Carronade at Falkirk; June 6th

[Martin Smith]

Fellow Society members,

Just to add that the Sea Peoples v New Kingdom Egyptians Tactica 2 game at Carronade received nothing but eminently favourable responses on the day from attendees and the organisers as well as in other online forums after the fact.

Personally, I think that he game displayed (and played) fulfilled one of the main aims of wargames shows; namely to promote enthusiasm for and the profile of the hobby. These are also some of the aims of the SoA, aren't they?

Accordingly, I find it somewhat disappointing that a reporting of the event to a Society aiming to promote the hobby of Ancients Wargaming as well as Research into and study of the Ancient Warfare seems to have generated so little favourable appreciation of what was a highly complimented, historical wargame display (and Public Participation) game.

Now, not being directly involved myself, other than lending a few figures, I do not seek  personal favour as I act merely as a 'reporter' of the event prepared and presented by others (and indeed using photos provided to me by others). I do find the response from the membership of a group (the SoA) with putatively similar interests and aims somewhat underwhelming.

What does this say about the SoA membership in general?

I don't know.

Opinions welcome.

Thanks

Simon

Well, Simon, comment noted. The demo game certainly looks good. Opinion follows...

Re your comments- and this may well have been said before, but there are a couple of points which might be worth remembering:

Firstly, this Forum is NOT representative of the Society in general. I cannot remember the numbers, but only a relatively small percentage of the membership visit the Forum, of whom an even smaller number post on here (IIRC, it may be as few as 15% of the membership).

Secondly, the demographic of the Society is definitely more towards the older and greyer side. We old people are NOT from an age where 'likes' on social media platforms feel as relevant as they might be to more youthful sections of society (small 'S'), nor are we as inclined as the yoof to click the 'Like' button when reading posts.

*** So, beware of feeling the 'need' for self validation via likes, for your own or your fellow gamers' efforts...it can only lead to disappointment.***


I post on here quite often, sometimes with battle reports and pics of games in play. However, I'm not inclined to take undue note of the level of 'support' in the form of 'likes' and comments my posts receive. I'm very much inclined to think that people may like and enjoy my posts OR NOT, but the satisfaction comes from having provided some input, not from being 'validated' by others.

Please don't take offence at my comments, because your posts ARE appreciated. The comments are offered as a positive 'caveat'.

The world seems to want us to all behave the same on social media platforms (and in some respect this Forum is one), but the demographic on here are unlikely to comply with that demand. Expecting significant outflowing of positive commentary will only lead to disappointment, if the level of responses doesn't match your expectations.

Martin.

[simonw]

Martin, thanks for your response. It does support what I suspected really; that the membership is perhaps on the 'mature' side, like myself (68). Consequently, the 'social media culture' of 'likes' is not part of their 'normality'.

Nonetheless, it appears to me that the numbers of members posting on the Forum are relatively small and bolstered by a relatively few stalwarts like yourself (and some others).

In my view, this reflects poorly on the vibrancy of the Society's wider membership.

I would therefore issue this plea to the wider membership: Get involved'!

If you want something to read, and/or look at on te Forum, then participate. Don't be passive 'consumers'. At least express an opinion using likes or unlikes but mainly, get involved!

If there continues to be an over-reliance on a small number of active contributors of mature age, then the future of the Society looks somewhat bleak.

Thanks again, Martin.

Cheers

Simon

[kodiakblair]

I did find time to raid the flea market

Were you a pearl fisherman or did you come with breathing apparatus ?


I took 2 steps through the door, sensed the fetid air then about-turned, a man with emphysema chooses his battles carefully 

Seriously though the flea market was in a terrible location, up a few stairs and backstage behind the curtains. I know it was the first at FHS so teething troubles are expected.  Lads running the Cannae game told me it'll be moved for next year, school dodn't want folk behind the stage.