Okay, 436 fun-filled soggy miles later and I am back.
Awesome to see the responses. Here I go.
I'm not a big fan of formal rules (except maybe rule
#6), but I think we should try to live up to the intent of the challenge unless things are really dragging.
I agree with arne on this, we should attempt to complete the challenge as intended. If no one can complete as intended in a day or two, then we shall attempt to be creative and be more flexible with what we accept as a win.
I can appreciate this. So at what point, would you say I could put up my silly picture then? I didn't to be beaten to what might be too obvious of a joke, see? We have no definition for when the gag pic is okay. (also whitedog could have added any of the words "actual, proper, or in use" to his challenge to discourage any serious applicant of a "creative" submission....
)
It was a slightly obscure challenge It would a tough one for most people to complete. Dozenspeed was thinking out side the box on a tough challenge which is a cool part ofthe game.
Definately a popular and special aspect of our game here.
I enjoy the 'creative' solutions. I'm a very literal person, so I rarely think of some of the other options and they are usually more entertainining than the original picture may have been.
It is also part of the fun of the game to request a picture in a way that leaves little for creative thinking (if) that is the ultimate goal.
This picture in particular has me torn. The OP showed an example, so perhaps that leads one to force a literal interpretation. However, I'm not sure the average person could have located a real one in the wild.
This is a great post.
They are all over the place in areas of the world with alot of bedrock at the surface. I look at it the same as a Tim Hortons or Cracker Barrel. Not everyone can get every challenge, so you just get the ones you can.
Then as Shrifty said (and I have said in the past)
Fair and true. There was much chatter about how universal the challenges should/have to be. It has been deemed impossible, impractical and probably dull after this many hundred challenges. You are responsible now for my knowledge of the existance of rock jacks! I figure I've seen one, but without knowing what it was....BUT they are not prevelent around here, so I tried to con a win with a joke. For the record, I'm not complaining about the geographical limitation one bit. If we had 6-7 times the playership we do now, a challenge like "with the Empire State Building" or "St Louis Arch" could be appropriate.
I stumbled onto this thread (the first part) and thought that it would be fun to participate, so I jumped in and I was right...it is fun and it should stay that way!
The rules are the rules and it seems that most folks who play here are okay with them. Too much competitiveness and too many rules will screw this game so let's just have fun.
This also another very popular stance here, no question, and I steadfastly agree. Fun is the universal goal, and I would say the rules have stayed simple, stable and frequently broken! This "competition" isn't serious, and should only be taken seriously in a jovial way. I generally think our structure balance is just right, just trying to stir some debate on some sharpening.
I haven't been here for that long either,
You're not exactly a rookie, there, Mr 40-something winner...sheesh...
................ and there have been a good number of area specific challenges.
Sometimes even if the pic/challenge is close enough and I know I'll have no chance in h*ll of getting it I'd prefer to move on. Other than hijacking, what's to enjoy about waiting 72 hours?
Maybe it's me, but it's fun when you don't check for 2 hours and 3 challenges have gone by, I love the fast pace we get some days.
Yes, that IS YOU. Others as well. But some don't, and find it frustrating. I have felt BOTH ways at different times. This is why I desire to hash out some refinement to improve broad appeal, happiness and thus...the fun.
I thank Shrifty has the right idea or maybe a new rule here. When I'm thanking of a challenge to post here I try to thank of a challenge that everyone can have chance of doing. I like to keep them easy and fun. Speaking of fun where is Seatman. Come out come where ever you are.
ELM, you definately bring a positive and flavorful asset to the thread and always pleasent. It is noble to think of demographically-fair challenges, which was more important in the early days and still wholesome now. To help find the balance of NOT disapointing the challenge proposer, and NOT rejecting too many submitters, I'm creating a little soap opera here to spark some discussion about any options for enhancement.
I'm new to the game and I'm enjoying it, but if you want to take your ball and start a new game with your rules, do it. If I can compete in your new game, I will!
PLEASE everyone understand this is no mutiny, protest, upheaval or desparaging of this game thread whatsoever. That is just a seedling thought I floated. It would be a mere alternate version or style as a seperate addition in it's own world and not in competition with this thread. Hopefully, the styles wouldn't even be very comparable. I'm wondering if such a thing would offer additional or different entertainment for some and broaden the range of appeal. A consumer choice. I like both my Honda and my V-Dub for their very different reasons.
THIS thread will move fast or slow, and you never know which will happen. The banter is civil, standards are easy-going and those who play inject their uniqueness. These are all wonderful traits and have made this sucessful, I wouldn't want to ruin that. There are many ways to find enjoyment in this thread...heck I'm enjoying having a big silly debate about it and it's rules!
It's how I choose to waste some of my time.
As far as rule stringency, what I'm trying to work out by feeling for pulse is whether we should attempt to do any tuning up to this thread. Do we want to iterate a standard about creative pics, or declare a power of acceptance/veto to those who make the challenge? Should we lessen the 72-hour rule? How can we serve the impatience of some and reduce the frustration of others? Is that even possible? Is it true NewLyme likes to chase chickens through meadows with crazy string while wearing a kilt? I'm just asking questions!
I don't what my issue is, I'm just me...no one has directly told me to bugger off yet so.......
I'm just a fan, player, goofball challenge record keeper. Some of my personality might be better served elsewhere, I'm not sure, maybe I can compartmentalize?
Whew! I hope we can dialogue some more on this, and no one is at yelling at their computer.