Ok, this might sound like a rant to some, but... Here goes anyway, and I have time decided to bring this up because of NCAA final four coming up this weekend. This is gonna be little long. It also might potentially offend some folks.
Why is it seemingly OK for SF and F fans to be held up to public derision and ridicule? Case in point, several years ago at the time of the debut of the Attack of the Clones, of course several of the premiering theaters had fans camped out for the initial showings and sale of tickets, and naturally many of those lined up were in costume. And here locally, I live in the Chicago burbs, two well known drive time radio hosts had a real wild time with the situation. Filled with their vulgar (meaning common) snickering and blatant name calling (more to follow)(and now to continue) (for example, losers and 'get a life'), these two continued with their commentary about how pathetic the ST fans were. And I do appreciate how ridiculous fandom might seem, here we are obsessing (to various degrees) over stories (some written or might be film or TV) about space ships, aliens, rayguns and wizards, magic, demons, and superheroes. It's not real, or even close to real.
However, no one seems to want, or would even think of labeling, sports fans as even strange. Baseball, basketball, football (professional or collegiate). I mean really, these are childern's playground games, and it does not even seem to strike anyone as a little bizzare. And yes sports fans generate millions of dollars of revenue. And up to about 25 or so years ago, I watched lots of pro football, and more recently I have been known to watch an MLB game or two, and an NBA match or two. And I might watch a game or two of the Final Four this weekend.
Now, on another ezboard I have been accused of taking this issue personally, and basically called a ridiculous person for even considering any similarity between sports fans and SF fans. As to taking personally, well maybe, one of my dearest friends in California (one of the sweetest folks I know) is active in what is probably the ultimate fanac (fannish for fan activity), and she is a member of Soc. for Creative Anachronism. She and I used to work for the same company at the same facility, and while we were sorta coworkers I used to overhear unkind and not generous comments about her involvement. So...
Someone might want to consider how when the Cubs are losing again and how that makes them feel down. Or conversely how when the Cubs did well last year, and it made folks happy. How watching the final episode of the Xfiles, or seeing Star Trek IV made me laugh out loud, or watching Hush, an episode of BtVS, makes me feel the same.
I wish that last paragraph was better written. taraswizard
Allan Rosewarne N9SQT/WDX6HQV
Chicago area
W/T forever, always
Plan C -
http://planc.bravepages.com/main.html<i>Edited by: taraswizard at: 3/29/04 6:43 pm
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