Re: [Mid] Educating the public

I have been watching this thread for a bit and I have two comments.

One: I think the general opinion of the general public is a bit too high. If
you ever have the opportunity to go door to door for most anything, one begins
to understand how it is that the average person in the US drinks a six pack
every week. This number is created by the total production of beer divided by
the number of adults. Think of all the adults you know who don't drink. Now
ponder where the average must be. It is very frightening.
Renn faire people can be stupid. But do not underestimate the stupidity of the
general public. (Unless it makes you feel safer.)

Two: 'Educating the public' was meant in terms of SCA image. I'm guessing we
don't show up on the public radar. Where we do, I would suggest that we
actually have some 'negatives' since most people lump us in with fringe groups
they would never associate themselves with.
Exposure in the mass public's eye can only help distinguish us from the general
fringe groups.

Scary example: I overheard a conversation between some factory workers. They
were aghast at the fact that their Jonny teenager was playing D+D. They
mentioned all the horrors it could lead to (Satanic cults, drugs, you name it).
I really wanted to scream that this was a sign that Jonny was above average
intelligence, more creative, less socially accepted, less likely to get into
drugs and MUCH more likely to go on to better education. At the very least, he
is doing something creative.

I will also proffer my theory on people joining the SCA.
People generally don't join the first time they see us.
There are many exceptions, but this hobby takes some rearranging to fit in one's
life. That can't happen overnight.
If someone is considering joining, positive public name recognition helps a
lot. At least their factory worker friends are no longer convinced a satanic
cult is involved.

Henry Warnok

ALBAN@delphi.com wrote:

> >>Individuals who belong to
> the "general public" join us, and because they are inspired, smart,
> hardworking self-starters, end up becoming very well educated in an
> unorthodox sort of way.<<
>
> You know, I have started to think that the one thing that separates
> long-term SCA members from mundania (if one wants to use
> such crude language) is that our tendency toward self-education
> is a lot higher than in non-members. Not amount of
> intelligence, or money, or lust for power - but simply a desire
> to learn, and keep learning.
>
> (Or at least that's what I keep telling myself, now that I'm
> in third-semester Latin. . . )
>
> Alban
> From: ALBAN@delphi.com
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From: Brian Hill <lilbitugli@mpdr0.chicago.il.ameritech.net>
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Received on Fri Oct 13 21:20:43 2000