Worldcon is Bigger Than Anyone

I seem to recall a discussion long ago, possibly online, possible at SMOFCon, or maybe at another convention, where someone (maybe me) made a point about being interested in Worldcon's future so that the institution continues after I'm gone. I do recall someone then saying that they were not interested in that and hoped that Worldcon would die when they did. I didn't argue it at the time, but I thought that a terribly nihilistic approach to life. While I won't be there to enjoy it, the idea that the institutions that I have devoted much of my life and energy (and no small amount of money) will continue after I'm gone makes me feel good. If I knew that my own death would also cause the destruction of WSFS and Worldcon, I'd feel very sad about that.

Not that the Worldcons of the future will be the same as those happening now, just as the current Worldcons are not the same as those I first attended starting in 1984. The institution evolves over time. What the future of the convention will be, I don't know. Continued and measured evolution (which is not the same thing as exponential growth) is in my opinion the way forward, and as long as I am able, I see myself continuing to contribute to that.