NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #31/NN_1992_31.iso/spool/rec/arts/sf/fandom/1307

Internet Message Format | 1992-12-22 | 5.4 KB

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From: [e-mail] (David Grubbs)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.fandom
Subject: Re: Arisia vs. Boskone
Date: 21 Dec 92 15:44:39
Organization: Thinking Machines Corporation, Cambridge MA, USA
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In-reply-to: [e-mail]'s message of Wed, 16 Dec 1992 05:52:39 GMT

[e-mail] (Lynn Gold) writes:

> There are two cons in the Boston area in the winter.
>
> Apparently, there's some kind of rivalry between them, based on the
> msgs I've seen.
>
> Not being familiar with east coast fan politics, what IS the
> difference between Arisia and Boskone (other than their names, dates,
> and locations)?  What is the "battle" all about?

Since 1971 I've attended a dozen Boskones, including the last seven, about 10
Worldcons, including all three Noreascons, another 10 cons in New York, Philly
and Baltimore, and all the Arisia conventions.  Though I'm not a member of
either committee, by knowing a lot of them by sight, and a few of them a bit
better, I have probably heard most of the war stories from multiple
viewpoints.

Boskone concentrates on books and artwork.  Through the 70's and 80's Boskone
grew large enough to include movies, games and other peripheral (from their
viewpoint) activities, to broaden the variety of entertainments for the still
mostly book-and-art crowd.  I liked the idea of having a smattering of all the
different SF activities.  It added color and fun.  I could filk, watch movies,
attend costume shows and still see a first class art show and literature
program.

The last two Big Boskones were, for my own enjoyment, better than half the
Worldcons I've been to.  I even volunteered to help a few times.  Until then,
I hadn't realized what a difficult job it is to keep badgeless turkeys out of
art shows ("But I'm with the *artist*!")  Or how miserably people treat you if
you stand behind a counter ("Hurry up boy, I have better things to do than
wait on shopkeepers!  Sniff!").

But Boskone never cost as much as a Worldcon.  That, combined with the
increase in the kind of "peripheral" entertainment that attracts the generally
illiterate TV generation, changed the tone of Boskones by swelling the ranks
of the let's-get-rowdy-and-grab-some-free-beer geeks who have $25 (but not
$120) to spend for a weekend.  They were mostly teenagers who followed their
SF-fan friends into the con looking for movies, games and excitement.  The big
failure occurred when the Boskone committees didn't realize that their
peripheral entertainments were the main drawing card for much of the crowd.

Something hit critical mass.  A very small group of troublemakers set off fire
alarms and caused too much noise.  Mundane Hotel functionaries, who don't like
SF "weirdos" too much anyway, overreacted in some strange ways.  The reason
it became such a big deal is that there were three high-profile side-effects:
(i.e. Locus and SF Chronicle reported it heavily and every con for years was
filled with the "gossip")

    1. Boskone underwent a period of self-examination, jumped out of town,
       and instituted all sorts of rules to try to cut down on attendance.
       Some people objected to the rules for various reasons.  The big
       problem was that there was no way to describe who to get rid of
       without blanketing people who didn't deserve to be included in the
       restrictions.  A no-win situation for all concerned.

    2. The Hotels tried to include the NESFA troubles in the MCFI's
       on-going negotiations over the '89 Worldcon (Noreascon III).  They
       threatened to back out of deals.  Lawyers ensued.  Anytime lawyers
       become noticeable in fandom, something major has gone wrong.  A
       regional problem had gone world-wide.  It drew world-class
       attention.

    3. Some of the people who felt an affront from the Boskone con
       committee decided to create another con.  I'm sure they would
       characterize their motivations as more sophisticated than
       "affronted", but if they had felt any camaraderie with NESFA, they
       would have tried to help, not escape.  So Arisia was born.  They
       chose to schedule it for winter and they chose a name from the same
       Doc Smith universe where Boskone came from.  "Rivals?"  I can't
       believe there is *no* rivalry involved.  But who knows what lurks
       in the hearts of fen?


Boskone is smaller now, with fewer pros showing up and very few "peripheral"
activities, but it still has a very good art show and lots of books.
How their move back toward Boston this year will affect it is unknown.

Arisia started out kind of cheesy, especially the Art Show, but it is
improving in quality as the con committee gains experience.  It mainly aims at
"media" SF, a sort of generic name for "anything that requires little
reading," but it seems to have a youthful vitality that is refreshing (in
small doses) for those of us who aren't college freshmen any longer.

I go to both cons, say hello to my friends, buy books, watch what there is to
watch, make grandiose plans to be on the other side of the rostrum someday,
occasionally (but not too often any more) volunteer to help and generally
ignore the mickey-mouse.
--
David G. Grubbs    ([e-mail])        Kendall Square Research Corp.
If a person offends you and you are in doubt as to whether it was intentional
or not, do not resort to extreme measures.  Simply watch your chance and hit
him with a brick.  -- Mark Twain ("Advice to Youth" Speech, 1882)