History Doesn’t Repeat Itself

In the science fiction lit world.

I was reading the comments on Cheryl Morgan’s site regarding the SF Positivism group thread and one of the commentors stated that since the science in SF dates so rapidly, they find it hard to get into the older stuff – even books they once enjoyed.

Cheryl’s response was reasoned – at least insofar as reviewers are concerned:? a reviewer worth their salt looks at every aspect of the book, not just the science and reviews a story while keeping its historical background at least in mind – if not front and center.

Earlier today while at lunch I happened? to see a commercial on one of the sports channels for a DVD set entitled The Golden Age of Baseball:? it seems to feature just about every piece of footage that could be found that has Ruth, DiMaggio, Williams et al in it.

I live in a state that is well-known for its antique shops (actually it’s just a bunch of farmers trading the stuff from their barn lofts amongst themselves – whiling away the long winter months)? that feature mostly furniture.

I’m fond of classic car shows and see plenty of folks driving their Model As proudly around town; I have no trouble finding radio stations that feature the best of the 70s and 80s (or 50s and 60s).

TVLand is STILL showing the Beverly Hillbillies

and Hollywood seems bound and determined to remake every film in its inventory – up to and including Melies’ A Trip to the Moon.

It seems that I can find interest, reverence and respect for just about every damned damned-old thing – except for science fiction literature.

What’s up with that?