[Ansteorra] What's happening here?

[Sir Lyonel Oliver Grace]

Salut cozyns,

My first thought was that the poster is comparing apples to orchards. Ren 
Faire's are a snapshot and a show. SCA events are ongoing interaction of the 
people within, and there's no audience.

On the other hand, Milady Elizabeta, I think you have done many people on 
this list a serious disservice. You say, "Yes, authenticity is nice, but 
it's not something that everyone aspires to.  If you're in the SCA for the 
cookies, then yes you'll want to be more authentic in your costume as well 
as everything else, but that's not everyone's desire. "

Funny. I guess we just don't hang out with the same folks. I know armorers, 
costumers, duelists, heralds, and brewers who aspire to authenticity for its 
own sake. I consider Diarmaid a hardcore authenticity scholar, yet in recent 
posts he has repeatedly pressed for an even hand in judging other's efforts. 
I've also known some damned annoying award-seekers who never did more in the 
authenticity area than just enough to get by.

You also, milady, say, "I'm seeing people telling others how they should 
think, dress, act, and what they should do." Really? I do recall one or two 
posters claiming to have been rudely handled by authenticity snobs, but I 
don't recall anyone--on this list or at the few events I've attended 
recently--telling anyone how to think, dress, or act. I've seen arguments 
about what is and is not period. I've seen no one say, "Thou shalt not." 
I've even seen a number of postings addressing the opposite end of this 
question: how to help someone improve in authenticity *without* being rude 
or insulting.

When did the SCA become political? Probably about the time that the first 
kingdom was formed. When did the SCA become a litigious arena? Probably 
about when their membership passed a thousand. If you think Ren Faires are 
free of politics and litigation, then you haven't been involved with setting 
one up, running one, or handling the books.

As for the claims that you've seen--

>groups torn
>apart because a choice was made that was not the one everyone wanted.  I'm
>seeing people hurting long time friends because of misunderstandings and
>unintended slights.  I'm seeing fits thrown over stuff that COULD cause a
>problem if someone wanted to push it, but are things that have always been
>done and until now have not caused offense.  I'm seeing politics out the
>ass, people arguing over stupid stuff and people asking for help being
>either blown off or overridden.

--I think you're trying to lump several problems under one ill-fitting 
cover. Perhaps these issues would be better addressed individually and 
specifically.

lo vostre per vos servir
Meser Lyonel Oliver Grace
_________________________________
Micel yfel deth se unwritere.
		--AElfric of York

>From: "Lisa" <silvina at allegiance.tv>
>Reply-To: "Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc." 
><ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org>
>To: <SkorragardrVirtualSkald at yahoogroups.com>,"Barony of Namron" 
><namron at ansteorra.org>,"Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc." 
><ansteorra at ansteorra.org>,<ARNavy at yahoogroups.com>, <AI_s at yahoogroups.com>
>Subject: [Ansteorra] What's happening here?
>Date: Thu, 21 Sep 2006 16:44:18 -0500
>
>What's happening to the SCA?  We have Authenticity Police, but there'll
>always be a few of those.  There aren't enough to scare newbies about them
>on a regular basis.  Yes, authenticity is nice, but it's not something that
>everyone aspires to.  If you're in the SCA for the cookies, then yes you'll
>want to be more authentic in your costume as well as everything else, but
>that's not everyone's desire.  I'm seeing people telling others how they
>should think, dress, act, and what they should do.  I'm seeing groups torn
>apart because a choice was made that was not the one everyone wanted.  I'm
>seeing people hurting long time friends because of misunderstandings and
>unintended slights.  I'm seeing fits thrown over stuff that COULD cause a
>problem if someone wanted to push it, but are things that have always been
>done and until now have not caused offense.  I'm seeing politics out the
>ass, people arguing over stupid stuff and people asking for help being
>either blown off or overridden.  When did the SCA become a job, a political
>arena, a lawsuit, or a battleground?  I joined the SCA to have fun and 
>learn
>about an area/aspect of history I had an interest in.  The SCA is no longer
>fun.  I was recently asked why Ren Faires are getting more publicity and
>activity
>than the SCA.... Look at the lists lately.... you'll see why.
>
>Grow up people and act like the adults you claim to be!
>
>Elizabeta of Rundel
>
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