Blakes7 March 2001

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96 participants
1067 discussions

Cybericon and Paul Darrow
by Judith Proctor 22 Mar '01

22 Mar '01

I think it's already been said, but just to confirm for definite, Paul is NOT going to Cybericon 2001. He was on the guest list for a while, but he isn't now (it's a long story). I checked with Janet Darrow and she asked me to let people know. Judith PS. (still off-list in typing limbo - I'm still managing to get zine orders out, but add a couple of extra days before worrying about zines as I'm taking an extra day or two to process them because of pain in my arms) -- http://www.hermit.org/Blakes7 - Fanzines for Blake's 7, B7 Filk songs, pictures, news, Conventions past and present, Blake's 7 fan clubs, Gareth Thomas, etc. (also non-Blake's 7 zines at http://www.knightwriter.org ) Redemption '03 21-23 Feb 2003 http://www.smof.com/redemption/

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The 400?
by Dana Shilling 22 Mar '01

22 Mar '01

Is the Federation elite a large or small group? The phrase "the 400" to mean "high society" was coined because that was the number of people who could fit into Mrs. Astor's ballroom, and the same people got invited over and over again. Could any Alpha be expected to know every other Alpha in the Dome? Are there a few oligarchic families that intermarry? -(Y)

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Re: [B7L] The 400?
by Ellynne G. 21 Mar '01

21 Mar '01

On Wed, 21 Mar 2001 10:42:35 -0500 "Dana Shilling" <dshilling(a)worldnet.att.net> writes: > Is the Federation elite a large or small group? > The phrase "the 400" to mean "high society" > was coined because that was the number of > people who could fit into Mrs. Astor's ballroom, > and the same people got invited over and over > again. Could any Alpha be expected to know > every other Alpha in the Dome? Are there a > few oligarchic families that intermarry? > Interesting question. Avon and Blake hadn't met while working on the same project and, I assume, living in the same dome (also assuming Avon was an Alpha, a debated point). Personally, I assume the Federation elite was made up of the following groups: 1) Military - Ironically, I would guess this is the most open to new blood. Although connections and family position would play a significant role in getting officer's training (not to mention plum posts), but there is more room for someone to rise by talent and for escaping class origins than in other areas. 2) Business - Probably the closest to 'the 400.' I'm assuming various key industries are dominated by owning families. 3) Gentry (for lack of a better term) - Not part of the actual power structure, this is the educated and skilled class (such as engineers) who help keep much of the business class going but who are sheltered from many of the uglier truths. This is the group the Federation is probably most interested in keeping up the democratic and benign pretense for, the people who believe the Federation is set up to accept peaceful change. Not precisely hereditary, but have various edges in getting into the right schools (from paying for 'extras' that are really necessary [types of schooling and such] to more grossly unfair tactics [scheduling entrance tests for days most delta children have to work] and the social pressure tactics [extreme social pressure for a lower born who rises too high to cut contact with lower grade family and friends, seriously effecting a family's decision to make the sacrifices necessary to help one of their children up the ladder. Also, lower grades perceptions of class prejudice (how higher grades like Blake and Bellfriar may percieve themselves or actually behave overall being largely beside the point) may make them conclude they'd still be trapped in lower jobs within the group. 4) Cynical gentry - people who lack the connections but whose jobs (or general life experiences) don't shield them from the harsher realities. For example, a computer expert who may be essential to running a bank (especially some of the nastier jobs involving very dirty, blood encrusted money laundering - or anything else cynicism inspiring) but who knows only family and the right kind of friends will ever make it to the real positions of power. Probably greater emphasis on skill than family, may even prefer people with less in the way of group 3 connections who might be either disillusioned or be able to make use of the information. I don't know that Avon got invited to many parties. 5) Civil leadership - A mix. Probably try to maintain connections with other wealthy and ifluential types. The true rulers are probably drawn the most from group 2. You probably don't get into a position of real power unless the established elite are sure you'll protect their interests. Probably some room to work up (Blake's lawyer was essentially group 3 but, had he survived and had his conscience erroded, could have worked his way into 5). Lower levels would be open to all groups (lesser gifted members of higher classes, essentially a variant on groups 3 and 4). Ellynne ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.

