I first read about the Open Source Boob Project via a RL friend's journal, and shrugged with a "eh, typical Detroit-con tackiness". (Read on to learn why that's an indicator that the OSBP is no big deal, and not a condemnation of Michigan sf fandom.) And then I came over here, and discovered that it had made metafandom, with all the kerfluffle that implies.

I'll say that again, because my brain didn't believe me the first time: PenguiCon got metafandomed.

I'm glad I read in the order I did, because the other way around would've made my head explode. As it is, my eyes are crossing. Granted, I probably compartmentalize a bit more than most people, but the intersection of Michigan sf fandom and LJ-based media fandom is... well, there just isn't one. Except suddenly now there is, and a kerfluffle of epic proportions has brewed up out of what is, at base, a huge cultural misunderstanding.

For the record, and for those who aren't experienced with cons, be aware that Michigan sf fandom is not particularly representative of sf fandom in general, and is not at all representative of media fandom in Michigan. The membership overlap between PenguiCon and, say, MediaWest*Con, is almost non-existent. They are very, very different subcultures, with some very different base assumptions.

( In which I attempt to bridge two subcultural groups, with much flailing. )