Science Fiction Double Feature: Who Goes There? (1938), The Thing (1982)
John W. Campbell's classic novella of Golden Age science fiction and John Carpenter's modern horror masterpiece - both absorb new meanings in the age of Covid, identity politics and generative AI
Cover art by Hannes Bok; poster art by Drew Struzan
The classic sci-fi novella Who Goes There? by ‘controversial’ editor John W. Campbell has become something of a footnote next to the popularity of John Carpenter’s The Thing. Carpenter’s masterful 1982 movie has not only consumed Campbell’s 1938 story but replaced it in the public consciousness with an eerily perfect adaptation. It’s a cultural eclipse made all the more startling when you consider John W. Campbell is one of the most influential figures in 20th century American science fiction.
Campbell was in his late twenties with a respectable career as a sci-fi author by the time he took over editing Astounding Stories in December 1937. It was the dawn of the so-called Golden Age of Science Fiction, a period that lasted until roughly the end of the Second World War. He quickly re-titled the magazine Astounding Science-Fictionand set about moving the genre away from the gee-whiz Flash Gordonisms of previous years.
Campbell liked his sci-fi hard.
With war looming in Europe, he wanted the genre to ask how might science, technology and rational thinking save us from annihilation…
