From: Walter Miles <walter at nova.org> To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at WSFA.org> Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2004 09:58:01 -0400 Subject: [WSFA] Re: 2007 Worldcon Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at WSFA.org> Hullo, KL> I agree with Erica that Japan is not a good choice for the Worldcon, KL> for the reason she gave and several other reasons. Expense, airline KL> security hassles, passport and visa hassles, and differing cultural KL> expectations. IY> I'd like to point out that the above reasons (expense, etc.) are also IY> perfectly valid concerns for the foreigners who would have to travel to the IY> good ol' US of A for a Columbus Worldcon. I don't have any idea whether I will be able to attend a Japanese worldcon. I think Columbus is likely to be able to put on a fine con, maybe a better one than Yokohama. However, it seems to me that it is about time to honor a country that has so thoroughly enriched the matter of science fiction and fantasy, by holding a worldcon there. And plus, I'll bet that most of us can count a Japanese fan or two among our friends, because, as Ivy points out, so many of them expend the money and trouble to get over here---it may be that is is the neighborly thing to do, to let them host the party. Finally, if 2007 is not the right year, or if the competition is a little too inviting, then when exactly do we do this thing? Be seeing you, Walter Miles