I am very proud that the city of my birth, Detroit, MI, is the site of Netroots Nation 2014. And I hope everyone who attends has a safe journey and a productive, fun conference.
I hope you don't mind that I won't be there.
Although I will be right down the street.
And we'll be having a bit of a blast ourselves.
This year, the World Science Fiction Convention is Loncon 3 in London, England. As is the custom when WorldCon is not in the US, there is a North American Science Fiction Convention (NASFiC) to stand in for it. (Even though it's not officially the case, I always say NASFiC stands for "North American Science Fiction interim Convention". Makes sense to me -- an interim con while WorldCon is touring.)
This year's NASFiC is DetCon1, at the Renaissance Center Marriott.
Should be a hell of a shindig. Guests include:
And many others. My two co-MCs for the weekend are
Sarah Zettel and
Jim C. Hines, two superb writers and even better human beings.
The con touches on everything from anime to steampunk to YA to gaming to movies to technology to old-time fandom to the Maker movement and more. I myself will be the MC of the Saturday evening Masquerade. (I also have a concert Friday afternoon, if you're not doing anything else and want to spring for a day pass.)
I'm presuming that members of both groups will end up interacting at some point -- we're all going to be eating at the same restaurants, and staying at the same hotel. I can guarantee that most of the Klingons do not bite unless formally requested. I also do not believe there is an Open Carry Bat'Leth policy, although the darn things are so huge you really can't help it.
Actually, I don't think either group will have a problem with the other. The biggest concern I can see is that DetCon1 might inadvertently cut into Netroots Nation's media time, if only because, given the choice between a bunch of progressive activists trying to save the world and a bunch of middle-aged farts dressed as various incarnations of The Doctor, our Vichy Media will do its best to mock the sci-fi fans and ignore the progressives.
Aaaah, screw 'em. Stand Tall, NN14! DetCon1 is with you!
Oh, and -- be sure to get a Coney Island while you're there. Lafayette and American, right next to each other, are your two best bets.
ETA: Just got word from DetCon1 honcho Tammy Coxen: NN14 members can get a weekend pass to DetCon 1 -- normally $75 -- for only $50! Just show your NN14 badge at Registration.