femkes_follies (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
femkes_follies) wrote2008-11-26 04:33 pm
femkes_follies) wrote2008-11-26 04:33 pm
Entry tags:
The Great Debate
Caveat #1: I tend to let flame wars go by me not out of wisdom, but out of sheer laziness. I write posts in my head, but don't often bother to sit down and type them. Yada yada.
In this case, my interest was piqued by the recent dust-up on the SCA community. So I've mused and muddled and considered and come to a conclusion or two.
On the surface, it looks like there are two camps - Authenticity wonks vs. Bunny-fur clad fun types. But that's not really the case. It's not a dichotomy, it's a continuum. And very, very, exceptionally few people exist on the far outpost of either end. Most of us find a spot comfortable for us somewhere in between. The problem is, there is no (and likely never will be) agreement on what issues are really a big deal and what are not. It's all about what pushes our buttons.
I'm a terrible example to newbies. Not out of expense, but out of lack of time or (again) laziness. AKA exhaustion. Nine times out of ten I can't find my veil. My coif isn't quite finished and has been in that state for months. I didn't remember to bring the extra cut of brocade I usually use to cover the cooler. I can barely keep us all in garb (badly) let alone get the other "want-to" projects done. I have an infant. Yes, damn it, I bring the stroller. I can't juggle both girls without it.
On the other hand, pink hair, body piercings, black lace stockings, and polyester T-tunics make me roll my eyes and mutter rude remarks.
Am I any better? Nope. Do I have some sort of a feeling of superiority because of my choice of anachronisms? Patently. And I shouldn't.
I'm hoping what keeps me in the good graces of the folks who can truly carry off a Laurel-quality event presence is that I want to and I try to improve something a little and each event. And if you remind me I'll go grab my wooden goblets and dump my drink in it. Though, quite frankly, I'm likely to continue to bring Anneliese's various electronic entertainments. I bow to the weight of her disability and no amount of condescension will shift me. If you don't like it, I invite you to vent all you like - somewhere else.
Though the whole business has me musing on an Early New Year's Resolution.....
In this case, my interest was piqued by the recent dust-up on the SCA community. So I've mused and muddled and considered and come to a conclusion or two.
On the surface, it looks like there are two camps - Authenticity wonks vs. Bunny-fur clad fun types. But that's not really the case. It's not a dichotomy, it's a continuum. And very, very, exceptionally few people exist on the far outpost of either end. Most of us find a spot comfortable for us somewhere in between. The problem is, there is no (and likely never will be) agreement on what issues are really a big deal and what are not. It's all about what pushes our buttons.
I'm a terrible example to newbies. Not out of expense, but out of lack of time or (again) laziness. AKA exhaustion. Nine times out of ten I can't find my veil. My coif isn't quite finished and has been in that state for months. I didn't remember to bring the extra cut of brocade I usually use to cover the cooler. I can barely keep us all in garb (badly) let alone get the other "want-to" projects done. I have an infant. Yes, damn it, I bring the stroller. I can't juggle both girls without it.
On the other hand, pink hair, body piercings, black lace stockings, and polyester T-tunics make me roll my eyes and mutter rude remarks.
Am I any better? Nope. Do I have some sort of a feeling of superiority because of my choice of anachronisms? Patently. And I shouldn't.
I'm hoping what keeps me in the good graces of the folks who can truly carry off a Laurel-quality event presence is that I want to and I try to improve something a little and each event. And if you remind me I'll go grab my wooden goblets and dump my drink in it. Though, quite frankly, I'm likely to continue to bring Anneliese's various electronic entertainments. I bow to the weight of her disability and no amount of condescension will shift me. If you don't like it, I invite you to vent all you like - somewhere else.
Though the whole business has me musing on an Early New Year's Resolution.....