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Voice of the Imagination, whole no. 24, August 1942

Page 18

14 VOICE OF THE
lectuals. So that is our first consideration. Anything we
talk about has to be something that will not buck the laws too strongly. At this
moment matters are strategically ripe. Things are balanced precariously in a
state between state socialism and democratic socialism in this country, state socialism is control or ownership of capital by the government, which in this definition consists of a small group acting for their own interests. Democratic socialism is ownership of capital by the people as a whole, and operated for the interests of the people as a whole, and not for the advantage of any particular group. Right now the government is gathering control of capital. For the duration, the purpose of this control is mainly to win the war. As soon as this war is over, there comes a turning point. Will the capital return to private control? Will the capital stay under governmental control — but will this control be a bureaucratic one heedless of the people, or will it be a democratic control by the people and for the people?   It is this turning point which we have to watch, and upon
which we can turn our pressure — after the war is over.

For the present all we can do is keep a sharp eye out __       see that our civil liberties are not taken away for fake reasons, see that reactionary politicians are defeated in elections, and look for the turning point where the pressure is going to be needed. 

D.R. Smith's note about the frivolity of them Britishers is neatly summed up in the
words of another Britisher:  'We laugh in order that we may not weep.' 

Amen several times to Chauvenet. They stuffed me  (when I was too young to do anything about it) with the usual Hebrew voodoo.  With the result that religion now has absolutely no place in my mind whatsoever.   Oh,  sometimes when I feel lazy I think how nice it would be to believe in something so I wouldn't have to go through life figuring everything out for myself, but even in that mood I'd be damned if I believed in anything until they showed me something to believe in.   Right now there isn't a goddam thing in the world worth believing in, except that maybe if the planet holds out that long we might have a decent kind of civilization two billion years from now, like in Last and First Men. Of course, it would be nicer if there were just a bare chance of having a better world fifty years from now, which is the only reason the war is worth winning."

On 7-11-42 a letter written to Vom from Ecco of 929 Butler St. Peoria. Ill:    "Simad Dean says:  'These people that drool about "that way lies madness ..."   BAH, Madness arises from brain trouble, conscience, or from overworking the mind.'   Well, my dear Arisian, that was the whole point, over-
working the mind. Try thinking about what I was talking about and you will see what I mean. The mind is never full.    It may be overworked, but it is never full. The full potentalities of a man's brain have never been reached—nor will they for quite a tidy while to come.    

Webster's letter burned me up. I am getting damned tired of somebody continually spouting off about what is wrong with fandom, telling fans that they are droops, and urging them to give up even a portion of their scientifictional ideals. He does not really appreciate the full scope of
Science Fiction Fandom.    Fans in America may be a little wild at times, but at least the far greater majority of them can recognize the fact that stf fandom is something real and something that is a very important part of their lives. Webster is not a true Science-Fiction Fan; that is obvious as all hell. Of Joe Fortier he says: "Like most fans, it can truly be said of him that he should know better." I say that we cannot know better. I have not been disillusioned, my dear Webster, just because I can truthfully say that fandom is the best damned thing on Earth. For me, Science-Fiction and True Science go hand in glove. True fans should have the courage of their convictions—if they want to be considered a fan, they should look upon fandom favorably.   As for our friend's remark that Tigrina should 'try growing up for a change,' I should like to ask Mr. Webster just what he means by growing up?   It could be said that Webster's praise for the 'Prof's delicious nude,' or his wanting some 'really juicy fights'  is a sign of
immaturity. This, however, is not so. Nearly everyone possesses certain characteristics or eccentricities calculated to retard them from reaching the point where they can be called 'grown-up'—in the strict sense of the word. I believe that if Webster would notice the people around him he would realize such; practically everyone says or does something at one time or another which can be branded
as a sign of immaturity.   Which means nothing more than that there is no definite
fixed age at which a person should be told to act 'grown-up.'   Most people can be,
and are, just as immature at 40 or 50, etc., as they were at 15 or 19 3/4__in some things.    That quite obviously does not mean that they are—on the whole—as immature as a child of 5 or 11 1/4 might be. It is my belief that some of these British fans are not as psychologically mature as most Unistate Fans because they lack the insight to recognize the true potentialities of Science-Fiction Fandom. I for one learned nothing new from Tigrina's latest letter. Her position in regards to witchcraft coincides with my own, I think. It is an intriguing subject, and one that can be studied without harm to one's self or to others—because there are no such things as devils, etc., anyway. I liked Tig's latest drawing very much. I like Tigrina anyway—but then I like all beautiful women.    ((Meaning that Tige
is...?))    (((What do you think?)))    ((((It's pretty obvious, isn't it))))
(((((Haw:)))))   

I was quite pleased with the coyer of #23 Vom. Tis the first
pic of Tucker I have seen that looks exactly like him. I congratulate U on your
having obtained it. From his picture I would think that Rosenblum is intelligent. I had a nice warm overcoat like his once but lost it shooting craps."

And Tucker: "Will you please announce in VOM that I am again resigning from fandom.    (PS: the girl on the back is a witch!)"

