 One of the things that interests us most about fandom
is its history. At Confederation in Atlanta, we were Fan Programming department co-heads; one of our
themes was Legends of Fandom. We're fortunate that many of fandom's founding members are still active,
but many of the hijinks that made fandom an interesting place to be back then are still only fragilely
preserved, mainly in the memories of the participnts. Anyway, we met Roger Sims at Confederation, at
one of the Legends of Fandom panels. He will be Fan Guest of Honor at upcoming NOLAcon II, and
here is his account about the founding of Second Fandom.
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Everything You Didn't Know About Second Fandomby Roger Sims  Did I hear you ask, "What is Seeond Fandom?" That's like
asking, "How long does a John Deere last?" But unlike the television commercial, I'll at least attempt
an answer.The first and obvious answer is that it's the fandom
located between the First and Third. Most of the numbered fandoms, One to Six, were explained many years
ago by Jack Speer in All Our Yesterdays by Harry Warner, Jr. However, I don't believe that his
concept of Second Fandom is the "One True Concept" as laid down by its perpetual leader, me! As a matter
of fact, it wasn't until I started typing this article that I even began to answer the question for myself.
So hopefully by journey's end I will have not only learned the answer but will have presented it to you
the reader.Here goes!The logical place to start is with my definition of First
Fandom. And at the same time without wasting space, how Second Fandom differs from First Fandom. It's
not my intention to confuse you the reader but instead to present a starting point -- one from which the
definition of Second Fandom, if I do it right, will arise like the phoenix from the understanding of what
we are not. So in the list below, the elements of First Fandom are on the left and the non-elements of
Second Fandom are on the right.
Before Suncon 1977, my wife Pat and I spent a few days
with the Kyles in Florida. During this visit, Dave approached me with the idea of a formal Second Fandom.
Explaining that a number of First Fandom members were looking to the future and wondering what could be done
to insure that the work of First Fandom would be perpetuated, he asked my opinion about the possibility of
a real Second Fandom. It sounded like a good idea to me, so that convinced him that a meeting should
be called at Suncon.
And so the Sunday before Labor Day 1977, 33 potential members
met at Suncon at the Fountainbleau Hotel. Dave Kyle opened the meeting with a short history of First
Fandom and why Second Fandom, too, was an idea whose time had come. At the time I don't believe too many
of us believed him, and as I write this almost ten years later, I think that the "too" can even be removed.
During Dave's speech my mind wandered off. This was a mistake, for when I returned to the present from
wherever I'd been, I was told that someone had said, "Let Roger do it," and that all had then agreed that I
should be the new leader, the next leader, the old leader, and the only leader. Anyway, my first
official act as Despotic Leader was to hold elections. Sue Sanderson agreed to be our Treasurer and Ruth
Kyle agreed to be Chief Hostess. Ruth then appointed Carolyn Hickman and Pat Sims as permanent
assistants.Next we entered into a most serious discussion: what we
wanted Second Fandom to be. Everybody at the meeting had something to contribute, and about halfway through
it became apparent that most of all what we wanted was not to be a copy of First Fandom. It was also very
clear that what we did want to be was a loose collestion of fans who became aware of speculative
literature at about the same time, and who sooner or later drifted into fandom where we found "fans" who
liked to talk about the "sense of wonder" that we derived from this reading. Then there was discussion
on the topic of Traditions. One of First Fandom's yearly activities, one which they feel is most important,
is the honoring of a person who has over the years made outstanding contributions to the field and they
hoped that Second Fandom would institute some similar tradition of its own. Dave Kyle, as First Fandom's
spokesman, pleaded their case. I, thinking that we really should do something for the authors and others
who gave us the wherewithall to have "sense of wonder" discussions, decided that we would do something and
then promptly tabled the proposition without dissension from the group.In the beginning we held meetings twice a year, one at
Midwestcon and the other at the Worldcon, and for the first six or seven years also held a party at Worldcon.
The most recent Second Fandom meeting was held in the lobby of one of the hotels in Atlanta. So we haven't
yet gone underground, but a high wave might swamp our boat. More on the topic of future meetings later.At the 1980 Midwestcon meeting I decided that we would finally
begin presenting our annual award. In keeping with the benevolency which I use to hide my despotic nature,
I inquired, "When shall we give the first award?" After listening to the discussion for a few minutes, I
announced in a firm voice that the first award would be given at the combined party with First Fandom in
Boston at the Worldcon. When I asked for nominations a torrent of names came forth. This went on for a while,
then all of a sudden no more names were mentioned. Everyone looked to me and I said, "That last name sounds
like a winner." All agreed, so in Boston at the combined party the award was presented to L. Sprague de Camp.
Shortly thereafter the following news release was sent to several publications:"The first annual Groff Conklin Memorial Award for Excellence in Promoting a Sense of Wonder in the reader was presented to L. Sprague de Camp at the 38th World Science Fiction Convention held in Boston, Labor Day Weekend, 1980 by Second Fandom. The members of Second Fandom feel that of all the authors we read during the late 40s and 50s, L. Sprague de Camp stimulated our imagination the most. Future awards will be selected to represent the form that best displays the author's main theme. The next award will be presented at the 39th World Science Fiction Convention in Denver, Labor Day Weekend, 1981." Well, we have yet to give the second award. Why? Will it be given
again? Good questions! It just so happens that I have answers, some of which may even be true. The fact is that
we, or at least I, feel that there isn't anyone who we all can agree had the ability to give us the sense of
wonder, at least to the extent that L. Sprague de Camp did. And I for one will not pick somebody just for the
sake of giving an award. So, since no one has suggested that we give another one, it would seem that all of us
share this opinion. However, nothing is written in stone, and maybe it's time to look for a second recipient. Any
suggestions?By the way, if the reader thinks that our track record for awards
isn't very good, check our publication record. In the past ten years or so we have had four editors, and have yet
to see a first issue!The one thing that everybody at the first meeting wanted was a feeling
that they belong to a group that had limits. The limits agreed to at this first meeting, and still exist to this
day are: 1939 and 1959. In order to become a member of Second Fandom, the potential inductee must have read science
fiction during this period. Once this has been attested to by the petitioner, the members acting as a committee for
the whole either accepts or rejects the claim. I'm not sure I agree with this process; I believe that all fans who
have gained a sense of wonder through reading should be members of Second Fandom. But as all true long-lasting
dictators must, I will yield the final decision to the members. I will add a word of advice, though: if we do stick
to the period of 1939 to 1959 we've created a last person group, and I don't think that's what we want. Time will
tell, though; if we don't let others in, who will hold our drinks and do the other chores we have become too old to
perform?Why should someone want to join us? I believe that the individuals who
came into fandom during the period we did do want to and given an opportunity, will join. We are and will always be
science fiction fans. We would be even if science fiction ceases to exist.So, where are we going? Right now not very far. At this time we
(read: I) see no need for a more formal rigid structure than what we have now. In short, we currently do not want to
be a younger copy of First Fandom. This undoubtedly will change, though, and First Fandom has taken steps to help us
change -- they are busy inducting associate members. The day must therefore come when at a future meeting all of the
members present will look at each other and in a single voice pronounce, "We are Second Fandom."So, if you meet our qualifications, why not join us? If not in the
flesh at least in spirit, for we will know and accept. This then is the true reason for Second Fandom: To reach out
to those in our community who found Science Fiction when we did. Illustration by Julie Scott |
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