(Tears) What's Become of Screwloose? and Other Inquiries by Ron Goulart

[James Nicoll]

What's Become of Screwloose? and Other Inquiries by Ron Goulart

An assortment of comedic SF tales.

https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/whole-world-laughing

[Cryptoengineer]

Post by James Nicoll
What's Become of Screwloose? and Other Inquiries by Ron Goulart
An assortment of comedic SF tales.
https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/whole-world-laughing

The figure for 'how many bills will fit in briefcase?' is very
low. Its been shown to be about 10,000 many times.

Example:

So, about $1M could fit in a briefcase as $100 dollar
bills.

The highest value bill in common circulation is the 500 Euro
bill, which would let you stuff a bit over $5M worth
in a briefcase.

pt

[Joy Beeson]

On Mon, 12 Feb 2024 14:06:04 -0500, Cryptoengineer

Post by Cryptoengineer

Post by James Nicoll
What's Become of Screwloose? and Other Inquiries by Ron Goulart
An assortment of comedic SF tales.
https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/whole-world-laughing

The figure for 'how many bills will fit in briefcase?' is very
low. Its been shown to be about 10,000 many times.
Example: http://youtu.be/uv0j__Oea0w
So, about $1M could fit in a briefcase as $100 dollar
bills.
The highest value bill in common circulation is the 500 Euro
bill, which would let you stuff a bit over $5M worth
in a briefcase.

I just ran a search for "briefcase" and got lots and lots of pictures
of attaché cases. A briefcase used to have two pockets for thick
bundles of legal-size documents, and between them enough room for your
lunch and a sweater.

[Default User]

Post by James Nicoll
What's Become of Screwloose? and Other Inquiries by Ron Goulart
An assortment of comedic SF tales.

I've read a fair amount of Goulart. His books would turn in the used
paperbacks at the bookstore I'd frequent. They were kind of like
popcorn. There are tastier snacks, but all in all not terrible.


Brian

[Ted Nolan <tednolan>]

Post by Default User

Post by James Nicoll
What's Become of Screwloose? and Other Inquiries by Ron Goulart
An assortment of comedic SF tales.

I've read a fair amount of Goulart. His books would turn in the used
paperbacks at the bookstore I'd frequent. They were kind of like
popcorn. There are tastier snacks, but all in all not terrible.
Brian

He was kind of the "70s gonzo world" writer in my mind. It kind of wore
me out at novel length, but as I recall this collection, there were some
good shorts in there.

I would also say that his more restrained efforts for "Weird Heroes"
worked well for me. (And his "Avenger" books were reasonably good
pastiche.

[Ahasuerus]

Post by Ted Nolan <tednolan>

Post by Default User

Post by James Nicoll
What's Become of Screwloose? and Other Inquiries by Ron Goulart
An assortment of comedic SF tales.

I've read a fair amount of Goulart. His books would turn in the used
paperbacks at the bookstore I'd frequent. They were kind of like
popcorn. There are tastier snacks, but all in all not terrible.

He was kind of the "70s gonzo world" writer in my mind. It kind of wore
me out at novel length, but as I recall this collection, there were some
good shorts in there. [snip]

I enjoyed a few of his early semi-absurdist "Chameleon Corps" stories.
However, I found his best known novel _After Things Fell Apart_ (1970)
only "readable". I thought it was odd that it won the Edgar Award.

For better or for worse, the success of _After Things Fell Apart_
ushered in a period of extreme prolificity, both as "Ron Goulart" and
under a variety of pen names. Sometimes I wonder how things could have
evolved if the "quantity-quality" balance had been struck differently.