6,000 Years Old And Counting

In the 17th Century, Archbishop James Ussher of Armagh worked out his own timeline for the history of the Biblical world, starting with the precise moment when God said "Let there be light" -- nightfall preceding October 23, 4004 B.C.

It was a well-meant calculation, but it has a few problems -- inconsistency of written records, lack of a formal calendar for much of the period covered in the Bible, and ignorance of science. (Not to mention that, if Light was created at nightfall, then either there wasn't a night, or it took God several hours to pull the trigger. Not precisely omnipotent, but hey.) For the most part, it's been abandoned as a serious chronology.

But not by everyone. Many Biblical literalists insist that God spake in 4004 B.C., and all the evidence of anything before that time -- fossils, geologic layers, older civilization, whatever -- was put there by God to test the faith of his children.

And some of those children are using their concept of the age of the earth to influence environmental law. In this case, the argument literally is, the earth is 6,000 years old, and somehow it survived before environmental regulation, and we need the money, and you'll never even know the uranium mine is there.

Short-term profit at the expense of the only environment we have. Blind faith. Mistrust of science because they feel it threatens their faith.

I just don't get it. And I don't think I ever will.

Do Not Meddle In The Affairs Of Bards

Both jannyblue and therck aimed me to this:

The Cost Of Conventions

There seems to be a bit of a kerfuffle, possibly with some impending blowback, regarding how much it costs to get everything you want from a con these days.

peacelovefandom, posting in con_central, points to an article noting that Patrick Stewart and Leonard Nimoy (who will both be at Dragon*Con) are charging a lot for their autographed photos and extra panels. As in, a lot. And being restrictive as to how many people can be in the photos.

There was also an article about TwiCon, which apparently is even more over the top. (I admit I have very little sympathy. When I heard that the con admission was $255.00, I knew that they knew they were trying to suck as much blood from their fan base as Edward Cullen would. They're hoping for one, maybe two years, depending on how the next movie does, and then gettin' while the gettin's good.)

For me, it's pretty easy, but then I'm not an autograph seeker or photo hound. I have a picture of Bill Mumy as Lennier; I have another picture of Frank Gorshin as the Riddler. Each cost me $20, which I thought was perfectly reasonable. If Patrick effing Stewart needs $200 for a snap with him, maybe his agent should see about bumping up his acting fees a touch.

How much is too much for you? Where do you cut back? Remember that there are many ancillary costs to a convention, most notably food, hotel, parking, and services such as internet. For many people, there's dealers' room and art show browsing, or a specific item you'd like to buy from a specific dealer or artist (or musician, which pays a lot of my bills, thanks). Gaming conventions have separate entry fees for many tournaments. There are the special things, like the photos and autographs. There are parties to be run, costumes to be created and displayed, charity and Interfilk auctions. And you'd be surprised how often you forget about travel expenses -- gas, Mickey D's, and the pop and chips on the road do all add up.