Escapade is one thing because it's an all slash con. Not all of us are into slash. But quite a few of us find MediaWest ruined and don't go anymore because of younger newer people. MWC is a place for older fen to enjoy the twilight years before we pass on. Young fen DO NOT belong there, and we do not appreciate being invited to join their fun or be exposed to their "ideas" or zines. We do not want change and the brats should leave us alone.
Ah. Well, yes, I see your point about MediaWest. I’ve only been once. I brought a bunch of Miami Vice vids, which fit in fine. (No shock there.)
It sounds like in the last few years, there has been a surge of new blood composed of furries and bronies. That does not seem like a close fit for the con. I’m not surprised there’s friction.
wow. So glad when I was a 20-something attending MW*C and running panels there I never once came into contact with this kind of “ We do not want change and the brats should leave us alone” mindset. Some of the best times I’ve ever had in fandom involved discussing ‘zines moving from paper to digital formats with folks like Jean Lorrah. I can’t imagine I’d be the same person I am now, if it weren’t for how kindly I was treated by my fannish grandmas then.
It seems like it’s a mixed bag these days. Some people want to let the con fade out in its current form. Some want to try to revive it, with varying opinions on what types of change are worth it. Some just want to supplement for things that aren’t happening anymore. I know they showed Escapade vid dvds last year because the MWC vidding contest no longer gets many submissions, if any. I couldn’t go, but I sent a DVD of vids in fandoms I thought would play all right there.
There are definitely things I think should have been changed years ago that led to the con being less popular in some quarters (with vidders, for example), but it does sound like the most recent influx of people is causing a bigger than usual culture clash. That anon is being a jerk, but I do understand their frustration.