Sometimes I think fandom has a self-destruct switch.

[lil_shepherd]

The World Science Fiction Convention takes place in London this August. The committee have, seemingly, got their act together, and have been coping well, despite having their British SF guest of honour (Iain M Banks) die on them last year and the usual hotel registration difficulties. This weekend, many of the staffers have gathered at the site to

Comments

[parrot_knight]

I wouldn't have invited him, wouldn't have attacked him publicly the way this was done... but yes, a mess.

[lil_shepherd]

A lot of us were simply asking what were the reasons behind this particular decision, on which the committee was not, apparently, consulted. Ross does, of course, dish it out himself. Perhaps some members of fandom shouldn't have gone to his level, but much of the outrage was plainly genuine. And it was noticeable that normally very reasonable people (quite a few of them pros) were early objectors on the con Twitter feed.

[fatpie42]

As I understand it, while this might seem like a whole twitter-based storm-in-a-teacup situation, apparently some of the escalation is result of Jonathan Ross' own twitter comments.

I think exhibit A is this:
https://twitter.com/wossy/status/439727237542449152

Just in case it disappears:
Ale ‏@wasteofpaint Mar 1
"Pay £115 for #loncon3 and then find out @wossy is hosting the #HugoAwards. Good to know women and other minorities need not attend, then."

Jonathan RossVerified account
‏@wossy
"@wasteofpaint absurd. I'll happily buy the ticket off you and give it someone less stupid."

Other responses from Ross further down in the conversation include:
In response to "BUY ALL OUR TICKETS OFF THEN"
"sure. Happy to. I don't relish the though of spending an evening with such small minded people."
"sure. Providing they stop whining."

Also:
"wow. You're a dick."Most of his responses have actually been a great deal more appropriate than that, but it's hard not

[lil_shepherd]

Just to point out that it has now become clear, in the Con Chairs' own apology, that they did not warn Ross that there might be some adverse reaction - something they knew, because a committee member had resigned over the issue, after a week or so of argument with them. (Presumably they thought that that committee member would be the only objector.) I admit that when I read the post made on the subject, I congratulated her for sticking to her principles, but waited for the actual announcement - the same morning - in the hope that there would be some sort of explanation as to why they thought Ross was a great choice. All we got was a sort of "Wow, aren't we lucky to have him come and host the Hugos. Rejoice!"