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[dawg day]

31. I came out of the science-fiction community and learned to ignore

There were people there who would howl and yell if you said, "Sci-fi."
(You were only allowed by them to say "sf," see.)

I learned a few rules-- I mean, okay, big deal, sf-- and ignored anyone I thought was obnoxious and picky. It's really only a smallish percentage of rather unhappy people who want to feel like they're smarter than everyone else-- they're loud and annoying, but ignorable.

I do the same with the picky "exclusivists" in every other organization, including the Democrats. What's important is... do I love science fiction and want to talk about it with others? Do I support the policies of this party?

Sure.

and I know very well -- surrounded by Republicans in my area- that not only are many Republicans nastier and potentially violent (or eager to call for violence), I don't support their policies. So I've gotten good at ignoring anyone who I don't respect. Saves time. This isn't middle school. They're not going to refuse to vote for me for class treasurer.