News:

Two-Factor Authentication is now enabled. For instructions, visit the Engine Room.

Main Menu

Proposal: Badges marking our interests and affiliations

Started by Jake of All Trades, February 28, 2007, 12:23:39 AM

Previous topic - Next topic
Print
Go Down Pages1 2
User actions

Jake of All Trades

February 28, 2007, 12:23:39 AM
I'm thinking of some sort of system whereby members can create various "groups" representative of their specific interests, views, etc. and display the names of said groups in their signatures or avatars.  Perhaps these text-badges could be hyperlinks leading one to a post describing what the group is.  Take, for instance, the fact that so many here are involved in coding/software development--so many, in fact, that those of us who aren't feel a bit of comradery.  With this system, a post would be made in a specified thread stating something like "'I Don't Code':  A group for those who do not tinker with software", and those who wish to be members write "I Don't Code" in their sigs with a link to the aforementioned post.  Groups could be formed for things like favorite Steampunk movie, what type of character you see yourself as (mad scientist, adventurer, aristocrat, etc), preferred type of steam engine, style of day-to-day dress, etc. 

Though labeling others is usually a one-way ticket to trouble, labeling one's self can be fun and informative!  So, what do you think?  Will this help us get to know each other or simply further the rifts between us? 
"...it's a form of fiction, and as such, while there may be times when it's considered a worthy vehicle for pointing out some of society and individual flaws - I still want a side that will let there be lighthearted adventures in the clouds, on mars, or under the sea."
--Tinkergirl

mr gilbert flint

#1
February 28, 2007, 12:36:03 AM
speaking as a mother(bill bailey reference there)i think it could cause rifts if not handled properly,i reckon you can get the gist of what people are about any way by what thay write about and the styles they like.if we werent all different what would be the point.i dont read all the stuff on the forum and think he/she doesnt like the same films as me so i wont read anything he/she writes.its all about the variety.
I'M THE DANDY SKYWAY MAN(almost adam and the ants)
member of the P.I.R.A.T.E.S council

Jake of All Trades

#2
February 28, 2007, 12:56:00 AM
Indeed.  Perhaps if we had rules to keep them light and fun in nature?
"...it's a form of fiction, and as such, while there may be times when it's considered a worthy vehicle for pointing out some of society and individual flaws - I still want a side that will let there be lighthearted adventures in the clouds, on mars, or under the sea."
--Tinkergirl

fmra

#3
February 28, 2007, 01:26:52 AM
I tend to agree with Mr Flint.  Even self-applied badges can stratify a community and even induce a horrible case of elitism.  I'm not sure I have a better idea, I just have seen jovial good nature evolve on other boards into clannish cliques.
Tempus Rerum Imperator.

"But that's not steampunk hjghahkahjkfdsahjklfdsa!!!!!11one11" -- Anachronist

20,000 leagues below Chuck E' Cheese

Cory

#4
February 28, 2007, 05:35:37 AM
Ah good... now that we're hard at work making a Steampunk scene (as opposed to a Steampunk culture), it's time to start in with the factionalizing and clique-making ^_Q

The Infernal Mr Adams

#5
February 28, 2007, 05:58:08 AM
I agree that its a cool idea, and if used right could work really well...but I can also see it causing rifts amongst the fellows (and ladies)

Over in the "Steampunk as Subculture" topic...there are arguments about who actually is and isn't Steampunk...this has potential to inflame that argument more....possibly.
Signed,
Mr. M___ E_____ Adams
Tinkerer, Adventurer, Man of Leisure, Weird Westerner, and Cad
18--

Josh of Vernian Process

#6
March 02, 2007, 12:17:55 AM
Well I'm going to go ahead and make a label for myself:

"Steampunk Aficionado"

Basically I like it all, anything that has to do with Victorian Anachronism is great in my opinion.
Gilded Age Records is a collective of like minded Indie artists, all unified by a common 19th Century/Steampunk theme.
<A HREF="http://www.gildedagerecords.com"><img src="http://www.movementproductions.net/art/gilded/gilded_banner1.gif">

Kabuki

#7
March 02, 2007, 07:57:40 PM
I'll label myself "Mad Scientist".  Because honestly, half the crap I try to build doesn't work.  :)
The only thing more important that squashing one's foe, is doing so with style and panache... - Jake of All Trades


Join the fun here: http://www.b

Dimentox

#8
March 02, 2007, 08:29:31 PM
I would be more of a Evil Villian. Or Something of a dark SP.

hannas_kiwi

#9
March 04, 2007, 04:41:33 AM
I would much rather have badges that are... badges.  Have icons display - icons that could, should one be inclined, be fashioned into an actual clothing accessory.

