Is science fiction juvenile? This question, raised in our last issue, has brought forth some interesting replies. Milton A. Rothman, of Philadelphia, writes his views:
"Let me put in my bit about the science fiction juvenile discussion. I suppose that I have a right to, because I am one of the high school students being discussed. I find that science fiction is extremely valuable in broadening the imagination, and besides the theoretical value, I have learned much real science from it. I have not had physics yet, but from reading science fiction I can talk a little about inertia, acceleration, foot-pounds, electro-magnetic radiations, and the Einstein theory. Two authors whom I think are the most valuable in the dissemination of this kind of information are Edward E. Smith and John W. Campbell, Jr. If stories like "The Mightiest Machine," "Invaders from the Infinite," "The Battery of Hate," and the "Skylark" stories are juvenile, I'd hate to seeome real advanced stuff. If "The Time Stream," "The Final War," "The Man who Awoke," "The Eternal Cycle," or any of Bob Olsen's fourth dimension stories are puerile, then Einstein is a moron!"
Carl E. Woolard, of Flint, Michigan, sends in a most interesting letter concerning this subject:
"The references to the juvinality of the readers of science fiction, in the June FANTASY, are probably the beginning of a long discussion pro and con. In this letter, I shall attempt to add my non-partisan voice to it.
"The following quotations from early numbers of science fiction magazines show that some of the best known science fiction authors and fans of today began reading stf in their high school days:
" 'I am only nineteen and have only a high school education...nevertheless...I wish to express some opinions.'. (Jack Williamson, in the October, 1928, Amazing).
" 'I, too, am one of your younger readers. I am fifteen and a freshman in the chemistry course of Union College.' (P. Schuyler Miller, March 1928, Amazing)
" 'Altho I am but seventeen and have not had the honor of a business acquaintance...I feel that others comment on the "trash" I read when they see the cover.' (Raymond A. Palmer, in the October, 1928, Amazing).
" '25 cts a month is an awful lot for a hard-working boy who only makes five dollars a week to pay.' (Conrad H. Ruppert, November, 1929, Science Wonder)"
When Clay Fergusson, Jr., drew the illustration for our recent Cover Contest, he, too, had an idea for a story in mind. It is called "She Who Wins," and will appear next month.
Data entry by Judy Bemis