Date: Sun, 17 Jul 2005 23:12:34 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Keith F. Lynch" <kfl at KeithLynch.net>
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at WSFA.org>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: Minutes
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at WSFA.org>

Elspeth Kovar <ekovar at worldnet.att.net> wrote:
> ... I'd use this to ballpark the number of attendings to at least
> 3,000.  You're free to add that as an editorial remark to the
> minutes if you'd like.

I never intentionally add editorial comments to the minutes.  I just
report what was said.  Or rather, since presumably nobody wants to
read a word-for-word transcript, my best judgment of what was meant.

My bracketed comments should consist only of undisputed facts, not
of opinions.

Of course I'm fallible, which is why I ask people to read the minutes
online and tell me if they think I got anything wrong.  If it's not
immediately obvious to me that they're right and I'm wrong, I'll
review my notes and the tape, and discuss it with others who were there.

I don't think any additional comments are necessary, since it's
already on record that someone (me) spoke up at the meeting to say
that an attending membership of 500 can't possibly be right.

For comparison, the previous Glasgow Worldcon had 4264 "warm bodies
on site" according to the official list at worldcon.org.  This was
the highest number for any overseas Worldcon, ever.  Considering the
exchange rate, the economy, and how unpleasant airline travel has
become, I'm sure this year's total will be lower.  (Most attendees
of overseas Worldcons are Americans.)  So 5000 is equally unlikely
to be correct.

My best guess is 3500.  Does anyone else want to join the betting
pool?  We'll see who gets it closest.  (No actual money is at stake,
just egoboo.)