Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 53 — page 39: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION ing what he is hunting for. Would you call such a man unstable? As uranium is un- stable ?”’ “Definitely,” said Méattis. Alisoun sneered. “I’m glad you agree, for it was you he just described.” ‘Hold it,” I said. ““To com- plete the image. Imagine a society of such men. Would you not say that they con- stitute a critical mass, which, if not dampened, might ex- plode constantly and un- controllably ?” “T get it.’ Alisoun’s voice was shrill. “The first genera- tion!”” Then she winced as Mattis twisted her arm higher. ‘All of them,” I said. “‘All of the New Men. Sure, the second and third generations have introduced a few flimsy dampers, but you, too, are basically unstable. You res- train yourself artificially through a complex system of laws. Every time there is dis- agreement, you run to court and make a law about it be- fore the situation gets out of 38 hand, which it does, neverthe- less, quite often. For such cases, the Arena. You are un- willing to accept precedence and the necessary courtesies of society. So you invent an elaborate and stiff ritual, sur- face formality.” Alisoun sputtered. “‘Your indictment is sweeping, but won’t hold up. You say we can’t get along with each other. How do you account for the fact, then, that our sexual unit is the time-sector, millions of beings, instead of a puny two-man family? Ex- plain that away, and then tell me we can’t get along with each other!” “You're making a virtue out of a necessity. If two of you New Men stayed together longer than one week you’d be at each other’s throats for sure. So you have to switch around. All of you want to receive; none of you will give of themselves. Therefore, none of you receives anything from the other. You’re a bunch of highstrung, frustrated neurotics.”’ comiclooks.conn