Browncoat Status by Snowcat

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Browncoat Status

POSTED BY: SNOWCAT
UPDATED: Tuesday, October 18, 2005 07:51
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Monday, October 17, 2005 10:43 AM

I was just discussing with a friend the requirements for Browncoat status and realized I've seen no written rules on this. In my opinion there should be requirements such as:
1. You must be a member of at least one Firefly Fan site such as this one or The Browncoats.
2. You must have seen the entire series AND own at least 1 set of the DVD's (More sets gets you extra credits)
3. You must have seen the movie at least once.
4. You must believe that Joss is both genius and madman and that is why we love him.
5. You have converted at least one person to the world of Firefly either thru the DVD's or the BDM.

That's my suggestion, but I was wondering what you guys think. I consider myself a major fan of the series and maybe that is all that it takes to be a true Browncoat. Please let me know your thoughts.

Alaskan Men: The odd's are good,
but the goods are odd.

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Monday, October 17, 2005 10:51 AM

DIEGO

You realize of course that Browncoats will simply have to rebel against any attempt to make rules deciding who is and who isn't a browncoat?

On the other hand, your suggestion would definitely work for fans of the Alliance or of the folks who dress as stormtroopers at cons.

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Monday, October 17, 2005 10:55 AM

BARCLAY

Not to be rude, but, this isn't Star Trek. We don't need Starfleet pins to know who we are. The crew of Serenity is one big family and I think what's great about this fandom is that we're much the same way. When you're talking to someone you'll know very quickly if they're a Browncoat or not based on one thing, their enthusiasm.

Your requirements aren't bad, aside from "4. You must believe that Joss is both genius and madman and that is why we love him."

Joss is a great screenwriter and storyteller, but he's not God. I love Firefly and I love Serenity, and I respect Joss' decisions for doing things, but I don't think agreeing with him is a requirement for being a browncoat. But please, no membership cards.

"You are on the Global Frequency."
http://www.frequencysite.com
http://kfmonkey.blogspot.com

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Monday, October 17, 2005 11:12 AM

STILLSHINY

http://www.fireflyfans.net/sunroomitem.asp?i=5321

no rules, just fun.

"We had ties that could not be broken, except by the passing of time. Like a rock. A broken time rock. And you're very special to me, my broken time rock people." - Nathan Fillion

Stillshiny's Shop - I'm thinkin we rose again

http://www.spreadshirt.com/shop.php?sid=4728
Hey! Did YOU buy one of my shirts? Tell me what ya think.... stillshiny@gmail.com

Listen to "The Signal" www.serenityfirefly.com

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Monday, October 17, 2005 11:13 AM

STAKETHELURK

"Now, let's not go excluding people--that'd be wrong."

In all seriousness, though, discussions of what makes a "true" fan are always a bad path to go down. The qualifications for being a "Browncoat" are murky at best; any attempt to regiminent things is going to anger some people.

Example:
I thought of myself as a Browncoat long before I actually signed up on this site--your first category excludes the entire online lurker community as well as all the Browncoats who have no internet access.

So, lets forget these "requirements," please, and stick with what we do best: sharing our joy and appreciation of "Firefly" and Serenity.

I've always felt that what makes us different from many other fandoms is how inclusive and welcoming we are. The term "browncoat" should be a catch-all, not an exclusionary title. You no doubt have good intentions with this list of "qualifications" but, well, the Alliance had good intentions, too. What say we forget all this and instead welcome everybody into the Browncoat family who wants to be there?

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Monday, October 17, 2005 11:34 AM

BAUER

Come on!! We ain't reaver scum!!

Anyone who shows an inkling of respect for the series and/or the fans and is willing to be called a browncoat - let it be.

This show has suffered enough, instead of trying to setting up rules for inclusion we should welcome forth with outstretched arms all those willing to fight for the life of Firefly!!

Although I am/do/did all of the above, I was a browncoat WAY before I saw every episode, before I owned the boxset, before my friends were subjected to my pleads for them to watch. When I fell in love with the show the first time I saw it - I was a browncoat right there and then.

Oh and btw - my firefly dvds got nicked and the replacement set I ordered hasn't arrived yet. By those rules I ain't a browncoat right now. Also I'm not much of an internet person because I've always had crappy comps and crappy connection. I just got a new laptop and broadband so I can now be a part of the online community. So have I only just become a browncoat?! That should make you realise it ain't always the way to go!

I understand your meaning, but the way I see it - we are a better community than some fan groups. If someone hasn't seen an episode - we don't laugh in their face. We tell them the jist of what they missed and why they should watch it. If someone doesn't know the translation of every chinese word used, we tell them, or point them in the right direction. We are a welcoming and friendly race of fans.

There's no rules, there's no exclusion - just the love for the show mate

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Monday, October 17, 2005 11:41 AM

JONATHANSTRANGE

Uh, folks, Aren't we excluding the obvious?

"6. Owns or desires to own a coat of a distinctly brownish hue with the intent to wear upon at least one occasion (need not be Firefly related)."

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Monday, October 17, 2005 11:46 AM

BAUER

Quote:
Originally posted by JonathanStrange:
Uh, folks, Aren't we excluding the obvious?

"6. Owns or desires to own a coat of a distinctly brownish hue with the intent to wear upon at least one occasion (need not be Firefly related)."

Oh yeah - guilty! lol

Bauer

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Monday, October 17, 2005 12:53 PM

SHINY

Only one requirement in my book: Spread the good word of Firefly/Serenity to them as need it told.

---

Serenity is coming. 9/30/05.

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Monday, October 17, 2005 1:27 PM

SNOWCAT

Quote:
Originally posted by JonathanStrange:
Uh, folks, Aren't we excluding the obvious?

"6. Owns or desires to own a coat of a distinctly brownish hue with the intent to wear upon at least one occasion (need not be Firefly related)."

You know, I came very close to adding that to the list LOL

Ok folks....didn't mean to stir up a bees hive here. I'm not trying to be exclusive either. You are right....the only real thing you really have to have to be a browncoat is .....
...(Drumroll please) to believe in the power of love that drives the crew and this little ship called Serenity.

Thanks folks.

Alaskan Men: The odd's are good,
but the goods are odd.

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Tuesday, October 18, 2005 6:57 AM

BROWNCOAT1

May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one.

Quote:
Originally posted by Snowcat:
Ok folks....didn't mean to stir up a bees hive here. I'm not trying to be exclusive either. You are right....the only real thing you really have to have to be a browncoat is .....
...(Drumroll please) to believe in the power of love that drives the crew and this little ship called Serenity.

Thanks folks.

Don't let 'em get to you Snowcat. Guess being a browncoat by its very nature means we don't care much for rules or being defined.

I think every browncoat will tell you they are a fan of the show & that they identify with the theme of the show which is independence. I know it resonates very strongly with me.

__________________________________________

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

Richmond, VA & surrounding area Firefly Fans:

http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/richmondbrowncoats/

http://www.richmondbrowncoats.org

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Tuesday, October 18, 2005 7:51 AM

EMBERS

Quote:
Originally posted by Snowcat:
Ok folks....didn't mean to stir up a bees hive here.

Snowcat:
don't take it personally, I think anyone can see that you weren't wanting to be excluding anyone,
but your post set off an interesting discussion...
people just thought of things they wanted to say.

I don't think they were trying to give you a hard time, they just want to express their own thoughts.

So don't worry about it, feel free to start threads any time you have something to say...
just don't be surprised it if takes on a life of its own.

Welcome! Enjoy this great site

**********************************************
watch the R. Tam Session vids: http://www.hittarivertam.nu/
and buy the 'Serenity' comics published by Dark Horse!

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