Should Mailbag be more serious or insane?
News:
Mailbag for December 8th, 2002
Letter of the Week
All right, kids! As usual, I have lots and lots of things to say, most of which are incoherent, irrelevant, or just plain insane. So buckle up!
The first thing I would like to do is give some comment on the topic SimonBob addressed in last week's rant letter, which presumably inspired this week's topic. I have no comment on the "America-centric" issue. Simply a case of not thinking when posting topic, which is completely forgivable when topic was posted at 2 in the morning or whatever.
But moving on to relevant things: I agree, mostly, with the central point (or what struck me as the central point) of SimonBob's letter, which is that the Mailbag should not be restricted to one topic a week. Here, in no particular order, are my points on the topic:
There shouldn't be any problem with writing a mailbag letter that isn't in accordance with the topic of the week. That's part of the point of a mailbag; you can write whatever you want. I didn't think it was anything unusual to address the previous week's topic in my last couple of responses. SimonBob is right on the money in pointing out that some of the best letters in the mailbag can be the ones that are the result of debate between people who think different things or just wish to make their opinion on somebody else's opinion known. That's one of the fun things about mailbag, plus it gives people a reason to read it weekly if there are ongoing discussions about certain things. It's the job of the mailbag maintainer (that's GiS!) to sort out the letters, pick the good ones, and to know when it's time to lay a topic to rest, especially when things start getting out of hand. But it is not the position of the maintainer, the way I see it (now, granted, I see lots of things that normal people don't, especially when it's 2 or 3 AM and I've had too much rock candy), to hold all responses down to one topic per week or to disregard letters for LotW consideration because they're not "on topic" for the current week. To do that basically makes the mailbag it's maintainer's private forum, and we already have too many forums.
I don't mind the LotW concept; it's pretty enjoyable, and it gives a good deal of motivation for people to write good letters. The only problem is the same as the problem with any other basically meaningless little prize: Lots of people will take it way too seriously. I agree with his points, but don't feel too bad for SimonBob. He could use a better hobby than obsessing over writing a letter of the week every week, as could a lot of other people. It defeats the purpose of a mailbag to try to write a better letter than somebody else. You should just be trying to say something you want to say. If you get mad because you thought you deserved LotW and somebody else got it, you need to re-organize your priorities or something. So, GiS, don't feel like you have to change the way you do things because (a) certain person(s) is/are irritated chiefly because they don't win letter of the week as often as they should. It's entirely a matter of how to make the mailbag better, which is only partially related to making people happy.
It didn't matter to me that you "brushed off" my comments on the IF forum. I'm happy that you posted them, which is all I wanted. I wrote them for them to be read by you and whoever else reads the mailbag, not for a response. If my motivation in writing a mailbag letter was to get a thoughtful response from you about it, I would write an email (although I do appreciate your responses, as I'm sure others do.) And the mailbag is not a contest; it is a mailbag. We really shouldn't be trying to make it something it's not, because then it loses its identity. The LotW obsession really could stand to cool down, as people have begun to regard the mailbag as a contest when it is not. If you're taking into consideration who would be made happy and who would be made angry if you made a certain letter a letter of the week, then that's proof positive everyone is making too big a deal of it. The letter of the week should simply be, in your own opinion, the best letter you receive. What's so complicated about it? I dunno... give me another Robitussin.
Also, I applaud the EarthBound-related topics. I very strongly feel that the topic should usually be EarthBound-related, as often as is feasible at least, this being an EarthBound site. Topics like this one are good, too, but should be the exception, not the rule.
Are you a friend of The Artist Formerly Known As CPTCrunch? It's okay to visit him here, but don't wander around the building. Someone might be suspicious of you and take a pot shot at you with a machine gun.
Okay! Now on to this week's topic. (As I'm sure you realize by now, I enjoy writing some off-topic things and some on-topic things.) Insanity is fun. Too much of the time, though, if you encourage insanity too much, you'll get lots and lots of contrived insanity, which is annoying. (You should see some of the EASY trivia responses I didn't post, back when I was running that contest and dinosaurs roamed the earth.) Anyhow, any good mailbag has a respectable amount of seriousness, or what I would rather call thoughtfulness, to it. It is perfectly possible to be both thoughtful and insane, as I probably am exhibiting presently. Once you remove all thoughtfulness from it, leaving only insanity, you have the General Discussion forum, which can be entertaining for five minutes at a time but on the whole is just irritating. I've now written way too many words only to make this point: The mailbag is, for the most part, fine as it is. PLEASE don't mess around with it too much. It's in better shape now than it's ever been. And please don't eliminate the letter of the week; people just need to quit obsessing over it.
