A Higher Standard...

[AZReenactor]

Re: A Higher Standard...

Moderator Note. Some of Steve Sheldon's and related posts were moved to their own thread as he seemed bent on taking the topic off the subject of cavalry into how he personally just doesn't like the AC because we expect too much from discussion participants..

[malachi]

Re: A Higher Standard...

Not everyone visits this site for reenacting authenticity. I do so to obtain knowledge of historical authenticity for its own sake. That is after all why we study history. Minutia is a passion if not obsession of mine. If not allowed on this site, where could I learn from, that would be more credible? I know of none. All my queries cannot be solved simply by visiting the Library of Congress. I taught Ga. history for ten years and would love to do so again in the future. I have come to have a new respect for authenticity, and dispelling of misinformation. Such information serves the classroom teacher well. I would hope no wholesale exclusions such as the ones mentoned above would come to be.
John Tucker

[ButtermilkRanger]

Re: A Higher Standard...

John,

There seems to be quite a few teachers on this site. I'm in my 20th year teaching history myself. It's a good profession, but seldom respected. Actually, I think Troy summed it up best in his analogy of a Teacher's Lounge as opposed to a classroom. I don't know any other way to describe it. If it is a classroom setting we seek, there are other forums other than the Authentic-Campaigner where we can come to be educated. Szabo's cwreenactors.com is one that comes to mind. As you well know, teachers in a lounge are learning from each other, but it's in a far different format than a classroom. It is a meeting of peers, not teachers and students. If that is what this forum has become, then so be it. We will either have to accept those changes or move along.

But I do like your passion for the minutia. I think we all share it. That's the kinds of things that drew us here in the first place.

[ButtermilkRanger]

Re: A Higher Standard...

Troy, where is that thread located? I thought your original reply to him was one of the best I've read.

(Post is located at http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...learning-curve).

[The Egyptian Homeguard]

Re: A Higher Standard...

Guys, I too am in the history teaching trade... I think some of the more redundant questions are better fielded to a Mod. or knowledgeable member through a pm after a search through the archive... Not that I think anyone would ask me anything after all this, but if I don't know an answer I'll find it, direct you where to look or get someone who can answer it in a non-condescending way.

Dennis, I too am doing CS for my first year and I’m learning a lot! I have good friends who are guiding me as I have always done Federal infantry or cavalry. It’s a learning experience. That is one of the reasons I went to the CoI, I knew I was an infant of CS knowledge, so I went to learn.

Troy, I know the Cav. and Arty. were given their own folders so we would quit whimpering about “having our own space” not to separate standards, but I feel it has effectively done just that. The cavalry end isn’t respected for authenticity like the infantry BOTH should have the same high standards

John, it’s not really even about the new guys and their questions about this and that… This was originally about the authenticity standards of the A/C and how it has degenerated over the last several years. One of the contributing factors is the influx of unknowing folks on the forum. It used to be to obtain membership here one had to be on the way to becoming a progressive or hardcore. Now just about anyone can get access and are riding on the laurels of those who came before. Hence the statement I made about the influx of “I’m an AC member so I’m an instant authentic.” members. I’m not sure how to fix the problem, but I think I know what it is… Of course I couldn’t fix the blown head gasket on my wife’s car either, but I knew what the problem was with the car, so I took it to someone qualified to do the job. That’s what I tried to do here, and a few people got bent about it. Maybe I should have taken it directly to the A/C moderators. I was always under the impression this was our forum and the moderators kept down the flame wars and personal attacks. Guess I’ve been wrong.

[BigD]

Re: A Higher Standard...

Zack,

I know what you mean about learning alot! Funny but I think I have learned more in the time I spent here than I have over the past twenty years. What makes the CS side so interesting is the relative mixture of civilian and military not to mention the various differences of production of the numerous Deopts arount the regions. While there were differences on the Federal side, they were not to the extent of the CS. While I am not in the teaching profession, I have always enjoyed studying history. I love to do research and discover new things. My wife may think I am nuts for the amount of effort I put into this, but it is my passion. It is nice to find others that have that same commitment.

Dennis

[VaTrooper]

Re: A Higher Standard...

Nice to see this come up somewhere other than the campfire.

[Lance Stifle]

Re: A Higher Standard...

Thanks Larry...well thanks to all of you for a great orientation and rationale.
For a fella starting out in AC reenactment as I am this has been valuable.

