I think I should make some points for the other side.
I read this post first, and then read the actual post by the mods. I understand your points, and agree with them, but in retrospect, I understand why the mods decided to do it, regardless of the consequences of limiting the amount of talent being allowed to join.
From a mod's perspective, 50 participants is still quite a lot. The dmhgficexchange last year had 119 gifts, and it seemed like a modding nightmare! Take care of drop-outs, contacting and maintaining communication with back-up writers, maintaining communication with the writers/artists full stop, making (well, attempting to) sure each gift gets equal viewing, coding the longer fics, assigning the prompts et cetera... From the tag list at dgficexchange the numbers for 2008: 152, and 2008f: 92. Of course, you have to take into account ALL posts concerning those exchanges like the administration ... but in general, it still sounds like quite a lot.
I don't mean to put myself in the mod's shoes or whatever, but 50 just seems like a nice, round, manageable number. I suppose one of the main reasons for capping the number of participants is to limit the work. The mods seem pretty busy this season! Similarly, the previous participant helps with that: they're LESS likely to drop out and/or will be in good communication with the mods so if anything does pop up, it won't be done on a "ummmm" level. Ish. :P Did that make sense? It is elitist, I guess, but it seems like the best way to do it. *shrug*
Personally, I think the theme can go both ways. I mean, if I was in the exchange, depending on the prompt I'd get, I'd probably opt for something light-hearted. Although I do see the dramatic/angsty-ness of it. But the overall prompt is optional. It just depends on the prompt-giver, I guess!
I suppose the fact that, being a past participant, the new rules don't "exactly" apply to me are helping me think this way, so... yeah. I hope I can participant in this round too.
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I read this post first, and then read the actual post by the mods. I understand your points, and agree with them, but in retrospect, I understand why the mods decided to do it, regardless of the consequences of limiting the amount of talent being allowed to join.
From a mod's perspective, 50 participants is still quite a lot. The
I don't mean to put myself in the mod's shoes or whatever, but 50 just seems like a nice, round, manageable number. I suppose one of the main reasons for capping the number of participants is to limit the work. The mods seem pretty busy this season! Similarly, the previous participant helps with that: they're LESS likely to drop out and/or will be in good communication with the mods so if anything does pop up, it won't be done on a "ummmm" level. Ish. :P Did that make sense? It is elitist, I guess, but it seems like the best way to do it. *shrug*
Personally, I think the theme can go both ways. I mean, if I was in the exchange, depending on the prompt I'd get, I'd probably opt for something light-hearted. Although I do see the dramatic/angsty-ness of it. But the overall prompt is optional. It just depends on the prompt-giver, I guess!
I suppose the fact that, being a past participant, the new rules don't "exactly" apply to me are helping me think this way, so... yeah. I hope I can participant in this round too.