# Looking for volunteers for SDMB APAS **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 16, 2001, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-volunteers-for-sdmb-apas/93751 "2001-11-16T16:15:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2001, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-volunteers-for-sdmb-apas/93751/21 "2001-11-16T20:53:46Z")
Well, I read about every GQ post there is, and I’ve been known to hang out in GQ…about every day for the last 18 months or so… ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2001, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-volunteers-for-sdmb-apas/93751/22 "2001-11-16T20:56:57Z")
Hmm…it occurs to me that I could just make a Private Forum over on the UnaBoard, so that only Academy Members could post and read in that Forum to discuss things. But I suppose that might cause too many bad feelings, right? ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2001, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-volunteers-for-sdmb-apas/93751/23 "2001-11-16T22:24:50Z")
Anthracite, I’m glad we have a GQ person. Welcome to our newest Academy member, Anthracite from General Questions. * * * The forum would be a big help. Surely, no one’s feelings would be hurt. After all, we’re volunteers, and people are welcome to hop aboard. People are always expressing their feelings about posts anyway. This is just us expressing our own opinions. No one should take it too seriously. It’s just for fun. If people get mad because we want to recognize and reward posts and posters that we feel have done something outstanding, then what sort of maturity level is that? Not one to worry over at any rate. People who would get upset over someone else’s success and recognition would get upset at the drop of any arbitrary hat. I’d shrug it off. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2001, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-volunteers-for-sdmb-apas/93751/24 "2001-11-16T22:28:23Z")
Well, I’m happy to help out. However, from talking to a couple people via ICQ, it’s probably best not to associate my Board with the contest, as it may not be politically correct. So I don’t think that will work out for us in this case. We can do numerous other ways, however. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2001, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-volunteers-for-sdmb-apas/93751/25 "2001-11-16T22:40:34Z")
Yep, where there’s a will… * * * Okay, here’s what we have so far: **About This Message Board** 2 Open **Comments on Cecil’s Columns** 2 Open **Comments on Staff Reports** 2 Open **General Questions** 1 Anthracite 1 Open **Great Debates** 1 erislover 1 Open **Cafe Society** 2 Open **In My Humble Opinion** 2 Open **MPSIMS** 1 iampunha 2 Weirddave **BBQ Pit** 1 TwistofFate 1 Open ---
**Author:** ![techchick68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@techchick68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/techchick68)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2001, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-volunteers-for-sdmb-apas/93751/26 "2001-11-16T23:25:27Z")
\< getting up to the podium \> Hey **Jodi** , we all know that **I** am the bestest poster here so we can just close all the nominations and award me with the gold flaked statue of Cecil now and get on to other threads. \< giggle, snort \> I tend to agree with Jodi. ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2001, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-volunteers-for-sdmb-apas/93751/27 "2001-11-17T00:08:06Z")
And why is sitting in judgment of others fun? I’ll nominate myself for a slot in either Cafe Society or General Questions (read, but don’t participate much). But be warned, music-related threads are, by definition, boring and will be discarded from consideration. ---
**Author:** ![erislover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71e660/32.png) [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2001, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-volunteers-for-sdmb-apas/93751/28 "2001-11-17T02:35:39Z")
Ahh, the very _definition_ of objectivity. 😃 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2001, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-volunteers-for-sdmb-apas/93751/29 "2001-11-17T05:26:05Z")
I’ll volunteer for an ATMB spot. I read all the ATMB threads. And I could set up a Yahoogroups list, if you still want one. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2001, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-volunteers-for-sdmb-apas/93751/30 "2001-11-17T10:20:40Z")
obfusciatrist, no, sorry. Regretfully, we can’t accomodate you, but thanks for applying. We aren’t “sitting in judgment of others”. If anything, we are judging our own perceptions. And that not of people, but of posts. * * * Kat, wonderful. The ATMB slot is a very important one. It was the first place I went as a newbie to learn about the board. Welcome to our newest Academy member, Kat from About This Message Board. * * * And yes, setting up a Yahoo group would be very helpful indeed. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2001, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-volunteers-for-sdmb-apas/93751/31 "2001-11-17T11:07:07Z")
I would like to apply for the second Pit spot. My favorite forum is GD, but I don’t think I’m qualified enough to take one of those slots. My Pit experience: I’m not so big on starting threads there, but I know a good rant when I see it. Further, I know a good _flame_ when I see it, and pride myself on being able to come up with a decent scorcher when the need requires it. But, most importantly, someone needs to keep ol’ Twisty in line. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2001, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-volunteers-for-sdmb-apas/93751/32 "2001-11-17T11:21:48Z")
Spoofe, indeed the Pit would not be the same without you. (Even though I know you don’t favor my own Pit style of parody threads. ;)) Welcome to our newest Academy member, SPOOFE from the BBQ Pit. * * * These positions are still open for volunteers: **About This Message Board** 1 position **Comments on Cecil’s Columns** 2 positions **Comments on Staff Reports** 2 positions **General Questions** 1 position **Great Debates** 1 position **Cafe Society** 2 positions **In My Humble Opinion** 2 positions ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2001, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-volunteers-for-sdmb-apas/93751/33 "2001-11-17T11:57:55Z")
