Oh, steampunk...

[castalia]

Some days I'm not sure which is worse - the Etsy infused, "Hi, I'm new! Tell me how to make/buy the right clothes!", throw-some-goggles-on-your-head-and-call-it-done atmosphere of steamfashion or the holier than thou, "You don't know the history of Victorian clothing like I do", "I only wear aristocratic clothes, not like all you poor plebes" snobbery to which steam_elegance descends.

I really need a happy medium somewhere, damn it. Somewhere I wouldn't have to be subjected to so many "buy my crap!" posts nor be bombarded by the elitism of those who think you're not doing it right unless you spend hundreds of dollars per item of clothing made by some professional company (and god forbid you want to be an airship pirate character or one of the working class).

The steam track at D*C had better not be like this, or I shall not be happy.

Comments

[windrose.livejournal.com]

This sort of foolishness is exactly why I dropped all the steampunk comms from my f-list. That, and the traffic was too high for me to keep up with.

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

I'm very close to doing so, but if I take them off my flist I know I'll never go and look unless I'm looking for something specific. Ugh.

[keleos.livejournal.com]

This is why I only visit those comms, they're not on my flist, because I couldn't take it every day. Personally, I like the happy medium myself. There are so many different variations (and lately I've been having a grand old time looking around at some stuff that falls into the "dieselpunk" range) that for anybody to say "my way is best" is just ridiculous. If I wasn't so damn lazy, I'd start my own comm. But I am, so I won't. *G*

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

I need another comm to mod like I need a hole in the head, but I'm tempted, too. First thing I'd do is ban the ads. And I agree, some of the dieselpunk stuff is really cool and opens it up for more eras.

[keleos.livejournal.com]

It also starts some interesting discussions about when areas bleed into others. For instance there is definite overlap on the timeline between dieselpunk and what most consider traditional steampunk. I really love the rationalizations that come with figuring out where one starts and another ends based on historical markers and significant events, and how that plays into creating costuming to reflect those particular things.

My problem is, as it always is, that I'm far happier on the fringes, observing rather than participating. I like to watch rather than create, mostly because it keeps me out of the path of wank. Which is also the reason I don't actually join in on most fandom things even when I love a show. Fans can ruin things for me very quickly, and I don't want to have steampunk tainted for me.

(But yes, the ads would SO be gone. Or there would be one post, with a link on the info page, for people to promote whatever in that spot only and not in the main body of the comm. Not that I've thought about this or anything. Nuh-uh.)

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

See, that's the sort of discussion panel I'd like to see at D*C.

I love to participate, but I see where you're coming from. The wank can be so damn frustrating and it's no fun to have your squee harshed by it.

Hee, good idea! If I ever bother to make a comm, I'll do that.

[keleos.livejournal.com]

I'd love a panel like that too. But I'm not holding my breath.

[ngaio]

Have you tried forums? Like Gaslamp Bazaar? http://www.steampunkmagazine.com/forum/index.php?sid=09969d4ea983e3359ae7ba3c97433dab

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

I haven't really done forums for a few years now, but I'd be willing to give it a shot. Thanks for the link.

[keleos.livejournal.com]

That looks far more organized so that things that make me cringe (such as the overwhelming pimping that occurs on steamfashion) can be avoided unless or until I want to look into it. Great rec. Thank you.

[deborak]

Having been a con costumer since 1979, I'm used to it all and neither end of the spectrum bothers me. I chuckle at the starry-eyed noobs and I chuckle at the bitter old 'perts. I do look at their product pricing so that I can undercut them selling my own crap. I don't plan on going to any D*C steam programming because I will make what I like how I like and really don't need any 'guidance.'

I hope you find a comm you like at some point though.

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

I'm glad we all seem to fall in the middle with these things. And I'm really hoping the "how to" panels can be easily avoided in favor of the literature and genre discussion ones instead.