[MR] In defense of inauthenticity

[Oxford, David]

>> Michael Houghton wrote:
>> > Greg Lindahl wrote:
>> > 
>> > > > This is known as "making perfection the enemy of the good."
>> > >  
>> > > No. I didn't hear Gorm refusing to do anything unless he 
>> > > had those plentiful resources, nor demanding that anyone in 
>> > > particular seek "perfection". 

I believe Greg's point was not a snipe at Gorm in particular, but rather a
(somewhat terse :) general statement that people, in general, should not feel
that just because they can't do things to 100% authenticity, that they shouldn't
make a good attempt to do the best they can.  The gist of some of the messages
I've seen seems to suggest that some people are thinking that way, and I agree
completely with Greg that that is a bad attitude.

The most telling item of discussion has been the proverbial Coleman chair.  Some
people are coming across (at least to me) as having the idea that if they can't
make or afford or be comfortable in a proper period seating device, that they
should be allowed to just plop into a plain, uncovered Coleman chair, even if
it's bright neon orange nylon.  Greg's point, if I may extend it to this
example, is that just because you can't have a great period chair, you can STILL
make a smaller effort to cover your Coleman chair, probably even with a nice
piece of fabric.  It takes VERY little effort or money, and the overall look is
improved 1000-fold.

Basically, try your *best*, and try to get better over time.  The rules DEMAND
an "attempt" at period clothing, but COURTESY (a fine SCA tradition! :) to your
fellow SCAdians who joined to get the period ambiance dictates that you should
make an effort at limiting mundanity in everything you do at an event. Don't
ever accept that just because you can't do something 100% authentically that you
should make no effort at all.  Even if YOU don't care about your clothes (or
seat, or whatever), you're part of a community where the breakdown of the look
and feel really spoils things for a lot of people.

And everyone should dance more!  (not related, just a general observation :)

Bryan