Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 72 — page 43: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION mander, just what isacolonist? A man or woman ready, eager and willing to start a new life on a new planet. Right?” Jelks nodded. “‘Now almost anyone will do for a colonist, providing they fit those specifications. Ready, willing and eager.” Mark rolled the words on his tongue. ““The trouble is that, up to now, we’ve concentrated on those who are willing to go. We didn’t ask if they were ready and eager, only willing. That was one big mistake. Another is that we. chose the wrong type of person.” He pointed his cigar- ette at the commander. ““Why haven’t you volunteered for a colony?” + “Me?” Jelks looked astounded. “‘Are youserious ?”’ “Tam.” “Well, for one thing my work is here. My friends, my home, everything I’ve worked for.”? Jelks looked impatient. “Is this to the point ?” “Very much so. You don’t want to leave Earth because you’d be leaving too much behind. A perfectly natural reaction. But don’t you see, that is just where we’ve been making our mistake? We are asking people to give up what they possess and make a fresh start. No wonder they don’t jump at the offer. Colonies can only appeal to those. who stand to gain more than they lose.” *“Now wait a minute,” said Jelks. “If I follow you cor- rectly, the answer is no.” “I was told that we couldn’t see the trees because of the forest,”’ said Mark. He ignored the commander’s objection. “We are trying to select the best type of person for the colonies. Naturally, the best types, as far as we are concerned, are the decent, successful people around us. Good types all; if they weren’t then they wouldn’t be success- ful. That line of thinking extends to our choice of equipment for the colonies. We give so much because, subconsciously, we are supply- ing what we would want to have with us. So we are generous to a fault. That same generosity allows us to evacu- ate colonies when they run into trouble.’ He inhaled a lungful of smoke. “‘A perfect 42 comicbooks.c@