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From: WEBBER@RED.RUTGERS.EDU
Newsgroups: net.sf-lovers
Subject: Good First SF and first of SF-LOVERS
Message-ID: <3729@topaz.RUTGERS.EDU>
Date: Sat, 21-Sep-85 19:39:37 EDT
Article-I.D.: topaz.3729
Posted: Sat Sep 21 19:39:37 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 25-Sep-85 08:02:09 EDT
Sender: daemon@topaz.RUTGERS.EDU
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.
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From: Bob Webber <WEBBER@RED.RUTGERS.EDU>

>Subject: SF-LOVERS Digest   V10 #368
> ...  Her opinion of science fiction was extremely low.  I asked
>her to read "Mortal Gods" which was a 3 page short story by Orson
>Scott Card, and her reaction was quite favorable.  I think that for
>those who have poor opinions of the quality of SF, Card is a very
>good writer.

first: it is probably unethical to push sf on people who think it is
junk.  afterall, you don't want little old ladies in supermarkets
trying to get you to read the national enquirer, do you?

second: Orson Scott Card is a very good writer for people who have a
high opinion of sf.  people that have a low opinion of sf should be
encouraged to read all the IS SF ART? debates that have occurred on
sf-lovers since sf-lovers started *(footnote). remember, the principle
is: reward good behaviour and punish bad behaviour.

* anybody know when sf-lovers started (i assume a different birthdate on
USENET vs ARPANET, was the marriage immediate?)?

------------------- BOB (webber@red.rutgers.edu)

p.s. i started on Have Space Suit Will Travel (RAH).  in chess, it has
been noticed that the growth of a player's understanding of the game
tends to follow the chronology of chess history.  perhaps it is best
to start with 50's (40's ?) sf and then grow toward the 80's.  of
course there are still writers writing 50's sf (which confuses things,
but isn't necessarily bad).

p.p.s.  hand someone a harliquin romance and when they come back telling
you it was a lowsy book, you say:  Of course, after all, it isn't SF.
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