A Geographical Organizing Of Steampunks? Is it possible?

[Zwack]

Nor are all of us Artificers, Ratcheters, Victorians or Leagues.  I for one am somewhat less than three miles.  Given a previous discussion where someone suggested an alternate meaning for "steamers" I don't even want to be one of them...

If there is to be an International Steampunk Confederation then I see it as disparate local groups that are aware of the existence of each other (useful for introductions as people move, and for advertising larger events) but that organise local events ummm... locally.

Portland has a fairly active social group, but it's also very much organised at the grass roots level.

We don't all do the same things at the same time, we don't all get the same things out of steampunk even... Some seem to be more interested in costume than others.  Some enjoy making...  But we are all just doing what we like.

Z.

[OldProfessorBear]

Corvus and I seem to be more or less on the same page, but what say the rest of you?

I'll drink to that!

_{(Where's the bottle?)}

[CrackitusPotts]

A few thoughts,

First off, I like the base idea and I think I like how the discussion as developed, in particular the idea of not having a hierarchy and keeping it open and excepting, I agree, Steampunk is not historical it is fantasy/alternate reality and there is no hard and set history or timeline. . .though there are "guidelines" many will argue.
That said, this forum kinda seems to fit what you are talking about.  People meet here, learn from each other, see projects, write stories and organize events.  I live in Los Angeles and have met steamers from all over through these forums.  I participated in events, I have posted and created events and have read about many others doing so.
My point?
Like I said, I think there is a good foundation of an idea here, I would suggest not starting from scratch.  Maybe try and use what all ready exits in the community and unite it under one flag for a sense of unity.  For example, this forum already exists and as I and many others see it, as the premier forum to discuss and learn about Steampunk.  In addition, there is going to be a Steampunk Convention, already planned and underway (seems well thought out and organized) at the end of October, I am sure you all know about this. . .also, there is a Steam Faire being organized sometime in 09 with smaller events leading up to the main even, i think.  Look at the other events and happenings that have been a big push in the Steampunk community like ComiCon and DragonCon.  My point is, things are already happening, the community is growing and organizing itself, why not, if folks wish to organize it under one banner, use what is already out there. . .petition these events and people and try to unite the community!
The reason i bring up some of these particular events is due to the fact that they have organized something already, on a fairly large scale, so they have the experience and know how.


What do you think?  Is that plausible?
Sound like a start?

[christopherdelamaison]

Organizing "steampunks".....now that sounds like work!   

Not to dissuade anyone, but we should be careful on what sort of image we want to project to society at large.

Myself.....I've taken the liberty to invite several of the foreign consulates in Portland to attend the upcoming Victorian Champagne and Croquet party. The purpose here is to create an event where it is just about mandatory to dress well, and to mix with other people we won't normally get a chance to be with. Is this pretentious? Hell, yes!!! The Moulin Rouge party in October is another event, where attending steamies have a chance to rub elbows with other folks who they would not normally be in contact with. This event is also a "mandatory Victorian dress" event. These are two events I would not like to see adopt an SCA-like flavor.

However, I wouldn't want all of our events to have this sort of focus. I liked the idea of a "steampunk passport", which was brought up by several of the PDX steamies, as a document they could carry to other events, in other areas. They would get it stamped by some other "steampunk official", and have a souvenir of their travels to other events. I would be more than happy to put up the cash to create a set of rubber stamps for a recurring event, and stamp other steamies passports. I would also love to have a passport, just to get it stamped by other steampunk groups, when attending their events. This is one event that might favor an SCA-like approach.

Each event we think up and execute, is a little bit different, and may warrant a different approach than other activities. Grouping everything into a game-oriented structure may not be the best way to promote general steampunk.

[atriusofdni]

I think and agian if I'm wrong correct me but I'm thinking that perhaps we are shooting for something a little more like SFI which is a star trek group and its more of just a frame but each of the little ships get to do there own thing the only thing that is established from higher up the chain is awards and perhaps a command structure (which we could leave out) but what i think would be the best idea is that we look at all of the rules of stuff like Amtgard, SCA, SFI, GURPS and go ok i like this part from this, this other peace from this and weed our way through till we get something we like

[Zwack]

Whats with all the "Let's take rules from various RPGs?"  We're not all LARPers or even RPGers.

