How Cherry City Comic Con Created a Cosplay Crisis Before First Day

[Lotet]

From a business perspective, the guy could have sucked up to the woman on Facebook and nebulously promised more men to follow in addition to the 9 (out of 21 people!) already photographed. But really, he didn't make a fool of himself at all until AFTER the Facebook heckler took a big dump on his page, requesting a refund for not feeling "safe" (!).

SHE TRIED TO BURY THE EVENT BY CLAIMING THE EVENT WAS "NOT A SAFE PLACE FOR WOMEN" WHEN ALL HE DID WAS COUNTER HER ALLEGATIONS OF SEXISM WITH A COUNTEREXAMPLE. THAT'S A HORRIBLE, UGLY, EVIL ATTACK ON SOMEONE'S PERSONAL/BUSINESS REPUTATION. SHE CLEARLY MEANT TO RUIN HIM OUT OF SPITE.

All her posts were sarcastic and meant to convey irritation, it's very difficult to accommodate people looking for a fight. He behaved childishly in the events that followed, but not before, this woman on Facebook made unfounded accusations. Ross, you are pathetic to blow your trumpet in defense of conventional wisdom and character assassination.

9 out of 21 Photos, not people. Not that I care for this particular point anyway. Also, while it may seem that Chana was going to spread ruin, she didn't. Black Mariah got wind of the situation because Martin made a friend request earlier.

Plus Martin DID do that whole lying thing.

 

[Nurb]

I'm so sick of this stuff....

The con didn't "CREATE" a controversy, a loud minority of tumblr activists are trying to stir up some trouble.

But no, she can't be questioned because that'd cue the predjudicial claim which makes you a woman hating mysoginist (and probably a rapist). Are people finally starting to see how absurd this hyper-sensitivity and claims of victimization where there are none is getting?

CancelColbert should be pointed out at every opportunity as best example of this sort of craziness affecting a number of sub-cultures.

 

[MeChaNiZ3D]

Well I don't know what the selection or quality of cosplays were so I can't judge the initial comments and responses, but it could be fair enough. The ensuing social media bullshit was just unnecessary. I can't believe people still do this with aliases, personal attacks, and possibly stupidest of all, attempting to delete posts and sweep things under the rug. Never do this in any kind of public light whatsoever. Developers, PR, doesn't matter who you are, that shit will ruin you and your audience will instantly know what kind of person you are. It's not worth it.

And then there's the Tumblr parade but that's another rant.

 

[CelestDaer]

Oh man... If I ever decide to share my porn collection publicly, I better make sure it contains a perfect 50/50 split of men and women. Better yet, a 33/33/33 split of men, women, and hermaphrodite. Or ideally, a 25/25/25/25 split of men, women, hermaphrodites, and asexuals.

Oh man all that hot hot asexual porn... all those clothed people doing things that don't involve other people...

Silly goose, that's "asocial". Asexual just means they're doing stuff that doesn't involve sex, like reading to one another, or playing games, or having a romantic candle-lit dinner under the stars. At least that's what I would do.

But are they still wearing clothes? If so, how is that porn?

 

[Kajin]

Oh man... If I ever decide to share my porn collection publicly, I better make sure it contains a perfect 50/50 split of men and women. Better yet, a 33/33/33 split of men, women, and hermaphrodite. Or ideally, a 25/25/25/25 split of men, women, hermaphrodites, and asexuals.

Oh man all that hot hot asexual porn... all those clothed people doing things that don't involve other people...

Silly goose, that's "asocial". Asexual just means they're doing stuff that doesn't involve sex, like reading to one another, or playing games, or having a romantic candle-lit dinner under the stars. At least that's what I would do.

[Puts On Pedantic Hat]
That's not Asexual. Asexual is a person splitting in half down the middle and becoming two identical copies of the same person.
[Takes Off Pedantic Hat]

But that would definitely be an interesting conversation starter if one decided he was bored of boring Asexual.

 

[Kajin]

But are they still wearing clothes? If so, how is that porn?

Evocative clothing is more appealing than straight up nudity. Evocative Cosplay could very easily lead into lines of thought that are most definitely not PG-13

 

[Kajin]

I'm so sick of this stuff....

The con didn't "CREATE" a controversy, a loud minority of tumblr activists are trying to stir up some trouble.

But no, she can't be questioned because that'd cue the predjudicial claim which makes you a woman hating mysoginist (and probably a rapist). Are people finally starting to see how absurd this hyper-sensitivity and claims of victimization where there are none is getting?

CancelColbert should be pointed out at every opportunity as best example of this sort of craziness affecting a number of sub-cultures.

The con DID create controversy. The woman asked for a refund. Privately. But instead of quietly granting her request and endeavoring to make sure nothing like this happened again, this guy took it to his facebook page and, while including her REAL NAME publicly available for all to see, proceeded to brutally mock her in front of the entire internet.

That was pointlessly cruel and unnecessary.

 

[Lotet]

But are they still wearing clothes? If so, how is that porn?

