Comments on: A Hugo for the StarShipSofa http://anoved.net/2010/02/a-hugo-for-the-starshipsofa/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:45:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jim http://anoved.net/2010/02/a-hugo-for-the-starshipsofa/#comment-841 Jim Sun, 28 Feb 2010 14:31:01 +0000 http://anoved.net/?p=1603#comment-841 We definitely live in interesting times for media. Podcasts aren't a direct substitute for the written word; I can only really listen to them while engaged in the sort of chores Steve describes. Lately, I've found myself wanting to return to a few stories I've listened to, but to read them at my leisure. (In contrast to the person you met, I sometimes find spoken stories too <em>fast</em> to fully enjoy!) I appreciate that you've had a chance to sample the opinions of some other fans. Ultimately, it is really up to the whole community to decide what floats or sinks where in fandom. I'll be interested to hear more about your podcast panel! We definitely live in interesting times for media. Podcasts aren’t a direct substitute for the written word; I can only really listen to them while engaged in the sort of chores Steve describes. Lately, I’ve found myself wanting to return to a few stories I’ve listened to, but to read them at my leisure. (In contrast to the person you met, I sometimes find spoken stories too fast to fully enjoy!)

I appreciate that you’ve had a chance to sample the opinions of some other fans. Ultimately, it is really up to the whole community to decide what floats or sinks where in fandom. I’ll be interested to hear more about your podcast panel!

]]> By: Jim Mowatt http://anoved.net/2010/02/a-hugo-for-the-starshipsofa/#comment-840 Jim Mowatt Sun, 28 Feb 2010 10:14:12 +0000 http://anoved.net/?p=1603#comment-840 Lots of good comments. I was talking to lots of people yesterday at Picocon (small convention run by students at Imperial College, London) and podcast listening in SF fandom is definitely on the rise. More seem to listen to popular Science Fact shows than short fiction though and many people still prefer to read words than listen to them. I remember one person saying that he gets impatient with stories being read aloud as they're just too slow. It's fascinating how different people view different media. However, Starship Sofa was mentioned several times and this is all to the good. Fanzine Hugos were mentioned and many seemed to think there should be a different category for podcasts and that even SF podcasts should have many different categories. There'll be a podcast panel at this year's Eastercon in London http://www.odyssey2010.org/ which will be at the Tetworth room at 7pm on Friday night. I think the format at the moment is to pick 4 SF podcasts to talk about and then throw the discussion open to the floor but I suspect we'll also be discussing Starship Sofa and the fanzine Hugo. I'll be interested to hear what people think. Matthew - I hope you enjoy my history podcast, Historyzine Kind regards Jim Lots of good comments. I was talking to lots of people yesterday at
Picocon (small convention run by students at Imperial College,
London) and podcast listening in SF fandom is definitely on the
rise. More seem to listen to popular Science Fact shows than short
fiction though and many people still prefer to read words than
listen to them. I remember one person saying that he gets impatient
with stories being read aloud as they’re just too slow. It’s
fascinating how different people view different media. However,
Starship Sofa was mentioned several times and this is all to the
good. Fanzine Hugos were mentioned and many seemed to think there
should be a different category for podcasts and that even SF
podcasts should have many different categories. There’ll be a
podcast panel at this year’s Eastercon in London
http://www.odyssey2010.org/ which will be at the Tetworth room at
7pm on Friday night. I think the format at the moment is to pick 4
SF podcasts to talk about and then throw the discussion open to the
floor but I suspect we’ll also be discussing Starship Sofa and the
fanzine Hugo. I’ll be interested to hear what people think. Matthew
- I hope you enjoy my history podcast, Historyzine Kind regards Jim

]]> By: Matthew Sanborn Smith http://anoved.net/2010/02/a-hugo-for-the-starshipsofa/#comment-837 Matthew Sanborn Smith Sun, 28 Feb 2010 02:32:43 +0000 http://anoved.net/?p=1603#comment-837 Ah-Ha! Ah-Ha!

]]> By: Grant Stone http://anoved.net/2010/02/a-hugo-for-the-starshipsofa/#comment-836 Grant Stone Sun, 28 Feb 2010 01:27:10 +0000 http://anoved.net/?p=1603#comment-836 So, if a podcast can't be a fanzine, how come there's at least one podcast already listed on efanzines.com that's been running since 2006? http://thevoicesoffandom.com/ From the page: Over the years, Fanac (Fan Activities) has taken many forms and provided outlets for creative expression and community participation within science fiction fandom. TVoF is simply our high-tech attempt to keep up an 'old family tradition'! Our contining 'mission' is to collect audio interviews and audio clips, either newly recorded or historic artifacts, spoken word or music, for the entertainment of interested science fiction fans everywhere! The site includes rare clips, interviews, stories of 'fan history', readings of fan writings, music, filk room recordings and voices of fans in the ongoing Fandom Oral History project. There's also a link to a fan photo gallery and a TVoF podcast too! WHY? Because it "sounds like Science Fiction"... that's WHY! So Voices Of Fandom is continuing the old family tradition but other podcasts are not? So, if a podcast can’t be a fanzine, how come there’s at least one
podcast already listed on efanzines.com that’s been running since
2006? http://thevoicesoffandom.com/ From the page: Over the years,
Fanac (Fan Activities) has taken many forms and provided outlets
for creative expression and community participation within science
fiction fandom. TVoF is simply our high-tech attempt to keep up an
‘old family tradition’! Our contining ‘mission’ is to collect audio
interviews and audio clips, either newly recorded or historic
artifacts, spoken word or music, for the entertainment of
interested science fiction fans everywhere! The site includes rare
clips, interviews, stories of ‘fan history’, readings of fan
writings, music, filk room recordings and voices of fans in the
ongoing Fandom Oral History project. There’s also a link to a fan
photo gallery and a TVoF podcast too! WHY? Because it “sounds like
Science Fiction”… that’s WHY! So Voices Of Fandom is continuing
the old family tradition but other podcasts are not?

