AMATEUR: A good job on this issue, and quite an improvement over the last one. Am getting a big kick out of President Stanley's sly delusions of grandeur. But let's let him enjoy his illusions---don't point out that he's just a figurehead. Heh, heh!
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page 6. FANTASY CRITIC: At last! After all these years. There will be a lot of fans rubbing their eyes when they glimpse the long awaited Fantasy Critic, Sam. The Book reviews are excellent, but entertaining and informative as they are, there is little comment I can make. The Henderson essay was a choice bit. Apparently he's read current stf quite widely, but he still manages to miss the boat a little. Still it is a good idea to see ourselves as other see us now and then. I'll be looking for Volume I, Number II now. So will others, Sam, so don't disappoint us. BROWSING (Summer 45): "Words of Wisdom On The Weird" departs from the more usual custom of presenting two sides of an argument and becomes especially interesting as a result of the variety of viewpoints offered. After due consideration and comparison, I believe Aiken's comments most nearly express my views. Anyway, I found this a particularly refreshing issue of Browsing. FULL LENGTH ARTICLES: This certainly provides an exhaustive coverage of the subject and throws considerable light on what has been generally confusing to fandom at large. While it naturally cannot be considered definitive, a lack of any further evidence capable of successfully refuting it might permit it to stand as such. At least it brings things out in the open instead of leaving them to fester in the dark. SUSTAINING PROGRAM: Fan Profiteers cartoon at bottom of page 5 was perfect. Fornch was never intended as a synonym for rosebud. If it has actually acquired that meaning, it must be due to fen jumping to conclusions. And while we're on the subject, what's the origin for the term, "nank-word"? Gardner brings out a very interesting and important point re the atom bomb that barring the less probable eventuality of destroying the whole planet, the white race now stands at the crossroads. Its future course will determine whether or not it will maintain its supremecy. Somehow I get a feeling that should strike we representatives of said race as important. "In Defense of Homo Sapiens" mentions survival value as not being the sole criterion of worth, and suggests that we, with our artistic senses, are more entitled to the earth than a superman who lacked them. Isn't that a bit specious, and not a little irrelevant? What right have we to judge the abstract worth of superman by our own human standards? Furthermore, who shall inherit the earth is more likely to be determined by degree of adaptibility than by abstract comparisons of worth. On the other hand, I've recently heard some very convincing arguments that homo sapiens is better fitted to survive in the present environment, and has the capacity for a great deal more adaptation. Considerable doubt was thrown on the likelihood of any probable superman-mutation acquiring characteristics of superior survival value to what homo sapiens now has, or will have when he has learned to use his potentialities to advantage. In fewer words, Superman is here now---and we're it! FANTASY AMATEUR: A good job on this issue, and quite an improvement over the last one. Am getting a big kick out of President Stanley's sly delusions of grandeur. But let's let him enjoy his illusions---don't point out that he's just a figurehead. Heh, heh!
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