From: "Keith F. Lynch" <kfl at KeithLynch.net>
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: [wsfa-forum] NASFiC
Date: Mon,  9 Aug 2010 20:05:45 -0400 (EDT)
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net>

mark <whitroth at 5-cent.us> wrote:
> 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.

Actually, it sounds pretty much parallel to me.  Each year, Europe
holds a Eurocon.  When Europe hosts the Worldcon, it's combined with
the Eurocon.  Each year, North America holds a NASFiC.  When North
America hosts the Worldcon, it's combined with the NASFiC.  The only
difference is that the term "NASFiC" is never used to describe a con
which is also a Worldcon.

(Barry, people on this list only saw your message because Mark quoted
it here.  Please CC all messages to this list if you want them to be
seen.  Thanks.)

> I strongly disagree.  Worldcons started here, and they're still
> bigger here than on any other continent.

True.  US, more specifically.  The last time I checked, over the past
quarter century the largest Worldcon outside the US was smaller than
the smallest Worldcon inside the US.  And the previous Australia
Worldcon had more US members than Australian members.

> 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,

Unfortunately, the NASFiC itself is increasingly unaffordable.  $120
in advance for a four-day convention?  Last year's Balticon, also a
four-day convention, cost $44 in advance.

I'm apparently not the only person who feels this way.  Only about 600
people were preregistered for this year's NASFiC -- and some of them
were recently attempting to sell their memberships.  The smallest
previous NASFiC was the first, in 1975, with 1100.

(Of course the 600 doesn't include at-the-door memberships.  Does
anyone know what the final warm body count was?  Thanks.)

> Consider that the median income in the US is, adjusted (according to
> the IRS) just over $30k/yr.

I think that number dates to before the current recession.  I'm sure
it's less now.  And after taxes and rents -- the cheapest non-slum
apartments around here are about $12k/yr. -- that doesn't leave much
for cons or anything else.  Especially for people who have to ride
Metro every day, with its new much higher fares, which can easily
exceed $3k/yr. for a typical commuter.  $3k is more than I pay for
everything else put together, except rent.

> Show me anyone, other than *maybe* a student, who can afford
> Worldcon over there?

I thought students earned even less, on average.

> 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 was doing pretty well financially in the '90s, and prices were
lower.  So I attended the '95 Worldcon in Glasgow.  And four years
later I decided to party like it was you know what, and attended both
the Anaheim NASFiC and the Melbourne Worldcon (in the same trip).

I enjoyed all of these cons, but in retrospect I wish I had saved my
money, and maybe invested it in gold.  I've enjoyed inexpensive local
events just as much.

At least my dismal finances have coincided with Bush's War on Tourism,
which Obama shows no sign of ending.  Even if I were a millionaire, I
wouldn't be traveling overseas, as I really dislike being treated like
a criminal suspect.

If my finances improve by 2012, I may attend the Worldcon in Chicago.
Especially if "everyone's energies" are focused not just on making it
a success but in keeping its price reasonable.  I definitely won't be
at this year's or next year's Worldcons, or at any other upcoming cons
this year.  I almost preregisterd for Philcon, but only until I saw
that they had actually *increased* their price since the previous year
despite the recession.

If hotels aren't willing to cooperate in keeping prices reasonable,
perhaps convention fandom should go on hiatus for the duration of
the recession.