Scuttlebutt 🇨🇦 (@scuttlebutt)

The classics (those which were the classics during my generation) are disappearing.

I remember being intrigued by Gateway by Frederik Pohl when I picked up a cheap used copy decades ago. I don't remember much beyond the concept, though; I don't think I ever finished it.

So I go to my library website, figuring I should be able to check out an e-book copy of it easily and start reading it again today. Nope, nothing there. I go further out into the larger catalogue--no problem if I have to borrow a paper copy, I might even prefer it. Nope, only a couple of mentions of Pohl, and nothing of Gateway. It's one of his most famous, but whatever. ... Hell, I can't even find a pirated copy. Not that I would ever do such a thing.

Is Asimov the only author from that generation anyone today knows, and only because of a couple of (poorly-made) film deals?

@ZenHeathen Libraries have limited space and e lending needs the book to be in some provider's catalog for that purpose and I hate everything about both of those things being limited.

I've checked the local library and its regional partners and yup, there's like five of Pohl's books available in hardcopy and none are of the Heechee series. Zero available for e-lending. :-(

@scuttlebutt I only have a passing interest, I don't want to have to buy it just for that. Sucks. History evaporates before our eyes.

@ZenHeathen Now I somehow want to put up a little library that only has out of print sci fi classics in it and . . . how would that work exactly, with an increasingly rare source.

@scuttlebutt Lots of trips to local used book shops, I would think. :) But it would be good work, trying to bring real, classic, excellent works to a new audience.

How that's meme with the picture of a farmer go? "It ain't much, but it's honest work..."