X-Message-Number: 1822
Date: 25 Feb 93 14:35:58 EST
From: Charles Platt <>
Subject: Science Fiction

To: Cryonet

February 25, 1993


I have been asked for my views on different types of science-
fiction fans. In particular, if we run a cryonics hospitality 
suite at a science-fiction convention, will we be likely to 
find people who are serious about science and might read (for 
example) Analog magazine. 

In my experience, there are many distinct varieties of 
science-fiction fans, who are now catered to by completely 
separate tracks of programming at large conventions. There is 
surprisingly little overlap between these fan varieties. In 
no particular order: 

1. Literary fans (sometimes called "sercon," meaning "serious 
and constructive," a term often used with a condescending 
tone). They are seriously devoted to science fiction as 
literature. These days they tend to be over forty. Their 
numbers are waning. Likely interest in cryonics: medium. 
Estimated representation in "fandom": 10 percent. 

2. Convention-going fans. They probably read little or no 
science fiction these days. They may watch Star Trek and go 
to a few movies. They are primarily interested in attending 
conventions for social reasons and are often referred to as 
"fannish fans." Likely interest in cryonics: low. Estimated 
representation in "fandom": 15 percent. 

3. Hard-science-fiction fans. They are serious about science, 
probably work in a scientific area, believe in the space 
program, etc. Likely interest in cryonics: high. Estimated 
representation in "fandom": 10 percent. 

4. Fantasy fans. No interest in science fiction at all. (Bear 
in mind, most fantasy novels are ANTI-technology.) Likely 
interest in cryonics: nil. Estimated representation in 
"fandom": 25 percent or more, and growing. 

5. Trekkies. Obsessed with Star Trek, not much interested in 
anything else. Likely interest in cryonics: low. Estimated 
representation in "fandom": 10 percent. 

6. Role-Playing-Game Fans. Love staying up all night playing 
Dungeons and Dragons. Tend not to read books other than those 
that tie in with games. Likely interest in cryonics: low. 
Estimated representation in "fandom": 10 percent. 

7. Militaristic fans. Enjoy dressing up in costume as space 
cadets. Usually read Jerry Pournelle and David Drake. Likely 
interest in cryonics: medium. Estimated representation in 
"fandom": 5 percent. 

8. Comics fans. Their main interest is in comic books. They 
seldom read novels. Likely interest in cryonics: low. 
Estimated representation in "fandom": 5 percent. 

That leaves 10 percent unaccounted for. Call them 
"miscellaneous," I guess.

The proportional representation of these groups will vary at 
different types of convention. For instance, there are entire 
conventions dedicated to Trekkies, Comics Fans, Fantasy, and 
so on. But at the world convention in San Francisco, I am 
guessing my figures give a reasonable idea of the composition 
of the crowd. 

------

Re the "first born" syndrome: yes, it has been talked about 
in the science-fiction community, too. However, since the 
average number of children per family is somewhere between 
two and three (depending on the period of history when the 
children were born), and since some families contain only one 
child, this suggests to me that maybe 35 percent of the 
people in the world are either first-born or only children. 
Not a very select group! Also, bearing in mind that some 
cryonicists are NOT first-born, I have to conclude that the 
first-born test is not a very useful yardstick when looking 
for future cryonicists. 

--Charles Platt 

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