Evocative clothing is more appealing than straight up nudity. Evocative Cosplay could very easily lead into lines of thought that are most definitely not PG-13

Here's one of them.
NSFW, naturally.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--2aj-BKcQkQ/U2ELNw6gvzI/AAAAAAAAA3M/_TBTicA94jE/s1600/OriginalCommentsNotChana.jpg

I'm so sick of this stuff....

The con didn't "CREATE" a controversy, a loud minority of tumblr activists are trying to stir up some trouble.

But no, she can't be questioned because that'd cue the predjudicial claim which makes you a woman hating mysoginist (and probably a rapist). Are people finally starting to see how absurd this hyper-sensitivity and claims of victimization where there are none is getting?

CancelColbert should be pointed out at every opportunity as best example of this sort of craziness affecting a number of sub-cultures.

Why do I feel it's more likely that people come to these sorts of topics to talk about how they can't talk about these things, then they do and nothing happens, instead of what the people claim happens actually happening? I know they exist, there's an aggressive, well known feminist lady on a Warhammer site I go to. But that site doesn't worry about feminist ghosts like this site does.

Anyway, he annoyed a customer. You can see it with gamers, some company representative says something stupid to one person then people get pissed, time for damage control.

 

[NeutralDrow]

I will point out that many men in the geek space, including myself at various points in my life, who consider themselves feminists or feminist allies, have not managed to examine their own prejudices and preconceptions deeply. It's easy to assume that because you agree with and support equality, you yourself are not part of the problem. Without that kind of introspection, it's easy for tendencies you weren't even fully aware of to emerge in horrifying ways when you're emotionally compromised.

Something that sadly gets drowned out in most conversations, almost as readly as the point that "silence on sexist behavior = complicit acceptance". I like to think I've internalized that lesson, since I've done stuff in the past like I'm not proud of (a girl I wanted to dance with thought I was stalking her, and I had no idea how creepy my behavior was until her friends confronted me)...but that's always the danger.

Personally, I'm trying to drill myself in the habit of asking myself "why?" whenever something puts me on the defensive. Doesn't always work, but it's worth making the effort.

Oh man... If I ever decide to share my porn collection publicly, I better make sure it contains a perfect 50/50 split of men and women. Better yet, a 33/33/33 split of men, women, and hermaphrodite. Or ideally, a 25/25/25/25 split of men, women, hermaphrodites, and asexuals.

If you're displaying your porn collection publicly and banking on, nay outright advertising that you welcome people of any gender or sexual orientation, then that would be the ideal thing to do, yes.

 

[Norithics]

It's always the best policy to assume that people are going to be obnoxious, rather than let yourself be surprised when they are. "Customer service" is a nice way of saying "Herculean endurance test involving how much other people can annoy you in a given time frame." Their reasoning is completely immaterial; all that matters is that you keep up the face.

Also, everyone's ugly when they're angry.

 

[RealRT]

One would THINK that if you're making an event like that for a community that in last few years have evolved from male-only neckbeard club into a much more diverse one that's still very sensitive when it comes to this kind of issues, you'd try to be more cautious about what you say and do. I mean, even if you're an asshole, at least be smart enough to hide it.

 

[The Almighty Aardvark]

This is not entirely related to the article, but in reference to the "Cosplay != Consent" thing, I have a female friend who cosplays, and she's only been groped by other women at conventions. Some of whom have expressed support for "Cosplay != Consent" on their facebook pages. This kind of relates to that last paragraph in the article with how people will be vocally against something and not realize that they're actually being part of the problem.

Introspection is always a good thing, and I feel like Mark Martin would probably benefit from examining why a woman mentioning she felt unsafe at a convention he was running provoked him to mock her. I hope that what he takes from this isn't "Why do these women always feel like ruining my fun?" and instead "Holy shit, I need to handle these situations better"

 

[Charli]

Poor form from all parties involved, no attempts to create understanding or bridge empathy and blown out of proportion in record time.

Not impressed by any of this debacle or any of the persons involved.

 

[Gerardo Vazquez]

Oh man... If I ever decide to share my porn collection publicly, I better make sure it contains a perfect 50/50 split of men and women. Better yet, a 33/33/33 split of men, women, and hermaphrodite. Or ideally, a 25/25/25/25 split of men, women, hermaphrodites, and asexuals.

Oh man all that hot hot asexual porn... all those clothed people doing things that don't involve other people...

Silly goose, that's "asocial". Asexual just means they're doing stuff that doesn't involve sex, like reading to one another, or playing games, or having a romantic candle-lit dinner under the stars. At least that's what I would do.

that's what i would do too... right before a raging sweaty fuck session haha. Asexuality is one thing i just cannot understand. I don't condemn them at all, don't view them as odd or deviants, i just don't get it. I can see certain arguments for it i guess, but in practice, it just doesn't work. i've spent the last 4 years on and off sleeping with a girl i practically hate because of the power of sex. Is it biological, that they don't have the drive? is it a matter of Gandhi-esque self control? Or did they just do it wrong the first time and hated it and figured that's all it was and never went back and re-examine? (too many "and"s in that sentence.)

i remember, when i was 17, i was so annoyed by my brother and my friends doing anything and everything it took to get laid. then i had sex. then i understood. of course, i didn't pursue it quite as feverishly. i could have been a real manwhore in highschool, but i'm more of a relationship kinda guy.

