Campbell fumbles Herbert and Dune, it’s ~1969. Looks like he’s down for the count now. Too old to change, left behind. Also, an Ayn Rand fan, so minus 10 points there.
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And now he’s turned into a rather sophomoric basic racist uncle at thanksgiving type with little left in him except residual prejudices. Sad how many interesting people from that era ended up there in the 60s.
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And now we have Asimov the harasser trying to persuade Campbell the racist, by now a full blown reactionary, that he is on the wrong side on civil rights, race etc. Kinda funny. Both would be born canceled today 😂
Alright to bed. To be continued.
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Okay the book sprints through the rest of their lives. They’re all dead within the next couple of chapters.
Campbell dies in 1971, watching Mexican wrestling on TV.
Hubbard, 1986, stroke
Heinlein dies, 1988, at 80, old age
Asimov 1992, transfusion-HIV
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The last few chapters are unexpectedly poignant, and the last third of the book the strongest. Does a great job threading the needle between showcasing their contributions and honestly portraying their flaws, and not flinching from judging them
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What struck me the most is the extreme degree to which severe physical and mental health issues shaped their lives and work, and the extent to which their flaws and failures seem like natural products of those struggles.
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There’s a whole “everybody’s fighting a hidden battle” aspect to their stories. Only Hubbard comes across as irredeemable, turning into a true psycho sadist by the end. The other 3 are redeemable I think. Their reputations/legacies can be rehabilitated/salvaged, and deserve to be
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Agreed. But today’s wingnuts must answer for themselves. These guys are dead, they had the impact they had. It’s carved into the human history blockchain. You and I are as much products of their impact as the wingnuts.
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To put it in perspective, Campbell died in 71, Le Guin wrote Left Hand of Darkness in 69 and Dispossessed in 74. Today’s readers have both programming and counterprogramming to choose from. You’re more responsible for your choices of influence today, so I judge more harshly now.

