Shattering Conventions

Commerce, Cosplay and Conflict on the Expo Floor

Nonfiction, Entertainment, Humour & Comedy, General Humour
Cover of the book Shattering Conventions by Bob Calhoun, Bookbaby
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Bob Calhoun ISBN: 9781619273542
Publisher: Bookbaby Publication: May 31, 2013
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Bob Calhoun
ISBN: 9781619273542
Publisher: Bookbaby
Publication: May 31, 2013
Imprint:
Language: English
Just in time for Comic-Con comes the investigative romp through the conventions industry! Conventions. Tradeshows. Expos. Every profession and obsession has them. We select hot tubs, handguns, the best Wonder Woman costume and even our presidential contenders at these neo-tribal gatherings where commerce and communalism collide. With a tanking economy and looming layoffs, lapsed-fanboy Bob Calhoun sets out on a quest through the temporary worlds created in concrete convention centers and hotel conference rooms for the nerdy enthusiasm he has lost. However, in "Shattering Conventions," his new pop-culture memoir, Calhoun quickly discovers that escapism provides little escape from a growing American craziness. During his self-imposed one year mission, Calhoun confronts the Westboro Baptists in front of Comic-Con, gets called out by Andrew Breitbart at a Tea Party rally, sneaks into a hemp expo and is chased out of a plastic surgeons' conference by security guards. "Shattering Conventions" is filled with first-person observations of such luminaries as George Takei, Gene Simmons, Stan Lee, Mitt Romney, Kevin Smith, Bootsy Collins, Ted Nugent, HP CEO Meg Whitman, Gavin Newsom, Mr. T, Congressman Darrell Issa, William Shatner, Sir Patrick Stewart, a pro-wrestler called The Miz and even the ghost of Elvis. And in between the celebrity run-ins are the stories of "Star Wars" and "Twilight" fans seeking camaraderie through cosplay, and entrepreneurs striving to make it in the worst economy since the Great Depression. Starting out as a goofy pop-culture experiment, Shattering Conventions becomes a twisted political odyssey where Calhoun witnesses the growing conflict between sci-fi nerds and rightwing extremists for the very soul of a nation. And the more conventions that Calhoun attends, the more he realizes that all of this coming together might be tearing us apart.
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Just in time for Comic-Con comes the investigative romp through the conventions industry! Conventions. Tradeshows. Expos. Every profession and obsession has them. We select hot tubs, handguns, the best Wonder Woman costume and even our presidential contenders at these neo-tribal gatherings where commerce and communalism collide. With a tanking economy and looming layoffs, lapsed-fanboy Bob Calhoun sets out on a quest through the temporary worlds created in concrete convention centers and hotel conference rooms for the nerdy enthusiasm he has lost. However, in "Shattering Conventions," his new pop-culture memoir, Calhoun quickly discovers that escapism provides little escape from a growing American craziness. During his self-imposed one year mission, Calhoun confronts the Westboro Baptists in front of Comic-Con, gets called out by Andrew Breitbart at a Tea Party rally, sneaks into a hemp expo and is chased out of a plastic surgeons' conference by security guards. "Shattering Conventions" is filled with first-person observations of such luminaries as George Takei, Gene Simmons, Stan Lee, Mitt Romney, Kevin Smith, Bootsy Collins, Ted Nugent, HP CEO Meg Whitman, Gavin Newsom, Mr. T, Congressman Darrell Issa, William Shatner, Sir Patrick Stewart, a pro-wrestler called The Miz and even the ghost of Elvis. And in between the celebrity run-ins are the stories of "Star Wars" and "Twilight" fans seeking camaraderie through cosplay, and entrepreneurs striving to make it in the worst economy since the Great Depression. Starting out as a goofy pop-culture experiment, Shattering Conventions becomes a twisted political odyssey where Calhoun witnesses the growing conflict between sci-fi nerds and rightwing extremists for the very soul of a nation. And the more conventions that Calhoun attends, the more he realizes that all of this coming together might be tearing us apart.

More books from Bookbaby

Cover of the book Zeus by Bob Calhoun
Cover of the book Keystone Prairie Dogs, They're a Lot Like People by Bob Calhoun
Cover of the book Holly Barker Behind the Photo by Bob Calhoun
Cover of the book Unlock Dyslexia: A Comprehensive Workbook by Bob Calhoun
Cover of the book Smart Tips for Estate Planning by Bob Calhoun
Cover of the book The Edge by Bob Calhoun
Cover of the book Losing the Music by Bob Calhoun
Cover of the book Ben Dixon's Heart by Bob Calhoun
Cover of the book New Light Through Old Windows by Bob Calhoun
Cover of the book Menominee: The Steam Tug and Her Lost Lights! by Bob Calhoun
Cover of the book Crush the Job Interview in 7 Days! by Bob Calhoun
Cover of the book Sunshine on Personal Digital Security: Prepare to be Hacked! by Bob Calhoun
Cover of the book While You Wait... by Bob Calhoun
Cover of the book 101: Everything You Need to Know About Whiskey by Bob Calhoun
Cover of the book Vegas Snap by Bob Calhoun
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy