Any possibility of meeting anyone of you IRL? SimCon...?

[TheMurderousCricket 5,153]

Hey Guys,

It's an idea I've been toying with for quite some time now. Do you think it would be possible at all for at least some of us to meet up at something akin to convention? Was anything like that ever planned? Is it possible at all?

I could swear I've seen some of the guys posting their photos with some other guys from this 'ere page IRL on "Share your picture" thread or something. So... why not?

I don't really know how much of a power or resources Simtropolis has to pull out something like that. I'm really curious though. 

Or could we perhaps establish a "Travelling around" thread where people could announce where they are headed (holiday or business) and say "I will be in Copenhagen from 1st until 3rd July. Any mayors who'd like to meet up?".

What do you guys think? 

[SIM-ple Jack 17,451]

9 hours ago, TheMurderousCricket said:

 Do you think it would be possible at all for at least some of us to meet up at something akin to convention?

[TheMurderousCricket 5,153]

Ummm... Your point being...? 

[CorinaMarie 29,934]

16 hours ago, TheMurderousCricket said:

I don't really know how much of a power or resources Simtropolis has to pull out something like that.

I know from my perspective I won't get involved, but it's perfectly fine to have a thread for it which you organize. It'd then be up to anyone interested to decide for themselves if and when.

[Cyclone Boom 17,033]

Just to add also to what Cori said...
(I'm in the same boat also.)

For any organising of something like this, it could be an option to arrange in a new private club so details would only be viewable to those interested or invited. While it won't be something Cori and I officially endorse as a Simtropolis run event, we have no problem if people discuss with those who are comfortable to arrange meeting up themselves. It would then be the responsibility of all involved parties to make sure it runs safely and smoothly.

[Paulo S.M. 321]

I for my self have nothing against it, but also not something i'm looking for.
I mean, some of us are people with 9-17 Monday to Friday jobs.
Some of us even have wife/husband and kids.
And to be honest. most of us are not kids anymore.
Something like this would have to be hard for many.
But a SimtropolisCon... isn't that bad idea :/
Who knows...
 

[catty-cb 4,413]

I know the BSC team did a few meetups, but most of them were Europe based and were all adults, the same when Pegasus got together with a few fellow SimPeg members .... have a picture somewhere of them all in a pub together .... I think tho these were people that had know each other for some time and had done more than exchange posts online with each other.

They are currently doing a safety advert here in New Zealand of meeting up with people you have only met online due to the risks involved, so anyone who's thinking of doing something like this needs to think thru some safety precautions and only meet in a public setting.

[TheMurderousCricket 5,153]

Thank you for your input guys, as always - spot on.

I realize the irony of saying so, but I'm not in a rush of doing anything like that myself, much less being the organizer of such an event. 

The reason I asked at all was just my curiosity. I continue to be impressed by how robust and spacious this webpage is on its own. It seemed to me, kind of, that IRL meeting must have been the next logical step for this community and has, in fact, taken place. I stand corrected.

I guess it greatly comes down to what @Paulo S.M. said about most of us having a daytime job or families. Even if there were any people with considerably more time on their hands, I'm afraid SC devotion would not suffice to gather all these people around.

"Darling, I'm gonna be away for two weeks and leave you and the three of our tots home. Y'know, I gotta meet some cranks who like to, essentially, play with lego blocks, albeit on a computer." 

[SIM-ple Jack 17,451]

On 6/30/2021 at 1:51 PM, TheMurderousCricket said:

Ummm... Your point being...? 

That after 22 years on this fool's paradise called the Internet, whatever is behind my monitor, stays behind my monitor. I'm in agreement with catty on this. If you are that trusting of your fellow human, including posting pics of yourself, you haven't been keeping up on the news.

[catty-cb 4,413]

On 7/1/2021 at 4:23 PM, catty-cb said:

they are currently doing a safety advert here in New Zealand of meeting up with people you have only met online

The advert I was talking about

the government has done a number of them covering different internet problems and also set up a website - https://www.keepitrealonline.govt.nz/

-catty

[TheMurderousCricket 5,153]

We had a similar advert here in Poland, but it was much darker. It involved a girl talking to someone online and getting a response along the lines of "Hello Ania. My name is Tomek and I'm also 12 years old. I would very much like to meet you."

Then, a cut to a dark room with a creepy, sweaty, fat slob typing on his computer.

But rest assured, I actually have pretty good memories from meeting people from online world. I've spent some time on dating sites and only once met a person who lied about their appearance, looking completely different from what their picture showed. I'm quite acustomed to striking online aquaintances but at the same time I'm sufficiently cautious too!

