Changes

[dominyk]

I find it amazing that SCA rapier has morphed so much in just the short time that I have been participating. "Short time" being a relative term, I started about 10ish years ago. And that is a long time to do anything, but a short time compared to how long some people have been playing.

The change from epee to heavy rapier has been the biggest and

Comments

[jamey1138]

Around here, we call your preferred forum "pwning n00bz."

At least, that's what *I* call it: my observation is that every fencer has their own degree of Art, and their own degree of Violence. Me, I try to rely on a bit of Violence, and a bit more Art; lots of my nearby friends eschew Violence altogether.

In an earlier comment in this thread, you suggested (by way of a "what's wrong with") that a fighter ought to be able to find his or her own amalgamation of Art, suited to his or her own body and mind. I've often argued that, indeed, any fighter who relies much on Art will *have* to do exactly that: you MUST own your own Art. (The fighters who rely mostly on Violence are the n00bz I refer to above). The things that help you to do that MUST include lots of self-study, and can also include modern sources, and/or cross-training (my cadet is a really good tango dancer, which is a huge influence on his footwork and body mechanics), and/or historical texts. Those of us who dig the historical texts have our own geek-circle about that, and we want more people to geek out with us about it, but obviously you're going to make your own adult decision about whether or not that's your particular bit of geek.

Five years ago, around these parts, when we wanted to get more people hooked into our geeky passion for old books about stabbing people, we sat around for a couple of minutes, pondering how to do that. "You know what would work?" said Adrian Flechyr. "Stabbing people. Stabbing people, a LOT, using valid historical technique. That'd get their attention."

So, in these parts, that's how the culture shifted a little more towards A&S (to the point that some non-Warders assume that you *have* to be interested in historical combat in order to become a Warder. This is demonstrably untrue, though MOST of the recently-made Warders realized, some where along their path, that it's a useful tool to develop their own Art.)

Locally, the pendulum of the apparently-dominant rapier culture has swung back and forth, a couple of times, in just those 5 years. Sometimes, a bunch of us get geeked out about just seeing who can be the best damned fighter on the block. Mostly, we're more relaxed than that, which leaves more room for study (which usually is a faster road to improvement than just throwing down-- that's part of its appeal...)

So, hang in there, and kick more ass, and do it so perfectly and cleanly than even the grouchy old snobs can't bitch about it. If you're not able to do that, well, then you have something to work on, don't you?

[dominyk]

I guess that's a good way to look at it. I am sad that the culture is leaving my preferred geekspace(is that a word?).

But it's ok, I can geek out about other stuff.