Not that it means her harassment should be taken any more or less seriously, but Valentine wasn't just a run-of-the-mill convention attendee. She's a Nebula award nominated author and was a guest of the con.
... -- though frankly, other than Kirk Poland, there never was much for me there.
I'm (from the dark ages) a former ConCom member, very occasional staffer, and hosting some now former members for dinner this evening.
I'm not in any way surprised about the harassment (which is ubiquitous in the convention community, both SF and gamers), but I'm disgusted about how this has played out. The pie fighting both on- and offline has been the most vicious infighting for the lowest possible stakes.
After some less-than-courteous treatment by one (female) volunteer and one (male) staffer two years ago, I have declined any further involvement with Readercon. This mess was absolutely inevitable, given the other dynamics of the convention.
I predict that Readercon will not survive beyond 2014. Loss of institutional memory and lack of fundraising will kill it dead. At this point, IMNSHO, good riddance.
I'm shocked to learn people lacking in social skills or personal hygiene attend these things! Since the guy is a repeat offender, some letters to the Hugo Awards and other cons of his behavior and suspension are in order. That is much stronger than a life ban at one con. Perhaps he will edit his behavior.
You know, I'd just noted to someone that some people just cannot help themselves, and would just have to mention their political POV, even during a discussion about crochet and macrame.
Thank you for illustrating I was correct.
(What the F' does Bush have to do anything with this story?)
Like many issues, this one has more going on than one can cover in a couple paragraphs. The previous comments help fill in the details. Here is some more reading, from scifi author and blogger John Scalzi:
And Scalzi himself has posted more than once on this. I find him to be very thoughtful. I read him almost as closely as I read Universal Hub ;)
up
Voting closed 0
Support Universal Hub
Help keep Universal Hub going. If you like what we're up to and want to help out, please consider a (completely non-deductible) contribution.
Comments
Comic Book Guy says:
Worst. Readercon. Ever.
Genevieve Valentine
Not that it means her harassment should be taken any more or less seriously, but Valentine wasn't just a run-of-the-mill convention attendee. She's a Nebula award nominated author and was a guest of the con.
Wow. This story made
Wow. This story made Universal Hub. Readercon has hit the big time!
Yet another reason I don't go to Readercon anymore...
... -- though frankly, other than Kirk Poland, there never was much for me there.
I'm (from the dark ages) a former ConCom member, very occasional staffer, and hosting some now former members for dinner this evening.
I'm not in any way surprised about the harassment (which is ubiquitous in the convention community, both SF and gamers), but I'm disgusted about how this has played out. The pie fighting both on- and offline has been the most vicious infighting for the lowest possible stakes.
After some less-than-courteous treatment by one (female) volunteer and one (male) staffer two years ago, I have declined any further involvement with Readercon. This mess was absolutely inevitable, given the other dynamics of the convention.
I predict that Readercon will not survive beyond 2014. Loss of institutional memory and lack of fundraising will kill it dead. At this point, IMNSHO, good riddance.
if i were a shrink
I'd have a booth at every one of these cons.
Geeks gone wild!
Erudite and polite is one thing, but a well placed kick in the balls could have solved her problem right there.
or a loud...
..."Get the FUCK AWAY FROM ME" in front of the volunteer(s) staffing each panel should have brought the ConCom into it immediately.
Creeps at a Con, Really?
I'm shocked to learn people lacking in social skills or personal hygiene attend these things! Since the guy is a repeat offender, some letters to the Hugo Awards and other cons of his behavior and suspension are in order. That is much stronger than a life ban at one con. Perhaps he will edit his behavior.
Lest we forget, GW Bush's creepy shoulder massage of German Chancellor Andrea Merkel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTQY1Aw9zcs
Hmm...
You know, I'd just noted to someone that some people just cannot help themselves, and would just have to mention their political POV, even during a discussion about crochet and macrame.
Thank you for illustrating I was correct.
(What the F' does Bush have to do anything with this story?)
more reading
Like many issues, this one has more going on than one can cover in a couple paragraphs. The previous comments help fill in the details. Here is some more reading, from scifi author and blogger John Scalzi:
And Scalzi himself has posted more than once on this. I find him to be very thoughtful. I read him almost as closely as I read Universal Hub ;)