Why Is This a Difficult Concept?

[kevin_standlee]

I just replied to this comment complaining about how you have to join Worldcon in order to vote for the Hugo Awards, which led off with "But I don't have to pay to vote for my government officials." This is not the first time that I've heard someone trot this out. I'll repeat here what I said there:

That's right, you don't. That's because "paying membership dues" is not one of the requirements for being a citizen of your country. But WSFS isn't a country. It's a club. If you want to join a club, you have to meet that club's membership requirements.

Why is the concept of having to pay membership dues to be a member of a club, and having to be a member of a club in order to vote on things that club decides, such a difficult concept for some people? Are these people who have never in their lives joined a club or society, have never had to pay membership dues, and simply assume that if the word "vote" is involved, it must be free to anyone who wants it just because voting for public officials doesn't have a direct cost associated with it?

I actually understand the "It costs too much" complaint. That can be translated as "The amount you're charging for membership is more than the value I place on the things I get from that membership." There's nothing inherently wrong with that; it's an economic value judgment like every other decision we make about what to buy or not buy. It's what sounds to me like whining that "but I want it, so it shouldn't cost me anything!" that gets on my nerves, because it's childish.

Comments

[yourbob.livejournal.com]

Refer them to the Locus Awards - no membership or subscription necessary.

And do they white that they should be allowed to vote for the Oscars without being a member of the Academy?

[howeird]

I think the concept which is difficult for people to understand is that a world-reknowned award like the Hugo is a club activity. This is made even more difficult by the fact that no one joins WSFS as such, one buys a membership in an event sanctioned by the club, and that event is held in a different part of the world each year, and is inconvenient for most people to attend. Why should a fan pay to support a convention in order to vote for an award which is not being given by the convention, per se?

[redneckotaku.livejournal.com]

I think there are people who will not pay dues to be a member of a club. It is expensive to just vote in the Hugos. I do wish that there was a Hugo voting membership of $20 or something like that. I can't attend Worldcon 2010 (the Australian bid) due to the cost. $50 is expensive to vote in the Hugos, but you do get the pocket guide and souvenir book.

[cmdrsuzdal.livejournal.com]

I'd be surprised except for the fact that I work for an online greeting card company and hear the same complaint from people every day.

Sure there are places that offer similar things for free, we don't. If you want the free version go get it. If you want ours the price is right there in front of you, pay or don't as you see fit. Another organization's business model is really not relevant to us.

It seems to be a grown-up version of "But Billy's Mom lets us do it!"

[gridlore.livejournal.com]

I just asked if this person paid taxes. You do pay, in many ways, for the ability to vote for government offices.

[cherylmmorgan.livejournal.com]

I think Howeird has a point. There is a definite sense in which people think that, because the Hugos are the world's most famous SF awards, and they are voted on by fans, then fans ought to be able to vote without having to pay a fee or join a club. The fact that they whine about not being able to vote in the Hugos and ignore the Locus Awards, in which they can vote, is a huge compliment to the Hugos.

[dinogrl.livejournal.com]

I was going to bring up the taxation point, but that's been covered. But as far as the government is concerned, boy, have we paid for the last eight years...worldwide.

I know, nothing to voting for the Hugos.