It's generally a combination of the first two reasons you listed.

 

[Gerardo Vazquez]

I'm so sick of this stuff....

The con didn't "CREATE" a controversy, a loud minority of tumblr activists are trying to stir up some trouble.

But no, she can't be questioned because that'd cue the predjudicial claim which makes you a woman hating mysoginist (and probably a rapist). Are people finally starting to see how absurd this hyper-sensitivity and claims of victimization where there are none is getting?

CancelColbert should be pointed out at every opportunity as best example of this sort of craziness affecting a number of sub-cultures.

Tumblr activists didn't stir-up a trouble. A women raised a concern about cosplay on a Facebook page, she got an bad response. Shit went public, and both sides took it badly. Don't skew this as "the evil feminist", running around taunting people, and looking for an excuse to ruin your fun. That's just silly.

 

[Kahani]

scantily clad cosplay is not family friendly

Seriously? People wearing, at worst, about the same as most people at a beach or swimming pool, is somehow not family friendly? What the hell is wrong with some people that they're so terrified of a bit of skin?

Someone who expresses concerns about their personal safety after having a conversation that could not possibly even remotely lead anyone to conclude that personal safety will be an issue must be batshit crazy, or in clinical terms paranoid. It's not sexism to point out the batshit craziness of these people. Just stupid if you happen to represent an organization with a financial interest in placating these concerns, regardless of how inane they are.

Very much this. It could be argued that the choice of photos that kicked the whole thing off was sexist, but nothing that was said after that appears to be in any way suggestive of either sexism, or any possible risk to any person or a problem for families. There's plenty of stupidity on display - the organiser of an event openly mocking and insulting customers, encouraging others to join in, and lying and pretending to be other people is never going to be a good idea. But telling a customer they're nuts for wanting a refund is not sexist. Stupid != sexist.

 

[shirkbot]

[Puts On Pedantic Hat]
That's not Asexual. Asexual is a person splitting in half down the middle and becoming two identical copies of the same person.
[Takes Off Pedantic Hat]

Perhaps you would prefer a biologist hat? They're quite stylish and made from the finest Archaebacteria.

[...] Asexuality is one thing i just cannot understand. I don't condemn them at all, don't view them as odd or deviants, i just don't get it. I can see certain arguments for it i guess, but in practice, it just doesn't work. i've spent the last 4 years on and off sleeping with a girl i practically hate because of the power of sex. Is it biological, that they don't have the drive? is it a matter of Gandhi-esque self control? Or did they just do it wrong the first time and hated it and figured that's all it was and never went back and re-examine? (too many "and"s in that sentence.)

It's generally a combination of the first two reasons you listed.

Pretty much, but I would say it leans more towards biology since it's an typically an inherent state of being. It's not dislike or aversion and it doesn't prevent the person from having sex, it just means they're not actively looking for it. It's a null state for sexual desire. It gets more complicated when you factor in emotions, but everything does. Like social media and bad PR management. Full Circle!

 

[UberPubert]

[Puts On Pedantic Hat]
That's not Asexual. Asexual is a person splitting in half down the middle and becoming two identical copies of the same person.
[Takes Off Pedantic Hat]

But that would definitely be an interesting conversation starter if one decided he was bored of boring Asexual.

I steal your pedantic hat.

What you've described is cell mitosis, only one form of asexual reproduction, and it does not mean the same thing as asexual/asexuality, being the lack of sexual attraction to others and, typically, abstinence from it.

You can have it back now.

OT: There's not a whole lot I can see on facebook or anything but based on the screenshots... It looks to me like an argument got out of hand, then got dragged through the proverbial streets to exacerbate the situation, ultimately making it worse than it ever had to be, and to no constructive end, and that's the saddest part.

This gossiping, this tattle-telling, this teasing... Whatever happened here, is a lot less "institutional sexism" and a lot more grade school nonsense. I really don't think the sex of parties involved would've made a difference here.

 

[Winnosh]

Guys and Gals I cosplay. I've been doing it for years I'm a guy. And there is one thing I want to say that seriously gets on my nerves. Something that is very much true. Lots of conventions that showcase photos of cosplayers focus far more on advertising the female ones over the male ones. If you're a guy unless you have the most elaborate or expensive costume at the con you stand far less of a chance at getting your pics showcased than a woman who has put far less effort into it.

The reason for that is simple, Eye candy, the promoters and site runners want to showcase cheesecake shots of ladies to draw in more male traffic. Usually over just showing the love that both genders have for their fandom and culture in general.

When people bring this up they get attacked. I've been attacked for bringing it up. Hell I've been called sexist for bringing it up when I just want a more equal representation. So trust me I completely understand where she's coming from. And unless you've been there it can be hard to.

 

[Winnosh]

Also it's not usually the photographers faults in fact almost never since I know a lot of them personally and at least those tend to photograph just about everyone. They just don't get to choose which ones go up.