The Wisdom of Rennies, Trekkies, Steampunkers, Reenactors and Kilties?

[James Hood]

A common theme in this splendid e-community of kilties is tolerance and joy in dressing a bit outside the "standard" of society's vast, lowing, conformal, oft-judgemental hordes.

Which stimulated a "hmm" quasi-deep thought; one can attend Renaissance/Fantasy faires, Sci-Fi conventions, Steampunk gatherings and Historical Reenactments of all eras...

...and experience a common vibe among those present.

Not only tolerance of demonstrably eccentric dress and behaviour, but downright joy in the diversity, creativity, skill, craft, faith-to-genre, originality...

...but ultra-rarely, criticism, intolerance, ill-judgement.

Are Trekkies, Steampunkers, Rennies, Reenactors, perhaps a few giant strides ahead of the population at large, in "spiritual maturity"?

[O'Searcaigh]

Aye indeed! May the Force be with you; Go forth and prosper!

[Bugbear]

Not sure that is so fair. Any group can fall into an "us against them," rather than "them" do it and see it differently than "us" type of pattern.

Not sure that will make sense, but it's all I have to say on the subject.

[Zardoz]

I think that's generally true, certainly among the rennies. Although you can get folks in any of those genres that perhaps take it a little too seriously.

[Dale-of-Cedars]

Having been to no few SF Cons (once in costume with the Missus-to-be) I would agree with you. But it's mostly only spiritual maturity, the other more mundane sort can be joyfully lacking....

[ForresterModern]

I do not think ourselves a few steps ahead of anybody in "spiritual maturity", rather a few steps aside either to the right or more likely in this case to the left of the crowd. Spirituality is an individual thing, defined inside ones' self. Open-mindedness would probably be a better descriptor, as all in the groups you mention there is generally a common free spirited live and let live mentality.

[O'Searcaigh]

At least one interpretation (consequence?) of "spiritual enlightenment" is to be burden-free -- "Lighten up!"

[CopperNGold]

At least one interpretation (consequence?) of "spiritual enlightenment" is to be burden-free -- "Lighten up!"

Words to live by, O'Searcaigh!

Groups of people (Rennies, Trekkies, etc.) may share some characteristics and interest in their groups, but can one discount the individual personality?

[Cygnus]

I think an experiment is in order.

Who is willing to attend a Star Trek convention dressed as a Jedi?

[davidlpope]

Are Trekkies, Steampunkers, Rennies, Reenactors, perhaps a few giant strides ahead of the population at large, in "spiritual maturity"?

At least one interpretation (consequence?) of "spiritual enlightenment" is to be burden-free -- "Lighten up!"

If your thesis is correct, then the fellow at the beginning of this clip must be the tip of the spear when it comes to "spiritual maturity":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvKpvlIm17k