Difference between revisions of "Fans are Slans!"
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The central character in the 1946 [[A. E. van Vogt]] novel ''[[Slan]]'' was a superhumanly intelligent youth in unsympathetic surroundings. Hence, the [[gag line]] "'''Fans are Slans!'''" became a rallying cry among [[Third Fandom]]. | The central character in the 1946 [[A. E. van Vogt]] novel ''[[Slan]]'' was a superhumanly intelligent youth in unsympathetic surroundings. Hence, the [[gag line]] "'''Fans are Slans!'''" became a rallying cry among [[Third Fandom]]. | ||
| − | While not seriously considering themselves a [[tendril]]-bearing, [[mutant]] super- | + | While not seriously considering themselves a [[tendril]]-bearing, [[mutant]] super-intelligentsia, [[fans]] identified with slans as a persecuted minority because of the reactions they frequently got from [[mundane]] society merely for reading that "[[Buck Rogers stuff|Crazy Buck Rogers Stuff]]" or even reading at all – but not to the extent that they really believed fans were superhuman beings, [[Second Fandom]]'s half-serious [[Star-Begotten]] claims notwithstanding. |
| − | Still, during the 1940s and '50s, when many fans were intellectual autodidacts working in blue-collar jobs, there must have been a certain comfort in thinking themselves superior to the | + | Still, during the 1940s and '50s, when many fans were intellectual autodidacts working in blue-collar jobs, there must have been a certain comfort in thinking themselves superior to the mundanes around them. |
A more recent variation: "[[Fans]] really ''are'' [[slans]] -- they're just not very good at it...." | A more recent variation: "[[Fans]] really ''are'' [[slans]] -- they're just not very good at it...." | ||
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{{fancy2|text= | {{fancy2|text= | ||
| − | Literally understood, "[[fans]] are [[superman]] [[mutants]]" -- or, at least, " | + | Literally understood, "[[fans]] are [[superman]] [[mutants]]" -- or, at least, "fans are smarter than most people" -- but actual semantic content is according to the mood and attitude of the user. |
See [[Slan]]. | See [[Slan]]. | ||
Revision as of 15:34, 27 November 2020
A (usually) humorous catchphrase meaning that fans are both bright and discriminated against.
The central character in the 1946 A. E. van Vogt novel Slan was a superhumanly intelligent youth in unsympathetic surroundings. Hence, the gag line "Fans are Slans!" became a rallying cry among Third Fandom.
While not seriously considering themselves a tendril-bearing, mutant super-intelligentsia, fans identified with slans as a persecuted minority because of the reactions they frequently got from mundane society merely for reading that "Crazy Buck Rogers Stuff" or even reading at all – but not to the extent that they really believed fans were superhuman beings, Second Fandom's half-serious Star-Begotten claims notwithstanding.
Still, during the 1940s and '50s, when many fans were intellectual autodidacts working in blue-collar jobs, there must have been a certain comfort in thinking themselves superior to the mundanes around them.
A more recent variation: "Fans really are slans -- they're just not very good at it...."
The notion of fans as slans gave rise to such terms as slan shack and Slan Center.
Also see: "It is a Proud and Lonely Thing to Be a Fan."
| From Fancyclopedia 2, ca. 1959 |
| Literally understood, "fans are superman mutants" -- or, at least, "fans are smarter than most people" -- but actual semantic content is according to the mood and attitude of the user.
See Slan. |
| Fanspeak |
| This is a fanspeak page. Please extend it by adding information about when and by whom it was coined, whether it’s still in use, etc. |
