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The Rat
SFN Regular
Canada
1370 Posts |
 Posted - 03/28/2002 : 04:38:47
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It's rather sad to see the otherwise reputable people associating with this bunch;
http://www.writersofthefuture.com/
Bailey's second law; There is no relationship between the three virtues of intelligence, education, and wisdom.
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Tokyodreamer
SFN Regular
USA
1447 Posts |
Posted - 03/28/2002 : 07:02:49 [Permalink]
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Maybe I'm just not seeing it, but what's the problem? It seems to be a collection of science fiction stories.
Doesn't appear to have anything to do with Scientology, which is the only thing I can imagine would be the contention?
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Sum Ergo Cogito |
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Lars_H
SFN Regular
Germany
630 Posts |
Posted - 03/28/2002 : 08:07:57 [Permalink]
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I have heared of this before, and was shocked to see that some familar names had assocation with scientology.
Does anyone know how much of an association this really is?
I somehow can't think of some of the people mentinoed there being scientologist.
Niven for example always appeared to me to be a rather conservative christian writer. A bit to much for my taste sometimes.
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Lars_H
SFN Regular
Germany
630 Posts |
Posted - 03/28/2002 : 08:25:00 [Permalink]
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Another thing I just remebered concerning Niven and Pounelle's attitude towards L. Ron Hubbard:
Have any of you read their book Inferno?
It is a retelling of Dante's Inferno with a SF-Writer as Dante and lot's of modern people in place in hell.
One of the creatures trapped in the lower circles of hell is a SF-Writer who is there for the crimes of creating his own religion.
It is described like this:
[quote]
It was, in a sense, the last word in centaurs. At one end was most of what I took for a trilobite. The head of the trilobite was a gristly primitive fish. Its head was the torso of a bony fish... and so on up the line, lungfish, proto-rat, bigger rat, a large smooth-skinned beast I didn't recognize, a thing like a gorilla, a thing like a man, finally a true man. None of the beasts had full hindquarters except the trilobite; none had a head except the man. The whole thing crawled along on flopping fish-torsos and forelegs and hands, a tremendous unmatched centipede. The human face seemed quite mad.
"He founded a religion that masks as a form of lay psychiatry. Members try to recall previous lives in their presumed animal ancestry. They also recall their own past lives... and that adds an interesting blackmail angle, because those who hear confession are often more dedicated than honorable. Excuse me."
[/quote]
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Tokyodreamer
SFN Regular
USA
1447 Posts |
Posted - 03/28/2002 : 11:48:25 [Permalink]
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[quote]
I have heared of this before, and was shocked to see that some familar names had assocation with scientology.[/quote]
I must be missing the obvious, but that link makes no mention what-so-ever of Scientology as far as I can see.
Is L. Ron Hubbard's name the problem here? Scientology is crap, but this seems to totally be about science fiction writing, of which L. Ron Hubbard was damn good at. Is the Writers of the Future contest in any way affiliated with Scientology?
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Sum Ergo Cogito |
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Lars_H
SFN Regular
Germany
630 Posts |
Posted - 03/28/2002 : 12:29:15 [Permalink]
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I really don't know very much about this myself, but aperantly the conections between Scientology and Bridge Publications, who sponsor the 'LRH Writers of the Future' awards and publish all the Scientology drivel are pretty strong.
I don't know how strong. They would like to be seen as just another publisher that just happens to publish Hubbards books, but many feel that they are a part of the scientology system.
Anybody know more?
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Hook
Skeptic Friend
USA
79 Posts |
Posted - 03/28/2002 : 12:57:36 [Permalink]
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I can tell you one thing, Frank Frazetta ain't no scientologist.
This has nothing to do with Scientology, this is a respectable science fiction writers award. Even if ASI has scientology connections (no doubt), it is irrelevant. The administration of the awards is carried out in a manner that in no way brings in scientology.
This is a great opportunity for new writers and that is why these people associate with it.
Relax, Rat. Sometimes lame people do good things. 
"I don't care whether my neighbor believes in zero gods or 20 gods, I care whether my neighbor believes in democracy."
--Bill Moyers |
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Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 03/28/2002 : 16:02:28 [Permalink]
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[quote]
It's rather sad to see the otherwise reputable people associating with this bunch;
http://www.writersofthefuture.com/
[/quote]
Ages ago I used to belong to LASFS, it was also around that time Scientology was budding. Haven't been in the Sci-fi, community for a long time but I don't think many, then, took Scientology seriously.
Having said that. After seeing the above mentioned site and clicking the link:
How Did The Contest Begin? And seeing the Hubbard quote, I am suspicious or should I say skeptical. A thought came to mind, Hitter and the boy scouts. Just a thought!
* * * * * * *
If you take an Oriental person and spin him around several times, does he become disoriented?
George Carlin
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I'd do that at home with the one I live with to see what happens but he's too confussed already.
Snake
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The Rat
SFN Regular
Canada
1370 Posts |
Posted - 03/28/2002 : 19:49:16 [Permalink]
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[quote]I must be missing the obvious, but that link makes no mention what-so-ever of Scientology as far as I can see.
Is L. Ron Hubbard's name the problem here? Scientology is crap, but this seems to totally be about science fiction writing, of which L. Ron Hubbard was damn good at. Is the Writers of the Future contest in any way affiliated with Scientology?[/quote]
I have trouble believing that the COS has no influence here. Given their predeliction for getting money at all costs I can't see them allowing their founder's name to be used without some sort of compensation. Even if there was no direct association it still gives his organization an air of legitimacy in the minds of the easily influenced.
Bailey's second law; There is no relationship between the three virtues of intelligence, education, and wisdom. |
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Marc_a_b
Skeptic Friend
USA
142 Posts |
Posted - 03/31/2002 : 08:33:12 [Permalink]
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"Writers of the Future" is a Scientology created organization, created for the further promotion of LRH as a sci-fi writer. Just like their work to get a street named L Ron Hubbard drive, set up an LRH day in cities, and so on. There is probably no actual recruitment done here, it is just a way to get his name up there.
From the front page you can see this is done by Author Services, the scientolgy organization set up to publish LRH's works and all Co$ materials.
By getting big names of sci-fi involved helps to legitimize Writers of the Future, which in turn promotes LRH, which in turn promotes Co$.
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jec96
Skeptic Friend
USA
61 Posts |
Posted - 04/10/2002 : 09:26:23 [Permalink]
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Hmmm..if the tie ins are true, it does smack of Scientology involvment..I used to live within 4 miles of there HQ in Clearwater, FL and had on occasion to conduct buisness there...very paranoid folks I would say.. Oh, and I do remember the book Inferno, interesting in it''s own way, sometimes I like to substitute modern folks (last few years) in place and wonder about their punishment. (That is, if such a place existed, I have my doubts :))
-It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
Aristotle
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