TOPIC: Indianapolis Monthly Article

A local magazine, Indianapolis Monthly, recently published an article on Gen Con that has started some buzz.  <br /><br /> indianapolismonthly.com/monthly/article.asp?articleID=3

Everyone has a POV - too bad some choose to judge others as participating in negative or non-age appropriate activities...<br /><br />Heck I bet my mom at 72 would do a CON (in costume) if I asked her too...hmmm maybe I should next SOCAL.

I was in effect offended by the article.  It's OK for us (we of the Nerd  Gaming Nation) to make fun of our own, but for someone to put it in a magazine and cast a (what I consider) negative light is just wrong.  Also, following the NASCRAG guy doesn't neccessarily get into all of what makes GenCon fun.  Hello, no TD mention.  That's why we love GenCon.

I have to agree. I was also a tad offended. The writer certainly got a skewed perspective only following around one person - and a person who is clearly extreme. I suspect the writer was also pandering a bit to his audience and own, unavoidable, preconceptions.<br /><br />What about the many "normal" folk who just enjoy games? What about the clearly superior individuals who make up the body of the TD volunteer crew?<br /><br />Perhaps this person needs to be invited back for beers in the tavern.<br /><br />Oh, and clearly the answer is to the age old question is "pirates".

<br />I was a little offended at the statement that there was nary a wedding ring to be seen among the crowd. Most of the gamers I know are married (or in a commited relationship which has outlasted many so-called "marriages" in length). Perhaps my sample is skewed, though, because I hang around with a very cool crowd.<br /><br />I agree, though - following just one fanatic gamer around Gen con does not give a good perspective on the Con.<br /><br />

<br />Oh, and clearly the answer is to the age old question is "pirates".<br />

<br /><br />Yes. Definitely Pirates.<br />Without a doubt.<br /><br />

I could only read part of it before I had to stop due to lack of true gamer life at the con. If they want the real con life it need to be writen by someone who goes to play or from the view of a Vol.

The people from the Gen Con forum who have read it are also pretty ticked off. Many of them are posting comments on the articles website (apparently there's a "Feedback" option) about how they don't appreciate being stereotyped as pimply boys with no spouse and no money, etc, etc. <br /><br />I also didn't care for the article; which is actually only excerpts of what apparently is in the print issue, according to some fine print at the bottom. It would be interesting to read the entire thing, to see if it has any redeeming qualities whatsoever.

I haven't seen the magazine either.  I heard about the article last weekend while mudding and didn't think anything of it again until my husband came home today upset because his co-workers had read it and asked him about it.  He did read the print version and didn't find any differances between it and the one online.  He's so pissed he's beside himself.  He works in a very conservative environment (rural library) the last thing he needs is for his co-workers to think that he goes to Gen Con for an orgy.<br /><br />I'm sure that the author thought he was being funny when he wrote it but Indianapolis Monthly is a very mainstream sort of thing; by them publishing it people who don't know any better are taking it as journalisim.  <br />

Cool. Team got a mention.<br /><br /><br />Finally, the NASCRAG patriarch (a baby-faced 30-something man) emerges in his robes (bed linen) and towering white Pope hat (construction paper and poster board). After a 20-minute spiel, he senses the fever pitch of the crowd’s anticipation. “And without further ado … Fifth place: No Chance In Hell.”<br /><br />The six gamers of “No Chance In Hell” leap from their seats, hug and congratulate each other and then make their way to the stage to receive their shirts. Wells crosses his fingers.<br /><br />I don't recall any hugging though. I'm pretty sure alcohol would have had to be involved for hugging.<br /><br />On a sidenote, still trying to fill nascrag team slots. We're doing the run friday at 9pm for round I and we had attrition this year. If you're interested after the article in giving nascrag a go, show up then and flag me down and we'll fit you into the team.

