I think that is an interesting rationale and one I discussed with people a bit this weekend.
Speaking as someone who is involved in various non-SF topics represented at Arisia (including, obviously, LJ), I started to feel like there were just too many of them. I think keeping them outside the core panel times is a good way to go, so that they don't take over slots that perhaps ought to go to items that are at least kinda related to SF/F.
The thing about attendance... say there was a "panel" that was just "hot chicks in skimpy outfits". I think that would be quite well-attended. As is most everything sex-related. But I don't think that in itself means a panel belongs. Many people watched the Pats game in various spaces (including me, when I wasn't running events), but that doesn't mean that should be an official program item that takes up space another panel could otherwise use, either.
no subject
Speaking as someone who is involved in various non-SF topics represented at Arisia (including, obviously, LJ), I started to feel like there were just too many of them. I think keeping them outside the core panel times is a good way to go, so that they don't take over slots that perhaps ought to go to items that are at least kinda related to SF/F.
The thing about attendance... say there was a "panel" that was just "hot chicks in skimpy outfits". I think that would be quite well-attended. As is most everything sex-related. But I don't think that in itself means a panel belongs. Many people watched the Pats game in various spaces (including me, when I wasn't running events), but that doesn't mean that should be an official program item that takes up space another panel could otherwise use, either.