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Re: [B7L] Biology, culture and the crush
by Bizarro7＠aol.com 21 Mar '01

21 Mar '01

This has evolved into quite a fascinating thread. In a message dated 3/20/01 12:53:37 PM Eastern Standard Time, nydersdyner(a)yahoo.co.uk writes: << Um, well, debatable. I'm not sure, for instance, that anybody particularly expected Patrick Stewart to become a sex symbol, and frankly I consider Bela Lugosi a very good actor, but I think very few people would choose him as a sex partner even if he weren't forty years in the grave :).<< By the standards of the 1930's era when he first hit the public eye as "Dracula", first in the theatrical play and then the movie, he was regarded as very exotic-looking, continental and sexy, particularly in Europe. Standards of screen heart-throb have changed many times in the 70 years since. >>Furthermore, actors' desirability and their acting ability are not fixed factors: Peter Cushing started out playing young hunky heroes, but is better known for the sinister villains he played in his fifties onwards, and the actors who seem to inspire the biggest crushes are not always the ones with the best acting/imitating abilities (witness Leonardo DiCaprio).<< Absolutely right. Some fans go ga-ga over Brad Pitt, who looks as ugly as sin to others. You'll see variations of taste (thank goodness) between every individual, but the media does tend to try and steer our tastes into convenient marketing trends with respect to popular celebrities. 'Steering the crush', if you will. One result has been the disgustingly thin actress which has now become the studio norm. Leah

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postings
by Deborah Day 21 Mar '01

21 Mar '01

This email was delivered to you by The Free Internet, a Business Online Group company. http://www.thefreeinternet.net --------------------------------------------------------------- Well, you can tell it's not February - I keep thinking my email account has been closed. Why does nobody post in March when they all post in February? Debbie

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Re: Dictatorship (was Re: [B7L] Re: Use of image)
by Shane Little 20 Mar '01

20 Mar '01

Dana wrote: > > > or inadvisable in RL--are an enjoyable and beneficial source of >pleasure > > > > OK, but I'd like to know what you mean by "inadvisable." >Unsafe sex; sex with a risk of unwanted conception; things that involve >RL risks of discovery, injury, etc; activities contrary to commitments or >promises > Fair enough then. > > > > 3. 21st Century RL doesn't provide full equality--sexual, economic, > > > racial, > > > > or on the basis of orientation. If anything, I think the B7 world is > > > worse, > > > > but there is some interesting light to be shed by one on the other > > > > > > a) true. b) I'm not sure about the B7 world being worse, but that's a > > > separate thread. > >Some of the subscribers to this list are dissatisfied with their country's > >political system to one degree or another, but I doubt if the ones who > >live in the US/UK/Australia at any rate think of their country's government > >as a dictatorship that ruthlessly suppresses its populace (chemically > >and otherwise). Definitely not! But I think it's interesting that while the Federation is a dictatorship which ruthlessly suppresses its populace, it also seems to have a degree of gender and racial equality-- something like the Soviet Union was intended to be in theory if not in practice, maybe? Shane "Where there's life, there's threat." --Servalan Who needs Cupid? Matchmaker.com is the place to meet somebody. FREE Two-week Trial Membership at http://www.matchmaker.com/home?rs=200015

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Re: length of obsession (was use of image)
by Marian de Haan 20 Mar '01

20 Mar '01

Fiona wrote: >From: Tavia Chalcraft <tavia(a)btinternet.com> > >> Leah wrote about the length of obsession with a character being >> generally 4 years and not exceeding 8 years in her experience. >> >> If Lyst association counts, then I would be an exception; >> I'm certainly up to 20 years by now. > >I guess I am too. I started watching "Doctor Who" at my parents' knee, and if anything I'm more obsessed by the character now >than then (B7 came later, but it's still been more than just 8 years). I was enchanted by B7 when it was shown on Dutch TV in the early eighties. I never forgot the series, and when a few years ago on holiday in London I came upon the videotapes, I bought them at once. Funnily, the first time round my favourites had been Blake, Vila and Travis I, and only now did I become aware of Avon's charms. But although he is now my favourite character, I don't feel any longing to mate with him, or to have his child. :-) Marian

