Friday Q&A

Questionable Repetition

Greetings, crickets and trolls. Welcome back to another exciting installment of the Friday Q&A. Here at the Picture Clinic, I believe that everyone is entitled to my opinion. That doesn't mean you have to agree with me, it just means I'm always right, and you're stupid. The cornerstone of this blog has always been reasoned debate. As long as the outcome favors my own predetermined ideals.

Q: How do you feel about repeat themes?

A: This debate seems to reoccur periodically in the Fark community. Some purists don't like the idea of working on a theme that has previously been featured. I have a bit of trouble understanding why. Perhaps these individuals are unaware that most archived threads quickly devolve into a sea of broken links. Even the best Photoshop contests are quickly forgotten.

Q: How do you feel about repeat themes?

A: The biggest perceived issue with reusing a past contest is by far the myth that people will simply rehash old ideas from the previous thread. On a website where the same picture of Pat Tribbet repeatedly wins, this is somehow seen as a big deal. I think the concern is a bit misplaced. Even if someone was to copy a winning entry, there's no guarantee if would score the same a second time around. There are different competitors, a fresh batch of voters, and any number of other variables that preclude the outcome from being predetermined.

Q: How do you feel about repeat themes?

A: I don't see any reason for contests to be a one shot deal. Our community's transient nature means that many weren't around the first time. Others may have learned new tricks they wish to employ. If you don't like a thread, no one says you have to post in it.

That's all for this time, gentle reader. Thanks again for stopping by. I would like to remind any surviving members of the Golden Age that Fark is not a museum. There isn't even an on-site archive of Photoshop work. It seems silly to complain about a contest having been done before, when the active participants and audience have completely changed.
Fuck you, TSZ.
Stay tuned for more tedious repetition from the Doctor!