How do you motivate others or improve the hobby?

[CJDaley]

How do we get better at being soldiers?

Sometimes I think we just like to fight. :sarcastic

Some things are worth fighting over, some things not so much.

I'm just tired Paul of all the bull shit in this hobby. Guys are going to war over the most trivial things these days and it's just wearing me down man. If you want to fight to defend your family, defend your friends and defend your country, I'm cool with that.

But it makes me sad when people beat up on the 'unwashed masses' and stand on a pedestal on high and proclaim their take on the hobby is the one true way.

Every day I listen customers come into my store or into my tent telling me how much the elitism on the AC has pushed them away from the forums. But I've seen most of these elitist snobs. I've been in the ranks with them, I've seen thier impressions and I've seen them drill and cook and camp. I've seen their weight and their age and you know what...thy ain't that great. But I don't need to point them out in public and say so. I don't need to ban them from my events and I certainly don't tell them that my way of doing things is the best way.

There are 5,000 members of this forum and we can't agree on what a 100 man company can be like because no one is willing to concede that the way they do things may not be the most correct way.

I feel sad for people who take their hobby so seriously that they need to berate others about the color of jean cloth, the cut of jackets, the interpretation of a drill manual, the size of a waist line.

Fight about your family, your friends, your religion, your political beliefs, your nation and a host of other good causes...just stop fighting over trivial crap that ain't going to matter when we're all dead.

To quote from one of my favorite movies: Is this where you want to be when Jesus comes back?

[Ozark Ridge runner]

"Farbism..?"

Greetings folks,
At the risk of stirring up some rather meaty conversation, as a newbie,..
what exactly is FARBISM ?
It is mentioned with quite a bit of distaste, to say the least. Not being one to want to offend or slip up a bit of clarity would be very appreciated.
Many thanks for all the info recieved.
Robert Stone

[Doug Harding]

Re: "Farbism..?"

It's a derogatory term us to discribe a person that knows his impression is not right but is unwilling to make the necessary changes.

Hope this answers your question without seeming snobbish.

Doug

[paulcalloway]

Re: "Farbism..?"

You might want to go frolicking through the FAQ, but here's a little nugget of info on Farbism for you:

What do you mean by "No Farbism?"

One of the original two rules (in addition to sign your full name with every post) was "No Farbism." At the time of the creation of the original AC forum, there was a plethora of forums and websites which appealed to mainstream reenacting. The hardcore/progressive movement was the counter-culture. We didn't want just another forum where mainstreamers argued with hardcores. We wanted a forum where hardcores could come and discuss issues of authenticity without having to dodge the jeers and invective of mainstream trouble-makers. Thus the rule - No Farbism. Admittedly it's nebulous rule but if we made rules to address every single aspect of farbism imaginable, we'd run out of space on the server. The No Farbism rule is concise and for eight years, it's worked pretty well.

[ElizabethClark]

Re: "Farbism..?"

Doug and Paul have it nailed... knowing history, but refusing to make efforts to reconcile one's physical or internal "culture" to match that knowledge, is academically lazy, and "farb" (Forget About Research, Baby.)

And since this is the Authentic-Campaigner, there's really no point discussing things outside the range of documentable history. Pardon whilst I arrange the ties on my Moderator Bonnet, draw out my jangly ring of housekeeping keys, and close the thread.

[BigRonFH]

Re: Does being a modern Joe make you better at your impression?

Having served in the Army in the 1980's, I will say that there are somethings from my experience that helps and hurtsd my impression. For one, the pace I got used to marching at for so long is the [B]wrong[B] pace for the 1860's soldier. It's just too fast. I had to "rewire" my brain to march at the proper pace for reenacting. However, somethings (like crispness in the manual of arms) definately helped. I guess all the work of those drill sergeants at Ft. Leonard Wood was ingrained pretty darned well. Haha. Anyway, I would have to say that, all in all, my actual military training is most assuredly a benefit.

