Swancon again

[baby_elvis]

Given that there is a lot of discussion about Swancon being cliquey etc, some which I think is justified and some which makes me scratch my head and wonder what people expect to happen, perhaps having the gynaecon 10th birthday as a programme item isn't a good idea. So, shall we take it off the formal programme

Comments

[callistra]

I don't have a problem with the birthday being in the main programme. I think it's been an important part of Swancon, and is an important thing for us to have every one able to celebrate it.

I think Gynaecon has had a huge influence on swancon, and it should be celebrated.

I've had a glass of wine or so with Helen, and if I'd seen this before she left, we'd have some panel items for you by now. I'll get on to her and get back to you ASAP.

[baby_elvis]

I am more than happy to be guided by other minds.

What do you think about the panel idea I suggested?

[callistra]

I think it's an awesome idea, and one I'd be at on the side scribbling notes for my next book...

So we use a whiteboard and make it interactive? I'm on hand for the whole con, though booked for the friday morning and the wasff meeting, so feel free to use me.

I'd be curious to have people make their definitions, and then have some of us write scenarios to try and show how these definitions can/can't work in context. It sounds hard though.
:-)

[baby_elvis]

Hard is no barrier. I thought we could even have 'paper doll' physical versions that people could mix and match.

[transcendancing]

I will also have a think re panel ideas - have been flat out and haven't had a chance to consider :)

I always have trouble making it related to the umbrella of speculation well enough...

As for the birthday party, I think that in having it on the main programme we have an opportunity to inform where gynaecon came from, what it does and it's importance to conversations ongoing related to the 'umbrella'.

[callistra]

Ooo, good point Mynxii, we should get together a small speech
:-)
I will need to think about what to do for a cake
:-)

I was also going to say, another person has come to me, wanting to do a retrospective on the feminism in Xena. I think that would be awesome, but I'm waiting to hear back from her as to whether she would like it in the main programme or the other one.

[transcendancing]

I also suggested to Grant (to suggest to Julian) that perhaps there could be a look at Joanna Russ and her relevancy to 2010, as there are a few people doing reading or have done reading of her work. girliejones is doing reading of it atm, as is cassiphone (though obv. she's in Tassie), cupidsbow has done reading, so has chaosmanor and I'm trying to but haven't gotten very far yet :)

[transcendancing]

One idea that is kind of formulating...

Some kind of circle discussion where we talk about what for each of us was a shiny fannish win moment in amongst the media/tv/books that we love.

Win in the context of - crystalised what equality meant or the fight for equality meant to us...

something? Can someone help me refine this more?

Aside from talking and sharing about cool stuff we like that others may also like, what I wanted to achieve with a panel item like this, was an active listening of the different places that people come from, the different views and stances they have on equality and how that looks etc