I'm a complete outsider to both the con and the vid world, so my comments are purely on your argument with really no stakes in it one way or the other (it'll be the day I ever make it to Escapade :-). I find your arguments extremely convincing and while I probably on a gut level would like the slashy, mainstream-fandom, popsong-driven vids, I also feel that your take that there's nothing wrong with vidding for other vidders is dead on. I mean, as a non-writer, I'd never demand that someone write for *me* rather than other writers (for example, frustrating at least to *this* reader are all the drabbles, time-limited challenges, etc. that many writer seem to really like to do. I understand how this must be immensely satisfying to do--esp. together on IM or what not--but as a pure consumer I'd much prefer those writers work on revising their more crafted fics...But why the hell should *anyone* not do what they care about and what *they* want to do and for an audience *they* envision???).

The one thing I took issue with, b/c I do not think you *need* it for your persuasive argument is the oldtimer invocation. I agree that some newbie slashers may be extreme in their no het or gen rule, but I'd hate to make that a function of their newness. In other words, I don't think your argument should stand on 'we've always done it like that,' esp. b/c it doesn't need to. I think you convince without needing to segregate the old from the new, b/c while the lines may have fallen along those categories, I'd hate to be the division about what it isn't (i.e., time in fandom) rather than what it is (openness to a variety of interests, experimentions, and explorations).

A wonderful essay overall of which I read every line, even though as stated in the beginning, it doesn't address or affect me in any way whatsoever!!!

and I'm comtemplating deleting it after i post it, so feel free to do so or screen if you feel this is OT.