"Growth" vs. Awards Policy
Marc D McKeeman
marcusmac at juno.com
Thu Jan 16 15:04:57 PST 1997
>
>
>> > are you speaking of the inclusion of Oriental and New World
>> > personae in a group which has in its charter "Western Europe and
>> > lands affecting it [MAJOR paraphrase}?
>>
>> I am in disagreement with the premise of the paraphrase, holding in
>> particular that the older, "gentler", concept of "cultural contact"
>> is both more conducive to inclusion and simpler to apply. Even
>> using the sense of "lands affecting it" I would deem must of
>> necessity include the New World and the Orient so long as we
>> continue to define our "period" as 600ce through at least 1600ce.
>> *Particularly* as concerns Spain and the New World, Italy and the
>> other areas impacted by "the Silk Road", the Byzantines and their
>> use of Oriental silk, and the spice trade in general.
I have an alternate personae, that is new World, and has had oppision on
ocasion.
Depending on how much, or how little I dress, depends on my time period.
Any oppinons on this type of personae, I would like to hear.
I am also known by my tribel name, Lone Wolf, given to me by an elder
of the Cedar Clan.
H.L. Marcus
>>
>Here, your grasp of detail is far greater than mine; I don't have a
>problem with Oriental or New World personae in general, since there
>was some cultural contact (particularly with the New World toward the
>end of period). A couple of things that get done but rarely, at
>least in the parts I've been in, are African personae (people were
>coasting along Africa looking for gold and there was contact with
>Timbuktu via the salt caravan in the 15th C!) and Indian personae
>(the ties there go *way* back--Alexander the Great is a particular
>historical hero of mine). But it's a can of worms, because many
>people take the narrower approach, which is what I was putting forth
>as devil's advocate in my first post.
>
>> > are you speaking of a shire where everyone decides to be vampires?
>>
>> Eeek, no. When your original population base for a given locality
>> is drawn primarily from gaming groups, I am well aware of the
>> problems that can occur. It is the responsibility of those
>> assisting the formation or ensuring the continuance of a local group
>> to make the clear distinction between the SCA and live-action
>> roleplay gaming opportunities.
>>
>Yes, Indeedy. I don't feel compelled to offer an environment for
>people to bring their gaming characters to life, and I'm always
>disturbed at the confusion in some people's minds between gaming and
>rolling up a fantasy character, and the SCA and creating an
>historicaly based persona (however scanty that creation may be). I
>vividly recall a discussion I had with a young lady at a Pennsic
>wherein I was saying that I was alarmed by the number of people who
>believed that medieval people had supernatural powers and she said
>(obscurely) that "people back then were much more in touch with their
>magickal side"--by which, I gathered (in context with what we'd
>already said) that she was one of those who really *does* believe
>that the Middle Ages were a time of dragons and faerie and people
>having heightened supernatural powers that have been obscured or
>dulled by all this technology and progress. I find this kind of
>alarming as a belief system, but if that's what she personally
>believes, that's great; but it does rather clash with trying to see
>that this organization does have some kernel of historical basis at
>it's heart, despite the fact that I myself wear contact lenses and
>don't make my shoes by hand.
>
>> > are you speaking of a group where a cult of personality
>> > has gone seriously out of control and the locals may love 'em but
>> > what they're promoting is not compatible with the SCA or the
>> > kingdom so the Royals or a kingdom officer has to step on them?
>> > (had that happen to me--as clouter, not cloutee)
>>
>> This one, yes: I would speak of in terms of the cult of personality
>> working against the goals and ideals of the Society.
>>
>So would I. This is an example of abnormal growth, and it does
>somewhat conflict, in my view, with your original statement as not
>revised. Hence, I'm glad for your revision. :-)
>
>> >> However, Mr. Bosko (acrubray at wtrt.net ?) may have misunderstood
>> >> the award process. The Crown can only act based upon the
>> >> information actually in Their possession. If all they have seen
>> >> are recommendations based upon the artistic achievements of an
>> >> individual, or the service achievements, or the combat prowess,
>> >> it is not Their fault that a local issue of which they have no
>> >> knowledge may cloud any award given.
>> > This is totally 100% true. The Royalty cannot be omniscient and
>> > it is amazing how many people expect them to be so. Also, I've
>> > known people, had some as friends, who behave one way in their
>> > local group and another outside of it.
>>
>> Thank you for reinforcing this "from the other side of the process",
>> i.e. having been seated as Crown. (Not something I expect to
>> experience myself anytime soon...)
>>
>No problem. Seriously, readers, I was stunned by the scant numbers
>of award recommendations I received; and this was not mitigated by
>the people who wanted to approach me at the last minute as I was
>prepping for court with a verbal recommendation. There is so much
>that is great about a well-thought-out, well-written letter of
>recommendation that says that not only is this a great person, but
>that here's a thoughtful individual who thinks well of them. I could
>go on at great length about how to write effective letters of
>recommendation, but this message is really friggin' long already.
>
>But do write letters of recommendation; and if you must write about a
>problem person, curtail your hyperbole and try to remain objective
>about what the actual problem is. "The whole earth is going to
>overturn in fire and water!" is not nearly as effective as "this
>person means well, but is unable to perform the basic requirements of
>the office such as reporting, returning phone calls and attending
>group meetings".
>
>> Bless you, Your Excellency, for gracing us with your presence, your
>> thoughts on this matter, and especially your forbearance in drawing
>> out additional detail when you had questions as to my motive /
>> stance. If I have continued to be unnecessarily obscure now, or am
>> so in the future, slap me down as appropriate. (You do it so nicely
>> that it is indeed a gentle reprimand, which I will take to heart.
>> And commend to memory.)
>>
>OH, you're quite welcome, and once again, this wasn't a slap or a
>reprimand, I just really wanted to be clear in my own mind as to what
>limits you were suggesting. We're not as far apart as I'd feared.
>:-)
>
>Countess Berengaria de Montfort de Carcassonne, OP
>Barony of Caerthe
>Kingdom of the Outlands
>
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