RPGnet Columns
05-08-2003, 06:39 PM
Post originally by Kathy at 2003-05-08 17:39:48
Converted from Phorums BB System
I have long been of the opinion that there are two basic types of hobbies. The first type has some degree of mass appeal; most of the population participates to an extent, and hard-core hobbyists take it much farther. Films are a good example of this one. Most people go to the movies, or at least rent a video, a few times a year. Then there are the "film buffs" who go to movies two or three times a week and own special-edition director's-cut DVDs of darned near everything.
The second type of hobby does not have mass appeal. Everybody in it is pretty much already at the "hobbyist" level; some are just more hard-core than others. To people not already in the hobby--or interested in it--these hobbies can sound incredibly dull or weird (or both). These are the niche hobbies like ham radio and model rocketry...and yes, roleplaying gaming.
I don't know what this exactly means, or indeed, what it has to do with Sandy's article, but it's vaguely related so I thought I'd throw it out there. I do think that's why we sometimes have such a hard time explaining our hobby to others. That and the fact that we're all geeks. :)
--Kathy
Converted from Phorums BB System
I have long been of the opinion that there are two basic types of hobbies. The first type has some degree of mass appeal; most of the population participates to an extent, and hard-core hobbyists take it much farther. Films are a good example of this one. Most people go to the movies, or at least rent a video, a few times a year. Then there are the "film buffs" who go to movies two or three times a week and own special-edition director's-cut DVDs of darned near everything.
The second type of hobby does not have mass appeal. Everybody in it is pretty much already at the "hobbyist" level; some are just more hard-core than others. To people not already in the hobby--or interested in it--these hobbies can sound incredibly dull or weird (or both). These are the niche hobbies like ham radio and model rocketry...and yes, roleplaying gaming.
I don't know what this exactly means, or indeed, what it has to do with Sandy's article, but it's vaguely related so I thought I'd throw it out there. I do think that's why we sometimes have such a hard time explaining our hobby to others. That and the fact that we're all geeks. :)
--Kathy