The Wisdom of Rennies, Trekkies, Steampunkers, Reenactors and Kilties?

[Ryan Ross]

I think an experiment is in order.

Who is willing to attend a Star Trek convention dressed as a Jedi?

I'd do that in a heartbeat, if there was a 'Trek con near by that wasn't too costly and I had a sweet Jedi costume. If anyone tried to beat me up, hey- They started it!

[davidlpope]

Are Trekkies, Steampunkers, Rennies, Reenactors, perhaps a few giant strides ahead of the population at large, in "spiritual maturity"?

At least one interpretation (consequence?) of "spiritual enlightenment" is to be burden-free -- "Lighten up!"

If your thesis is correct, then the fellow at the beginning of this clip must be the tip of the spear when it comes to "spiritual maturity":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvKpvlIm17k

[Nick the DSM]

Different ways of walking life.

"I choose the least walked upon" to paraphrase Mr. Frost.

I like the way Rennies, Trekkies and such view life, great fun and has a positive impact on society.ith:

[Jay]

I think it a bit of a presumption that kilties are any less judgmental of others' wardrobes.

I've read my share of critiques on this site.

[gary meakin]

A common theme in this splendid e-community of kilties is tolerance and joy in dressing a bit outside the "standard" of society's vast, lowing, conformal, oft-judgemental hordes.

Which stimulated a "hmm" quasi-deep thought; one can attend Renaissance/Fantasy faires, Sci-Fi conventions, Steampunk gatherings and Historical Reenactments of all eras...

...and experience a common vibe among those present.

Not only tolerance of demonstrably eccentric dress and behaviour, but downright joy in the diversity, creativity, skill, craft, faith-to-genre, originality...

...but ultra-rarely, criticism, intolerance, ill-judgement.

Are Trekkies, Steampunkers, Rennies, Reenactors, perhaps a few giant strides ahead of the population at large, in "spiritual maturity"?

I don't imagine they are any more or less enlightend than the next guy.
If you go to any professional sporting event you will find the same commonality and therefore the same tolerance. (at least for those rooting for the home team.)
I'd have to side with the idea that a Jedi at a Star Trek convention wouldn't be met with the same acceptence than "Scotty" would.

[FatherWilliam57]

Ahhh! Even mentioning Scotty in the same sentance with "Jedi" could get you a one-way ticket to the closest airlock!

[Bugbear]

To me, spirit is emergent and cumulative. Long live the spirit of the long shirt, whom so ever wears it.

* Sorry, it's a Ryan Ross thing.

[Tobus]

I have noticed this too. At 'fantasy' events like a Ren faire (haven't been to any sci-fi conventions or steampunk events), people tend to be very accepting and they revel in the eccentric. I think, though, that this is perhaps just a function of the event itself. It's a chance for people to "let their hair down", so to speak, and this necessarily entails letting one's social hangups be more relaxed. There are undoubtedly many people who are stuffy and stodgy in real life, but they get a release, of sorts, in dressing wildly and acting completely out-of-character for a weekend. That's half the fun of it, to be honest.

So I would see it not so much as a function of the type of people involved, but more a function of the type of event.

[Zardoz]

Tobus, you are right to some degree. But my close and extended circles of friends are mostly rennies and sci-fi geeks, I see them all the time outside of faire or cons. And I'll say that the majority of them carry that spirit of community and comradeship with them all the time.

[biblemonkey]

When nearly everyone present is a "nerd" or "geek" they are less likely to play power games and start trouble. We outcasts from the "cool" are great to be around for that reason. We don't desire to look cool to the jerks of the world anymore and are therefore free to be who we are and so are those around us.