]]> By: Steve BIckle http://anoved.net/2010/02/a-hugo-for-the-starshipsofa/#comment-835 Steve BIckle Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:23:43 +0000 http://anoved.net/?p=1603#comment-835 I can't read a book or magazine whilst driving, washing up, digging the garden, fixing the blinds or during a myriad of other menial tasks that don't fully occupy the mind; but I can listen to podcasts such as StarShopSofa, EscapePod, The Drabblecast or a Podiobook. Because of this I've bought more SF books than I have since I was a teenager. I've learned of fantastic new authors and bought their works. Podcasts do not displace the written word they complement the written word much like those paper fanzines used to. I can’t read a book or magazine whilst driving, washing up, digging
the garden, fixing the blinds or during a myriad of other menial
tasks that don’t fully occupy the mind; but I can listen to
podcasts such as StarShopSofa, EscapePod, The Drabblecast or a
Podiobook. Because of this I’ve bought more SF books than I have
since I was a teenager. I’ve learned of fantastic new authors and
bought their works. Podcasts do not displace the written word they
complement the written word much like those paper fanzines used to.

]]> By: Jim http://anoved.net/2010/02/a-hugo-for-the-starshipsofa/#comment-833 Jim Sat, 27 Feb 2010 14:56:19 +0000 http://anoved.net/?p=1603#comment-833 Having never heard of wizard rock <em>or</em> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filk_music" title="Well, gee, just what sort of fan am I if I don't already know all about filk muisc?" rel="nofollow">filk</a>, I was amused to see <a href="http://community.livejournal.com/filk/410542.html" rel="nofollow">what that question was all about</a>. I think the comparison is apt. Having never heard of wizard rock or filk, I was amused to see what that question was all about. I think the comparison is apt.

]]> By: Jim http://anoved.net/2010/02/a-hugo-for-the-starshipsofa/#comment-831 Jim Sat, 27 Feb 2010 14:45:43 +0000 http://anoved.net/?p=1603#comment-831 Sorry about the paragraph breaks - I'm not sure why that happens. If you or anyone else (Mike, Jim M.) care to specify where they should go, I'd be happy to add them. Sorry about the paragraph breaks – I’m not sure why that happens. If you or anyone else (Mike, Jim M.) care to specify where they should go, I’d be happy to add them.

]]> By: Church http://anoved.net/2010/02/a-hugo-for-the-starshipsofa/#comment-829 Church Sat, 27 Feb 2010 13:42:03 +0000 http://anoved.net/?p=1603#comment-829 Y'know, this whole debate reminds me of the 'is Wizard Rock Filk?' question. Both in the obviousness of the answer, and the territorial defensiveness of the fen. Y’know, this whole debate reminds me of the ‘is Wizard Rock Filk?’
question. Both in the obviousness of the answer, and the
territorial defensiveness of the fen.

]]> By: Matthew Sanborn Smith http://anoved.net/2010/02/a-hugo-for-the-starshipsofa/#comment-826 Matthew Sanborn Smith Sat, 27 Feb 2010 02:19:35 +0000 http://anoved.net/?p=1603#comment-826 I really wish those paragraph breaks had held. Also, to Jim Mowatt, I am very interested in that podcast of yours and will begin downloading soon. I really wish those paragraph breaks had held. Also, to Jim Mowatt,
I am very interested in that podcast of yours and will begin
downloading soon.

