A&S expertise levels

[STDDLY at TINY_TIM.SHSU.EDU]

> Date sent:      Fri, 31 Mar 1995 13:38:37 -0600 (CST)
> From:           "Pug" <pug at arlut.utexas.edu>
 
> The probem here is not the experts, but the beginners. They are the ones
> who will get discouraged if they compete and repeatedly don't get
> recognized. I think that was the whole point. Why should someone who is
> doing something for the first, or even fifth, time have to compete
> against a Laural?
> 
Laurels usually don't compete against everyone else, unless they are 
entering a new field of expertise. 

> That is the whole point isn't it? To encourage the beginners.
> 
Most of the large A&S competitions that I've seen, or entered, or 
judged, have had three levels of expertise the entrants could display 
in Beginner, Intermediate, and Expert (some even had seperate levels 
for Laurels only). This would seem to encourage all levels of 
competitors. 

> Why would it? It allows them to shine above the best in their field. It
> also allows for the field to be larger instead of only allowing one to
> shine. 
> The difference here is encouragement. How often does the standard SCA
> person encourage someone to enter A&S no matter what? Fighters, on the
> other hand, seem to be encouraged to continue fighting no matter what.
> Fighting against someone who has greater skill is considered a good
> trait, but competing in A&S against the odds, is considered futile. This
> is of course IMHO.
> 
> Ciao,
 
I have seen many, many cases where artisans of great skill and 
success in competition have encouraged and assisted those that 
aspired in the A&S displays and competitions to enter others and to 
continue their efforts.
-Kief 



> Phelim Uhtred Gervase | "I want to be called COTTONTIPS. There is something 
> Barony of Bryn Gwlad  |  graceful about that lady. A young woman bursting with 
> House Flaming Dog     |  vigor. She blinked at the sudden light. She writes
> pug at arlut.utexas.edu  |  beautiful poems. When ever shall we meet again?"
>