Kim Stewart-Gray

[hvymac]

Re: A Higher Standard...

I'm not a teacher by profession,but don't we all strive to educate our friends,ourselves and our public on the correct potrayal of a soldier,,how he looked,felt and acted. I am a farb due to my weight...something I've struggled with my whole life and may have surgury to help correct,,but I also make sure my students,i.e. the public knows that,,,I portray a surgeon and while I don't consider myself a true member of this forum,,I am grateful to be able to learn from it and therefore strive to hold myself to a standard that this forum would be proud of. I never claim to be a hardcore , a campaigner or a true forum member. I don't rest but try to obtain all the best info and intel on my subject and my era,,,again I am grateful to be "member" in the corner

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: A Higher Standard...

Hallo!

"Now just about anyone can get access and are riding on the laurels of those who came before. Hence the statement I made about the influx of “I’m an AC member so I’m an instant authentic.” members. I’m not sure how to fix the problem, but I think I know what it is… Of course I couldn’t fix the blown head gasket on my wife’s car either, but I knew what the problem was with the car, so I took it to someone qualified to do the job. That’s what I tried to do here, and a few people got bent about it. Maybe I should have taken it directly to the A/C moderators. I was always under the impression this was our forum and the moderators kept down the flame wars and personal attacks. Guess I’ve been wrong. "

To dredge up the history...

Such "soul searching" is cyclical here.

But.. a conscious ownership/management/administration decision was made at the end of the "Moderator Wars of 2002-2004" at the end of "First Golden Era of the Authenticity Movement of 1998-2002" that "this" was to be the new "Kindler Gentler Era" vision and version of the AC.

I said cyclical because this topic comes up every so often, as more H/A or C/P/H/A minded members reflect at the "AC's decline" and how "they" have been replaced by more F and M minded new members who have different needs and wants (and who really know nothing, or care nothing, about ancient history such as the "Moderator Wars" NOR do they read and interpret "The Authentic Campaigner- a Website for the Authentic Civil War Living Historian" as NOt being for newcomers and beginners to F and M Civil War reenacting.)

And on top of these "Culture Wars," historically the "Cavalry Folder" was a "step brother" of sorts to the AC with a more relaxed set of "standards" and where it was held to be "self moderating" (out of friendships and understandings,) so that the AC Mod Board did not patrol, police, or much moderate here even to the new "Kindler and Gentler" AC vision/version (except for over-the-top fights or violations).

But lads, these discussions, laments, and criticisms are as old as the AC itself. The "Old Guard" laments the decline. The "New Generation" celebrates the changes.
"We" talk, discuss, debate, argue, fight, flame every so often in repeated cycles. The Mods get blamed for the decline. Newcomers with failed expectations blame the AC. "We" talk some more, people voice their opinions and frustrations then get tired of talking. And things die out or fester under the surface until the next irregualrly scheduled programming where it starts again with banners being raised and chants of "Let's take back our AC!" ring out around some campfires and in Cyber Land.

;) :) :)

On a less pessimistic and more happy note, I am glad to see this discussion amongst the Cav Folder folks!

Curt
Former grad school professor of Socio-psychology Mess
Scarred Veteran of the Moderator Wars

[AZFarrier]

Re: A Higher Standard...

I wanted to add my two cents to this post. I for one am glad this occationally comes up, this is almost like a authentic reenacting reset/ kick in the pants. For me these past couple of years saw changes in my local reenacting orgainzations. Many reenactors just cant stay in the hobby, and others are twisting it into a 1860's era social club. Even though we don't have the luxury to only reenact with the "hard core" at large reenactments, we can be true to ourselves.

Zack Thank you for bringing this up again, I know it is the right time for me to get back to why I do this, and not falter from my portrayel.

[Mark J.]

Re: A Higher Standard...

This is all a useful discussion but meanwhile the ranks of the authentics continue to hemmorage due to old age, health and demanding schedules and unrealized expectations. Perhaps a discusison on how to "convert" someone with real promise -- to the 'true' religion of a real AC would be in order. As Twain once said: "Few things are harder to put up with, than a good example." Most mainstreamers will never be converted. But there are a few who are looking to ratchet up their experience and could use a mentor or two to get them to the next level. We all have had experience with those who gave us a "hand up".

[Ken Knopp]

Re: A Higher Standard...

Mark, Hang on to that thought!! There is something special that we are working on and in the works right now that will address this!

Ken R Knopp