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 Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=1822