Ron Hopkins
Co. D, 13th US Inf
Sioux Falls, SD

[WoodenNutmeg]

Re: Getting Restarted

I remember when Jarnigan and The Quartermaster Shop were considered the go to guys as well, Issac. Hell, I even remember the days when old Jarnigan shelter halves had those large gold grommets on them and they were entirely machine sewn; people loved the "authenticity" back then! Jabs aside, Jarnigan was, if nothing else, pioneering in what they did and how they accomplished it.

Everything has its start somewhere!

One of my fondest memories was getting my first knapsack from Jarnigan for one Christmas in the early 90s. I loved that sack and had some very good times with it. But, time certainly passes us by, Issac; the gents and ladies here will certainly point that out to you if you are a bit in the dark on that (hehe). I can relate, however, as after being out of the field for a number of years, I was amazed to see the number of quality new vendors that had emerged in my absence. With that said, I am proud to announce we are in a great chapter of the Civil War reenactor as a hobbyist, with some of the greatest goods being made available to us to date.

I strongly recommend NJ ************ and CJ Daley for all your uniform needs.

Happy reenacting and good luck climbing back behind the stonewalls!

Pvt. Bryan O'Keefe, Esquire

[paulcalloway]

Re: Getting Restarted

Brian -
It's probably worth noting that the messages you are replying to are from 2004.

[WoodenNutmeg]

Re: Getting Restarted

Yeah, I realized that. But, I also thought that perhaps Issac would be kind enough to update us on his successes based on past members' advice; now that the thread has been topped.

Pvt. Bryan O'Keefe, Esquire

[Doug Potter]

Re: Getting Restarted

I started all over about 8 years ago bought all sutler row stuff for the second time, then I discovered authentic events and sold all my sutler row stuff and bought over a period of time an authentic kit piece by piece, I have slowed down a lot, do about 1 event a year, I am keeping everything this time in case I get fired back up again which I will, just needed to slow down a little...

[Jim of The SRR]

Re: Getting Restarted

I live in So. Florida, so I think units of any authenticity level are going to be few and far between in my area. Isaac Shelby Baker IV

Isaac,

There are actually two authentic units in FL that I know about. Both are member units of SCAR (SE Coalition of Authentic Reenactors). The website is www.geocities.com/scar_civilwar and there are two links there for the 48th NY and the Buckras who are both authentic groups in FL. Try contacting them.

Regards,
Jim Butler

[us1863]

What is an authentic reenactment like?

Looking to get an idea on what an authentic reenactment is like. I attended the 140th Gettysburg and was very dissapointed. Some units were playing period music but on their CD players and others clearly had modern equipment in view in camp such as beer bottles and cameras. There were also vendors driving around on 4 wheel drive ATV's selling ice. Not the kind of event I would want to attend ever again. No matter how good your impression it is hard to get a feel for how it might have been back then in this sort of environment.

What should I expect of an authentic event? I hear some authentic events are more authentic than others and that some events are a mix of main streamers and authentic campaigners. What does C/P/H mean?

In thinking about it more clearly, I think a mix of units that vary in their level of authenticity would suit me but would not want to go to an event where someone was driving around selling ice.

Thanks,

Tom Waddell

[ElizabethClark]

Re: What is an authentic reenactment like?

Might I suggest looking at the Events calendar here on the forum, viewing available event websites and after-event reports? There's a wealth of information just a few clicks away right here on the site.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: What is an authentic reenactment like?

Hallo!

For a starter and frame of reference, this IMHO, is a decent start to build on:

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1081

Curt

("Terms," "Labels," and "Alphabets" are not entirely universal, and not everyone holds to the same definitions, concepts, or operationalizings... however, one has to start somewhere. Then, IMHO, pick out the events that match your Mental Picture of what you see yourself doing and where you see yourself fitting in. Meaning, go to the events that match your vision.)

[Kevin O'Beirne]

Re: What is an authentic reenactment like?

Read the post-event posts on this forum, as a starter. Numerous "after action reports" (AARs) are posted online; quite a number of those from the group of which I am a member, going back to 2000, are online at www.columbiarifles.org. The webmaster is working to get the 2006 and 2007 AARs posted.