Okay! Rant's over now. Here, for your fun and enjoyment (Warning: Could cause serious injury or death. Consult your physician.) are some random observations:
- If I were running the mailbag, here's what I'd change about it right now: (1) Return the submission box to its original size, because in some browsers it breaks the php box it's in. (2) Put a little note in somewhere that says that you are encouraged to make your mailbag response at least somewhat relevant to the topic, but this is not required and you are welcome to write about anything you like. And I agree that I like it to have a decent fun/insanity quotient. An all serious mailbag would be very boring; an all insane mailbag would be annoying. Balance, people, balaaAAAAANCE *crash*
My girlfriend from Fourside called me. There's a popular band there now. I think they're called the "Runway Fire."
That's it, really... Also, in four weeks you're going to have a bit of a problem because my inconveniently long name will screw up the tables in the hall of fame or whatever it's called. You probably should shorten it to TAFKACC, which is fine by me and will fit more nicely.
Also, I wholeheartedly agree that the greatest round of EASY trivia ever was the one involving "What happens when you use the chicken?" The response you alluded to was the number one response that week, submitted by Reyna (whatever happened to her, anyhow? At least I HOPE my memory serves me and she was female, considering her EASY trivia response), and it was: "USE the chicken?!?! I don't USE him! We have a genuine relationship and truly care about each other!" Actually, since I still have the file on my computer, let me reprint a couple of those hilarious responses:
9) If you use it the way I use my friends, it'll leave you alone for a long long time. -- Cory S.
6) 10-20 years, minimum. -- Liar X. Agerate
5) Some guy comes up and sticks a note on you saying 'I use chickens' -- E-mouse
4) "Use the ckicken"? Is that some kind of Star Wars parody? – Foppy
AAAaaahahaha... the highest of high comedy. I love it. EASY trivia SO needs to make a comeback.
Oh yeah. I have no idea what this "fuzzy feelings" stuff is about.
I'm really busy doing nothing, so I don't have time to talk to you. If you need something, talk to my partner. He's right over there. you mean you can't see him?!
(SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: The Artist Formerly Known As CPTCrunch was up until 1:30 in the morning working on a paper, and got up at 6, and now it's 10:30 and he is very tired and in desperate need of caffeine. This is why this letter is completely incoherent, perhaps even more so than his usual letters. This is also why The Artist Formerly Known As CPTCrunch neglected to point out, as he is certain everyone else who wrote a response did, that "topic" was incorrectly spelled in the topic. Reading or uploading this letter may or may not incur certain criminal penalties; contact your lawyer, or just go lie down for a while. That's what I plan on doing.)
--The Artist Formerly Known As CPTCrunch
Congrats on writing a Letter of the Week!
Purely awesome letter. It definitely shows that you were sleep-deprived, but it’s in this state that the world’s best work is done.
You were right on that first catch, my topic was definitely inspired by SimonBob’s assessment. It’s almost my first jaunt into continuing one comment into next week, though making it the official topic sorta’ eliminates the purpose. You have another great point in the overplaying of the LotW award. Sure, it’s cool to win and stuff, but it’s mostly for fun. Mailbag is a chance to share your opinions, not another opportunity to shove victory in everybody’s face and say things like HAHA I WIN U R THE L0000ZAR.
There aren’t really any huge changes I wanted to make, but I think a little tiny more insanity is fully necessary. Or rather, not insanity, but just a little more openness. A little acceptance to the pointless letters I would usually explode into a million pieces. I have all intentions of otherwise keeping things running similarly.
Aye aye, EASY trivia must return. Just not run by Luna. (Guy watches as millions of angry, spellbound men beat the crap out of him for speaking foully of Luna) Need somebody who’ll actually run the section and keep it fun. I haven’t really consistently laughed at this site since the days of a certain “Guruzeth’s EASY Trivia”. COME BACK. Or else find somebody who’ll do an awesome job there. I know they’ll come. I sense a disturbance in my chicken.
