Great Babbage Exposition

[Ghilayne Andrew]

Summer: Great Babbage Exposition

The calendar lists the Great Babbage Exposition. Do we have anything on tap for this? Or perhaps I just missed it altogether while immersed in that curious placed called "Real Life"? (and, which still claims most of my attention for now)

[Ceejay Writer]

I'm not sure what might be planned and I'd love to know, too!

[Aeolus Cleanslate]

I've looked forward to this idea ever since I saw it in the margin of the Ning. An invitational to all the steamlands to display their finest builds and wares. Build contests, hosted events (a ball? a special salon? a Champagne Rooms command performance?). Maybe we couple this with the Steampunk Philharmonic Orchestra or Urchin Race/New Babbage Road Rally events. There are some issues, of course:

Issue #1. We don't have any place to host it! Clockhaven arrives in July, but methinks Tenk will want to terraform that and get it in place for sale. The rest of New Babbage is jampacked.

Issue #2. We don't have many good time slots! With Clockhaven's arrival and the RFL builds, July may be tricky to set up a whole new big event. August tends to be vacation month, with both attendees and builders on unreliable schedules.

We might be able to arrange for a "temporary" fairgrounds sim (west of Palisades?) for a few weeks in August - not sure how likely this is or how willing anyone would be to fund it - and make do with whatever builders are around.

One alternative: the idea for our RFL campsite is still amorphous. Maybe we do a miniature version there. We have 1700 prims, so maybe we subdivide and offer parcels to the other steamlands for their pavilions. Or maybe we just make it a *Babbage* Exhibition and invite our own builders to assemble their own pavilions. What do you guys think?

[Mr. Tenk]

it might be better to link the expo a permanently with rfl. the city is showing some neglect.

[Edward Pearse, Duke of Argylle]

I'd rather not see the Exhibition linked to RFL. RFL is pervasive enough as it is.

[Ghilayne Andrew]

Every so often, I find myself wishing to yell, "Enough, already!" (and that from a typist who has lost several people, including a parent, to cancer). One of the things I truly enjoyed about Oiling Festival was that it celebrated New Babbage rather than being a focus on something outside the city or some real life issue. Generally, this typist has far too much real life and likes the escapism of Second Life.

However, that said, Breezy does an excellent job leading the RFL campaign in New Babbage. She blends fundraising and fun in a way that doesn't invovle the heavy-handed tactics we sometimes see in other areas of SL. That's a difficult balance to maintain and I applaud her skill in trying to avoid the inevitable charity fatigue that does ultimately set in.

I think my problem with RFL -- and mind you this is NOT a comment about Breezy! --why I would prefer it not be permanently tied to any specific event, is that there are so many other equally worthy charities and endeavors that get lost in the RFL frenzy. Or if we do have a specific event, then please leave that the main RFL focus for the year. When the Salon had their talent auction, money was donated to a books program for children. That was refreshing and engaging.

Also, my impression of the national managers of RFL is negative -- that the organization is fixated on amounts of money raised and competition, and lack the spiritual components of true charity. Their emphasis is fundraising without much discussion of where and how the funds are spent. As a whole, the American Cancer Society itself isn't that admirable -- according to the BBB Wise Giving Guide, only 75% of the money earned goes into programs; the other 25% goes to fundraising and administrative costs. That's not an impressive ratio. Nor do I appreciate that the CEO earned $1.1 million USD in 2006; I'm sure it's a bit more now.

Perhaps, as a city, we might look into some other charity for a large event next year? One with a tad better track record of actually serving the people it's supposed to benefit rather than itself? Unleash Breezy on that and wow... I could really see us holding a meaningful and vibrant charity event that perhaps everybody would find more satisfying and less "pervasive."

Cynically and jaded... Ghilayne's typist.

[Canolli Capalini]

I'd like to add to Ghilayne's thoughts here. Admittedly, RFL is also a wee bit about competition within the sims.. New Babbage versus Caledon versus Steelhead, etcetera... all in a good natured feeling of competition. Breezy has already done a magnificent job this year with fund raising, without having the site set up yet. I am anxious to see the finished product and even to contribute a bit to the going on's.

Like Ghilayne, though, I do have reservations about where the money goes that we are so graciously raising.. and LIKE Ghilayne said, I have personally had people I know and knew affected by cancer (my mother, my grandmother, both my sisters and half the rest of my less immediate family). Even so, I am ready to lay down my picketing on behalf of RFL and move on.

I did think the fundraising through the auction was very refreshing and even more importantly, more sincere on a personal level.

If New Babbage does some sort of world Expo, I'd rather have it linked to New Babbage and not RFL. Give people more reason to come to New Babbage and take in it's flavors.

[Elfod Nemeth]

I agree as well, I'd rather do something else other than RFL, I definetly have RFL fatigue. I've had close relatives die from from cancer too, so itis very pervasive in SL.

On previous artistic shows I've worked on, we always end up giving the proceeds to RFL and no other charity, definetly worth investigating other worthy causes.

We could have a fundraiser to raise funds to rent a sim for a month to hold the exposition in?

[Mr. Tenk]

thats a lot of fundage

[Elfod Nemeth]

I know, but just a thought :)

I really hate the way that SL limits creativity in this way.

[Ghilayne Andrew]

Yah... it is a lot of fundage. I'd be willing to make a cash donation to help fund an island for a month or two, tho.

[Aeolus Cleanslate]

Any other thoughts? Breezy is firmly behind the idea of an Exhibition for the RFL campsite. Speak now ...

[Mr. Tenk]

good notes on from the not-permament camp, thanks. want to do it just this once?