They'd Rather Be Right
Encyclopedia
They'd Rather Be Right is a science fiction
novel by Mark Clifton
and Frank Riley
. It was first published as a four-part serial in Astounding Science Fiction during 1954.
It won a Hugo award
for best novel during 1955.
In it, two professor
s create a cybernetic brain
, which they call "Bossy". "Bossy" can "optimise your mind (...) and give you eternal youth into the bargain, but only if you're ready to abandon all your favourite prejudices." However, when given the choice of admitting they were wrong and therefore being able to benefit from Bossy's abilities, most people would rather be right.
described it as "appalling", the "worst ever winner (of the Hugo Award)", and "a basic creative writing 'how not to'", saying that its win "by public vote (...) raises serious questions about the value of a universal franchise". Similarly, Lawrence Watt-Evans
has stated that They'd Rather Be Right is "the usual (book) cited" as the "worst book ever to win (the Hugo)", and Rick Cook
has responded to the question of "is the book any good" with "No", going on to explain its origins as "one of those tailored-to-order serials for the old Astounding. Sometimes those things worked and sometimes they didn't. This one didn't."
David Langford
has addressed conspiracy theories
attributing They'd Rather Be Right' s win to Scientology
, saying it is more likely that Clifton was popular for his short stories.
Galaxy
reviewer Floyd C. Gale faulted the novel, saying "although a passably workmanlike job, loose ends outnumber neat knits in this yarn."
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
novel by Mark Clifton
Mark Clifton
Mark Clifton was an American science fiction writer. About half of his work falls into two series: the "Bossy" series, about a computer with artificial intelligence, was written either alone or in collaboration with Alex Apostolides or Frank Riley; and the "Ralph Kennedy" series, which is more...
and Frank Riley
Frank Riley (author)
Frank Riley was the pseudonym of Frank Rhylick, an American science fiction author best known for co-writing the novel They'd Rather Be Right, which won a Hugo Award for Best Novel during 1955. He was a syndicated travel columnist and editor for the Los Angeles Times, and editor of the Los...
. It was first published as a four-part serial in Astounding Science Fiction during 1954.
It won a Hugo award
Hugo Award
The Hugo Awards are given annually for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was officially named the Science Fiction Achievement Awards...
for best novel during 1955.
In it, two professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
s create a cybernetic brain
Brain
The brain is the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals—only a few primitive invertebrates such as sponges, jellyfish, sea squirts and starfishes do not have one. It is located in the head, usually close to primary sensory apparatus such as vision, hearing,...
, which they call "Bossy". "Bossy" can "optimise your mind (...) and give you eternal youth into the bargain, but only if you're ready to abandon all your favourite prejudices." However, when given the choice of admitting they were wrong and therefore being able to benefit from Bossy's abilities, most people would rather be right.
Critical reception
In 2008, Sam JordisonSam Jordison
Sam Jordison is a British writer, who was born in 1977 in Alnwick, Northumberland.He has written for UK publications such as The Guardian, 3:AM Magazine, The Times, The Independent and The Idler, as well as writing film and book reviews....
described it as "appalling", the "worst ever winner (of the Hugo Award)", and "a basic creative writing 'how not to'", saying that its win "by public vote (...) raises serious questions about the value of a universal franchise". Similarly, Lawrence Watt-Evans
Lawrence Watt-Evans
Lawrence Watt-Evans is one of the pseudonyms of American science fiction and fantasy author Lawrence Watt Evans...
has stated that They'd Rather Be Right is "the usual (book) cited" as the "worst book ever to win (the Hugo)", and Rick Cook
Rick Cook
Rick Cook is a light fantasy author from the United States, best known for his Wizardry series of books. His writing includes many jokes that are hard to appreciate without having a background in systems-level programming, though the books themselves can easily be enjoyed by readers without such a...
has responded to the question of "is the book any good" with "No", going on to explain its origins as "one of those tailored-to-order serials for the old Astounding. Sometimes those things worked and sometimes they didn't. This one didn't."
David Langford
David Langford
David Rowland Langford is a British author, editor and critic, largely active within the science fiction field. He publishes the science fiction fanzine and newsletter Ansible.-Personal background:...
has addressed conspiracy theories
Conspiracy theory
A conspiracy theory explains an event as being the result of an alleged plot by a covert group or organization or, more broadly, the idea that important political, social or economic events are the products of secret plots that are largely unknown to the general public.-Usage:The term "conspiracy...
attributing They'd Rather Be Right
Scientology
Scientology is a body of beliefs and related practices created by science fiction and fantasy author L. Ron Hubbard , starting in 1952, as a successor to his earlier self-help system, Dianetics...
, saying it is more likely that Clifton was popular for his short stories.
Galaxy
Galaxy Science Fiction
Galaxy Science Fiction was an American digest-size science fiction magazine, published from 1950 to 1980. It was founded by an Italian company, World Editions, which was looking to break in to the American market. World Editions hired as editor H. L...
reviewer Floyd C. Gale faulted the novel, saying "although a passably workmanlike job, loose ends outnumber neat knits in this yarn."