The Eternal Wanderer
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| Title: | The Eternal Wanderer |
| Creator: | Ossie Train |
| Date(s): | 1930s |
| Medium: | |
| Fandom: | Science Fiction |
| Topic: | Various |
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The Eternal Wanderer was a regular column by Ossie Train printed in the Science Fiction Collector.
Subjects
Issue 23:
Response to H.C. Koenig's thoughts on fannish activities; a new Tarzan book originally printed in Argosy; a boom of pro science fiction magazines; two new movies, including "Men With Wings", which some science fiction fans had thought would be about SF instead of aviation.
The essay of Mr. H.C. Koenig in the recent mailing of the FAPA was mightly interesting to me. I suppose I will be denounced as a traitor by a lot of fans, but I agree with Mr. Koenig on a number of his points. His views also seem to be much the same as those of Dr. John D. Clark.... It tells what a technician of great experience thinks of the present fan activities. For one thing, there is not much real, working science included in the average science fiction story; most of it is really pseudo-science, or present day science stretched to an incredible degree.... How many of the so-called "inner circle" of fans are really interested in science? My opinion is that their numbers are very few. Oh, I know that there are a number of young men in that group who are really studying for a scientific career--in fact I know some of them personally. But... the great majority seem to be more interested in what so-and-so is doing over there in New York, or putting out fan magazines galore, or trying to make a lot out of some insignificant saying or action of some other fan, etc.... The only times I read a story for the sake of the science it contains is when the author has something original and interesting--which is seldom....And I do not approve of a lot of [current fan activities]. They toss all sorts of insults back and forth at each other and think nothing of it; those insults would not be made if they were in speaking distance of each other. Others seem to think, as Koenig says, that all sorts of political discussions are a part of science fiction. The fellows mean well, of course, but how many of the others want to hear what they think about Fascism, Comunism, or any other ism? If they want to advance science fiction, surely they can find a better way than that.
Train in Science Fiction Collector #23 pp. 11-12 (Jan. 1939)
Science fiction is hitting a new high. At the beginning of this year, there were three magazines -- Astounding, Amazing, and Thrilling Wonder. It was a bombshell when Ziff-Davis bought Amazing and resumed a monthly publication after a few issues. Then there was a surprise for all when a new magazine, Marvel Science Stories appeared on the stands unannounced. Then in rapid succession... Fantastic Adventure Stories, Dynamic Science Stories, and Strange Stories. Counting the English Tales of Wonder and Weird Tales, they will make ten magzines of the type on the newsstands.... It is going to keep us all broke trying to keep up with them all. It looks as though science fiction getting into the public eye at last!Ibid.
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