I propose the first one:  a simple cogwheel, representing solidarity with the Steampunk Community

Now go stick one on the back of your car...

Tel Janin

#10
March 04, 2007, 05:38:02 AM
I think I'm an aristocrat mad scientist adventurer. ;D I think it's a great idea to wear a cog on my collar to show my affiliation.

As an aside, I'm really excited about getting into steampunk as it emerges. At this stage it's still somewhat of a proto-culture, malleable and changing by the day. I love it and can't wait to see what it turns into. Just as long as the defining of steampunk doesn't become its undoing.

daeudi_454

#11
March 04, 2007, 05:14:04 PM
Oh yes... We absolutley must develop one for us Mad Scientist types!
"Time hasn't stopped for any troubles, heartaches, or any other malfunctions of this world, so please don't tell me it will stop for you." - C.S. Lewis
"The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is." - C.S. Lewis

hannas_kiwi

#12
March 04, 2007, 09:19:24 PM Last Edit: March 04, 2007, 09:28:27 PM by hannas_kiwi
Dissident Geniuses / Mad Scientists:  Bubbling, steaming test tube of green material
Adventurer: Map's compass
Aristocrat:  ?
Tinkerer:  crossed wrench and oil can
Dandy:  Snowy white cravat
Writer:  Fountain pen nib
Role-Play:  Comedy/Tradgedy mask
Musician / Singer:  F clef
Syberite:  Absinthe Spoon

Jake of All Trades

#13
March 04, 2007, 10:11:43 PM
Yes, yes--I like these ideas very much!  Let one of the more graphically inclined please have at it immediately!

I would also propose adding something representing those who are involved in the magical arts (sciences?) to the badges listed by Mr. Kiwi...
"...it's a form of fiction, and as such, while there may be times when it's considered a worthy vehicle for pointing out some of society and individual flaws - I still want a side that will let there be lighthearted adventures in the clouds, on mars, or under the sea."
--Tinkergirl

mr gilbert flint

#15
March 05, 2007, 07:45:37 PM
ok .so i might be tempted despite what i said earlier.not so much on the forum but i could see me wearing a badge .it would make it so much easier to approach people in the real world.perhaps we could also have a funny handshake .ha ah aha.(no smacking with a paddle though)
I'M THE DANDY SKYWAY MAN(almost adam and the ants)
member of the P.I.R.A.T.E.S council

Jake of All Trades

#16
March 05, 2007, 09:16:02 PM
Yes, subgroups aside, we should come up with an "International Symbol of Steampunk". 
"...it's a form of fiction, and as such, while there may be times when it's considered a worthy vehicle for pointing out some of society and individual flaws - I still want a side that will let there be lighthearted adventures in the clouds, on mars, or under the sea."
--Tinkergirl

S.Sprocket

#17
March 05, 2007, 10:16:42 PM
In second life we have our cog pin.  We too were afraid of elitist factions forming, so we left is relatively free form. the cog pin is open to interpretation and is free to modify.  I've seen all manners and incarnations of the cog pin, from the default one my avatar is wearing here in my forum picture, to a steampunk dragon fellow (whom shall remain nameless for posterity and if you're reading this right now Mr Dragon, then I apologies) who wears the pin as a rather large top hat ornament.

the pin is freely given to anyone who would call themselves a steampunk, whatever that means to them.  And only serves the purpose of finding who is a steampunk in a crowd of people.  Something which may be quite handy in the real life meetups being discussed on other threads. 

At first I thought this thread was about a badge on the forum, but if you're talking about something to wear in real life, I think that is far less divisive.
"It's what a cove knows that counts, ain't it Sybil?  More than land or money, more than birth.  Information. Very flash." -Mick Radley

"Teaching boys to bake cakes? That's no way to maintain an industrial empire." --Fred Dibnah

Jake of All Trades

#18
March 05, 2007, 10:20:00 PM
Well it was about forum badges, but I think real one are a great idea too.  No matter what, I agree that they should be available to everyone to do with what they please.
"...it's a form of fiction, and as such, while there may be times when it's considered a worthy vehicle for pointing out some of society and individual flaws - I still want a side that will let there be lighthearted adventures in the clouds, on mars, or under the sea."
--Tinkergirl

S.Sprocket

#19
March 05, 2007, 10:33:47 PM
I agree, if we could come up with some sort of simple baseline, we could encourage everyone to come up with their own intpretation of the pin, just as everyone here has their own idea on what exactly steampunk is, so too could we have different versions of the pin?

as for a baseline, why not a cog?  small cogs can be purchased at auto supply stores that carry cogs to change gear ratios for little money, also clock shop part stores...  it's a simple and cheap enough baseline for people to work from.

