[Kako]
I've been seeing that all over tumblr recently, it's really a shame. ): I'd say that otakon will probably see a drop in artist attendance if they don't sack the guy, except that tables there are so in-demand there would still probably be enough people who either didn't hear about it or don't care to fill their alley anyways. Stilll, I'm glad that the word going spreading around.
I pretty much feel this way as well - I don't doubt the story for a moment, nor argue that the guy was in the wrong. The part that particularly annoys me is when he tells the other person to go away as he goes deliberately for the "weaker" link (not literally you know what I mean). If you're going to be rude towards someone because you
think you're in the right, well have the balls to say it straight up to everyone involved. It was weak and cowardly.
At the same time I find a lot of the Tumblr responses OTT. While I can understand they want the guy removed, I can't see it happening. The main reason is that he is not getting paid and if the AA there is run generally smoothly, the higher up staff literally have no motivation to out him, basically for the reason you said here already - its a popular convention and there will be no end of artists to replace those who decide not to go. Even if there's a drain in talent, they're still getting the cash for the tables and it won't bother the average con goer - maybe a few people will be disappointed their favourite artists aren't going.
In theory, the artists there are paying out a lot of cash that at least entitles them to be dealt with with a little respect. Well, I find some of the parallels interesting to the American workplace really - they have the power and if you want to have a go at making some money there you're either going to put up and shut up or leave. I doubt there are any protections here, but it is a realistic eye opener to how American workplaces/businesses can work. By a degree of separation it says why unions are important, and employment at will is shitty. Either way young people (like going into college and stuff) need to know this is the kind of thing they likely will encounter in the future somewhere (where excess job seekers leads to poor worker rights) and what the best way to navigate it is.
Like you said also, the silver lining here is at least these two artists were popular enough to get some light shined on this. I imagine it will get big enough so that the con will end up putting some kind of public message out, and if they care about it at least get the satisfaction of some public image damage. Will they want to come back? Will they be allowed to? Wait and see I guess. For the rest of us mediocres *sniff*, we wouldn't even get a meek outrage. Oh well!