We need a name for this school of philosophy. I'd like to call it "The Internet's Not a Democracy, Asswipes," but it seems a little wordy.

Hee. Catchy, though.

I'd like to call it "The Internet's Not a Democracy, Asswipes," but it seems a little wordy.

I like to say that I run a benevolent tyranny. ("Don't taunt the happy fun autocrat!")

I do think that people who join online fandom should be issued little cards that say something like:

"Point the first: you have no First Amendment rights on privately-owned Internet sites, which means that the archivists and moderators can take their toys and go home. Yes, really. No, I'm not kidding. You're free to go put up your own site to express your shock and disbelief, OMG NOES!!!!1!

"Point the second: on the internets, you are entitled to nothing, not life, not liberty, nor the pursuit of happy Snape mpreg. The internets are not designed for your comfort. Woe. Take a moment to mourn, and then get over yourself.

"Point the third: read.the.fucking.FAQ. READ. IT. NOW. If you don't understand, ask questions. Preferably before the.fucking.deadline.

Point the fourth: bitch not incessantly in public, lest ye be prepared to take on coding and organizational duties yourself. Best hope ye know Perl, that ye don't require sleep, and that ye have the patience to deal with stuff what make the baby Jesus weep."

I... need more coffee.

read.the.fucking.FAQ. READ. IT. NOW. If you don't understand, ask questions. Preferably before the.fucking.deadline.

This is often the part that kills me. "But I didn't know..." The hell? It was posted nine times in the Livejournal, twice in e-mails you received, and the address for questions is practically pasted in sticky notes all over the website.

People? Stupid.

I'm so in love with my new Eddie Izzard icon that says that. K is the bestest.

This is often the part that kills me. "But I didn't know..."

It doesn't fly in the workplace, and it doesn't fly on the interbunny. You make a commitment in good faith, are given all the tools to do the job, pointed to resources capable of answering all your questions, and you still fail to deliver?

It makes me wonder about fandom's reading comprehension skills.

It makes me wonder about fandom's reading comprehension skills.

Indeed. And if you can't read, you really shouldn't sign up for something involving writing.

I think shrift's card text should be at the top of every fandom site's FAQ page. Not that the people who really need it would ever see it there.

The yuletide challenge sounded like loads of fun. I knew with my schedule and long writing curve I wouldn't have a slurpee's chance in hell of getting a story written by the deadline, so I didn't participate. It seemed like a reasonable response to the situation. I take it others didn't have similar thought progressions.

I sometimes do well in response to challenges. And other times, not so well. And given the stress of the holiday season, I'm just as glad I didn't participate. But I'm a little wistful, because there are some fantabulous stories on the archive.

It seemed like a reasonable response to the situation. I take it others didn't have similar thought progressions.

I think most people saw how well it turned out last year, especially with regards to quality of fic and participation. Now Yuletide is this brilliant, huge archive of 800+ stories, and people are more willing to be a part of something this successful and cool, even if it's stressful.

Ahahahaha! DCU/The O.C. crossover fic! Kid Flash/Seth.