Of course then, why limit it to a pin?  and when you remove that limitation, it explodes into steampunk fashion in genneral...

perhaps, we have already identified ourselves >.>
"It's what a cove knows that counts, ain't it Sybil?  More than land or money, more than birth.  Information. Very flash." -Mick Radley

"Teaching boys to bake cakes? That's no way to maintain an industrial empire." --Fred Dibnah

Clym Angus

#20
March 06, 2007, 12:08:57 AM
Quote from: Cory on February 28, 2007, 05:35:37 AM
Ah good... now that we're hard at work making a Steampunk scene (as opposed to a Steampunk culture), it's time to start in with the factionalizing and clique-making ^_Q

Humans. I love erm. Well of course Mr Cory Sir, what's the point of each of us knowing we're superior without having the where with all to show it? :)

Charlie Mortdecai

#21
April 01, 2007, 10:53:41 AM
Badges - we don't need no stinking badges!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stinking_badges

Charlie

The Grand Duchess

#22
April 01, 2007, 03:52:35 PM
Why on earth do we need badges or a scene, or any of this?

If you can't figure out that someone who is dressed like a grownup on the street might possibly share interests with you, then no badge will help you.  Badges won't help you 'talk' to people.  Opening your mouth and saying hello to strangers will help you talk to people.

This is one tiny forum.  There are people all over the world who are interested in the 19th century, steam engines, speculative fiction, alternative history, tinkering, and so on.  I hope you don't expect all those people to show up here and get badges just so that you all can feel comfortable 'talking' to them. Maybe you should start noticing the 'badges' that are already there in front of your noses- go to any living history museum, tour of historic homes, walking tour in a major or minor city, and you'll meet plenty of people who are steampunks before the name.  Only certain kinds of people show deep interest in those sorts of places.    I'm sorry, but most people who want or need badges either can't recognize like-minded people when they see them or have a need to prove their own perceived high status to strangers who could care less.

If you must wear a 'badge', at least wear one that supports a worthy cause- the Lower East Side Tenement Museum.  I think if you wear it in, say, Oklahoma or Calgary, people will get the idea that you have odd interests.  But I think that those who really and truly need a sign of difference should take some spraypaint and write 'Hey!  I'm a Steampunk and I like buying things!', or 'I'm on www.brassgoggles.co.uk and you're not! Yay!'  on it if they think people might not get it. After all, what's important isn't being different- what's important is letting everyone know how different you are, and how being different is akin to being special, cool, and part of a certain clique.
I suggest that people buy their t-shirts and paint them as soon as possible, so that people like Cory and I will know who to avoid. You know- just like most long-time goths avoid teenagers who wear clothes that loudly and obnoxiously proclaim them to be gothier than thou, because it's almost always a sign that the person is more interested in show than in substance.

And now I shall stop being cranky, and go back to being my usual gracious self.

http://www.tenement.org/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=EYECOLOR&Category_Code=MGIF&Product_Count=8
http://www.tenement.org/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=TBN&Category_Code=MGIF&Product_Count=7
A true alternative subculture is one that not only questions the social status quo but poses viable solutions to some of the perceived underlying problems. Difference from the norm is not the same as superiority to the mainstream unless it can be  argued that the difference is positing a better way.

Lasairfion

#23
April 01, 2007, 08:58:07 PM
Speaking from experience, it can be both dangerous, and also very fun to have such groups. It all depends on how they are run, tolerated, rules and accessibility.Go too far and it can divide a board very quickly. Done correctly it can be great fun.

I don't see a problem with having interests badges in your signature if you want to. But dividing into social groups is perhaps a little too far down the wrong road.

The Grand Duchess

#24
April 01, 2007, 09:34:33 PM
Quote from: Lasairfion on April 01, 2007, 08:58:07 PM
Speaking from experience, it can be both dangerous, and also very fun to have such groups. It all depends on how they are run, tolerated, rules and accessibility.Go too far and it can divide a board very quickly. Done correctly it can be great fun.

I don't see a problem with having interests badges in your signature if you want to. But dividing into social groups is perhaps a little too far down the wrong road.

Hear, hear!
A true alternative subculture is one that not only questions the social status quo but poses viable solutions to some of the perceived underlying problems. Difference from the norm is not the same as superiority to the mainstream unless it can be  argued that the difference is positing a better way.
Print
Go Up Pages1 2
User actions