Okay, I'll bite this time. OT has fired off another salvo in their classic whining style. No doubt intended as biting humor and eloquent sarcasm. But, it really is just another hypocritical attack on the Fractal Universe calendar and the editor(s). Once more, OT doesn't let facts get in the way of their crusade.
OT laments at great length why they have never received any answers to their "concerns" and "questions". I'd ask anyone, if you have been relentlessly attacked in the manner OT has attacked the calendar and editors, would you take any of their questions seriously? I didn't think so. If I didn't know they were serious, I'd think they were doing this whole crusade as a lark.
OT complains yet again that they have been banned from Keith's blog. But, hasn't OT banned several people from commenting on their blog? Those are the "retired hecklers" they refer to. Yes, you are correct, that is hypocritical. But, remember, this is OT we are talking about. But, we "hecklers" aren't retired. We just aren't bothering to respond as often. But, given how much OT likes to refer to us, it is gratifying to know we hold such a special place in their minds. We do feel honored in a weird sort of way.
It is funny reading OT's feigned ignorance about how the calendar works. They know how it works, and have known for a long time. Editor(s) are guaranteed one image in the calendar. It can be more than one, and often has been. OT shouldn't fake ignorance of that fact.
It is also funny reading the continuing saga of complaints. Judging from the number of posts, you'd think that the calendar was a huge enterprise that was run like some companies that take advantage of their employees in all sorts of unprofessional ways. You would think that OT had lots of support for their "charges". But, when you look and find that there is zero public support for their crusade, you quickly realize that the complaints are just coming from a couple (one really, the other doesn't say anything) of disgruntled people. I've no doubt there are a few people that send private notes of gratitude and encouragement to OT for their "bravery", but given that no one speaks out in defense of OT, there really isn't any support for them. Whenever OT has tried to take their crusade elsewhere, there are always comments in opposition, and from people other than me.
OT lays down the gauntlet and tells the calendar editor to do just two simple things so that OT will cease and desist. Extortion and threats really aren't the best way to achieve your goals, but then OT has never been strong in the application of basic people skills or negotiation. The "my way or the highway" approach rarely is successful when you aren't in control in the first place, but I digress. Why should the calendar publisher and editor take a process that currently allows anyone to submit images for consideration and turn it into a private, invitation only process? Isn't that the sort of "elitism" that OT has been critical of in the past? Sound hypocritical again? Sure, but again this is OT we are talking about.
What OT should do, is simply create and run their own calendar by their own rules and standards and show the world how it "should" be done "professionally". But, OT never has been strong at "putting their money where their mouth is". In fact, their response is essentially, "why should we, we want you to fix a process we don't even participate in".
At a minimum OT, and anyone that might happen to agree with them, should create and self publish their own calendar. If you don't, then I say you have no right to just sit back and whine about a calendar that you don't like. Show the fractal community that you can actually do something positive for the community rather than whine, criticize, complain, and make phony charges against something that you don't like.
I will echo Keith's encouragement for people to contribute to the calendar. You've got nothing to lose.
However, just to appease an OT complaint from a couple of whining posts ago, I did outline a number of ways that people can promote their own, and fractal art in general, here. And, if anyone wants to know more about the calendar, they should read this post. Reasonable questions or concerns with the calendar can always be brought up publicly or privately with the editor. I'm sure she will address them if they are polite and civil. If you are a troll like OT, then you will probably be ignored, as you should be.
1 day ago
