A Geographical Organizing Of Steampunks? Is it possible?

[Captain Brandsson]

Or would it just be herding clockwork cats?

Over on the Introduction Thread the notion was proposed regarding the organization interested steampunk enthusiasts (comparisons were drawn to the SCA).

As I (unintentionally) contributed to a shift away from that thread's purpose, I thought I'd move the discussion here.

[BaronPablo]

I'd definitely be willing to take a lead in starting something like this up! If we need some sort of alternate history and map, I'd be willing to give a try for a few different possibilities.

Anyone else interested? Some sort of Steampunk LARP organization, without all the magic missle? 

[Captain Brandsson]

Certainly LARP is one facet.  One that will require much work (background, rules, etc).

For those not so inclined there could also be the usefulness of a craft-oriented network of the like-minded.  Tip sharing is definately possible online, but actual workshops could be organized.

And, of course, it goes without saying that the community aspects could be beneficial.  Meeting other folks.  Pooling resources for regular steampunk-themed events.

I like the idea, in theory.

[Sean Patrick O-Byrne]

Isn't that what this is?

[Captain Brandsson]

Isn't that what this is?

Yes...  but the idea has been proposed to take to an "in-person" level.

[Vancouver Air Privateer]

Uh, missed the first bit of this. What's the general idea?

[Captain Brandsson]

Uh, missed the first bit of this. What's the general idea?

Are you familiar with groups such as The SCA or Amtgard?
These sorts of groups are medieval-themed clubs (for want of a better term) usually with simulated combat/LARP leanings, but with thriving arts/sciences/crafts/cultural elements, usually meeting on weekends and hosting seasonal events.
The Renfaire is usually the most commonly known expression of this crowd.
Some are strictly historical and others allow for fantasy and almost all organize chapters to represent the feudal system (with varying degrees of accuracy, simply borrowing names and titles and applying them to more democratic systems is common).

What is being wondered is:  Could the steampunk community do something similar?

[Vancouver Air Privateer]

I see. But where does the "Geographical Organizing" come in? Does that just mean a general gathering of steampunks in a particular geographical location? Or would this be a world-wide thing, with centers all over?

[Captain Brandsson]

I see. But where does the "Geographical Organizing" come in? Does that just mean a general gathering of steampunks in a particular geographical location? Or would this be a world-wide thing, with centers all over?

That is one of the questions, I guess.  Would depends on interest and what not.
The ideas are still forming.

[Dr. Oliver Cross]

Well, as the (slightly crazed) individual who brought this about, I think I should place forward a presentation as to what I envision, and then take a poll as to people's opinions thereof.

What I envision is a society similar to the Society for Creative Anachronism, including research, construction, study, even, should we manage to find a way to assemble a functional set of rules for same, combat.  A political system that could hold the structure together, if at all doable, would also be nice.  Ideas are currently very much in the nebulous stage, and as such, I'd love to hear yours as to this topic.

So, what say we?

[lilibat]

That's actually been discussed on Livejournal at some length. In fact there is a community for discussing it...

I *believe* this is it.
http://community.livejournal.com/cog_mgmt/profile

[WookieeGunner]

As a fellow SCA'er, let me shine some light on how the SCA is orginized.

At the top level is the Society.  This comprises all SCA chapters around the world.  Minimum rule levels are set here (for exampe, there is a minimum set of rules that any group who wants to do fighting must adhere to).  Know as the By-Laws and Corpora.

The next level is a "divisional" level called a Kingdom.  I believe there are approximately 20 kingdoms at this time.  This is the largest operating level that most people deal with.  The Kingdom may set rules more strict than Society, but can not set rules less strict.  ("By Kingdom Law and Tradition")  

The local chapter is known as a Shire or Barony, depending on the size.  For the most part they follow the rules of the kingdom they are in.  This is where your weekly meetings come from.  

SCA focuses on all branches of the medieval life.  For example not only do they practice fighting, but most (if not all) kingdoms will have annual universities (a weekend event of classes that could be anything from making costumes, to performing illumination, to the jester's role in the King's Court) and annual arts and sciences competition.

[Captain Brandsson]

WookieGunner, as an SCAer, do you think this idea has merit?

[The_Naysayer]

I'm very much interested in any LARP I can get my hands on, but as for organizing and executing, I'm clueless.  I'll keep an eye on this subject, just for kicks.

[Captain Brandsson]

I'm very much interested in any LARP I can get my hands on, but as for organizing and executing, I'm clueless.  I'll keep an eye on this subject, just for kicks.

Sometimes, just an extra person to show up and join in is all that is needed.

[femonky]

I think the idea is brilliant.
Using the SCA as a template, I believe, is the way to go.
Obviosuly, we'd change terminologies to fit our theme. But, universities on costuming, etc is a great idea.

