this debate is making me itchy
I think the reason this particular debate got heated rather fast was the tone of exclusion. I think Stephanie touched on it a few posts above - when people say things like “Let’s not describe ourselves as X anymore, X is bad and we don’t want any of that kind of association” then every person who identifies as X feels under attack - “Why don’t we want to be associated with X? What is wrong with this thing I identify as? And by extension, what are you saying is wrong with me?” I can understand a point about pitching our descriptors to the masses carefully, which has more to do with making sure we communicate ourselves and our hobby in a language with little ambiguity and as few stereotypes as possible, but a large section of the posts decided to focus on why associating with “geek” was bad and not “cool”, which certianly felt like an attack on an identity that a large section of this community lay claim to. I think the topic here isn’t so much “Why will the label ‘geek’ raise the profile of larping in New Zealand” but rather that it will not necessarily destroy it.
In one of his previous posts, Mike started taking the discusion in a direction I liked - let’s not discuss things we don’t want larp to appear, let’s discuss what we want it to appear, and be inclusive of terms. We are a very rich community, with a wide appeal - my last post said how a rugby fan and I would never agree on what is cool, then I got called out by a fellow larper who is also a huge rugby fan, which just goes to show how poorly boxes work. Larping isn’t exclusively “geeky” at the exclusion of all other labels, but it is definitely an aspect that many identify in it, and I’ve found that those who identify as “geeky” often have a better frame of reference for understanding and being interested in larping than those who do not.
In the hopes of directing the discussion towards more positive language about defining our community, I propose we discuss the kinds of people attracted to larp, rather than exclusivist language of them geeky sorts we don’t to be associated with 
From this discussion I’ve learned to never say that rugby fans won’t ever like larp…because some do 
Larping has been known to appeal to…
…roleplayers
…costumers
…geeks
…people who like interactive fiction and dynamic storytelling
…people with vivid imaginations
…people who enjoy adrenaline pumping combat
…sci-fi fans
…fantasy fans
…theatre fans
…people who like building awesome props
…people with degrees in arts/engineering/computer science/fine arts/science
…people who want to improve their social skills
Things that people enjoy in larp are…
…telling a story
…portraying a character different from oneself
…making and wearing cool costumes
…having epic adventures you can’t have in real life
…solving the plot
…being the bad guy and plotting against others
…being the good guy and saving the day
…writing games for others to enjoy
…being part of a fictional setting you love
…being powerful
…combat
…the all-welcoming and all-inclusive community
…having sex with as many women as possible!
I still feel sorry for Hamish 
Well said Anna.
I think that comes under “epic adventures you can’t have in real life” 
I just had the best conversation with Motu Moana Scout Camp.
I rang up to discuss our booking for next year, and the lady on the other end exclaimed “nzLARPS! Oh, we must get your autographs! What a beautiful article on television last week!” It turns out they had seen the article, and were really pleased with how beautifully the camp was portrayed and were also proud to be associated with us. She asked for a copy of the story, so I am going to send her one of the copies we get from 20/20.
Funny story, she said, the reason they ended up watching it was because her daughter had been watching TV and had suddenly exclaimed that her teacher was on TV, wanting to sleep with as many women as possible! So they were a little confused and watched the article and as soon as it started, she said, she immediately said “Oh, I know what this is all about!”
I thought that was quite a cool conversation. Not only is New Zealand unbelievably tiny (Hamish, your sister apparently knows the daughter of the Motu Moana Scout camp lady) but Motu Moana Scout Camp is proud to be associated with us! 
Final wrap up from 20/20:
Hugh wanted me to convey “our thanks to everyone for letting us come and get in the way during their fun, and particularly to those who spoke to us on camera.”
He is sending DVDs of the story to the people who were significantly interviewed in the article, and once we have those, we’ll see what we can do about making copies for anyone else that wants one, as well as getting it on to the nzLARPS website.
So, it’s kind of all over now. That was a fun adventure, wasn’t it?
No apologies to Hamish for the trailer, then? 
Hugh said that was done by an entirely department to which they had no input.
My DVD arrived this morning! I came home sick from work, so it’s cheered me up.
It looks good. They’ve used a picture from the Great Exhibition on the case, Adam as Captain Hook with his sword drawn, Michael as Dr Horrible next to him, and you can see a bunch of people behind them.
oooh I’m on a DVD cover
I still haven’t seen this yet - the TVNZ site doesn’t work for me - I’ve had this problems with other shows too. Is there an alternative viewing platform yet, or can someone send me a CD too?
What he said
Having seen the 20/20 show, I thought it was pretty good
Cheers
Alistair aka Stefano
I think that comes under “epic adventures you can’t have in real life” [/quote]
ahahahahahahahahahahaha!