The Ideal

by Stanley G. Weinbaum

This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.

Genres: Science Fiction, Short Stories

27 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 1935

About the author

Full name: Stanley Grauman Weinbaum.

"In his short career, Stanley G. Weinbaum revolutionized science fiction. We are still exploring the themes he gave us." —Poul Anderson

"Stanley G. Weinbaum's name deserves to rank with those of Wells and Heinlein—and no more than a handful of others—as among the great shapers of modern science fiction." —Frederik Pohl

Reviews

[Fatimah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dixon saw his perfect girl vision through the idealization automaton. But, there's no such things as "the ideal" person.

Short story, available for free on Project Gutenberg.

[Owen Townend · Rating 4 out of 5]

So it seems Dixon and van Manderpootz had more than one adventure into existential scientific discovery.

The Ideal contains a fascinating premise: the Idealizer, a device which allows a thought to be distilled into it's most perfect form, at least according to the beholder. They are then confronted by the ideal depiction and must deal with the consequences. Dixon being a hot-blooded young heterosexual man, his mind seeks out the most attractive woman imaginable.
Inevitably the very concept taints his perception of reality.

Despite the superficial implications, I felt the theme was dealt with decently. What bothered me was the fact that the plot beats followed a very similar formula to The Worlds of If and, to a lesser extent, Pygmalion's Spectacles. The most objectionable parts for me featured Dixon's rather convenient good luck which then gets harshly overturned off the page. Such an imaginative premise deserves consequences that are better thought out.

Even so this second outing makes Dixon and van Manderpootz seem more fleshed out. They're an odd couple that I like to revisit. I just hope the next time I do that the story doesn't end with a doomed love affair hurried to its conclusion.

I recommend The Ideal to anyone who enjoyed The Worlds of If and want to see the next endeavour of the lovably egotistical genius van Manderpootz.

[Phil Giunta · Rating 3 out of 5]

The great and haughty physicist Haskel van Manderpootz is at it again. This time, he invents a device called the idealizator, which allows the user to visualize the ideal version of anything or anyone they can dream up. Dixon Wells, a former student of van Manderpootz's and frequent partner in crime, conjures an image of his perfect woman using the idealizator. Of course, the person he sees in the device doesn't exist... or does she?

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting Sci-Fi

What is Ideal? This will written Sci-Fi novella tries to answer the question. The characters are interesting and entertaining as they explore the question. I would recommend this novella to anyone who is looking for a quick read. Enjoy reading 🔰2020😂

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was published in one of the Pulp Science Fiction magazines in 1935. It is decidedly written for young boys. It has a juvenile fiction feel to it.