07-27-2007, 04:25 PM
Hey David, interesting subject for a paper. Here's my stuff:
1) What gender are you?
Male
2) What is your age group?
25-35
3) What period do you portray?
Roman AD 105
4) What role do you play?
Optio/Centurion
5) Why do you take part in living history activities? Which is the most important reason?
Hobby
6) Are potential ethical or moral issues something you would take into account when participating in an event?
Absolutely
7) If yes, what issues would you consider? What is the most important?
Need for authenticity
However, I also think that in terms of audience age, violence can also be an issue. But given other media forms, I think that reenacting is the least of our worries. Having said that I have no issues with using roman stylism to create other objects based on actual finds, or using a combination of actual finds to create a new theme based replica. My main concern has always been the overall impression given by a group or person. Little details can be explained, but it's rather hard to say "we're doing this maneuver because it makes sense to us" and justify it.
8) Which would be of more importance to you in an event?
Education & Entertainment - I think they are both of equal importance, not just for the reenactors, but for the public as well. They need to be entertained so the education will stick with them. If it's boring and dry, the people won't retain the information. If it's boring and dry for the participants they won't want to continue doing it.
9) At what point would you consider an event unethical or inappropriate?
Inauthentic display - in terms of showing the public something based on little to no evidence, such as formations, tactics...even recreated combat using fake weapons. By untrainted soldiers, even members of the SCA it looks hokey and unprofessional. Not to mention a far cry from the real thing. I think this can be done in Civ war events because gun shot kills can easily be simulated, plus we have accurate evidence on the combat tactics they used.
10) Have you any other comments?
Personally I don't feel that violence in a historical context can be damaging to society, if it is used to educate. Violence is a part of human nature, and it's foolish to try and deny that, and I think the context of it's use should be what determines whether or not something is appropriate or inappropriate.
Feel free to quote what you want if anything I had was useful.
1) What gender are you?
Male
2) What is your age group?
25-35
3) What period do you portray?
Roman AD 105
4) What role do you play?
Optio/Centurion
5) Why do you take part in living history activities? Which is the most important reason?
Hobby
6) Are potential ethical or moral issues something you would take into account when participating in an event?
Absolutely
7) If yes, what issues would you consider? What is the most important?
Need for authenticity
However, I also think that in terms of audience age, violence can also be an issue. But given other media forms, I think that reenacting is the least of our worries. Having said that I have no issues with using roman stylism to create other objects based on actual finds, or using a combination of actual finds to create a new theme based replica. My main concern has always been the overall impression given by a group or person. Little details can be explained, but it's rather hard to say "we're doing this maneuver because it makes sense to us" and justify it.
8) Which would be of more importance to you in an event?
Education & Entertainment - I think they are both of equal importance, not just for the reenactors, but for the public as well. They need to be entertained so the education will stick with them. If it's boring and dry, the people won't retain the information. If it's boring and dry for the participants they won't want to continue doing it.
9) At what point would you consider an event unethical or inappropriate?
Inauthentic display - in terms of showing the public something based on little to no evidence, such as formations, tactics...even recreated combat using fake weapons. By untrainted soldiers, even members of the SCA it looks hokey and unprofessional. Not to mention a far cry from the real thing. I think this can be done in Civ war events because gun shot kills can easily be simulated, plus we have accurate evidence on the combat tactics they used.
10) Have you any other comments?
Personally I don't feel that violence in a historical context can be damaging to society, if it is used to educate. Violence is a part of human nature, and it's foolish to try and deny that, and I think the context of it's use should be what determines whether or not something is appropriate or inappropriate.
Feel free to quote what you want if anything I had was useful.
____________________________________________________________
Magnus/Matt
Du Courage Viens La Verité
Legion: TBD
Magnus/Matt
Du Courage Viens La Verité
Legion: TBD
