From: Mike Lorrey (mlorrey@yahoo.com)
Date: Fri Apr 25 2003 - 21:47:03 MDT
--- gts <gts_2000@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Matus wrote:
>
> > I think the negative comments on this list give too much
> > credit to the ability of popular fiction like this to truly
> > sway public opinion.
>
> I haven't read Prey so of course my opinion of it doesn't mean much,
> but I think I can agree with you in general.
I have to vigorously disagree. It can be said that the scourge of
national socialism can be blamed on one science fiction novel (Looking
Backward), similarly many social movements that have had lasting impact
on our society have been either launched or given great boosts by
single books. The environmental movement's legislative victories can be
blamed, for good or not, on "Silent Spring", and there are other
examples of fear-mongering books being the impetus for public support
for restrictive legislation, and other legal repression of minorities.
Novels like "Manchurian Candidate" and "The Deerhunter" engendered
large amounts of negative public opinion of military veterans, which
resulted in their mistreatment by the medical establishment as well as
the legal system for many years.
=====
Mike Lorrey
"Live Free or Die, Death is not the Worst of Evils."
- Gen. John Stark
"Pacifists are Objectively Pro-Fascist." - George Orwell
"Treason doth never Prosper. What is the Reason?
For if it Prosper, none Dare call it Treason..." - Ovid
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