In an earlier post I mentioned that John W. Campbell, Jr. was an unabashed racist, sexist, and fascist, as well as a purveyor of pseudo-science. You don’t have to take my word for it, at least for the racist part. Here is a letter that Isaac Asimov wrote to him on 30 September 1963. It … Continue reading Isaac Wrote Letters
Science Fiction
The Definition of Love
“Very well, Ben. You have uncovered your trouble.”“I have?”“What element was changed?”Caxton looked unhappy. At last he said, “You’re right, Jubal—it was because it was Jill. Because I love her.”“Close, Ben. But not dead center.”“Eh?”“ ‘Love’ is not the emotion that caused you to flee. What is ‘love,’ Ben?”“What? Oh, come off it! Everybody from … Continue reading The Definition of Love
Because John W. Campbell Was a Racist, That’s Why!
Isaac Asimov always credited John W. Campbell, Jr., the editor of Astounding Stories, as an important influence on his writing. When Asimov was still a teenager, he submitted his early stories to Campbell, and although they were rejected, Campbell ended up giving Asimov some excellent advice and feedback—especially once Asimov realized that Campbell’s office was … Continue reading Because John W. Campbell Was a Racist, That’s Why!
Krugman Is Wrong!
Or at least premature. It’s well known that Paul Krugman was inspired to enter the field of economics by his youthful reading of Isaac Asimov’s great Foundation Trilogy. (Ironically Asimov confessed to not knowing anything about the “dismal science” of economics; he considered himself a cheerful person.) So like many of us who have long … Continue reading Krugman Is Wrong!
The One With the Asimov Post Card
About five years after I spoke to Isaac Asimov on the phone, I sent him a fan letter. I was now living in State College, PA, and the previous year, in April 1970, Dr. Asimov had made an appearance on the Penn State campus to speak at Schwab Auditorium about a week before the first … Continue reading The One With the Asimov Post Card
The One With the Asimov Phone Call
Sometime in the spring of 1966 when I was 17, I was gathered with a group of my fellow high school classmates at Maryann Shelhamer’s house on a Sunday afternoon. Maryann had a tape recorder, and I had a telephone tap (a simple one that attached to the back of the receiver via a suction … Continue reading The One With the Asimov Phone Call
Predestination
My two favorite science fictions authors when I was a teenager were Isaac Asimov and Robert Heinlein. Actually I think they still are. Anyway, one of my favorite short stories by Heinlein was “—All You Zombies—”, which despite the title has absolutely nothing to do with zombies. It was perhaps ten pages long and packed … Continue reading Predestination
I Have No Need For That Hypothesis
Some folks talk about how they went from believer to atheist, but in my case, I was never a strong believer in any gods.
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