Mr. Burks and Mr. Lee elucidate a very pretty little problem on the same lines. The cranial transplantation and the "atomic patterns" are admittedly scientifically and reasonably possible. But there is a real point of doubt: Would the personality accompany the brain in transplantation? True, the brain is the control room; but—?
And would the "atomic patterns," perfectly as they could duplicate a body, which is unstable by nature, work on the essentially stable ego (relatively) with its inherent capacity for continuity?
If not, would not the synthetic "Extra Man" be a human being minus personality? Some very pretty problems here. I'd much like to see a story along the lines of item 3 in Mr. Burks' letter.—L. Partridge, Box 84, Cornish, Me.
What Price Smoothness?
Dear Editor:
I have just finished the June issue of Astounding Stories. The cover was excellent, as were all the illustrations, except perhaps Manape's arms should have been a little larger.
I see that the edges of the paper are now smooth, but still the leaves stick out beyond one another, so what good does that do?
"Manape the Mighty," by Arthur J. Burks, was superb, gripping. I suppose a lot of Readers will rise violently against the love interest, but, I ask you, just where would this particular story be without the romance in it? This particular story, you understand; not every story.
"Holocaust," by Charles Willard Diffin, was next best with "The Man from 2071" a close second.
"The Earthman's Burden" was at least entertaining, which this installment of "The Exile of Time" was not.—Robert Baldwin, 359 Hazel Ave., Highland Park, Ill.