Meh, I liked the new and improved box size. How bad did it explode the php-box? I’ll shrink it a little bit this month, but I’ll only return it to exact original size of 100% required. And you’re 100% right, I need to maintain my balance. Just need to tip the scales a little. Next week, people’ll be able to unleash their wild sides a little. And as for your name, I’ll just use my Shrink Ray on the font.
--GuyInSummers
The first thing I would like to do is give some comment on the topic SimonBob addressed in last week's rant letter, which presumably inspired this week's topic. I have no comment on the "America-centric" issue. Simply a case of not thinking when posting topic, which is completely forgivable when topic was posted at 2 in the morning or whatever.
But moving on to relevant things: I agree, mostly, with the central point (or what struck me as the central point) of SimonBob's letter, which is that the Mailbag should not be restricted to one topic a week. Here, in no particular order, are my points on the topic:
There shouldn't be any problem with writing a mailbag letter that isn't in accordance with the topic of the week. That's part of the point of a mailbag; you can write whatever you want. I didn't think it was anything unusual to address the previous week's topic in my last couple of responses. SimonBob is right on the money in pointing out that some of the best letters in the mailbag can be the ones that are the result of debate between people who think different things or just wish to make their opinion on somebody else's opinion known. That's one of the fun things about mailbag, plus it gives people a reason to read it weekly if there are ongoing discussions about certain things. It's the job of the mailbag maintainer (that's GiS!) to sort out the letters, pick the good ones, and to know when it's time to lay a topic to rest, especially when things start getting out of hand. But it is not the position of the maintainer, the way I see it (now, granted, I see lots of things that normal people don't, especially when it's 2 or 3 AM and I've had too much rock candy), to hold all responses down to one topic per week or to disregard letters for LotW consideration because they're not "on topic" for the current week. To do that basically makes the mailbag it's maintainer's private forum, and we already have too many forums.
I don't mind the LotW concept; it's pretty enjoyable, and it gives a good deal of motivation for people to write good letters. The only problem is the same as the problem with any other basically meaningless little prize: Lots of people will take it way too seriously. I agree with his points, but don't feel too bad for SimonBob. He could use a better hobby than obsessing over writing a letter of the week every week, as could a lot of other people. It defeats the purpose of a mailbag to try to write a better letter than somebody else. You should just be trying to say something you want to say. If you get mad because you thought you deserved LotW and somebody else got it, you need to re-organize your priorities or something. So, GiS, don't feel like you have to change the way you do things because (a) certain person(s) is/are irritated chiefly because they don't win letter of the week as often as they should. It's entirely a matter of how to make the mailbag better, which is only partially related to making people happy.
It didn't matter to me that you "brushed off" my comments on the IF forum. I'm happy that you posted them, which is all I wanted. I wrote them for them to be read by you and whoever else reads the mailbag, not for a response. If my motivation in writing a mailbag letter was to get a thoughtful response from you about it, I would write an email (although I do appreciate your responses, as I'm sure others do.) And the mailbag is not a contest; it is a mailbag. We really shouldn't be trying to make it something it's not, because then it loses its identity. The LotW obsession really could stand to cool down, as people have begun to regard the mailbag as a contest when it is not. If you're taking into consideration who would be made happy and who would be made angry if you made a certain letter a letter of the week, then that's proof positive everyone is making too big a deal of it. The letter of the week should simply be, in your own opinion, the best letter you receive. What's so complicated about it? I dunno... give me another Robitussin.
Also, I applaud the EarthBound-related topics. I very strongly feel that the topic should usually be EarthBound-related, as often as is feasible at least, this being an EarthBound site. Topics like this one are good, too, but should be the exception, not the rule.
Are you a friend of The Artist Formerly Known As CPTCrunch? It's okay to visit him here, but don't wander around the building. Someone might be suspicious of you and take a pot shot at you with a machine gun.
