[net.sf-lovers] A Fandom Flame

mae@aplvax.UUCP (08/12/83)

Janice Eisen recently commented in this newsgroup:

	"There seems to be, unfortunately, a great deal of snobbish elitism
among faaans.  I don't like media fen either, but not all neos or young
people are obnoxious.  I got very annoyed when I heard some people 
campaigning for the Australia bid on the grounds that (I'm paraphrasing)
'It will be a more fannish con, because only *REAL FEN* will go.' "

********* FLAME ON **********

Would someone please explain to me why "sf fen" dislike/are prejudiced against
"media fen" and why there even needs to be a distinction?  I am a science
fiction fan who reads everything I can get my hands on while also enjoying
and participating in "media" fandom.  Isn't the written word also a
communications medium and therefore included in the plural term media?
My "mundane" officemate first learned I went to cons when I mentioned
going to a local Trek con.  He passed this information on to his "sf fan"
roommate and got a scornful response.  The next day he told me he never
realized science fiction fans were prejudiced.  I'd like to think we
were more open minded too.

********* FLAME OFF **********

				Mary Anne Espenshade
				...!umcp-cs!aplvax!mae