[MR] raising and lowering expectations

[Thorgrimm at aol.com]

In a message dated 6/3/2002 10:50:11 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
mungoe1 at msn.com writes:


> We are in a club of people that volunteer their time to play with each 
> other, and we have to play nice. You cannot make people play the way you 
> want to, then they will go away.

    The thing that separates the SCA from any other "historical recreation 
group" of which I am aware is the fact that we DON'T have a set minimum of 
authenticity for participation. It is our greatest strength as well as our 
greatest weakness. 
    The fact that someone can come to participate with a minimum of expense 
and initial effort is great. It gives a much larger proportion of people the 
opportunity to experience the good things which we have to offer. Once 
someone has gone to an event or two and decides that this is something they 
wish to be a part of, the need for the "minimum attempt" begins to dissipate.
     We begin to enter the realm of the eternal question in the SCA, which is 
whether we should require established members to put forth a stronger effort 
to make things more period. Personally, I favor more stringent rules for 
everyone after an initial trial period. It is far too easy, and relatively 
inexpensive, for people to put forth a bit of effort to make the illusion 
stronger for everyone.
    Through the years I have repeatedly put forth this notion to established 
members and have repeatedly been crucified for my convictions. I don't want 
to see us get as anal as the CivWar guys, but I do think that there should be 
a concerted effort to move forward as a group toward more of a historically 
viable look and less of the fantasy/theme party atmosphere.
    Through a little effort and a relatively small amount of money, everyone 
can add to the atmosphere of the middle ages. Paying attention to the laws 
regarding smoking and original containers should be a no-brainer, but perhaps 
we need to start enforcing these rules as a beginning. 
    There are people in this kingdom doing better stuff than has ever been 
done before. I don't know of any of them who won't take the time to help and 
teach anyone who asks. If you aren't making the consistent effort to become 
more period, then you are taking away something from all of those who are 
making the attempt.

Just Another Unsolicited Opinion,
Hrothgar
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