Hello, readers old and new. My name is pronounced “hee-nuh dad-uh-boy” (yes, like “attaboy”). My first and last name roughly translate to “plant-based dye” and “great-uncle” (or, more literally, “father’s father’s brother“), respectively. You might know me from Skepchick, Kickstarter (working on it, I promise), the New York Times, Conservapedia, or any of the cons, podcasts, and many other venues at which you can read or hear me. What can I say? I don’t say no to many opportunities.

It was in the spirit of opportunity that I wrote my commenting policy. I hope I don’t live to regret it. My banner design is via a fellow FtBer available for hire, the talented Alex Gabriel.

In the weeks leading up to my being added to the FreeThought Blogs network, along with someone whose descriptors are quite similar to mine and a feminist writer I’ve long admired from afar, I contemplated the whys of blogging and speaking quite a bit. After all, despite what some naive types might think, it doesn’t really pay.

The answer hit me when I happened upon a blatantly misogynistic post criticizing cosplayers whose outfits were dubbed by the OP to be “too revealing” (I’m unable to find the OP on Facebook, as I believe it has been deleted). He declared that revealing costumes were not true reflections of fandom and were, instead, “just for the attention”. It sparked a thought in me.

Isn’t wearing a costume to a con, whether it’s revealing or not, for the attention? Whether I’m in my side-boob-revealing Roxy Richter or my full-coverage Carmen Sandiego, I want people to see me, recognize my character, and enjoy the spectacle — attention.

If people didn’t want attention, they would either (1) cosplay but never leave their house or (b) go to con but not cosplay.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting attention.

Cosplay aside, I write and speak and maintain as high visibility as can be managed for the attention. The attention helps me to feel fulfilled (something I rarely achieve at my day job), enables me to do things that I enjoy (more writing! more speaking! more meeting awesome people!), and furthers the causes about which I care.

After all, when it comes to promoting a community currently as small and as besieged as the ex-Muslim community, or viewpoints as oddly controversial as being in favor of social justice, every little bit of attention counts. I’m proud to join a blog network doing more than most others in ensuring representation.

The post I’m Only Doing It for the Attention appeared first on Heinous Dealings.