Okay! Now on to this week's topic. (As I'm sure you realize by now, I enjoy writing some off-topic things and some on-topic things.) Insanity is fun. Too much of the time, though, if you encourage insanity too much, you'll get lots and lots of contrived insanity, which is annoying. (You should see some of the EASY trivia responses I didn't post, back when I was running that contest and dinosaurs roamed the earth.) Anyhow, any good mailbag has a respectable amount of seriousness, or what I would rather call thoughtfulness, to it. It is perfectly possible to be both thoughtful and insane, as I probably am exhibiting presently. Once you remove all thoughtfulness from it, leaving only insanity, you have the General Discussion forum, which can be entertaining for five minutes at a time but on the whole is just irritating. I've now written way too many words only to make this point: The mailbag is, for the most part, fine as it is. PLEASE don't mess around with it too much. It's in better shape now than it's ever been. And please don't eliminate the letter of the week; people just need to quit obsessing over it.
Okay! Rant's over now. Here, for your fun and enjoyment (Warning: Could cause serious injury or death. Consult your physician.) are some random observations:
- If I were running the mailbag, here's what I'd change about it right now: (1) Return the submission box to its original size, because in some browsers it breaks the php box it's in. (2) Put a little note in somewhere that says that you are encouraged to make your mailbag response at least somewhat relevant to the topic, but this is not required and you are welcome to write about anything you like. And I agree that I like it to have a decent fun/insanity quotient. An all serious mailbag would be very boring; an all insane mailbag would be annoying. Balance, people, balaaAAAAANCE *crash*
My girlfriend from Fourside called me. There's a popular band there now. I think they're called the "Runway Fire."
That's it, really... Also, in four weeks you're going to have a bit of a problem because my inconveniently long name will screw up the tables in the hall of fame or whatever it's called. You probably should shorten it to TAFKACC, which is fine by me and will fit more nicely.
Also, I wholeheartedly agree that the greatest round of EASY trivia ever was the one involving "What happens when you use the chicken?" The response you alluded to was the number one response that week, submitted by Reyna (whatever happened to her, anyhow? At least I HOPE my memory serves me and she was female, considering her EASY trivia response), and it was: "USE the chicken?!?! I don't USE him! We have a genuine relationship and truly care about each other!" Actually, since I still have the file on my computer, let me reprint a couple of those hilarious responses:
9) If you use it the way I use my friends, it'll leave you alone for a long long time. -- Cory S.
6) 10-20 years, minimum. -- Liar X. Agerate
5) Some guy comes up and sticks a note on you saying 'I use chickens' -- E-mouse
4) "Use the ckicken"? Is that some kind of Star Wars parody? – Foppy
AAAaaahahaha... the highest of high comedy. I love it. EASY trivia SO needs to make a comeback.
Oh yeah. I have no idea what this "fuzzy feelings" stuff is about.
I'm really busy doing nothing, so I don't have time to talk to you. If you need something, talk to my partner. He's right over there. you mean you can't see him?!
(SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: The Artist Formerly Known As CPTCrunch was up until 1:30 in the morning working on a paper, and got up at 6, and now it's 10:30 and he is very tired and in desperate need of caffeine. This is why this letter is completely incoherent, perhaps even more so than his usual letters. This is also why The Artist Formerly Known As CPTCrunch neglected to point out, as he is certain everyone else who wrote a response did, that "topic" was incorrectly spelled in the topic. Reading or uploading this letter may or may not incur certain criminal penalties; contact your lawyer, or just go lie down for a while. That's what I plan on doing.)
--The Artist Formerly Known As CPTCrunch
Congrats on writing a Letter of the Week!
Purely awesome letter. It definitely shows that you were sleep-deprived, but it’s in this state that the world’s best work is done.
You were right on that first catch, my topic was definitely inspired by SimonBob’s assessment. It’s almost my first jaunt into continuing one comment into next week, though making it the official topic sorta’ eliminates the purpose. You have another great point in the overplaying of the LotW award. Sure, it’s cool to win and stuff, but it’s mostly for fun. Mailbag is a chance to share your opinions, not another opportunity to shove victory in everybody’s face and say things like HAHA I WIN U R THE L0000ZAR.
There aren’t really any huge changes I wanted to make, but I think a little tiny more insanity is fully necessary. Or rather, not insanity, but just a little more openness. A little acceptance to the pointless letters I would usually explode into a million pieces. I have all intentions of otherwise keeping things running similarly.
Aye aye, EASY trivia must return. Just not run by Luna. (Guy watches as millions of angry, spellbound men beat the crap out of him for speaking foully of Luna) Need somebody who’ll actually run the section and keep it fun. I haven’t really consistently laughed at this site since the days of a certain “Guruzeth’s EASY Trivia”. COME BACK. Or else find somebody who’ll do an awesome job there. I know they’ll come. I sense a disturbance in my chicken.
