DefCon and kids

[Grendel]

Re: DefCon and kids

If I had kids i wouldn't take them to Defcon.

Just thinking out loud...

I mean, to what end? What's the purpose? Education? Desensitization? Fun? If you are straining to find things for the kid to do, that might be a sign....

But that's just my opinion...

LosT

Because I like to do things with my family, and she's shown interest in some of the activities. I'm just trying to figure out what other activities might be of interest for her beyond what's been suggested.

[LosT]

Re: DefCon and kids

If I had kids i wouldn't take them to Defcon.

Just thinking out loud...

I mean, to what end? What's the purpose? Education? Desensitization? Fun? If you are straining to find things for the kid to do, that might be a sign....

But that's just my opinion...

LosT

[b0n3z]

Re: DefCon and kids

(until there is a glowing multi-dildo sculpture that vibrates at defcon, it's tamer than HOPE)

**makes a mental note for defcon 18**


And I'd, in theory, have to agree with the fact that kids would get a kick out of defcon. I know when I was younger and first heard about defcon I wanted in immediately.

Although, I must also agree that after talking to the 206 guys, mainly all goons, about what goes on, it would truly be about how mature your children are.

[theprez98]

Re: DefCon and kids

There was a whole panel about the outsider art at HOPE where that was discussed.

And this sort of thing is what makes HOPE unique...

[renderman]

Re: DefCon and kids

Plus you never know where those dildos have been. Were they donated, were they new, who buys so many dildos? Can you imagine the look on the person who received that order..... priceless.


xor

To answer your question, the artist actually got sponsorship from sex toy companies who provided the bulk of the dildo's. There was a whole panel about the outsider art at HOPE where that was discussed.

The one issue I had was the constant smell of melting plastic that came from that thing. It was nauseating.

[xor]

Re: DefCon and kids

What?!? It didn't vibrate? Ok, I take back my opinion... it's not as clever as I thought.

Plus you never know where those dildos have been. Were they donated, were they new, who buys so many dildos? Can you imagine the look on the person who received that order..... priceless.


xor

[Grendel]

Re: DefCon and kids

Actually it didn't vibrate. I was disappointed when I put a quarter in the coin slot expecting some dance of the wild dildo disney-esque show and all I got was a little kaleidoscope thing on the coin box. Fortunately I had my picks with me and exacted a refund :)

What?!? It didn't vibrate? Ok, I take back my opinion... it's not as clever as I thought.

[renderman]

Re: DefCon and kids

I've been to DC before and understand what goes on (until there is a glowing multi-dildo sculpture that vibrates at defcon, it's tamer than HOPE). I don't expect others to modify their behavior - in fact I'd be annoyed if they did. That's not really what the thread is about, though.

Actually it didn't vibrate. I was disappointed when I put a quarter in the coin slot expecting some dance of the wild dildo disney-esque show and all I got was a little kaleidoscope thing on the coin box. Fortunately I had my picks with me and exacted a refund :)

With Kids at con I think it all boils down to: Hope you know what your getting them into. I can't imagine trying to explain the 'dong-pocalypse' (Dragorn coined that one) to a 9yr old, but if your up to the challenge, go for it.

[Grendel]

Re: DefCon and kids

So how did you explain the errrr glowing phallic pleasure tree to your daughter? Hope you didn't take her to the talk by the same name.

xor

Since it was at the top of the escalators, we saw it before she did. My wife has quick hands, and had the daughter in a headlock with eyes covered quicker than I could blink. Any time we went by the ... art?... she was appropriately blinded and headlocked again. A mother's reflexes are a thing to behold. >;-)

On a side note, it was an interesting display - pretty clever.

[Grendel]

Re: DefCon and kids

If you tell me I'm doing something that you find inappropriate for your child, I'm going to tell you to take a big flying fuck and most likely embarrass you in front of your child. I would venture to say that's the attitude of a number of the attendees.

I would wager that the attitude of the parents at this conference would share your beliefs, as do I. People drawn to DefCon don't fall into mainstream patterns regarding social behavior, which leads me to believe we won't see the type of confrontational attitude you describe.

Now that that is settled, any other ideas on what the kid might enjoy?

[xor]

Re: DefCon and kids

I(until there is a glowing multi-dildo sculpture that vibrates at defcon, it's tamer than HOPE).