I definitely think a loose confederation of local groups is a much better way to go about this.  It's more inclusive because a LARP group IS just as valid as a costume group, which...

Z.

[H. MacHinery]

One thing that I recall from my SCA days is that there is often a lot of tension between the local orgs and the higher levels.  One of the SCA's
leading lights (Cariadoc of the Bow mka David Director Friedman) was often suggesting an alternate organizational structure based on the
geological group he was part of (if memory serves - it was some group he was part of).  The gist was that there was a higher organization only for the purposes of
finding local groups, providing a newsletter, and organizing conferences.  The local chapters has nearly total freedom.

[atriusofdni]

ok so i was a little off on my thinking

[femonky]

One thing that I recall from my SCA days is that there is often a lot of tension between the local orgs and the higher levels.  One of the SCA's
leading lights (Cariadoc of the Bow mka David Director Friedman) was often suggesting an alternate organizational structure based on the
geological group he was part of (if memory serves - it was some group he was part of).  The gist was that there was a higher organization only for the purposes of
finding local groups, providing a newsletter, and organizing conferences.  The local chapters has nearly total freedom.

Which, I think is the direction we wish to take this little venture

[Captain Brandsson]

Any new thoughts on this?

[Eisenfaust]

Any new thoughts on this?

First things first...and please if I am incorrect forgive me but...Asmund?

That being said, I and my family would love to help out and engage insoemthign of this sort, ranging from the simple support group idea all the way to the LARP.  My only concern with the LARP is the fact that contact, combat driven competition has a tendency to draw to it or engender bad feelings.  One of the things I have loved about this forum is the fact that people are polite and helpful, engaging in very little chest thumping beyond personal craftsman's pride.  Even that seems in short supply (the chest thumping, not the pride).

Personally, I see the idea of an organization arranged more along the line of the gentleman's clubs (old style, not new ) or league of explorers...groups that come together to share ideas, craft and work on projects together, and generally interact with one another on a social basis.

In regards to the LARP...I would have to say if done, we should really look at having storyline driven ideas and not open free range combat.  This may minimize egos and such.

[Captain Brandsson]

Any new thoughts on this?

First things first...and please if I am incorrect forgive me but...Asmund?

'Tis me!
What an appropriate place to run into one another away from that Amt-world, Ironpaw!


Quite correct about that combat end of things, by the way.  I'd be untruthful if I said I thought much about it.
My personal proclivities tend toward the more social end of the spectrum, thus I think we are on the same page, more than less.

[OldProfessorBear]

No interest for me in LARP (or even RPG, for that matter).

Talk and show-and-tell is more my speed, and maybe an occasional local field trip.

And cider. Or ale.

[Captain Brandsson]

Talk and show-and-tell is more my speed, and maybe an occasional local field trip.

And cider. Or ale.

Heartily agreed with.

There seems to be three legs to this table: social (note the Professor's quote), game (LARP/Combat), co-op (pooled resources)...  Do I seem to be assessing rightly?

[atriusofdni]

that's what I'm getting also and on the larp part i agree with Eisenfaust that questing would be a better route than battle games perhaps one here and there to take a break from quests but even then plan it so its a raid on another larp group that way it generates interest in the other groups

[Captain Brandsson]

I suppose the next question is, then: How do we begin?

[Spectre]

The beauty of Steampunk is that there is no canon. It's incredibly indiviualist, and leaves open the entire aether for intepetation.

Creating a set of standards for a stlye in which there really is no basis for in the first place will only lead to squabling over trite details, a political morass, and capping off the limits of artistic expression.

You say not this can't happen! It happens all the time with many other groups that do have a solid precedent to work from. Usually by the people who said it couldn't happen in the first place.

I am all about organizing a group under a common story. Many members of a group like to role play. Others like to write. Some even wish to have a uniform of some sort to identify themselves as participants in this grand scheme. I encourage that because some things are just better when you have like minded people to play with.

