Science Fiction Conventions (1980 essay)
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| Title: | Science Fiction Conventions |
| Creator: | Paul Stuart |
| Date(s): | January 1980 |
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| Fandom: | |
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Science Fiction Conventions is a 1980 essay by Paul Stuart printed in Probe One #16.
Some Topics Discussed
- Mr. W.
- science fiction conventions
- gatekeeping and fandom
- fandom and profit
- procons vs. fancons
- loyalty oaths
- "private" cons vs. "public" cons
- mention of a southern California Thanksgiving 1979 con that was "the first convention to be picketed by science fiction fans"
- objections to having to wear plastic wristbands
The Essay
As science fiction conventions rose in popularity with the public some convention promoters sought to "corner" the convention market. Their chief aim was to make their own convention the most likely choice among the sci-fi fans and to do their best to get rid of their competition.
In southern California one promoter began plans to eliminate possible competition. Mr, W started making a list of people who ran rival conventions. These persons automatically became persona non grata at his functions. Mr. W then began to blacklist many people who were close friends to his competitors or to anyone who didn't fit the image that Mr. W thought the perfect fan should be.
In the past it had been a standing practice that conventions allowed other conventions and functions to publicize their upcoming activities and events. Mr. W saw this as a threat to what he wanted to achieve so he would not permit any advertisement in any shape or form at his functions.
In an attempt to manipulate science fiction fans to his own advantage Mr. W changed the format of his conventions. They were no longer open to the public but were now private gatherings in which membership to his association was a prerequisite. Of course a membership could be purchased at the convention after filling out a series of forms and signing what many people have began calling a "loyalty oath." In flyers to his events Mr. W makes clear that all memberships are reviewed by his association membership committee. As a condition to membership the applicant promises not to distribute literature of any kind. The applicant must also promise "to have a positive attitude" towards fandom.
Once accepted the new member is given an ID card and a convention wrist band, when attending one of Mr, W's functions the ID card and wrist band must be shown when requested by Mr. W's convention staff.
Mr. W held a convention during the Thanksgiving holiday and acquired a rather dubious distinction. To this writer's knowledge, Mr. W's function is the first convention to be picketed by science fiction fans. By science fiction fans, I mean individuals who have attended other science fiction conventions in the past as well as Mr. W's events. They resented Mr. W's method of selecting members into his association, blacklisting individuals, and the fact that the fans, in general, are continuing to pay more and get less in return when they attend one of Mr. W's conventions. The picketing fans marched in front of Mr. W's convention site passing out information sheets stating their grievances.
As competition grew fierce among various convention promoters in southern California some began to do whatever they could to discredit their rivals in the eyes of the science fiction fans.
Promoters would attack the selection of films or the slim number of guests of the other conventions. They would judge other conventions by their own standards even if the other conventions were small in comparison and ran for fun instead of for profit. Perhaps they purposely overlooked the fact that not all conventions can afford to pay large sums of money for films or guests. Maybe they forgot that the main reason fans got together in the first place was not to pay high admission fees,sign loyalty oaths, wear plastic wristbands, or be subjected to a highly commercial atmosphere of fandom.
Fans got together to meet other fans, people who share their similar interests. In an effort to become "king of the hill", wipe out competition and squeeze as much money as they can from fans, some large commercial conventions are succeeding in getting rid of their competition but at the same time they are also get ting rid of the reason for attending conventions.