So how did you explain the errrr glowing phallic pleasure tree to your daughter? Hope you didn't take her to the talk by the same name.

xor

[renderman]

Re: DefCon and kids

If you're a parent, and you think DefCon may not be the place to bring your child, go with your gut. If you do bring them and then decide to whine about something going on that you don't find suitable it will probably fall on deaf ears. If you tell me I'm doing something that you find inappropriate for your child, I'm going to tell you to take a big flying fuck and most likely embarrass you in front of your child. I would venture to say that's the attitude of a number of the attendees.

Ladies and Gents, I think we have a new quote for the program

[HighWiz]

Re: DefCon and kids

I worry about the impact of kids at Defcon. I remember John Q. Newman's presentation many years ago about how too many changes take place, "for the children."

If a sufficient number of kids start attending, I worry that there will be some sort of request for change to nerf some of the opportunities at Defcon under the guise of, "what about the children?"

Of course, many of the older attendees actually have kids, and some will eventually want to introduce them to the joy they had when they went to con. I really hope that introduction of kids to Defcon doesn't lead to requests to tone anything down, and turn down the volume. I really hope that the kids (and parents) that attend Defcon are mature enough to understand that change starts with themselves, and if they don't like something, they can choose to visit another part of the con instead of whining about it, expecting other people to change.

"My kids are trying to sleep here!"
"My kids shouldn't be exposed to behavior like that!"
"Those people were having sex in the hot tub, in front of my kids!"
"OMG! WTF! Did 2 guys get naked and start dancing in the chill-out space, in front of my kids?"

Yeah. Eventually it will happen, and when it does, requests will be made, and people will complain, and the result will be...
(I guess we will have to wait and see.)

Fear not. As long as I attend I will not censor myself to the point of what people think is acceptable for their children. Further, I will implore all other to do the same.

This does remind me of the "DefCon Daycare" idea that's been discussed a few times on the forums. It really is a horrid idea... Leave the tots at home.

Personally I don't believe children belong anywhere at DefCon. Teenagers may be a different story, but much along the same lines they (or their parents) should be fully well aware of what goes on.

For years I worked for an organization that ran gay pride events. When people would bring their children and complain to me, that something going on was inappropriate for their children to see/hear. I always reminded them that it was an adult event and they were perhaps a bad parent for not finding out what takes place before they brought their child.
Most of them just huffed about it and left or ask for someone else to talk to... There were only three people who ever got "uppity" about it. (Two men and a Woman). All three got physical with me and all three got taken to the ground, then their children got to see them in non-designer bracelets.

If you're a parent, and you think DefCon may not be the place to bring your child, go with your gut. If you do bring them and then decide to whine about something going on that you don't find suitable it will probably fall on deaf ears. If you tell me I'm doing something that you find inappropriate for your child, I'm going to tell you to take a big flying fuck and most likely embarrass you in front of your child. I would venture to say that's the attitude of a number of the attendees.

[shrdlu]

Re: DefCon and kids

I worry about the impact of kids at Defcon.

Actually, I worry about their safety. Seriously. I can be rather unpleasant (no, really), and I am more likely to be unpleasant to a nine-year-old than to someone who is at least interesting to me. No, nine-year-old children are not very interesting, at least not before I've had a very large intake of caffeine, and only if they have someone who can quickly recognize that I might look grandmotherly and friendly, but am actually physically dangerous. Not on purpose, mind you, but there it is...it happens. Lucky for everyone that I'm not really physically capable of carrying out most of my evil impulses.

As long as they're supervised, and not wandering around loose (where they can annoy just as easily as delight), I don't really see a problem with it. You [grendel] sound like a responsible parent, and I'm sure it'll be fine.

On the other hand, I hope (and I think that this was what was on Cot's mind) that it doesn't encourage other, less involved, parents to think about bringing their own offspring. Of course, I admit that with the bazillions of people that now attend, that a few kids may be just invisible to me.

[response typed while still become adequately caffeinated. your mileage may vary. hope that helped. have a nice day]

[valkyrie]

Re: DefCon and kids

Gotta look with a weather eye at those devices that say they will make our lives easier....

Thank you for helping me understand your aspect.

:-D

Regards,

valkyrie
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