[Cyclone Boom 17,033]

I believe a key thing too is we're all in our comfort zones here, and admire our chosen online community for how it is.

We take part in our respective ways since we're glad to be at Simtropolis on a regular basis. There is a clear separation between the internet and the real world which is worth realising on that front. Anyone meeting would have to understand that each of us are different in the real world than how we prefer to portray ourselves online. That's the way it is, because we can't see or hear each other as we are right now. Bridging that gap is of course possible, but the question then becomes whether meeting up in any form would achieve anything productive. At that point I believe it comes down to working things out, not jumping into anything hastily, and to talk things through.

The creative and technically orientated nature of our community does attract like-minded folk, since we do share this focal interest in city-building as a form of problem solving. In that respect, anyone who wishes to meet could share and talk about this common ground. That would be the purpose behind some well-run convention after all. The reason we're here is because we enjoy sharing that passion, which is contrary to why some people might be on social media and various chat sites, posing as people they're not. Instead, look at all the talented people in our community who create things for SC4 with modelling, modding, or mapping. This is a different and much brighter corner of the internet than many, and so I do think there is much more scope for those who do wish to meet from our community, if wanting to do so.

Certainly there are risks which are well worth being aware to take heed of, and it seems some people might rush into meeting up too soon. Weeks or mere months seem way too short a timeframe in my opinion. Caution is a highly judicious approach indeed, and one shouldn't be forced into anything at any time. If having chatted online for a short time and someone raises the subject of meeting up, alarm bells would start ringing for me as to the true underlying reason.

Not being a very socially confident person myself, I've never met anyone from the internet before. And I don't know whether I will ever meet anyone either. So while I'm unable to personally state from experience, I'd be extremely reluctant to meet anyone who I don't trust entirely. I'd actually be quite fearful if there was doubt. But I do feel on that front, surely it is possible to meet people who can be totally trusted. How is trust measured? Well, that depends on our perceptions. Each and every one of us here are individuals behind our keyboards and screens after all. Some of us could potentially even go on to have stronger bonds and friendships than before, when getting back to behind our computer screens (wherever we are). Unless we take the step to talk with each other in the real world, it's not possible to know for certain. But equally if we're all content as we are in an internet-based sanctuary, then the status quo in our online society still works collectively for everyone.

I'm sure I speak for many people to say we're here because we want to be here. This is a home and a haven for a lot of us, since it's a place we can associate and converse as we're comfortable. If anyone does feel to meet, they'd each know and have zero doubt it's right to do so, while still taking the prudently proper precautions.

Of course, our mileage may vary, but at least the way I see it, that would be the only exception to meeting anyone I first got to know online.

[Paulo S.M. 321]

It's true that taking a step forward to meet in real life, is a hard thing for many of us to even think about it.
I myself, i'm not a very "social" person too, but I've meet in real life people from internet on other occasions.
It's always scary because you don't know what you will find, but with the right precautions, you have a way to feel safer.
IF and only IF, a gathering is more than necessary, maybe we can arrange a massive Simtropolis gathering... ONLINE.
Create a space where people can come, introduce them selfs, talk about what ever they feel like... and all with everyone connected at the same time at the same place.
Something like a ... online type of ... convention. 
We can have live videos of "GAME PLAY" of course, video tutorials on how to MOD or anything else.
Something like that.
And call it ... what ever comes to mind.
That would be a way to satisfy the need of some to gather wile keeping others privacy.
Any other thing would be almost impossible.

DO UNDERSTAND:
I'M NOT IN ANYWAY PROPOSING ANYTHING OR ENDORSING ANY IDEA AND/OR PROJECT.
 

[TheMurderousCricket 5,153]

3 minutes ago, Paulo S.M. said:

It's always scary because you don't know what you will find, but with the right precautions, you have a way to feel safer.

Naturally this will vary from person to person. When I go and meet someone from the Internets I feel positive excitement. Not fear. But I completely understand and respect your point of view. Granted, I am an introvert too. 

8 minutes ago, Paulo S.M. said:

IF and only IF, a gathering is more than necessary, maybe we can arrange a massive Simtropolis gathering... ONLINE.

This, let me say, is a fantastic idea! 

We have all learned a thing or two about the online conferencing because of COVID. This could just work.

Also note that in VTC everyone has a chance to control their privacy. You may join but not utter a word. You may talk but choose not to turn your camera on. Interesting approach. 

[Paulo S.M. 321]

11 minutes ago, TheMurderousCricket said:

This, let me say, is a fantastic idea! 

