JesusA (imported) wrote: Sun Oct 19, 2003 2:45 pm Since my name has come up in this thread, I thought I ought to add my little bit. My (very few) stories have been based on extensions of current social trends that I find very disturbing. I think of them primarily as cautionary tales of what might go wrong in a “worst-case” scenario. In a society where quantity of life becomes too much more important than quality of life, what extreme steps might be taken for life-extension. If we continue our covert eugenics program of locking up non-violent offenders (primarily ethnic minorities) for life without possibility of parole, what further steps might society take to “enhance” the eugenic effect of removing “undesirables” from the breeding population.

As for the two previous posters, I can personally attest to Paolo’s deep and abiding concern for child welfare. I think of him as a good friend and he and I have cooperated on a couple of projects. If Paolo thought that a child were actually in danger, I would hate to be anywhere near the line of fire (and he’s pretty handy with firearms should the need arise). You just need to see his eyes glow when he talks about any of his (five) boys to understand his concern for children.

I know C van D only through his stories but, as I read between the lines, I also see a deep concern for children’s issues. His stories have nothing to do with any desired reality.

Slammr, another Archive contributor who writes primarily about children and youth is, even at the most surface level of his writing, deeply concerned about child welfare and the juvenile justice system. If the “redeeming social value” of the Archive were ever called into question, I would immediately point to anything that Slammr has written here. I hope that he will someday rewrite some of his Archive stories for mainstream publication. They speak clearly to social problems that need attention. You need only read his Memories, or Fox Hunt – Texas Style, or the novel he is currently posting chapter by chapter, Terry, to understand his social concerns. These are powerful stories that deserve a far wider audience than the Archive can provide. I have met Slammr in person as well, and as we talked about our respective children and grandchildren, his social concerns were absolutely clear.

We all need to remember that fiction is fiction and that writing something does not mean that we desire it to be true. We may be pushing for exactly the opposite goal.