The Elite

[nightrythm]

I have come to realize that I am an elitist.

I think that only certain people should be in my sub-culture. If you don't fit certain criteria, get out of my sandbox.

What is that criteria? Well, you have to be a true believer. You can be any color/creed/class/etc. You just have to buy into the goal or the "mission" of that particular organization/club/whatever.

When I played SCA, I figured everyone there had some interest in "the dream" - "the middle-ages as they should have been". I didn't care if you were there to fight, dance or brew, as long as you were interested in *some* aspect of middle ages. Now that I'm not playing, I hear about people who go to War just to party. WTF? If this is just another costume party, get the fuck out. I'm not saying you have to be hard-core serious, by all means (please god!) loosen up and have some fun. Do not take yourself too seriously 'cause that takes the fun out of it for the rest of us. But if you aren't interested in playing the game within the bounds that are set, go find another game.

I feel the same way about faire. I realize that to some extent, I go into the world thinking that people perceptions/opinions reflect mine. (This is a flaw I freely admit.) But really, why work faire if you don't give a rat's ass about the time-period? Even if all you care about is how brothel's were run, that's still something. I don't understand people who participate in something they care not one whit about, just so they can drink/do drugs/have sex. There are other venues for that shit. Go there. I don't want you here.

Maybe I just fail to understand a mindset of "is there(insert d.o.c here)? cool! I'm in." For me, I attend an event because I find it interesting, or I believe I might learn something, any "recreational" aspects are icing on the cake.

Comments

[delerium3.livejournal.com]

I agree.

[twistedcat.livejournal.com]

there will always be people who participate in events for reasons other than the original intent. i've gotten used to it.

I think this may be part of why I don't like the large parties. it seems like they're full of people I don't know, who are either trolling or just there for the drugs.

*shrug*

faire has been about the party for some people for as long as I can remember. that's why camping (or the lack thereof) became such a big deal for a lot of people. for us, lack of camping just means we won't be on site two days in a row. bed's too comfy...

[nightrythm]

Lack of camping doesn't frustrate me because it cuts into the party. It frustrates me because it cuts into my sense of community. Because there is no camping, I don't get to meet as many new people as I normally would and I don't have those deep philisophical/silly discussions with folks at 2am. I miss that a lot.

[nakeygirl.livejournal.com]

exactly as I see it.

[mi-ciana.livejournal.com]

I'm right there with you.
With those criteria, I'm also an elitist. Same kind too.

[stacymckenna.livejournal.com]

Ayup. That's why my time at faire I felt so reluctant to open my mouth - I knew inaccurate speech would come out, no matter how well my costuming fit. And it made me feel like a fake.

I tend to be elitist about such things too, but like TC says, there's a contingent in every crowd, so I have tried to learn to breathe deeply and let go, understand that not everyone has the same objective, or gets the same things out of situations as I do. And then I find situations where the ratio of like-mindedness is high enough for my comfort.

[spyrral.livejournal.com]

So wait, your subculture is what?

[nightrythm]

I have various sub-cultures. :-)

I used that word in this context because I'm not just talking about clubs (SCA) and the word "group" often implies social circle and that wasn't quite what I meant either.

[metachromatik.livejournal.com]

"I don't understand people who participate in something they care not one whit about, just so they can drink/do drugs/have sex. There are other venues for that shit. Go there. I don't want you here."

dear god! don't tell them that~ they'll all come to burning man.

[nightrythm]

I'd gotten the impression that that was why burning man has been growing. ;-)

Mildly On-Topic

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/04/03/news/belgium.php

Re: Mildly On-Topic

[nightrythm]

Thanks!