> [@](#): > > Even though I know you don’t favor my own Pit style of parody threads. Whoa, whoa, whoa… I LOVE that style. I just don’t wanna see it overused, is all. Especially on throw-away posts… I mean, man, if you’re going to do a parody, make it a _substantial_ parody. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2001, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-volunteers-for-sdmb-apas/93751/34 "2001-11-17T13:03:40Z")
You know,I got my ass chewed out here for doing something like this about two weeks ago, and I wasn’t SERIOUS about it. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2001, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-volunteers-for-sdmb-apas/93751/35 "2001-11-17T14:57:39Z")
I noticed that, **Cartooniverse**. [Here’s a link.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=98416) FWIW, I think it’s not a good idea. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2001, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-volunteers-for-sdmb-apas/93751/36 "2001-11-17T16:19:51Z")
Hmmm… Well, I read the linked thread, Cartoon (thanks, Green Bean). Three things: 1. I guess people are built differently. I found my own name in Opal’s list as “Most Longwinded” and “Biggest Thread Hijacker”, and not, as I would have hoped, as the best Great Debator. If, for this, I’m supposed to fling myself upon a sword, sorry. Life’s too short. 2. The Academy of Posting Arts and Sciences is not handing out awards for bad things, things to make people feel bad. We’re giving awards for excellence. If people begrudge other people’s recognition for excellence, then those who carry the grudges have problems that would exist with or without our votes. 3. Finally, and probably most importantly, we aren’t conducting a popularity poll. That’s the reason I constructed it this way. The Academy’s criteria will require its members to refrain from considering personage in making its decisions. A member must recuse himself or herself from considering a post that they cannot consider objectively on account of some arbitrary emotional or personal bias one way or the other toward the poster. For example, I cannot vote for a Gaudere post simply because I consider her to be one of the most beautiful and loving Spirits in God’s Kingdom. Sorry you encountered all that flack, but it was (and is) up to you whether you will stand your ground or submit to it. In the words of my favorite Administrator, all the best. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2001, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-volunteers-for-sdmb-apas/93751/37 "2001-11-17T19:10:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Green Bean \* > \*\*I noticed that, **Cartooniverse**. [Here’s a link.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=98416) > > FWIW, I think it’s not a good idea. \*\* Well, the concern that you, and others have expressed, is quite understandable. However, I believe that a way cna be found to fairly and reasonably try to determine an award system for positive-based awards (as opposed to negative-based ones). I do admit it may be hard to come up with some sort of fair and open system, and I would hope that nothing is as of yet set in stone by any means for how such a thing can be done. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2001, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-volunteers-for-sdmb-apas/93751/38 "2001-11-17T20:12:28Z")
Indeed, Anthracite. The first order of business that I will ask of the Academy is to develop a set of guidelines that encourage reasonably disinterested judgment, that make the process fair and accountable, and that reflect solid ethical principle. I don’t consider this to be _serious_ business, in the same sense that feeding the poor would be, but I do believe that, done right, we can accomplish a goal of entertaining and edifying the teeming millions while rewarding efforts that might otherwise be lost in cyberhistory. And I think that the key to doing it right is to depersonify the process such that the essence of the matter — whether a post, a thread, or a theme — is what surfaces as excellent by its own merit. I have a couple of ideas on how to do that, and once the Academy is formed and we have a venue for communication, I’ll share them and solicit like ideas from all of you. ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2001, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-volunteers-for-sdmb-apas/93751/39 "2001-11-17T20:14:16Z")
Ah, now my feelings are hurt. Just because I don’t think your game is a good idea, I don’t get to play. How do these things reconcile? > [@](#): > > Best Overall Poster > [@](#): > > If anything, we are judging our own perceptions. And that not of people, but of posts. Since this won’t be a popularity contest, I assume that you will be developing objective guidelines as to what constitutes a quality post, thread, or poster. When you have completed them, please be sure to post them publicly so that we strive for your approval. ---
**Author:** ![Eutychus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2001, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-volunteers-for-sdmb-apas/93751/40 "2001-11-17T20:31:24Z")
I have to go on record as saying that this is probably a pretty bad idea as well. Frankly, I think it bodes ill for a group of people to set themselves up as being some sort of court to decide what constitutes a “good” post or a “bad” post. (Besides which, isn’t that _our_ job as moderators and administrators?) Caveats such as “personal subjectivity will not enter into it” are fairly useless. Personal subjectivity _always_ enters into it regardless, whether you believe it does or not. It scares me … the whole think smacks of a secret tribunal to me. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-volunteers-for-sdmb-apas/93751.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-volunteers-for-sdmb-apas/93751.md?page=3)