Agreed, but if nobody is willing to step up and assume that position...
Recently, I've seen a situation where a SMOFy position of power was essentially thrust upon someone who had little desire for it, but took full responsibility all the same. Once again proving the truism that those most fit to lead are those who are least desirous of leadership positions.
I find this complaint interesting because I see Arisia as having become just the opposite. Arisia is far more open to the alternative lifestyles than any other con I have ever been to. At conventions like Boskone, Philcon, Balticon, Lunacon etc. you don't find 47 panels on Fannish lifestyles, you find one or two. The other cons focus far more on the SF/F genre, there are more panels about films, specific books, science topics etc.
Again, I think it all has to do with peoples perceptions. Ten years ago, I do think Arisia used to be a little "wilder" on the kink side of things, at the very least. There used to be out and out private "play parties", the kind of private parties that were big, and you could usually find them if you looked. Those are totally gone now, at least as far as mine eyes can see. In the last few years, the vibe seemed to be be getting a bit more restrained. Perhaps the fact that there now appear to be more "fannish/lifestyle" panels represents a shift in the pendulum swinging.
One thing that I will say is that what has DEFINITELY changed is the hands on stuff. In 1997, I went to no less than three panels that taught me, hands on, how to do things like leatherwork, chainmail, and ropework. Maybe I'm not looking anymore, but I haven't seen anything like it in the last 6 or 8 years. I know I've made mention of this in the past. I know there are the kids kamakazi costume panels, but it's just not quite the same thing.
One argument that could be made is that perhaps Arisia is now more focused on "lifestyles" than the other "Big Cons" because...all of the other big cons AREN'T as focused, so the balance has to be redistributed somewhere.
Again, I agree with you, I find it weird that Arisia seems to have both a "too out there" and "not out there enough" reputation. It all depends on who you talk to.
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Date: 2008-01-21 10:22 pm (UTC)Recently, I've seen a situation where a SMOFy position of power was essentially thrust upon someone who had little desire for it, but took full responsibility all the same. Once again proving the truism that those most fit to lead are those who are least desirous of leadership positions.
I find this complaint interesting because I see Arisia as having become just the opposite. Arisia is far more open to the alternative lifestyles than any other con I have ever been to. At conventions like Boskone, Philcon, Balticon, Lunacon etc. you don't find 47 panels on Fannish lifestyles, you find one or two. The other cons focus far more on the SF/F genre, there are more panels about films, specific books, science topics etc.
Again, I think it all has to do with peoples perceptions. Ten years ago, I do think Arisia used to be a little "wilder" on the kink side of things, at the very least. There used to be out and out private "play parties", the kind of private parties that were big, and you could usually find them if you looked. Those are totally gone now, at least as far as mine eyes can see. In the last few years, the vibe seemed to be be getting a bit more restrained. Perhaps the fact that there now appear to be more "fannish/lifestyle" panels represents a shift in the pendulum swinging.
One thing that I will say is that what has DEFINITELY changed is the hands on stuff. In 1997, I went to no less than three panels that taught me, hands on, how to do things like leatherwork, chainmail, and ropework. Maybe I'm not looking anymore, but I haven't seen anything like it in the last 6 or 8 years. I know I've made mention of this in the past. I know there are the kids kamakazi costume panels, but it's just not quite the same thing.
One argument that could be made is that perhaps Arisia is now more focused on "lifestyles" than the other "Big Cons" because...all of the other big cons AREN'T as focused, so the balance has to be redistributed somewhere.
Again, I agree with you, I find it weird that Arisia seems to have both a "too out there" and "not out there enough" reputation. It all depends on who you talk to.