[Jon George]

So, mundane also means ‘of this world’. I now feel like an intellectual muppet with the vocabulary of an artichoke. Suitably abashed, I hope my feelings of inferiority in regard to the people with a broader grasp of English than I who devised this subgenre – and gave it such a clever name – will get some satisfaction from depressing me. Of course, it does only seem to reinforce my initial interpretation that such a subgenre will develop into an incredible clique. I too, occasionally lament the loss of original meaning to words (try saying you have sympathies for Anarchism and see the response), but I think that presumably knowing that such confusion would undoubtedly occur, means the instigators should have the decency to feel a little shame.

[size=4][font=Times New Roman]Ian: I have been aware of Interzone’s intention to devote an entire issue to Mundane fiction for some time – it’s the reason I don’t intend to renew my subscription. I just don’t want that particular copy dropping through my post-box, even though its true meaning has been explained here to me. (I detest the term that much.) And I had the same response to yours when I first heard about space opera. I still have it.