Show notes
Technology works, and we shout out to the live audience who joined us on TwitchOur cat is recuperating from surgery, and we’re recuperating from the Hugos. Makes him rather grumpy…Guess what made Pip and Tee grumpyIt’s not the gloves from Ritual MotionPip and Tee can however…here we go…2:31 Let’s talk about the Hugo AwardsThe latest Worldcon was held in Pip’s hometown of Wellington, New Zealand, but the pandemic made it have to become virtualThe Hugo are fan voted, and are not strangers to controversy Pip and Tee discuss that ‘golden age’ of science fictionGeorge RR Martin was asked to be toastmasterTee has been the MC at Pip’s brother’s wedding.The role requires you talk about the people who the event is for.The Hugo Awards were about the nominees, but GRRM didn’t get that memoHe then proceeded to pine for the good ole days of John W Campbell, Heinlein, Asimov et alAll of GRRM’s parts were pre-recordedTee asks Pip how she feels as a New Zealander and a writerConZealand was planned for many, many yearsPip was angry, disappointed and mortified… New Zealand is better than thisEven assuming GRRM was not sent pronunciation, that doesn’t let him off the hookPip and Tee remain unsurprised at how his recordings went downThe Hugo Awards have become more diverse but it has a history of being exclusionaryLots of inside jokes, name dropping… all of these things make sure there is an ‘us’ and ‘them’Making community means being welcomingHarking back to an age GRRM has nostalgia about, brings a lot of baggagePip talks about the nature of fandom in New ZealandFandom needs to think about how they empower people by ignoring their behaviorThe award winners were a diverse, world-wide group of people, but GRRM barely mentioned themThe always popular apology-non-apologyPip dives into how women (especially of an older generation) are taught not to make a fuss in order to be part of the boy’s clubNew Zealand’s specific national psyche may have fed into this.Pip wonders what happened? Did they watch it? Were they afraid of GRRM?Tee reminds every writer, that this is a professional setting.Pip confirms New Zealand is massively passive aggressive There is a way to own it thoughBut not just GRRM and the con organizers should own it.We need to be better… as fans and writers.The Hugo Awards are meant to celebrate about what is best during the last yearYoung authors need to feel that they can be in the space of the Hugos. This is a place for them.Hopefully good changes will come out of this.If you have an event in 2021 and want The Shared Desk to appear there, or if you just want to share an opinion about the show, here’s where to find us… [email protected]@teemorris.com…and social media, of course.Show art by Candy Cane StudiosFind us on Twitter at either Tee’s or Pip’s account,leave us a voicemail or questions for the show at 703.791.1701,or leave us a comment here at the blog.We’ll talk about it!And remember, you can find the show on Spotify, iTunes or Stitcher!Subscribe, listen, and review.Enjoy the rideand we’ll catch you later.