ANST - What is a Peer?

[Dr Tiomoid M. of Angle]

--- "C. L. Ward" <gunnora at bga.com> wrote:

> Master Petruccio said (among other good words):
> >The final line for me is this:
> >   If they look like a Peer, If they act like a Peer, If they do
> whatever
> >      they do like a Peer, They are a Peer.  It doesn't matter if
> they
> >      are a Painter, an Archer, a Rapier Fighter, or a Steward.
> 
> I'd like to add and elaborate here.   If they look like a Peer, If
> they act like a Peer, If they do whatever  they do like a Peer, They
> are a Peer, *whether or not the Crown EVER recognizes them for it*!!

Oh, please -- I didn't wear my boots today.

While this may be true in the Platonic Realm of Ideas, it is merely a
popular myth in the Realm of Phenomena in which we live -- and popular
chiefly among those who have been "recognized as peers"; nobody I've
ever met who hasn't been "recognized as a peer" (whether they are a
Platonic peer or not ... and I've known several) believes it for a
minute. It's just a self-esteem Consolation Prize for those who don't
happen to win in the Race For The Dangly. Let's leave this bromide with
Santa and the Tooth Fairy where it belongs, and talk about reality.
 
> What makes having *any* award in the SCA worthwhile is *NOT* the
> award itself.  It is the simple fact that people thought what you
were
> doing was cool enough, or important enough, that *they* believe you
> should have the award.  If the Crown agrees or disagrees, you still
> have the respect and regard of the people around you.

The VERY FEW people IMMEDIATELY around you. Not the sort of thing that
survives transport to another Kingdom -- or even another group. And
lack of deserved recognition has lost us more "Platonic peers" than
anyone will ever know, because when it happens it doesn't cause a horn
to blow and a flag to go up.

> I've seen lots of people make the enormous error of thinking that
> having a Peerage of any flavor would *GIVE* them instant respect.

What it does, however, give you is instant position -- a position that
those not deserving of respect often misuse with a vengeance (no pun
intended). It gives you position in a peerage circle, where ytu can
more effectively block those candidates for "recognition" that you
dislike, and push for the "recognition" of cronys who may or may not be
"Platonic peers". (I have seen it happen, and it is not a pretty
sight.) It gives you a position among those who don't know you, whether
they be new people or people outside of your area, where the token
around your neck DOES "give them instant respect" -- at least, until
the true personality comes through ... and even after, among the
butt-kissers. (I have seen it happen, and it's not a pretty sight.) It
gives you a position from which one can say, "I'm a peer, and you're
not! So nyah-nyah!" (I have seen it happen, and it's not a pretty
sight.)

So let's not pretend that recognition doesn't matter. It does matter --
a lot -- both in social and in practical terms.

> My best advice is not to seek to win a Peerage.  If you do whatever
> it is
> you do with love and with heart, and if you also embody the set of
> diverse
> attributes that we call "the bearing of a peer", then someone
> eventually
> will hang that Peerage on you.

And, to anyone who believes that: I've got a great bridge to sell you.

> What is *much* better, and what I advise everyone to do, is to do
> your best to live as a Lion of Ansteorra.

That way, when you don't get that, either, you'll be twice as
disappointed. 

> Quit worrying about awards...

Advice you'll hear only from people who already have tons of awards.
The gullible are their natural prey.


Tadhg
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