Followed next day by the Grand Finale: "Will you
please announce in VOM that I am once again re-entering fandom.    (P.S. the girl on
the wack is a bitch!)"

Saving...

14 VOICE OF THE lectuals. So that is our first consideration. Anything we talk about has to be something that will not buck the laws too strongly. At this moment matters are strategically ripe. Things are balanced precariously in a state between state socialism and democratic socialism in this country, state socialism is control or ownership of capital by the government, which in this definition consists of a small group acting for their own interests. Democratic socialism is ownership of capital by the people as a whole, and operated for the interests of the people as a whole, and not for the advantage of any particular group. Right now the government is gathering control of capital. For the duration, the purpose of this control is mainly to win the war. As soon as this war is over, there comes a turning point. Will the capital return to private control? Will the capital stay under governmental control — but will this control be a bureaucratic one heedless of the people, or will it be a democratic control by the people and for the people? It is this turning point which we have to watch, and upon which we can turn our pressure — after the war is over. For the present all we can do is keep a sharp eye out __ see that our civil liberties are not taken away for fake reasons, see that reactionary politicians are defeated in elections, and look for the turning point where the pressure is going to be needed. D.R. Smith's note about the frivolity of them Britishers is neatly summed up in the words of another Britisher: 'We laugh in order that we may not weep.' Amen several times to Chauvenet. They stuffed me (when I was too young to do anything about it) with the usual Hebrew voodoo. With the result that religion now has absolutely no place in my mind whatsoever. Oh, sometimes when I feel lazy I think how nice it would be to believe in something so I wouldn't have to go through life figuring everything out for myself, but even in that mood I'd be damned if I believed in anything until they showed me something to believe in. Right now there isn't a goddam thing in the world worth believing in, except that maybe if the planet holds out that long we might have a decent kind of civilization two billion years from now, like in Last and First Men. Of course, it would be nicer if there were just a bare chance of having a better world fifty years from now, which is the only reason the war is worth winning." On 7-11-42 a letter written to Vom from Ecco of 929 Butler St. Peoria. Ill: "Simad Dean says: 'These people that drool about "that way lies madness ..." BAH, Madness arises from brain trouble, conscience, or from overworking the mind.' Well, my dear Arisian, that was the whole point, over- working the mind. Try thinking about what I was talking about and you will see what I mean. The mind is never full. It may be overworked, but it is never full. The full potentalities of a man's brain have never been reached—nor will they for quite a tidy while to come. Webster's letter burned me up. I am getting damned tired of somebody continually spouting off about what is wrong with fandom, telling fans that they are droops, and urging them to give up even a portion of their scientifictional ideals. He does not really appreciate the full scope of Science Fiction Fandom. Fans in America may be a little wild at times, but at least the far greater majority of them can recognize the fact that stf fandom is something real and something that is a very important part of their lives. Webster is not a true Science-Fiction Fan; that is obvious as all hell. Of Joe Fortier he says: "Like most fans, it can truly be said of him that he should know better." I say that we cannot know better. I have not been disillusioned, my dear Webster, just because I can truthfully say that fandom is the best damned thing on Earth. For me, Science-Fiction and True Science go hand in glove. True fans should have the courage of their convictions—if they want to be considered a fan, they should look upon fandom favorably. As for our friend's remark that Tigrina should 'try growing up for a change,' I should like to ask Mr. Webster just what he means by growing up? It could be said that Webster's praise for the 'Prof's delicious nude,' or his wanting some 'really juicy fights' is a sign of immaturity. This, however, is not so. Nearly everyone possesses certain characteristics or eccentricities calculated to retard them from reaching the point where they can be called 'grown-up'—in the strict sense of the word. I believe that if Webster would notice the people around him he would realize such; practically everyone says or does something at one time or another which can be branded as a sign of immaturity. Which means nothing more than that there is no definite fixed age at which a person should be told to act 'grown-up.' Most people can be, and are, just as immature at 40 or 50, etc., as they were at 15 or 19 3/4__in some things. That quite obviously does not mean that they are—on the whole—as immature as a child of 5 or 11 1/4 might be. It is my belief that some of these British fans are not as psychologically mature as most Unistate Fans because they lack the insight to recognize the true potentialities of Science-Fiction Fandom. I for one learned nothing new from Tigrina's latest letter. Her position in regards to witchcraft coincides with my own, I think. It is an intriguing subject, and one that can be studied without harm to one's self or to others—because there are no such things as devils, etc., anyway. I liked Tig's latest drawing very much. I like Tigrina anyway—but then I like all beautiful women. ((Meaning that Tige is...?)) (((What do you think?))) ((((It's pretty obvious, isn't it)))) (((((Haw:))))) I was quite pleased with the coyer of #23 Vom. Tis the first pic of Tucker I have seen that looks exactly like him. I congratulate U on your having obtained it. From his picture I would think that Rosenblum is intelligent. I had a nice warm overcoat like his once but lost it shooting craps." And Tucker: "Will you please announce in VOM that I am again resigning from fandom. (PS: the girl on the back is a witch!)" Followed next day by the Grand Finale: "Will you please announce in VOM that I am once again re-entering fandom. (P.S. the girl on the wack is a bitch!)"