Alfred Bester
Alfred Bester
Full Name and Common Aliases
Alfred Bester was born on December 18, 1913, in New York City, USA. He is often referred to by his pen name, which he used for most of his writing career.
Birth and Death Dates
Bester's life spanned from December 18, 1913, until September 30, 1987.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Alfred Bester was an American science fiction author. Throughout his career, he wrote novels, short stories, essays, and even some non-fiction pieces.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in New York City's Lower East Side, Alfred Bester developed a strong interest in writing at a young age. He attended the City College of New York (CCNY) and later transferred to Columbia University, where he studied English literature. However, his studies were cut short due to financial constraints, forcing him to abandon college before graduating.
Major Accomplishments
Bester's first published story appeared in 1939 under the pseudonym 'Alfred A. Bester.' He gained recognition as a science fiction writer with the publication of _The Demolished Man_ (1953) and _The Starlight Cargo_ (1947). These works showcased his unique blend of literary style and speculative themes, which would become hallmarks of his writing.
Notable Works or Actions
Some of Bester's notable works include:
The Demolished Man (1953) - a science fiction novel that explores the concept of telepathy in a futuristic society.
The Starlight Cargo (1947) - a short story collection featuring speculative themes and socially conscious commentary.
* The Computer Connection (1975) - a crime novel set against the backdrop of computer technology.
Impact and Legacy
Bester's writing had a lasting impact on the science fiction genre. His unique style, which blended literary sophistication with speculative ideas, influenced many notable authors, including Ray Bradbury and William S. Burroughs. Bester's work is also notable for its exploration of social issues such as crime, politics, and technology.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Alfred Bester's quotes often appear in contexts discussing science fiction literature, literary style, and the intersection of technology and society. His insightful commentary on these topics continues to resonate with readers and scholars alike.
Quotes by Alfred Bester
The law makes the silliest damned fuss about death. People die by the thousands everyday; but simply because someone has had the energy and enterprise to assist old D’Courtney to his demise, the law insists on turning him into an enemy of the people. I think it’s idiotic, but please don’t quote me.
You can tell when a Hollywood historical film was made by looking at the eye makeup of the leading ladies, and you can tell the date of an old science fiction novel by every word on the page. Nothing dates harder and faster and more strangely than the future.
We were mugged by some senior citizens on the way from the chopper to the main gate, but no great harm done; they were using vintage revolvers.
Any man was capable of jaunting provided he developed two faculties, visualization and concentration. He had to visualize, completely and precisely, the spot to which he desired to teleport himself; and he had to concentrate the latent energy of his mind into a single thrust to get him there. Above all, he had to have faith.
We don’t punish criminals in our enlightened age, we cure ’em; and the cure is worse than punishment.
Every child in the world imagines that its phantasy world is unique to itself. Psychiatry knows that the joys and terrors of private phantasies are a common heritage shared by all mankind. Fears, guilts, terrors, and shames could be interchanged, from one man to the next, and none would notice the difference.
Every man nurses the secret belief that were he God he could do the job much better.