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Gareth at Nexus
by Judith Proctor 20 Mar '01

20 Mar '01

Gareth Thomas is a confirmed guest for Nexus (work permitting). I don't know if he's on the web site yet, but the address is www.enterthenexus.com I recommend Nexus - I actually signed up for it this year *before* they announced Gareth as a guest. There's a couple of con diaries from the last Nexus on http://www.hermit.org/Blakes7 - I like it because they do an interesting alternative programme. It's only one strand, but it's well done and there were some very good speakers last time (my favourite session was one discussing the technical design of Thunderbird II, but then I'm a closet geek). Judith -- http://www.hermit.org/Blakes7 - Fanzines for Blake's 7, B7 Filk songs, pictures, news, Conventions past and present, Blake's 7 fan clubs, Gareth Thomas, etc. (also non-Blake's 7 zines at http://www.knightwriter.org ) Redemption '03 21-23 Feb 2003 http://www.smof.com/redemption/

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temporarily dropping out
by B7Morrigan＠aol.com 20 Mar '01

20 Mar '01

Temporarily dropping out (unsubbing). Will resub in a week or two, after the damn move. Morrigan

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Re: [B7L] Re: Use of image
by Shane Little 20 Mar '01

20 Mar '01

Dana said: > Shane said: > > >So what you're saying is you're catering to a market, providing a > service? > > Cars need petrol, houses need insulation, people need pornography, is > that > > it?< > No--cars don't run without petrol, houses are more pleasant for their > human residents if they are insulated, and some people enjoy consuming > and producing pornography. But that wasn't what Leah said-- she was speaking in terms of needs. > > > > > >>OK, now this is a genuine and serious question. If slash fiction is > meant > > to > > satisfy the unrequited procreative urges of female fans with regard to > male > > actors, why does it revolve around male/male couplings?<< > > The term "procreative" was used a) ironically and b) euphemistically in > light of the sensibilities of some Lyst members No it wasn't. Go back and read Leah's posts. --a better euphemism > would probably have been "fantasies (erotic and otherwise) of female > fans. True. >I'm surprised myself by the prevalence of slash within B7 erotica-- > not that I expect less m/m slash, just more hetsmut and f/f stories. Me too-- this is exactly the question I've been asking. > > >> This is why we have limits, > In RL we have limits because things that are enjoyable fantasies have > various downsides Again, exactly the point I wanted to make to Leah. Thank you, Dana! > >censor boards, > We have censor boards because some people want to see a lot of pornography > to prevent others from seeing any lol! > >warnings > We have warnings because large corporations do not like being sued No one likes being sued, large corporation or private individual. > >and sex-addiction > > support > > groups-- > Because some people have genuine problems and others buy in to a > therapeutic culture Again, well said. > >because unrequited lust can turn dangerous, > Well, yes, but in only about .000000001% of all cases. You don't think > Brad Pitt makes a living as an ACTOR, do you? Well, I certainly don't think he makes it as a porn star :). But I was taking issue with Leah's statement that obsession turning dangerous isn't a concern. > The position I'm coming from Ooer. as a reader and writer of sexually > explicit stories (and of slash stories with little or no explicit sex), > and which I am giving her as a personal credo rather than a list of > what other people do or should believe: Fair enough. > 1. Sexual fantasies--including fantasies about things that are impossible > or inadvisable in RL--are an enjoyable and beneficial source of pleasure OK, but I'd like to know what you mean by "inadvisable." > 2. Sometimes it's fun to use someone else's fantasies as a supplement or > trigger to your own True. > 3. 21st Century RL doesn't provide full equality--sexual, economic, racial, > or on the basis of orientation. If anything, I think the B7 world is worse, > but there is some interesting light to be shed by one on the other a) true. b) I'm not sure about the B7 world being worse, but that's a separate thread. > 6. I think that the way people express themselves sexually is quite > interesting and an index to character--whether they're fictional or > real. Very true. Shane "I don't think Blake can think and swim at the same time." --Avon Who needs Cupid? Matchmaker.com is the place to meet somebody. FREE Two-week Trial Membership at http://www.matchmaker.com/home?rs=200015

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Blakes7 March 2001