Declare yourselves openly

[Jo Zebedee]

Oh, Alc is a pussy cat. Really. You'll be fine, oh lovely hare.*


*Sits back to watch the show, failing to comment on Alc really being seven foot tall...

 

[The Judge]

I am a moderator...

No need for a group hug (anyone who tries it with me gets a sharp pointy thing somewhere unpleasant) but perhaps a group deep breath might be in order.

The issue at hand is the SFWA (can't help thinking that looks better as SWFA) problem -- one which might or might not be endemic in SFF circles/conventions etc -- so lets discuss that, shall we.

 

[Glisterspeck]

Hah. Every time I've typed it, I typed SWFA and had to fix it. So, me too.

 

[alchemist]

Bah. We don't get to discuss HB's accusation that my sword is too pointy.

Anyway, I'll be watching the goings-on at WFC 13 in a different light now.

 

[Brian G Turner]

As for "political correctness", I'm with Polly Toynbee, who defined it as "an empty, right-wing smear, designed only to elevate its user".

Pfft! Godwin's Law again.

 

[Nerds_feather]

SFWA (can't help thinking that looks better as SWFA)

Science Writers of Fictional America?

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

I wish the whole SFWA debacle could have been more of a learning experience for those two guys

I've never had contact with one of the "gentlemen" in question, but as for the other, I was once active on a forum where he also was active, and while I don't remember how much I interacted with him (it was a long time ago) I do vividly remember how he interacted with others, and just going by his general personality, I doubt that this would be possible. He may have changed, of course, but it doesn't sound like he has, and those who have interacted with or observed him recently (which may be some of the women who have responded so strongly), may know how likely it would be to teach him anything about anything.

 

[Glisterspeck]

I've never had contact with one of the "gentlemen" in question, but as for the other, I was once active on a forum where he also was active, and while I don't remember how much I interacted with him (it was a long time ago) I do vividly remember how he interacted with others, and just going by his general personality, I doubt that this would be possible. He may have changed, of course, but it doesn't sound like he has, and those who have interacted with or observed him recently (which may be some of the women who have responded so strongly), may know how likely it would be to teach him anything about anything.

That's too bad. Fortunately (for me, I suppose) I've never read anything by either of them, so I'm spared the slain idol disappointment I felt when I found out about OSC's bigotry (Ender being a pretty important part of my junior high years.) Not that this should be at all about me.

I'm guessing there's next to no chance that SFWA will start up a column on identity politics in science fiction and SF fandom either. Ugh.

 

[The Judge]

Originally Posted by The Judge
SFWA (can't help thinking that looks better as SWFA)

Science Writers of Fictional America?

I was thinking Sexist W*****s F*****g America.



*takes herself to sit on the naughty step*


(I really don't think we need any variations of this. Not least because it'll get me in trouble.)

 

[Fishbowl Helmet]

Jim C. Hines posted a round up of blogs and articles about the subject.

 

[soulsinging]

Science Writers of Fictional America?

Speaking as a man stuck in a country trying oh so hard to keep evolution out of schools, I think American Writers of Fictional Science (aka, US textbooks) would be the more appropriate order...

But that would likely turn this whole debate in an entirely different direction!

 

[Verse]

Relevant?
http://www.thisview.org/?p=127 - Slut Shaming and Concern Trolling in Geek Culture

 

[Brian G Turner]

I liked this one as well - http://www.malindalo.com/2013/06/feminist-media-criticism-and-the-problem-with-binary-thinking/

 

[Michael01]

Looks like I'm very mistaken about SF inclusiveness after all. I had no idea.

EDIT: Heinlein! I knew I was forgetting someone (should be saying this on the other thread, but...)

 

[Michael01]

Speaking as a man stuck in a country trying oh so hard to keep evolution out of schools, I think American Writers of Fictional Science (aka, US textbooks) would be the more appropriate order...

But that would likely turn this whole debate in an entirely different direction!

Good one.

EDIT: Oh...wow I forgot this was here! When I saw it, I thought it must be a different thread. I didn't mean to double post! That's what I get for reading two blog articles and having a reply box open on a forum at the same time--at 4:00 in the morning. Heck, seems like I must have had two open at once for a while there, too....