[atriusofdni]

To answer the Geographical Organization facet question. Amtgard has chapters in Germany japan and many other places I'm sure the SCA does also so perhaps a better word than Geographical would be World Wide? because heck we got people from allover the world here so world wide works out better... If you want help Brannan i have shot you a pm and i would be willing to help develop the rule system and such.


as femonky said using a exiting larp as a base is a good idea but perhaps not the SCA the amtgard rulebook is a lot more accessible and Brannan and I are both familiar with the way amtgard works also. but I think that we should get opinions from people interested in this i.e. post links to the rule books of both and take votes and then move on from there

heres the link to the amtgard rule book http://www.amtgardinc.com/bldocs/AmtgardRoPv7_2.pdf

[OldProfessorBear]

Sounds like a possibly good idea.

It's too bad the SCA already has the name, for who are more creative anachronists than we?

It would be important to be as inclusive as possible, I think, and not limit ourselves to a strictly Victorian timeframe. I think much of the creativity is directly a result of temporal slippage, if you will. Otherwise we might as well be the Neo-Victorian League or something.

(My personal timeframe is roughly the century+ starting in about 1837, but extending over either end a bit. I tend to be partial to the later portion, about 1880-1945 let's say.)

Actually, it occurs to me that looking over a timeline of invention might be a way to define it. I shall ponder this ...

[Watson]

Uh, missed the first bit of this. What's the general idea?

Are you familiar with groups such as The SCA or Amtgard?
These sorts of groups are medieval-themed clubs (for want of a better term) usually with simulated combat/LARP leanings, but with thriving arts/sciences/crafts/cultural elements, usually meeting on weekends and hosting seasonal events.
The Renfaire is usually the most commonly known expression of this crowd.
Some are strictly historical and others allow for fantasy and almost all organize chapters to represent the feudal system (with varying degrees of accuracy, simply borrowing names and titles and applying them to more democratic systems is common).

What is being wondered is:  Could the steampunk community do something similar?

Why not a moving festival? With goods for sale, and things for show? Rayguns for chilluns and goggles for men; a new pair of boots for the lady as well, or any of the three for any of the three!

No manditory dress, but suggested cosplay.

[Dr. Oliver Cross]

If we're going to state a specific time period, and I suggest we do, I would say the beginning of the Regency to the end of World War One would be a good period.  As for a name, I've been thinking the Imperial Artificers' Society would be a good name.  What say you?

[Master Murdoch]

Why not a moving festival? With goods for sale, and things for show? Rayguns for chilluns and goggles for men; a new pair of boots for the lady as well, or any of the three for any of the three!

No manditory dress, but suggested cosplay.

This is a cool idea but how often would the festival be happening, conitinious, speradically, monthly?
If its continious then you have to think of expenses and such as it is very hard to make enough money to run a yearly festival off let alone a continious one, just look at what happend to sunrise festival here in britain.
I do however think maybe a yearly gathering which could eventually turn into a full festival might be a good idea, maybe having a different one in each of the major countrys that we know have Steamers, set on different dates so that if we wanted we could travel to all or some of them?

[Dr. Oliver Cross]

So, something on the order of a series of conventions, with similar operational themes, and the same rules for combat, should they have any, taking place over the length of the year, in Great Britain, Canada, the United States, Australia, and Germany?  This could work.

[Master Murdoch]

That was how the idea formed in my head.
(Oh darn it, i said to myself i wouldnt get involved in this, i dont have the time lol)
Maybe the conventions could be the official meet for the associaton (whatever the eventual name)
and then if there are enough people in an area then you could have smaller more regular meets?

[OldProfessorBear]

WRT a chronological identity: I have consulted a few invention timelines on the ætherwebs, and they all seem to be derived from a common ancestor. And they don't seem terribly reliable or helpful.

I'm coming to the conclusion that our era should begin around the time steam power became effective and useful, and taper off with the arrival of nuclear energy. It seems to me the period should be defined by technology rather than politics (in which I include the coming and going of monarchs, etc.), thus allowing a more global scope.

It is important to note, as well, that the introduction of electrical technology was barely a step behind the steam machine, though it took somewhat longer to be applied to high power uses such as transportation (infernal combustion, on the other hand, lagged way behind these two).  Thus we are in fact involved in the "electro-mechanical" age, for immediate want of a better term.

Nearly every technology we have today existed in some form by about 1950. And nearly none of it was around before about 1800, with a few important exceptions (printing, firearms). Or to put it another way, if you think about it, the world has been based on (or dominated by) technology since the early 19th century; before that, it was not. An average person transported from perhaps 1750 to 1250 would probably not have felt all that out of place (language aside), and vice-versa. Whereas someone from 1850 transported to 1750 would be in quite a different world.

My feeling is that an organization such as we are discussing should embrace that entire century and a half, perhaps dividing it into early, middle and late periods.

And not to forget the temporal mix-and-match aspect of things, which can of course extend right out of period. We are not re-enactors.

The League for Inter-temporal Innovation?

[Master Murdoch]

Now that good sir has a ring to it.