John B. Michel (1917–1969) was a science fiction author (sometimes publishing using the name Hugh Raymond) and editor associated with the informal literary society the

Futurians The Futurians were a group of science fiction fans, many of whom became editors and writers as well. The Futurians were based in New York City and were a major force in the development of science fiction writing and science fiction fandom in the ...

, of which he was one of twelve initial members. He was elected director of the Futurians in 1941. He was known widely for his leftist, utopian politics, which came to be known among science fiction fans as " Michelism", or the belief that "science-fiction should by nature stand for all forces working for a more unified world, a more Utopian existence, the application of science to human happiness, and a saner outlook on life". Debates concerning Michelism and its association with

technocracy Technocracy is a form of government in which decision-makers appoint knowledge experts in specific domains to provide them with advice and guidance in various areas of their policy-making responsibilities. Technocracy follows largely in the tra ...

and

communism Communism () is a political sociology, sociopolitical, political philosophy, philosophical, and economic ideology, economic ideology within the history of socialism, socialist movement, whose goal is the creation of a communist society, a ...

were an object of controversy in fanzines during the late 1930s, and its influence can be seen in much science fiction of the period, including

Isaac Asimov Isaac Asimov ( ; – April 6, 1992) was an Russian-born American writer and professor of biochemistry at Boston University. During his lifetime, Asimov was considered one of the "Big Three" science fiction writers, along with Robert A. H ...

's ''Foundation'' series. Michel was a member of the

Young Communist League The Young Communist League (YCL) is the name used by the youth wing of various Communist parties around the world. The name ''YCL of ountry' originates from the precedent established by the Communist Youth International. Examples of YCLs includ ...

and later joined the

CPUSA The Communist Party USA (CPUSA), officially the Communist Party of the United States of America, also referred to as the American Communist Party mainly during the 20th century, is a communist party in the United States. It was established ...

, although he was asked to quit in 1949 for absenteeism. During the early 1940s, Michel was briefly associated romantically with

Judith Merril Judith Josephine Grossman (January 21, 1923 – September 12, 1997), who took the pen-name Judith Merril around 1945, was an American and then Canadian science fiction writer, editor and political activist, and one of the first women to be widel ...

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* 1917 births 1969 deaths American science fiction writers Futurians 20th-century American novelists American male novelists 20th-century American male writers {{US-sf-writer-stub