I modified my post a little and submitted it to the Indianapolis Monthly.  I'll let you know if I get a response.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Dear Indianapolis Monthly,<br /><br /><br />I posted the following on the True Dungeon forum in response to your article, Revenge of the Nerds.  True Dungeon is one of the most popular events at GenCon.  I will be in the TD tavern after my Golden Ticket run on Wednesday evening before GenCon starts.  If this author would care to chat for a few minutes with some of the most creative and intelligent individuals attending GenCon, please contact me and I will try to arrange it.  If I can’t get anyone else to join us, I will meet with him—in costume of course.  I will be in Indianapolis for Wednesday evening only.  Let me know.  I’ll be flying out Tuesday morning.  DB<br /><br /><br /><br />I wasn't as much offended as amused at the strained attempt to mask an agenda.  To portray GenCon attendees as pimply-faced guys seeking to take advantage of younger gamers is ludicrous.  (Sorry none of you gals can attend any more 'cause we are afraid of you and intimidated by you and I am making my wife stay home this year).  <br /><br />I don't even see the division between the sporting community and GenCon attendees.  I'm going to build some ethos here.  I played a year of college basketball, 2 years of college baseball (tryout with the Baltimore Orioles--scouts at all my HS games), and two years of college soccer.  I know I don't look like it now, but 35-40 years ago I was athletic, and I loved sports.  I refereed HS basketball and coached a lot of teams in several sports.  Now sports are a passing interest.  It was an experience--now it's a vicarious experience, as I watch overpaid babies in the NBA, NFL, and MLB.  I still love high school games and some college.  <br /><br />I wonder, since I was involved in sports more than most Colt fans, if I can't go to GenCon now.  Will I be welcome at TD?  Maybe I should have said I stayed in my basement rolling dice to gauge my percentage chance of seducing young men at GenCon and how many I could seduce.  What a load of bull dung!<br /><br />After I read that article, a question formed in my mind.  Why am I flying a couple thousand miles for one night on the GT run?  To most people that’s a little off the wall, but is it any different than the guy who pays thousands to attend SuperBowl?  He doesn't even get to play--and he doesn't even get any cool tokens.  All he gets is an experience.  Ahhh, there is the key.  Nothing at GenCon or TD is real (Don't tell Gary--he thinks his mace is real), except for one overriding thing--the imaginative experience.  That is the only reality besides the financial aspects for the vendors.  For attendees it is all about imagination and experiencing the imaginative process in a multitude of venues.<br /><br />I wonder if this writer would care to know that I know a NASA engineer involved with the Cassini space mission is involved at GenCon or an EMT, or a doctor, or teachers, or entrepreneurs of all kinds, or even a guy like me who runs a multimillion-dollar produce business.  I wonder if he would come into my corporate meetings with Burger King or Subway or Wendys or Kroger or Safeway and say "Do you know this guy goes to a convention and wears funny costumes, and I'm sure he is there to pick up on teen boys?  (Even though he's been married for 35 years with 6 kids and 14 grandkids)  Oh, and he has no money?"  Oh yeah and I write fantasy novels as a hobby and put together costumes to wear.  And I have a LOTR collection that people love to see when they come to visit.  My costumes and swords, banners and helmets, etc. enthralls all of my wife’s piano students.  They didn't want to look at my baseball uniform (and I was so surprised).  When I go to schools to talk about writing, kids love me in costume, but not in a basketball uniform.<br /><br />I wonder if this hobby is any different than the guy who spends thousands of dollars and probably as many hours rebuilding and polishing his 1957 Chevy.  He probably wears white socks and loafers and rolls his cigs in his tee shirt sleeves when he goes to the car show to show his baby off.<br /><br />I've said too much, and now you know too much about me so I will have to kill you all now.  Should I call the pirate or the ninja?  Yeah, we'll go with the pirate.  Be afraid, very afraid , and watch yer backs mateys until I sees ya at GT night.  I'll be the one in costume--ya won't be able to miss me.<br /><br /><br />R. Dennis Baird<br />author of <br />The Brazen Serpent Chronicles--Talon of Light<br />and<br />The Brazen Serpent Chronicles--The Caduceus<br />May dragons of light guide your path<br /> www.brazenserpentchronicles.com <br /><br />This will send from my work email, but I will not be there after Friday.  If there is a response, please respond to the supplied yahoo address and I will pick it up there.  Thanks.<br />

I'll see your costume and raise you my costume...let's all be in costume!!!!  It's just more fun that way!

Well you KNOW I'll be in costume. A different one every day. Otherwise, it wouldn't be me. <br /><br />Excellent post, Widseth. You should send it as feedback to the article.