It's not an idea!!
And if it even is an idea it doesn't have anything to do with me.
I've just shown a different approach to a thematic which was being problematic to one or more of our fellow mayors. (man, I just sounded like a politician on a court of representatives/parliament)  

[TheMurderousCricket 5,153]

31 minutes ago, Paulo S.M. said:

It's not an idea!!
And if it even is an idea it doesn't have anything to do with me.

Easy now! It's just a theoretical research. 

[SIM-ple Jack 17,451]

4 hours ago, Cyclone Boom said:

 Anyone meeting would have to understand that each of us are different in the real world than how we prefer to portray ourselves online.

No, I'm pretty much WYSIWYG. As disagreeable and unpleasant as you imagined.

5 hours ago, Cyclone Boom said:

 I've never met anyone from the internet before.
 

I used to dread selling my cars on Craigslist. Endless parade of whackjobs, and that was local.

7 hours ago, catty-cb said:

The advert I was talking about

the government has done a number of them covering different internet problems and also set up a website - https://www.keepitrealonline.govt.nz/

-catty

Lol, if that guy showed up for my daughter, dressed like that, I would have shot him at the front gate. Who the hell goes on a first date in a vintage '70s thrift store disco tux?!! Or any kind of tux for that matter? Typical over-the-top PSA.

Truth of the matter is, most creeps are way more subtle. Ted Bundy was good looking and had a line of BS a mile long. Albert DeSalvo(the Boston Strangler) masqueraded as a mild-mannered middle-aged handyman to get his foot in the door. John Wayne Gacy dressed up as a clown for kid's parties and even had his pictured taken with First Lady Rosalyn Carter while posing as a local building contractor.

I worked and got to know a lot of guys working in construction. Many good-looking, pleasant, funny dudes. But I wouldn't let 99% of them near my daughter(or my sons, for that matter).

[RobertLM78 1,598]

The fact that they have to make commercials to put the fear of fellow humans is telling... if you're aware....

[VetinarisClerk 271]

I'm just not looking for anything more than this site already provides. It's nice to swap creations and tips with people who are into the same thing, and joke around about it, but beyond that, no thanks. Sorry. 😐

[Paulo S.M. 321]

5 hours ago, TheMurderousCricket said:

Easy now! It's just a theoretical research. 

I know man, i don't get offended easy  

 

4 hours ago, VetinarisClerk said:

but beyond that, no thanks. Sorry. 😐

I feel you there brother.
But sometimes you tend to get attached to some of the people you spend time with (even though is online), and you feel the need to strength that "brotherhood" kind of bond. 

 

5 hours ago, SIM-ple Jack said:

Who the hell goes on a first date in a vintage '70s thrift store disco tux?!!

When you came out of your mother's basement in decades!! 
You Sir, you are mean sometimes!! 

[RipRap 4,400]

It really takes quite an effort to organize something this big, but I've met several Simtropolis members over the years that I've been here. It really is up to people if they're comfortable enough to meet them or not. And that alone takes years of negotiation, let alone a really large, awkward convention. 

[TheMurderousCricket 5,153]

3 hours ago, RipRap said:

It really takes quite an effort to organize something this big (...)

I think it is worth remembering that conventions are mostly organized by professional companies who do that for a living.

An impulse to have a convention may come from a community. But at the end of the day, they will not be the ones who organize the event.

I cannot imagine myself, or anyone for that matter (even when supported by Cyclone and Cori), to take care of: cattering, fire safety, Covid testing, speaker invitations, room/hall rent and countless other issues involved with conventions.

Then, you need to consider how numerous, say, the Marvel community is compared to ours.

If there are (rough guess) 800k Marvel fans ready to travel to a convention, then the event will be capped at, say, 2k and everyone will pay about 30€ for a ticket so that the event's cost is covered.

If there are (even rougher guess) 50 SimCity fans ready to travel to a convention, the price will have to be set at a level nearing 1200€ per ticket to cover the cost of an event.  

[VetinarisClerk 271]

11 hours ago, Paulo S.M. said:

I feel you there brother.

But sometimes you tend to get attached to some of the people you spend time with (even though is online), and you feel the need to strength that "brotherhood" kind of bond. 

Oh, I get that. You know, job, family, friends, other hobbies... Some of us are stuck in our ruts 

[Krio 626]

Almost 4 years ago I met Jazzmaster here in Finland. I turned 30 back then and bought him tickets to here and back, he spent a week on my couch in Helsinki. Snif, what a wonderful fellow. 

[EffTheGrid 3,733]

I'd be open to a meetup here in New York City, if others are in the area! The weather is getting nicer again, and there would be plenty of fun urbanism to explore.