Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2005 11:01:45 -0400
From: "Michael Walsh" <MJW at press.jhu.edu>
To: <WSFAlist at WSFA.org>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: charity and fandom
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at WSFA.org>

> omni at omniphile.com 4/21/2005 10:46:10 AM >>>
>At 10:36 AM 4/21/05 -0400, Michael Walsh wrote:
>>Charity work is nice, but as long as there are people wandering
>about
>>conventions wearing (or barely wearing...) funny clothing, of course

>the
>>media are going to focus on the "weirdos"...
>
>Same as with the Shriners...doesn't seem to hurt them any.
>
>And what's wrong with barely wearing funny clothing???

The "funny clothing" the Shriners wear are a uniform.

The "funny clothing" worn at cons is not a uniform.  Not that there's
anything wrong doing such, just that complaining that the "bad press" of
focusing on the sartorially weird is largely pointless.

Of course, having a "press officer" to try to show the media the "true
path" sometimes helps, but it's an uphill battle.

The media - like fans - are easily seduced by bright-and-shiny things.

mjw

>
>-- Mike B.
>--
>"Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes." -- Thoreau