I did not go to this years dragoncon, but it looks like maxim did

[shadeofnight]

http://www.maxim.com/girls/girls-of-maxim/84060/girls-dragon-con-part-1.html


Now the question to the viewer.... Is this type of publicity a good thing or a bad thing?

My gut, is that since it is a mens magazine, and only showing the women, it is bad publicity, but only a little.

Thoughts?

Comments

[abnormal-apathy.livejournal.com]

I have other friends who attended and from what I gather, it is far more than women walking around half naked. There is a lot of good there in that community and I think that when mainstream magazines cover it in the way Maxim has, it degrades the very point of having such things.

[shadeofnight.livejournal.com]

I think it brings out more of the type of people you do not wish at a convention.

As a male, and a geek, I really do not want MORE annoying males there that might make women feel even more uncomfortable, and drive some of them away.

[petrona.livejournal.com]

Good publicity for Dragon*Con. Look, hot women, come see for yourself next year. Those pictures are just bait. Anyone who takes the time (due to curiosity) to find out more about D*C, will either find an affinity for the event or determine that it's not for them. Advertising it as a gathering of the top 5% of intellectuals and fan geeks isn't exactly the way to bring the crowds in. It's a combination of beauty and brains. Pretty outside (media attention), filling on the inside (what one actually gains from attendance).

[shadeofnight.livejournal.com]

I think it might be good for Dragon*Con short term, but bad for some of the people going to the con long term.

I guess more men at convention that was finally getting the male/female distribution at better levels, does not need more of an influx of some men that might be attracted to just the "Look I can see almost nude women" mentality.

Sure a few "closet" geeks might find the convention, but I am guessing the worse elements might outweigh them.

Just my gut feeling...

I also have a bit of the "I want more women and less men" at these convention :p

[petrona.livejournal.com]

The thing is that people can see these costumers without the benefit of paying for D*C or staying at the hotel or attending any of the panels. There are Atlanta locals who come by and hang out just for the "show". I think only people truly enticed beyond the physical, will pay for the true benefits of D*C, meeting like minded souls, artists, writers, actors, thinkers, film makers and costumers. The voyeurs are mostly kept in check by security and the true con-goers gets the real experience, not just the chance to see scantily clothed women. The fact is that there are more women attending now than ever. This trend will likely continue, so any additional male influx should be balanced in the future.

[recalcitranttoy.livejournal.com]

What type of publicity are you asking about? If it's for the con itself, bait will draw more male and bi geeks. If it's publicity for the women, well that's a different story, and highly dependent up on the women themselves. For example, I wouldn't expect a prospective employer (or even a current one) to think such a photo screams "competent professional." I also wouldn't think that it would be "good publicity" to have such a photo passed around a classroom with the caption "Look at little Johnny's mom!" With my attorney hat on, it might be great publicity if my client was in a custody battle with one of the women pictured, or used to impeach a witness who says they have high moral standards or good character.

Again, it all depends on the specifics of what you meant by your question.

[shadeofnight.livejournal.com]

I was thinking about the con, and not about the women per say. I figure since this is a magazine, they all signed a 2nd "you may publish this" contract with Maxim.

The whole "I like to dress up sexy at cons" vs "moral character" issue is a different post/debate. We really are a society that came out of puritans, much to our determent.

[petrona.livejournal.com]

Yes, they all had to sign model releases before Maxim could use their images so they had control of what they were comfortable with the public being able to see.

I think we are past the point where dressing as a comic book, tv, movie character is considered proof of moral delinquency. "Weirdos" and "freaks" seem to be the more along the line for putting down cosplay. There were so many kids at D*C, it's hard to imagine anyone thinking that dressing up at a Con could even be solid grounds for getting custody from a parent.