But I am adamantly opposed to anyone telling me or anyone else, including those that want to be told, what to wear, when to wear it or what I can or can not be in the space of my own skull. Isn't steampunk a rebellion of sorts, as decreed by Mr. Sterling?

Just my couple of farthings tossed out there.

[Captain Brandsson]

Spectre raises several points which are fair to address:  Simply put, I do not think that there will be an issue as to what is or is not "proper steampunk".  Rather any "rules" would simply exist to keep us all on the same page when games are being played and any uniformity would merely be a voulantary exercise in "bonding".
For those who recall the old "Mage: The Ascension" RPG from White Wolf, the oft-mentioned Sons of Ether are an excellent example of a (sometimes startlingly) unified group of scientists, adventurers and such that rarely agreed on the same basic laws of physics.

[Vancouver Air Privateer]

Even just getting Steampunks together would be excellent.

Little hope of me participating in any of this, though.... ...blast school!

[OldProfessorBear]

I suppose the social aspect is number one for me, though the co-op side is also of great interest.

As far as LARPing and questing go, I get my annual dose of the latter at the MIT Mystery Hunt every January.

While I can't see myself engaging in cosplay per se, I do dress eccentrically, not that anyone would notice much here in Geekhaven, especially for the few SP meetups I've been to.

[Dr. Munro]

OK, so, I know I've not posted so far but I thought I'd get involved.

I think this is a fantastic idea.  As somebody that has only relatively recently found his niche an organistation of some variety would be a great way for me to find out about local groups and get involved.

As far as the LARPing goes.  I don't see why there has to be rules setup from the top for this.  If I understand things correctly the "union" or whatever we want to call it would merely be a common place for people to get together discuss what they're doing and what they've done recently and invite people along to their next event.  Am I right?  If this is the case why can't we just let the individual LARPers decide what they want that event to be.  Sure, I suppose groups could get together and discuss what they think would be a good way to do things as far as rules go but as long as things are setup so that everybody knows whats going on before things get going I can't imagine it would be a problem.  A nice analogy might well be the game of Monopoly.  We all have standard rules but when you come round to mine to play we're damn well playing free parking and as long as I tell everyone before we start playing it shouldn't be a problem.

I for one am much more interested in the potential for workshops.  I love making things but I'm not really very good at working out how to make them.  If I had somebody there that could show me it would be alot easier.  Whilst I realise that there's nothing to stop workshops going on without this organisation I'm much more likely (and I'm sure I'm not alone) to go along to something if I only have one place to check.  I'm lazy.  Let's be honest, who isn't a little bit lazy?

I'm all for this.  If anything needs to be done I'd be more than willing to help.  Just let me know.

[Captain Brandsson]

While I can't see myself engaging in cosplay per se, I do dress eccentrically, not that anyone would notice much here in Geekhaven, especially for the few SP meetups I've been to.

I am, essentially, the same...  with maybe a few odd purely playfull accutrements depending on the situation.

[Keithe]

Greetings all. After reading the thread and giving it some thought, here are a few random thoughts.

I agree with the idea of an explorer's club.  My take on this is a Time Traveller's Guild or Society. Epoch Explorers Society?
This would eliminate problems with individual differences on what is steampunk. I believe the following statements could cover almost
any situation that could arise about what is "authentic steampunk" and let everybody get on with organizing meets, etc.

Every member has a unique backstory due to coming from unique times and places.
Every member was contacted by another member or contact with another member due to knowledge of gained from the society and its materials.
Everything is plausible/possible due to time travel.


Also I would propose the following term
de-enactor : de-(also used to indicate privation, removal, and separation) enactor(act the part of:)

[Captain Brandsson]

Perhaps we should celebrate those very differences and hold a "mad science fair".

[Captain Brandsson]

You know, the more I think about it, the more I think there might be something to the idea of a “Mad Science Fair” (for temporary want of a better name).
Just brainstorming, there could be categories for robotics (we could have them fight!), “weaponry” (perhaps launching a melon for distance and accuracy), miniature airship race (or even “personal conveyance” race), a “fashionable technology” category for wearable items that function and even a “form over function” for items that merely look impressive.