Shows keep getting smaller!

[Steamchick]

I do think there is a Social change that is affecting all these things, not just shows, but "actual bodies doing stuff". So "audiences" are reducing (dying mostly...) as well as participants, leaving a smaller market for tool and machine sales, less money everywhere, and fewer who are even interested in seeing "stuff". - "If it isn't on Telly, it isn't worth wasting time with..." is a common problem.
No longer do we teach things in schools so the young kids get their hands dirty - even Cooking was deemed too dangerous to teach kids a couple f decades ago! - So there are 1 or 2 generations who cannot cook a meal!
So, mending a button off a shirt (I had to learn to get a sewing badge when I was 8 years old in the Cub Scouts), cooking Egg, bacon, fried bread, toast and a sausage (for the cooking badge, which wasn't possible until I was tall enough to stand at the cooker at 10!) are not skills that half the population of the UK can do.
As to machining... using a hacksaw and file or hammer and chisel to shape wood or metal... ? No way are young folk taught those dangerous tasks! - But when they are past 18 (and have their own place?) they can go to B & Q and buy power tools that can rip an arm off and use them without any tuition...
So if they don't know these things when young, VERY few will be interested later in life, so we are a dying breed.
I find that explaining "how an engine works" or "what the boiler does" is a foreign language to most who visit the local club tent on our open days.... The usual response (from people in their 40s or younger) is "Aah..., yes, My Grandfather did something like that, but he is long dead.". So we have already "lost" half the population as the people who could carry-on doing "our hobbies".
Sad, but that is the world as I see it.
There are more than a generation who cannot comprehend life without a mobile phone, or computer, TV, Cars, refrigerators, Central heating, pre-made meals, etc.
I heard of a lad (from work) with Indian parents, who went to India to meet all his relatives. He nearly had a breakdown because they only had electricity for 3 or 4 hours a day, mobile phones for an hour or so and internet for the same. As for running water, sewage management, hygiene, food, etc. - they sent him home after 2 weeks because he was ill with the stress...
But in India and other countries they do have wood and metal working skills and training of the young...
K2

 

[Richard Hed]

Since this thread has been bumped.....

Regarding the high costs of shows for viewers and participants: Another factor is the cost of liability insurance. Not only have engine, tractor, aircraft, and car events diminished, but town celebrations and festivals are going away because insurers and organizers are seeing chances for injury all over the place. I also think the reports of violence around the world have something to do with it.

Perhaps the idea of a virtual show has merit, but maybe YouTube and forums like this one are also stealing the thunder.

The only other thing I can say (again) is that perhaps reaching out to other, similar hobbies and co-exhibiting from time to time might help.

Meanwhile: Attend some of the local events that are a little off-interest. Make yourself available as a source of knowledge to young people interested in learning outside of school . Volunteer to help stage local events. Attend things like local school events, Go see what Scouts, 4-H, and FFA kids are displaying (You might be surprised.)

--ShopShoe (Decades-ago historical film restorer and presenter, Former High-School History Day and K-12 Technology Fair Volunteer organizer and judge. Former community theatre stagecraft flunkey and volunteer archivist for historical artifacts.)

Yes, something similar, I heard on NPR that people don't go to city league sports events. To me, city league is actually more interesting than major league where it's all about advertising and $$. I would love to go see the minor leagues--more like amateur than professional. Professional, I simply am not interested in it. Amateur, it is refreshing to see the mistakes and non-perfect playing but good sportsmanship and just plain fun.

 

[Richard Hed]

I do think there is a Social change that is affecting all these things, not just shows, but "actual bodies doing stuff". So "audiences" are reducing (dying mostly...) as well as participants, leaving a smaller market for tool and machine sales, less money everywhere, and fewer who are even interested in seeing "stuff". - "If it isn't on Telly, it isn't worth wasting time with..." is a common problem.
No longer do we teach things in schools so the young kids get their hands dirty - even Cooking was deemed too dangerous to teach kids a couple f decades ago! - So there are 1 or 2 generations who cannot cook a meal!
So, mending a button off a shirt (I had to learn to get a sewing badge when I was 8 years old in the Cub Scouts), cooking Egg, bacon, fried bread, toast and a sausage (for the cooking badge, which wasn't possible until I was tall enough to stand at the cooker at 10!) are not skills that half the population of the UK can do.
As to machining... using a hacksaw and file or hammer and chisel to shape wood or metal... ? No way are young folk taught those dangerous tasks! - But when they are past 18 (and have their own place?) they can go to B & Q and buy power tools that can rip an arm off and use them without any tuition...
So if they don't know these things when young, VERY few will be interested later in life, so we are a dying breed.
I find that explaining "how an engine works" or "what the boiler does" is a foreign language to most who visit the local club tent on our open days.... The usual response (from people in their 40s or younger) is "Aah..., yes, My Grandfather did something like that, but he is long dead.". So we have already "lost" half the population as the people who could carry-on doing "our hobbies".
Sad, but that is the world as I see it.
There are more than a generation who cannot comprehend life without a mobile phone, or computer, TV, Cars, refrigerators, Central heating, pre-made meals, etc.
I heard of a lad (from work) with Indian parents, who went to India to meet all his relatives. He nearly had a breakdown because they only had electricity for 3 or 4 hours a day, mobile phones for an hour or so and internet for the same. As for running water, sewage management, hygiene, food, etc. - they sent him home after 2 weeks because he was ill with the stress...
But in India and other countries they do have wood and metal working skills and training of the young...
K2

I call that trend/system "pseudo-liberalism"--and I am a LIBERAL but I absolutely hate the pseudos.