I thought I'd share with all of you some of my gleanings from the net
over the past day or so.  If you would, take the time to read through
the whole thing and DON'T tell me what you think.  At least, not over
the FFML.  Keep any replies private.  I want this to be THE FINAL word
on the subject.  We've had enough.

Well, I'm going to say what I want on the FFML, just as you went and said 
what you wanted to on the FFML. :p  So your word is NOT going to be the
"Final" word. If you want the "final" word, then don't say things that
people can argue with. You're hardly impartial.

Subject: Re: [FFML] [C&C]The 1996 Taleswapper Awards
Marisa> yes, but they shouldn't set it up as an "awards" thing. A nice
Marisa> "These were my fav fics" would have been sufficient.

THAT'S ALL IT WAS!  See Taleswapper's post below.

No, it is not. See the subject? "Awards" is clearly written. An award,
not "Taleswapper's Favourite Fics". There's a VERY big difference. If he 
wants to "award" people, he should do it privately. If he wants to
discuss 'fics, he should change the title. "Award" is misleading for
what he says he's doing.

Marisa> I'm not saying that awards shouldn't be held, I am saying that
Marisa> this little personal ones, where one person gives "awards" out is
Marisa> NOT an impartial choice by a large body of voters on fics that
Marisa> they like. Therefore, I don't like the "slanted" awards which
Marisa> don't necessarily reflect the masses opinions.
Marisa> does that make sense?

It makes perfect sense.

No.  These "awards" are AGAIN only people's personal opinions.  There IS
no impartiality, and there never will be.  Don't even bother trying to say
this was posing as an impartial award, because YOU DIDN'T KNOW.  And it
wasn't anyway, as the original poster himself said below.

If voting is done correctly, then it's rather impartial - or at least
it shows what MOST people think are the best 'fics, and so there is a
system for giving out "awards". This is just ... Someone saying "I loved
these 'fics", but in a way that makes others think he finds all the
rest of the 'fics worthless. That's the title, the "Award" in the 
subject name. If it's just someone's personal oppinion, he shouldn't
be saying it's an "award"... If he wants to give out "awards" he should
do so privately. The thing he's doing makes it seem that no-one else
made the cut. He doesn't even have runners up or what have you. He's
got the WRONG set up for an "award", so he should not call it that. It 
does annoy people, it makes them think that htier 'fics aren't even good 
enough to get considered as an option for these awards. He just 
says, basically, "Awards go to <blah> <blah2> <blah3>" then talks about them.
He doesn't say "There 'fics were also great, but didn't get awards
because ...."

He should stop calling it an "Award" when it obviously is upsetting people,
annoying people, whatever. He says it's just saying his favourite fics.
He should call it that, and stop calling it "awards". "Taleswapper's
Favourite Fics" would be fine. NOT "Taleswapper's Awards".

Marisa> I think awards should be a "voting" kind of thing by the people
Marisa> who read the stories. THEN I would have a lot more confidence that
Marisa> just one or two people saying "Oh this person deserves an award."
If you feel that that's what an award should be, then do it yourself.
Don't go whining (and I'm only calling it what it is) to us because
someone "awarded" someone else based on their own (humble, I might add)
opinions, and not a vote.

And don't you go getting condescending just because you like the set up.
And, no, calling the thing "Awards" is NOT 'humble'. It's like saying
he's judge and jury and what he gives is a goal to which everyone should
attain, although you have NO chance of "winning and award" if your 
write a story in a different genre or subject than what he likes. It's
very unfair to call it "awards" when MOST people can't "win".

Marisa> sorry to be unclear, its PMS
That's good.  That means you'll stop after a while, right?

After you do.

I apologize for blowing off a little steam myself, but I couldn't let
Marisa's little guilt trip to all of us go unanswered.  I myself saw no
arguing aside from a lot of flak from Marisa.  Not to say that I read
every post, since I certainly didn't, but I think Marisa's blowing it out
of proportion.

And you're not?

Marisa>> I don't know about you guys, but I am NOT writing 
Marisa>>my stories to win some award. I am happy just if people 
Marisa>>like my story and send me a note every once and a while in 
Marisa>>encouragement. I think that we shouldn't be setting people 
Marisa>>on pedestals.
Good.  You aren't.  Now that you've said that, allow other people to give
out awards if they want to, and STOP COMPLAINING about it.  Enough is
enough.

Maybe if you shut up, then no-one will complain, as you're doing your own 
lot of complaining, yourself. She can say what she likes. And you can't
tell anyone else to not write, because YOU are not judge and jury, either.

Why don't YOU take your own medicine and STOP COMPLAINING against Marisa?

Glad to hear you voice your opinion.  I'll now voice mine.  It's called
recognition, whether formal or not so formal.  Personally, I would not
mind either way.  So long as it doesn't degenerate into an argument, as
you people seem wont to do.  Give it up already, okay?

After you do. (After all, your flame to Marisa (via the ML) started me up.)

On that note, I'll leave off.  I hope you all can see how utterly
pointless and shameful this whole charade has been.  Again, Marisa, cool

I saw how utterly pointless and shameful your flame aimed at Marisa
was, boy.

off.  Everyone who was arguing, drop it.  We're here to share stories with

Oh, you're telling someone to "cool off" while FLAMING them?! Get a life,
and stop posting flames to the ML.

one another, and enjoy ourselves.  Forget arguing about the details of
congratulating each other on how well those stories are written.
And smile.  :)
Damon, who's done preaching for today.

"smile"?? Ah-ha. Yeah, let's all smile while you aim flames are people!
And "forget arguing about the details....etc"? YOU did it. Why didn't
YOU forget it, Damon? You're being a hypocrit, using this post as an
excuse to flame Marisa while pushing forward your views, and then saying
that people shouldn't do this?! And telling them to be HAPPY? While
having the title as "Cool off"??

Damon, you're a hypocrit, and you're not getting the final word. -_-

Kun-chan...