Date: Mon, 09 Aug 2010 18:44:40 -0400
From: mark <whitroth at 5-cent.us>
To: wsfa-forum at yahoogroups.com, WSFA members <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: [wsfa-forum] NASFiC
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net>

Barry Newton wrote:
>
> I've never felt quite right about the NASFIC concept in the first place.  Other
> countries do tend to have some sort of "national SF convention" on an annual
> basis, which is generally folded into Worldcon when they win one.  The US
> basically views Worldcon as our own Natcon; hence when we have to let it leave
> the country, there's a feeling that all the unhappy fans need a consolation
> prize.  This really bothers me; I feel that everyone's energies should be
> focused on making the Worldcon a success, wherever it is.
<snip>
I strongly disagree. Worldcons started here, and they're still bigger here than
on any other continent. Then, to me, the NASFiC is *my* consolation for not
being able to afford to go to, say, Australia. I suspect this is the case for a
*LOT* of those on this continent, Consider that the median income in the US is,
  adjusted (according to the IRS) just over $30k/yr. Show me anyone, other than
*maybe* a student, who can afford Worldcon over there?

Hell, I've been hoping to get to Britain (or Scotland) what, three, four times
in my life, and I haven't been able to afford it yet.

I'll leave out that a) I won a masquerade award at Louisville in '79... and
that my ...late... wife and I met in Austin in '85.

mark
mark
--
"Love doesn't conquer everything, any more than love cleans the toilet" -
Garrison Kielor, Prairie Home Companion, 6/8/09