Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 18:03:35 -0400
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at WSFA.org>
From: Candy Madigan <candymadigan at mindspring.com>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: SF fandom- reality check
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at WSFA.org>

I always explain that there are two differences between media fans and SF
fans, when people proceed to confuse the two.  1)  SF fans read and media
fans watch and 2) SF fans are there to meet the writers and media fans are
there to meet the actors.  SF fans understand the difference between Bruce
Boxleightner (sp?) and John Sheridan.  If we could meet John Sheridan, we'd
be all over him, but since we can't, we prefer J. Michael
Straczynsky.  It's simply a matter of having a grasp of reality.  Yeah, SF
Fandom is a way of escaping from reality, but we *can* tell the difference.

At 03:34 PM 4/20/2005, you wrote:
>--- Drew Bittner <drewbitt at yahoo.com> wrote:
> > Thanks to everyone for their thoughts on this topic.
> > My headstrong opinion has brought forth food for
> > thought.
> > I think sf fandom has had an image problem largely
> > because of media fandom, as Nicki points out.
>
>Whoa, I in no way said it was the fault of media
>FANDOM; it's a perception the media has of us, which
>is totally different.  That news organizations lump
>all SF type fandoms together is also not the fault of
>media FANDOM.  I blame *SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE*, as that
>was the first time media fandom was portrayed on TV
>and it was the extreme of TREK fandom.  Since there
>could not possibly BE any other fandom, all SF fandom
>gained that mantle.
>
>SF fans are also supposed to be UFO fanatics as well.
>I've also been asked how I can believe in flying
>saucers.
>
>Today's USATODAY has an article on the SciFi Channel
>and the typical fan is male and living in his patent's
>basement.  How many letters do you think USATODAY will
>get decrying that?  Right - none.
>
>Nicki
>
>"The man who enters a library is in the best society this world affords;
>the good and the great welcome him, surround him, and humbly ask to be
>allowed to become his servants."  -Andrew Carnegie
>=====
>MIMOSA web site: http://www.jophan.org/mimosa
>
>__________________________________________________
>

Candy

P.S. I don't have any pictures yet, but see my new web-site at
www.hourglass-creations.com