Meh, I liked the new and improved box size. How bad did it explode the php-box? I’ll shrink it a little bit this month, but I’ll only return it to exact original size of 100% required. And you’re 100% right, I need to maintain my balance. Just need to tip the scales a little. Next week, people’ll be able to unleash their wild sides a little. And as for your name, I’ll just use my Shrink Ray on the font.
--GuyInSummers
Internet Humor
I certainly think it should be insane because if it wasn't...well seriousness is actually used in people's lives they come to the internet for humour. It might need to be topic-minded but I dunno. Being a little open about it would help the insanity part..I think
--Link06215
Well, I’m not sure everybody comes to the internet for humor. Some come for seriousness, some for information, and some come just to shock that stupid monkey. I’ll get you someday, monkey. I’ll get you.
~GiS
--Link06215
Well, I’m not sure everybody comes to the internet for humor. Some come for seriousness, some for information, and some come just to shock that stupid monkey. I’ll get you someday, monkey. I’ll get you.
~GiS
Holiday Open House
What does it matter?
The letters should be whatever they are. We have a very large community of PEOPLE that all have very diverse personalities that all just happen to like EB. Limiting mailbag to this or that will make people stop writing in because they are being controlled or held back-that will turn people off. If grandpa wants to be insane, let him, its more fun that way. If I want to generally be more serious, let me, I think I'd offer good points. This is what makes mailbag what it is today.
Oh and I would actually like to see a more open mailbag where it is supported where people will submit more open letters. Maybe we could have every couple weeks a completely open mailbag where people write whatever they want.
--Psionic Brawler
Mm? An open Mailbag? (GiS takes notes) That’s actually a reasonably fun idea! I’m thinking I’ll open free Mailbag the weekend before Christmas / Boxing Day / EB No Matsuri / Happy Penguin Day! Should be fun.
~GiS
The letters should be whatever they are. We have a very large community of PEOPLE that all have very diverse personalities that all just happen to like EB. Limiting mailbag to this or that will make people stop writing in because they are being controlled or held back-that will turn people off. If grandpa wants to be insane, let him, its more fun that way. If I want to generally be more serious, let me, I think I'd offer good points. This is what makes mailbag what it is today.
Oh and I would actually like to see a more open mailbag where it is supported where people will submit more open letters. Maybe we could have every couple weeks a completely open mailbag where people write whatever they want.
--Psionic Brawler
Mm? An open Mailbag? (GiS takes notes) That’s actually a reasonably fun idea! I’m thinking I’ll open free Mailbag the weekend before Christmas / Boxing Day / EB No Matsuri / Happy Penguin Day! Should be fun.
~GiS
Fold In 2 Cups Crazy
I think that most mail-bag topics should be serious, but not all of them. It's fun to have a crazy topic every once in a while. They usually get two or three really funny responses. I like to see the sense of humor of this site's population. With that said, I think there should be more serious topics because:
1) If you give a serious topic, you'll usually get serious answers back. These answers usually show what the people really think, and how they feel about certain things. With more crazy topics, people just try to be funny and don't really answer the question.
2) You get to see how intellegent some of the people over here are. It won't say much for a site that undertakes many serious projects, such as the petition, if majority of the community writes something ridiculous about pants and whatnot.
That's why I think majority of the mailbag topics should be serious. But I still believe that a few crazy topics couldn't hurt.
--Ninten1
Here’s a vote for the serious side. With, of course, a splash of INSANE. I like shiny.
~GiS
1) If you give a serious topic, you'll usually get serious answers back. These answers usually show what the people really think, and how they feel about certain things. With more crazy topics, people just try to be funny and don't really answer the question.
2) You get to see how intellegent some of the people over here are. It won't say much for a site that undertakes many serious projects, such as the petition, if majority of the community writes something ridiculous about pants and whatnot.
That's why I think majority of the mailbag topics should be serious. But I still believe that a few crazy topics couldn't hurt.
--Ninten1
Here’s a vote for the serious side. With, of course, a splash of INSANE. I like shiny.
