From: U254@sysm.acs.virginia.EDU
Subject: The Society's Paradox (long)
Organization: The Internet
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 21:24:00 GMT


Unto the good folk of the Rialto from Landon of Wulfkeep, greetings!

Extracting from Master Robyyan's comments (hopefully without
destroying too much of the context) on the subject of authenticity
vs. fantasy:

>                                                         <...>  To
>deal with the paradox, as I see it we have several choices:

>1.  Do nothing.  We will continue to have internal conflict over what
>we are, <...>

>2.  Decide we're a fantasy organization.  This will resolve all the
>authenticity vs. fantasy arguments, as authenticity will no longer be
>a goal worth seeking. <...>

>3.  Decide we really are what we say we are.  Enforce rules about garb
>at events -- no more bunny fur bikinis, unless you've got
>documentation for it. <...>

>I don't actually like any of these possibilities.  Is there anything
>else?

   Well, first of all I think that "authenticity vs. fantasy" is a
useful generalization, but actual attitudes cover a wide range, of
which these are only the extremes.  For example, I would classify
myself as "historical fiction", perhaps slightly skewed toward
fantasy (Robin Hood and Ivanhoe, with perhaps a touch of King Arthur).
I am no more at home with the "compulsive authenticity" crowd than
the "Elfquest" types.
   Secondly, I think that in the universe of historical studies there
is room, and even a need, for a group such as the present SCA, which
blends history with fantasy.  Again using myself as an example, I
was a "victim" of history classes where one memorized lists of dates,
wrote them on an exam, and forgot them.  When a friend described this
wonderful historical study group she had met, my reaction was "Well
whatever floats your boat."  Then another friend told me about the
crazy guy who walked in on the D&D game he was in and said "Hey
guys, how would you like to do this for REAL?!"  Seventeen years
later, I'm still here.  I've had a lot of fun and I've also learned
a lot, but perhaps the most valuable lesson I've learned is that
history doesn't have to be scary or boring.  Think of fantasy as the
bait, with history as the hook.    :-)
   IMHO, the SCA would certainly be poorer if we were to lose the
people who take pleasure in expanding and passing on their knowledge
of history.  On the other hand, I've visited groups with higher
standards of authenticity, and while I had fun I still felt that
something was missing.  So if the three options above are the only
possibilities, I'll vote for number 1, and endure the arguements.
   So are there any other possibilities?  Well, how about trying
a more unofficial route?  If SCA archery (for instance) is hopelessly
unauthentic and can't be changed because we don't want to make it
too dificult for a newbie (or "oldbie" who wants to play without
dedicating a major portion of his life to it) to be involved, form
an unofficial "companie of bowmen" to encourage use of period
equipment, etc. with its own unofficial awards system.  Maybe I'm
peculiar (nah, I *know* I'm peculiar  :-) but I would value an
unoffical "pat on the back" from a comparitive expert (Graydon, say)
more than a "real" danglie from a king whose only knowledge of the
subject was watching "Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves"  :-).
   Or what about dance?  Hold an event and fill the scheduled time
with period dances.  Announce it heavily ahead of time to discourage
people with other ideas coming and being disappointed.  Maybe just
have a "baronial dance workshop" (with announcements being sent to
nearby friends, if desired), rather than a full-scale event.
   Would it be possible to have "enchanted events"?  Probably small
events, heavily announced ahead of time that this is probably *not*
a good event for a newbie, reasonably authentic garb reqired, and
so forth.  Again, perhaps do it as a "shire party" (announced in the
local newsletter, so it qualifies as "official") with the neighbors
invited if they want to play a more-authentic-than-usual game.
   (To give credit where credit is due, much of this was inspired
by the recent proposal for an unofficial "organization-within-
the-SCA" to recreate the Swiss Confederation.  My apologies for
not noting and remembering the name of the author.)
   Hoping this long-winded nattering makes sense, and will maybe
provide a start to making peace between two valuable factions of
the Society, I remain --

Yours in service --

   Landon of Wulfkeep                 Landon Falls
   Isenfir, Atlantia                  Charlottesville, Virginia, USA