Re: scope of the SCA

[michael.f.dullaghan@adn.alcatel.com (Mike Dullaghan)]

Poster: michael.f.dullaghan@adn.alcatel.com (Mike Dullaghan)



Dafydd (David KUIJT <kuijt@umiacs.umd.edu>) Writes

> Eogan writes:
>  
> > Hmmm...  this brings up an interesting question of perceieved reality.  My
> > mid-14th century Scots-Gaelic persona, even with his version of a
> > Christian upbringing, would have still had a strong folk-belief in Elves
> > and Faeries. [....]
> > 	So, I don't think elven persona are a problem, as long as we REACT
> > TO THEM IN PERSONA.  If someone comes up to you and says, "Hi, my name is
> > Elyssa, Daughter of the Wind, and I'm 4000 years old" (actually happened
> > to me), then I would reply with, "Then you're a demon to be sure!"  I
> > would then grab the nearest cross shaped object, brandish it in front of
> > me, yelling "Back!  Away, fell beast!" [...]
> 
> 
> My [in-persona] reaction would be more like "You must be mad, possessed by
> a demon, to say such a thing!".  Anyone who said something like that
> must be insane or a charlatan.
> 
> The only way I would believe [in-persona] that someone was actually one of
> the fey folk would be if that person exhibited magic powers beyond my ken.
> And no, modern technology is not beyond my ken--that just induces me to
> step out of persona and say "please stop pointing that flashlight in
> my eyes."
> 
> Only if I was truly convinced that this person was a faerie would I react
> as Eogan does.
> 
> Skepticism was alive and well in the Middle Ages, just like today.  And so
> was credulity, just like today.  Since I'm a modern skeptic (not calling
> the Psychic Hotline, believing in UFOs, etc.) I find it easiest to play a
> medieval skeptic.

This came up on the Rialto a while back when people were discussing
the possibility of a bounty on vampire teeth and elf ears at
Pennsic. The best answer I saw anyone come up with for an in persona
response was to press a few coins upon them, congratulate them on
their fine costume, and ask them when and where their troupe would be
performing. Obviously any such fantastical (as opposed to outlandish
:-)) appearance must be because thay are In A Play (tm).

> I apply the same rule to cross-gender personas.  (An issue much discussed
> years ago, although not so much at present.)  If I can see from across the
> room that it is a woman in man's clothing, I treat the person as a woman
> in man's clothing.  If they tell me to treat them like a man, I treat them
> like a woman in man's clothing who asks to be treated like a man (i.e.,
> politely, but I still would be a little surprised if they followed me into
> the men's bathroom).  The only way I'll treat a woman in man's clothing
> like a man is if I don't realize it is a woman. 

I would argue for a little more leeway here. Nobody has any problem
with Japanese warriors that have red hair and freckles, or with Celts
that are obviously of Oriental ancestry. I would say that as long as
the individual made it obvious by their dress, speech, actions
etc. etc. that their _persona_ was male, then I would treat them as a
male persona. Of course, if the personas gender is ambiguous, then
they will likely be treated ambiguously as well.

I will also note that the correct choice of clothing is generally all
that is needed to indicated culture of origin and status, while a
change of gender is somewhat more difficult to convey (without
resorting to name tags :-)) Since cross-gender personas are much rarer
and more subtle than cross-cultural one, the individual with such a
persona must be prepared for the inevitable misunderstandings and
explanations, and be willing to assume that most such instances will
not be due to malice.

======================================================================== 
Michael the Eclectic, House Falconguard, Barony of Ponte Alto, Atlantia. 
Vert, on an inverted chevron or, a reremouse(bat) displayed sable. 
 
michael.f.dullaghan@adn.alcatel.com 
 
Armed man = citizen.  Unarmed man = subject. 
 
Of course these are MY opinions! Whattya think, my EMPLOYER 
could've thought this stuff up? 
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