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Rosebud, v. 1, issue 4, April 1945
Page 7
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MUMBLINGS by The Mumbler Mr Palmer Gnashes His Teeth: Writing in the February 18th issue of Fantasy News under the title, "The New Fandom," the right honorable RAP, exalted bigwig of Amazing Tales and points west, clamps his molars down hard on our little antisocial body known as fandom. Of course, with some justification from his point of view. Said Palmer: "The greatest thing ever to happen to science fiction has happened, and the "fans" have missed it entirely -- because they did not read it!" This unduly surprises and chagrins him. And forthwith RAP develops a hard-on at the "fans" expense. "After seven years," he continues, "I gave them something great -- and learned it is actually true that they buy the magazine, but do not read it." Aside, we can't help but wonder if it will take him seven more years to discover why "fans" do not read his magazine? He should also come to realize that after seven years the "fans" distrust the adjective 'great' when used by him. He's the boy who has cried 'great' far too often. However, he says later in the piece: "I am referring to Richard S. Shaver's "I Remember Lemuria," which is two things -- 1) the "new" science fiction; 2) not fiction!" Let's skip the fine contradiction without comment and peruse the next bit of the letter: "Fandom has an organization about which they have boasted. Here is something they could have pitched in and helped develop. Now they are too late. Overnight a new "fandom" has sprung up, with a powerful organization, which will get all the credit. All the fans can do now is sit helplessly back and watch the fireworks. For a solid year I warned them of what was coming -- but outside of those I told in person on their visits, the warning went unnoticed because it was not read." Well, whaddya know about that? We sure missed the boat all right. To be sure, we didn't read the Lemuria story and so of course do not know what credit and what fireworks he is referring to, but it sounds mighty spectacular. We like a good show, and we are quite enthusiastic fireworks-watcher when it comes down to that. But at the moment we must confess we are more interested in this "new fandom" that sprang up one surprising night. We suppose this means the dismal, unhappy end of our old and unresponsive fandom -- lacking as we do a sensitive nose for great stories. We can picture it now: our tottering, useless organizations such as the NFFF, the FAPA, the SASFA, the LASFS, and yes, the Cosmic Circle falling by the wayside in pitiful, odorous decay. All because we will get no share of the credit. And there are the dingy fanzines: Acolyte, Chanticleer, Shangri-L'Affaires, Vom, Fanewscard, and even Rosebud, tumbling to the ground like dead autumn leaves. Shamelessly cheated of their fair share of the credit. Ah, what a sad, sad fate -- all because we cannot stomach grea stories. -7-
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MUMBLINGS by The Mumbler Mr Palmer Gnashes His Teeth: Writing in the February 18th issue of Fantasy News under the title, "The New Fandom," the right honorable RAP, exalted bigwig of Amazing Tales and points west, clamps his molars down hard on our little antisocial body known as fandom. Of course, with some justification from his point of view. Said Palmer: "The greatest thing ever to happen to science fiction has happened, and the "fans" have missed it entirely -- because they did not read it!" This unduly surprises and chagrins him. And forthwith RAP develops a hard-on at the "fans" expense. "After seven years," he continues, "I gave them something great -- and learned it is actually true that they buy the magazine, but do not read it." Aside, we can't help but wonder if it will take him seven more years to discover why "fans" do not read his magazine? He should also come to realize that after seven years the "fans" distrust the adjective 'great' when used by him. He's the boy who has cried 'great' far too often. However, he says later in the piece: "I am referring to Richard S. Shaver's "I Remember Lemuria," which is two things -- 1) the "new" science fiction; 2) not fiction!" Let's skip the fine contradiction without comment and peruse the next bit of the letter: "Fandom has an organization about which they have boasted. Here is something they could have pitched in and helped develop. Now they are too late. Overnight a new "fandom" has sprung up, with a powerful organization, which will get all the credit. All the fans can do now is sit helplessly back and watch the fireworks. For a solid year I warned them of what was coming -- but outside of those I told in person on their visits, the warning went unnoticed because it was not read." Well, whaddya know about that? We sure missed the boat all right. To be sure, we didn't read the Lemuria story and so of course do not know what credit and what fireworks he is referring to, but it sounds mighty spectacular. We like a good show, and we are quite enthusiastic fireworks-watcher when it comes down to that. But at the moment we must confess we are more interested in this "new fandom" that sprang up one surprising night. We suppose this means the dismal, unhappy end of our old and unresponsive fandom -- lacking as we do a sensitive nose for great stories. We can picture it now: our tottering, useless organizations such as the NFFF, the FAPA, the SASFA, the LASFS, and yes, the Cosmic Circle falling by the wayside in pitiful, odorous decay. All because we will get no share of the credit. And there are the dingy fanzines: Acolyte, Chanticleer, Shangri-L'Affaires, Vom, Fanewscard, and even Rosebud, tumbling to the ground like dead autumn leaves. Shamelessly cheated of their fair share of the credit. Ah, what a sad, sad fate -- all because we cannot stomach grea stories. -7-
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