[MR] TV Coverage

[rmhowe]

"Towey, Brian" wrote:
> 
> As usual, Sajah, you get to the heart of the matter.  I've never been in an
> organization that viewed growth with undiluted happiness. 

I remember a particularly snotty couple from early Atlantia who
once voiced the view is more better? This was when people were
registering pets to keep the kingdom numbers up. I've never forgotten
the nice attitude they had towards merchants at their last event
I attended before they quit for a while. Basically it was screw
all of you. You never forget the snotwads.

> Political parties
> worry about diluting their ideology.  Churches worry about losing their
> intimacy. 

Churches like all organized religion is a business.
They worry about competitors and lost income. 
Faith is another matter entirely and does not equate.

> Clubs worry that newcomers will change the rules, or insist on
> enforcing rules that have long been winked at.  Elite country clubs worry
> about being their golf greens being overrun with plebes or unfashionable
> ethnic groups.
> 
> If only we could find a way to get a lot of new people to pay dues without
> rocking the boat!
> 
> Yes, I was only half serious about TV sports coverage or even advertising,
> although I must admit that I would enjoy seeing Pennsic highlights on TV
> since I can't go this year.  And big bucks would always be nice.  But, you
> are absolutely right that publicity is dicey business.


> What if Atlantia ran a big promotion and got 1,000 new 
> Dark Horde members who scoff at local kingdoms? 

As a matter of fact the Great 'What' Khan currently presides over
the SCA's largest household, the Great Dark Horde from Northern
Atlantia at present. The Horde is there for a reason. It is also
full of long time Society Serving Peers for a reason. 
Usually bad behaviour of local "leadership" tends to increase 
our numbers. Toadyism is not a Horde Quality.

Having heard Four voice some rather nasty insults directed at 
Pelicans, Laurels, and one also said -Some of the Knights (29)- 
as polling groups I have a hard time respecting -a certain few- 
Maple Leaves. Lack of self control and an exagerated sense of
self-importance has a great deal to do with it. Temper tantrums,
slander, insults, and backbiting by supposed "Icons of Chivalry" 
are frankly disgusting and not at all what I expected to see in
Atlantia, and have never forgotten. It's shocking to see/hear.
That crap is not Peer Behaviour in my opinion, yet it happens.
In my opinion it is grounds for no longer viewing them as Peers 
at all. Curiously one of them warns us of just such people,
the worst behaved of them all that I've seen. 
 
I know many people without even an AoA that behave much better.

On the other hand I know Dukes and Duchesses I very much respect, 
mostly because they behave as though they understand the meaning of 
chivalry, service and decorum. 

For those few who don't it's apparently an act and they obviously 
consider the rest of us beneath them. As if we're stupid, which 
we're not, but it certainly leads me to greatly suspect they are.

My Stepfather has a very abusive temper, and I rarely have 
anything to do with him either. So it doesn't impress me.

In the Great Dark Horde SCA Service comes first, the Family second,
Kingdom politics afterwards. We have members in offices all the way 
to corporate. Even a few hats, knights and a Duke. Lots of Barons,
Baronesses, Laurels, Pelicans, recently Princesses. Recently a sitting
GDH Baron and a just previously sitting Baroness in different areas of 
Atlantia. Hordenet is international and gives a very distinct flavor 
of multi-kingdom politics and happenings most SCA don't see. 

The household gives out no awards of its own and we elect (or remove) 
our leaders on an international basis. Every brother has a vote and a
voice. Unlike the SCA - Not every goob can get in either. We're a
good deal more particular.  Three sponsors, one of whom must
be a Tarkhan, and a watch period of at least a year and a day.
Lots don't make it. You want our support? Behave with model decorum. 
The Hordes (2) evolved in the Middle Kingdom, where politics are much
worse than in Atlantia. Think of the Horde as a very large pack of 
Alpha's. Not always lovable, but pretty damned effective as far as
service
and knowledge goes. Or a Kingdom in itself -within- your many kingdoms.

> Or a thousand people who are just there for
> feasting and dancing, and won't stand for court that runs over its 
> scheduled time?  What if all the newcomers speak Spanish and want
> bilingual editions of The Acorn?  What if we grow so big that kingdoms
> change boundaries?

You can have the erstwhile Empire of Efenwealtia. ;)
 
> "I'm glad I joined.  Now let's shut the door quick before anybody
>  else gets in..." <G>

Too late. My barony has grown from 30-40 members in 1981 to
about 500 in six cantons that like staying together. Ever
try to keep up with five hundred in one big bunch? Curiously
when I joined Storvik had 300 or so. Much less now I understand.
7 Baronies in Eastern Va from that one.

> It's very interesting to hear that the SCA already has a TV
> commercial, and that we are targeting it at a military audience. 
> Does anybody know how well it works?

Having lived north of Attilium for twenty years I'd say it works
quite well. Unfortunately some of the best members are often away
for extended periods. Most of the professional soldiers I've known
of the present day's army (I'm almost 50 and remember others.) are
pretty damned fine people.

Personally, I wish we had a hundred more like Sir Forgal.
Without a doubt the most respected individual in Atlantia.
And a model of leadership, proper behaviour and humility.

Magnus Malleus, OL, GDH, Windmasters's Hill, Atlantia.
Twenty years in November.

> -Charles Fleming
> mka Brian Towey
> "Miror Otium Negotium Multum Requirare"