Norman got very Into YouTube in 2007 or so, and there's a treasure trove on his channel of the dude just kind of amusing himself doing goofy, very un-PC dad jokes. Funny or Die really missed the boat on this guy.
That opening paragraph. Brilliant. I was there. Great description of the cover art styles. Brought back the actual scents of different sci-fi publishers/paper stocks. Only quibble ive got is "ghetto" cuz I can recall when sci-fi was hi-rent, shiny, right up there beside general fiction on the floorplan. Even bigger now you might say (by % of Hollywood movies at least) but that shiny ghetto on the hill was more diverse, more productive, still being mined.
Really? So the move to the back-of-store ghetto is a more recent development? That's fascinating. I suppose at the height of Star Wars mania it must have been harder to deny
Reminds me I've been meaning to read The Old Iron Dream by David Forbes. An essay "inspired by the need for a no-bullshit, critical look at the history of science fiction's far-right and its long-lasting influence." https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3710058518
Norman got very Into YouTube in 2007 or so, and there's a treasure trove on his channel of the dude just kind of amusing himself doing goofy, very un-PC dad jokes. Funny or Die really missed the boat on this guy.
Can't forget that Norman-Spinrad-inspired space rock shit you found: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XS0WuJrp_4I
The idea that Norman Spinrad is still alive is wild!
My man's still kicking! Have considered sending him an email...
That opening paragraph. Brilliant. I was there. Great description of the cover art styles. Brought back the actual scents of different sci-fi publishers/paper stocks. Only quibble ive got is "ghetto" cuz I can recall when sci-fi was hi-rent, shiny, right up there beside general fiction on the floorplan. Even bigger now you might say (by % of Hollywood movies at least) but that shiny ghetto on the hill was more diverse, more productive, still being mined.
Really? So the move to the back-of-store ghetto is a more recent development? That's fascinating. I suppose at the height of Star Wars mania it must have been harder to deny
The more I think about it the more there is to say but yeah.
Sci-fi was literary with a pulp side (Daw imprint eg) mixed in.
Movies/tv were secondary. Sci-fi was a contender for literary legitimacy.
That topic itself has vanished and it’s not a good sign imo.
Reminds me I've been meaning to read The Old Iron Dream by David Forbes. An essay "inspired by the need for a no-bullshit, critical look at the history of science fiction's far-right and its long-lasting influence." https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3710058518
Sounds promising, there's a lot to say about it
Hell yeah, love this. Would definitely not say no to more pieces on bizarre 70s New Wave SF
We aim to please