]]> By: Matthew Sanborn Smith http://anoved.net/2010/02/a-hugo-for-the-starshipsofa/#comment-825 Matthew Sanborn Smith Sat, 27 Feb 2010 02:17:12 +0000 http://anoved.net/?p=1603#comment-825 Hi Jims. Lots of good points here. Part of the reason we're campaigning for the Sofa is to see if it is even eligible for a Hugo. Other great science fiction podcasts might not be perceived as fanzines, but as semi-prozines, related works or what have you. The case can't go to court if no podcast gets enough votes to even be noticed. And we choose StarShipSofa because we're not going to push for a podcast that we like less. As far as other fanzines go, I like Ansible (which obviously doesn't need a campaign) and I love SF Signal, which I imagine is not considered a fanzine by many, though it feels like one to me. I don't think I've read other fanzines. So some people may say I'm a weasel for saying the Sofa is the best. I'm okay with that. I'm getting used to that. I'm happy to check out others and I've bookmarked the ones that you've mentioned. If it makes my detractors feel any better, I don't get a vote because I don't have a membership. I've been told that a person had to be a member before January 31st in order to nominate anything. We began this campaign well after that date. The nominee voting isn't going to be overrun by mindless hordes streaming from the Sofa's cushions. And we hold no guns to any heads. We want people to know that they CAN nominate the Sofa. We can't force anyone to do so. Yes, people can get memberships now and participate in the final voting, but if the Sofa isn't nominated, there's nothing to worry about. If the show gets enough votes the Hugo lords might then decide it's not eligible. And I encourage all arguments for and against it so that people have some things to think about if it comes to a ruling. From Jim Mowatts' comments on fandom I get the sense that he feels StarShipSofa fans have not been science fiction fans or part of pure fandom. I assure you all that StarShipSofa is not a cooking podcast or a fly-fishing podcast. Nor does it have the power to make non-fans listen to it in order to turn them. I'd imagine that most of us have been fans of science fiction for many years and flocked to the show when we discovered it. I would also imagine that anyone who is eligible to nominate is somehow associated with one Worldcon or another and so is probably a part of your crowd already. If that crowd doesn't support the show, it won't vote for the show. Lastly, and to the same comments on fandom, I have to say that there are thousands of fans who don't attend cons, or write to their favorite magazines, or jump on forums or blogs. Those people are still fans. I've been a fan for over twenty-five years and I never felt at home with a group until I joined the StarShipSofa forums. There are hardcore folks in science fiction fandom, folks who know everyone, hit cons and join movements. These people don't know who I am. They've never seen me or heard of me. Nevertheless, I'm still a fan, because I read science fiction stories and I like them. That's all it takes to be a fan. And there are thousands more outside of the center just like me. If the show does get nominated and the unwashed masses who bought memberships between February 1st and March 13th put the Sofa on top, it won't be put there by people who hate science fiction. The people who hate science fiction have never heard of the show or the Hugos and wouldn't break step to spit in our direction if they did hear about us. Only science fiction fans are going to vote for the winner, whomever that may be. Hi Jims. Lots of good points here. Part of the reason we’re
campaigning for the Sofa is to see if it is even eligible for a
Hugo. Other great science fiction podcasts might not be perceived
as fanzines, but as semi-prozines, related works or what have you.
The case can’t go to court if no podcast gets enough votes to even
be noticed. And we choose StarShipSofa because we’re not going to
push for a podcast that we like less. As far as other fanzines go,
I like Ansible (which obviously doesn’t need a campaign) and I love
SF Signal, which I imagine is not considered a fanzine by many,
though it feels like one to me. I don’t think I’ve read other
fanzines. So some people may say I’m a weasel for saying the Sofa
is the best. I’m okay with that. I’m getting used to that. I’m
happy to check out others and I’ve bookmarked the ones that you’ve
mentioned. If it makes my detractors feel any better, I don’t get a
vote because I don’t have a membership. I’ve been told that a
person had to be a member before January 31st in order to nominate
anything. We began this campaign well after that date. The nominee
voting isn’t going to be overrun by mindless hordes streaming from
the Sofa’s cushions. And we hold no guns to any heads. We want
people to know that they CAN nominate the Sofa. We can’t force
anyone to do so. Yes, people can get memberships now and
participate in the final voting, but if the Sofa isn’t nominated,
there’s nothing to worry about. If the show gets enough votes the
Hugo lords might then decide it’s not eligible. And I encourage all
arguments for and against it so that people have some things to
think about if it comes to a ruling. From Jim Mowatts’ comments on
fandom I get the sense that he feels StarShipSofa fans have not
been science fiction fans or part of pure fandom. I assure you all
that StarShipSofa is not a cooking podcast or a fly-fishing
podcast. Nor does it have the power to make non-fans listen to it
in order to turn them. I’d imagine that most of us have been fans
of science fiction for many years and flocked to the show when we
discovered it. I would also imagine that anyone who is eligible to
nominate is somehow associated with one Worldcon or another and so
is probably a part of your crowd already. If that crowd doesn’t
support the show, it won’t vote for the show. Lastly, and to the
same comments on fandom, I have to say that there are thousands of
fans who don’t attend cons, or write to their favorite magazines,
or jump on forums or blogs. Those people are still fans. I’ve been
a fan for over twenty-five years and I never felt at home with a
group until I joined the StarShipSofa forums. There are hardcore
folks in science fiction fandom, folks who know everyone, hit cons
and join movements. These people don’t know who I am. They’ve never
seen me or heard of me. Nevertheless, I’m still a fan, because I
read science fiction stories and I like them. That’s all it takes
to be a fan. And there are thousands more outside of the center
just like me. If the show does get nominated and the unwashed
masses who bought memberships between February 1st and March 13th
put the Sofa on top, it won’t be put there by people who hate
science fiction. The people who hate science fiction have never
heard of the show or the Hugos and wouldn’t break step to spit in
our direction if they did hear about us. Only science fiction fans
are going to vote for the winner, whomever that may be.

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