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Clarion Sci-Fi Auction

Posted by samzenpus on from the sign-my-laser dept.

trickofperspective writes "To defray the cost of this year's session, following budget cuts at host school Michigan State University, the famed Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers' Workshop is holding an online auction of items donated by past alums. Bidding opens January 28th on items such as a signed limited edition of Neil Gaiman's American Gods, a signed, homeade galley of Cory Doctorow's upcoming Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves Town, and more."

2 of 73 comments (clear)

  1. Auctions for a cause... by ZiZ · · Score: 4, Interesting
    I always think it's kind of neat when these sorts of auctions happen, because people tend to bid things up that they could otherwise get for free or cheap (such as something signed by Neil Gaiman - he's a pretty personable guy, and is happy to sign things in person or by special arrangement mailed to certain bookstores that he frequents...and not just books (disclaimer: this site contains Not Safe For Work material, but aside from a few tiny ads way down at the bottom of the page, that particular page is safe)) because the money is going for a good cause. Like the Penny-Arcade Child's Play auction, for instance. (Of course, there are a bunch of first-editions and limited editions in this auction, so that might also be part of it. But I've never really understood the collector's mind.)

    Or, perhaps I'm just being too optimistic, and people bid because they go insane at auctions.

    --
    This flies in the face of science.
  2. Re:Oooh. Low interest on Slashdot. . . by Yokaze · · Score: 4, Interesting

    > The Matrix, Firefly, Stargate, Enterprise, Star Wars.

    Pop Sci-Fi with hardly any revealing insights. Mostly, that is why it they are selling it, its not challenging, no one will be offended, no risk.

    > I think it's because the science in our culture is no longer fiction, all the choices have been made, and the scope of possible futures is narrowing rapidly as we zero-in on our final destination.

    Okay, then please tell me.

    How will genetic engineering affect our lives, or nanotechnology? How will the Global Climate Change affect us and our societies? Will China become the next superpower, or will shee break due to socioeconomical difference between the country and the cities? What will happen to the aging industrial societies? Will the globalism destroy cultural indiviuality or will it create transnational subcultures?

    And more importantly, which questions did fail I to ask?

    --
    "Between strong and weak, between rich and poor [...], it is freedom which oppresses and the law which sets free"