Posted by Mark Adams on July 13, 1999 at 11:10:42:
In Reply to: Re: Vance's Political Bias posted by Mark Adams on July 13, 1999 at 10:54:58:
Er, correction, the follow-up below was in response to Terry's comments, not David's... [Mark Adams]
: If you read carefully what I wrote in my previous post, I think it's clear that I was highlighting two topics that surfaced in the "Hour 25" interview. I was interested in what Vance had to say directly about these questions, as opposed to relying on inference and induction from his writings alone. In addition, I added my personal opinions regarding Vance's viewpoints (regarding these topics), based on my readings. (is that "spin"...? Did I ask you to except my opinions as your own?)
: Although Vance attempted to quote Heinlein (in the interview) when discussing the "peace & freedom" issue, I agree that there is NO evidence to suggest that Vance shares Heinlien's more, shall we say, "enthusiastic" perspective of military matters. I mentioned Heinlein only because Vance quoted him in this context, which I thought was interesting, especially since Vance seems clearly less "militaristic" when compared to Heinlein.
: Vance said that he was "sentimental... even maudlin", and that he did not like to "see valuable traditions destroyed". That was important enough to him to be his primary response to the question regarding his bias / world view. I purposely used the word "conservative" to describe this perspective, because I think it fits an accurate definition of the term (as opposed to the manifold definitions in popular perception).
: Regarding "cheap titles", I believe that Vance himself used the term "progressive" in a negative sense, in response to his "likes & dislikes". I'll find the reference on my bookshelf later today...
: markA.
:
: : One might also note that while Vance may be conservative in a certain sense, he is no militarist (a la Heinlein). There is no Vance novel or story about the "glory of war" the "valiant heroes of the motherland" or any of that rot. You may put any spin you like on Vance, but it is your spin, not mine, Mark.
: : If there is a single belief that runs through all of Vance's work, it is the value he places on the individual. This transcends cheap titles like conservative, progressive, or liberal. Oppression comes in many forms and from every direction in the political spectrum, not merely those with which one disagrees. Were the Dirdir conservative? The Demon Princes Nazis?