[Ansteorra] the Attack of the "Authenticity Police"

[digigirl]

<<Regarding the "authenticity police" ...try watching "In Service to
the Dream" sometime...( I have a copy available for those who wish to
watch) There is a certain dance laurel in the show who you just want
to ( to use an "authentic" punishment) draw and quarter for his
attitude. It is that type of person that make the dream less fun for
those who want to play and maybe take the middle road between full
authenticity and mundane life>>

I believe you are speaking of Master Giles Hill of Sweetwater.  I know
him personally, quite well, and I can assure you he is the furthest
from a "no fun" person you can imagine.  Yes, he prefers to be
authentic and encourages others to do the same.  He ENCOURAGES, not
demands, and does so in a very gentle and helpful manner.  He has
helped more people find a lot of fun in the SCA (through dancing) than
most people I know.  He teaches, he leads by example, but he does not
stand on a soapbox about it.

Does he berate them if they are not perfect?  No
Does he do anything at all to punish others for not approaching the
SCA in the same manner as himself?  No
Does he do everything in a perfectly authentic manner?  No. and he
would never claim he does.

Remember, In Service to the Dream is a documentary.  It was designed
to illustrate all the different aspects of the SCA, of which there are
many.  They asked Giles to explain his viewpoint and he did.

If you choose to take that as an offensive comment about your own way
of playing the SCA, he should not be punished for it.

Ceinwen