~GiS
Bob Bless America
I think that you should do what you want to do Guy In summers. I think its pretty hard to come up with a new topic every week that will grab everybodies attention. So doing some serious questions would be nice but not all the time. Sometimes you can ask the craziest questions that make no sense at all and im sure youd get lots of hits er replies. Well the point is, do what your instinct tells you( did i just spell that wrong?)anyway, i just wanted to wish you good luck on your mailbag career and make us all at starmen.net proud(play corny american pride music)
--NintenDan
Well, thank you. And I hadn’t really thought if it before, but I probably would get a lot more responses to a topic of pure insanity. Now excuse me…my penguins and I must break dance to this fun music. Boo!
~GiS
--NintenDan
Well, thank you. And I hadn’t really thought if it before, but I probably would get a lot more responses to a topic of pure insanity. Now excuse me…my penguins and I must break dance to this fun music. Boo!
~GiS
More of the Funneiz
I think Mailbag should be funny. It could have a serious comment every now and then, i mean that only makes sense. But it DOES need more insane topics. Not insane, exactly, but close. Here are some of my own ideas:
1. Who do you think could have been added to the chosen four?
2. Who is the funniest character and why?
3. Is Jeff REALLY the dork? why or why not?
ect.
Ok, the end.
Oh, and if this is the letter of the week then i will scream so hard it pierces my lungs.
bye :)
Dr. Jelly Donut
You addressed the toipc very well this week. Those are actually very good ideas for topics, one or two of which I might definitely use this coming Mailbag month. Now, for all your help, I woulda’ LotW’ed you, but then I realized that I wouldn’t want the lungs of one of my trusted Mailbaggers to explode.
~GiS
1. Who do you think could have been added to the chosen four?
2. Who is the funniest character and why?
3. Is Jeff REALLY the dork? why or why not?
ect.
Ok, the end.
Oh, and if this is the letter of the week then i will scream so hard it pierces my lungs.
bye :)
Dr. Jelly Donut
You addressed the toipc very well this week. Those are actually very good ideas for topics, one or two of which I might definitely use this coming Mailbag month. Now, for all your help, I woulda’ LotW’ed you, but then I realized that I wouldn’t want the lungs of one of my trusted Mailbaggers to explode.
~GiS
I Miss You, Cupcake
Oh, and you mispelled "Topic". But, yeah. Let their be a topic.
--SuperSpeedy
Each class gets only three crazy cards a year. Are you sure you want to use one now?
~GiS
Welcome to Mailbag!
Hey waddup!! This is my first time sending a letter so, I hope to know more about this site. And this is what I found out by one of my friends, I heard that there might be an Earthbound game For the Nintendo Gamecube. Well that's all I could say for now. Oh yeah I forgot, if anyone wants to send me an email, don't , because my email adress has to get fixed. See Ya!!!
--J-Man
Well, hi! Welcome to the sun-drenched paradise of Starmen.net! I’m sure you’ll feel right at home here. As for the EB-cube rumor, there’s nothing really confirmed yet. Speculation abound on the topic of sequel, but on what system, we’re not sure – GBA is suspected.
~GiS
--J-Man
Well, hi! Welcome to the sun-drenched paradise of Starmen.net! I’m sure you’ll feel right at home here. As for the EB-cube rumor, there’s nothing really confirmed yet. Speculation abound on the topic of sequel, but on what system, we’re not sure – GBA is suspected.
~GiS
Insanity : Seriousness
In all seriousness, I think mailbag should remain just the same. I like the fact that GiS is open to submissions that aren't exactly on topic, while he manages to keep his responses related to the topic. And the insanity to serious ratio is perfect.
Keep up the good work, GiS.
--SaturnBOING
Thank you, sir! I appreciate your appreciation. Yet the idea of this Mailbag topic was to see what changes I should make, so things will probably change a little. But it’ll still be the same warm, chewy Mailbag (with the creamy center and flaky crust).
~GiS
--SaturnBOING
Thank you, sir! I appreciate your appreciation. Yet the idea of this Mailbag topic was to see what changes I should make, so things will probably change a little. But it’ll still be the same warm, chewy Mailbag (with the creamy center and flaky crust).
~GiS
Chewy Juice
I think that mailbag should be more insane. To be honest, it provides for more of a broad response and interest range. Different scenario topics add for more varying responses and giving them a maniacal twist will only greaten the perspective of writers and non-writers alike, who will most likely begin to write at the sight of such crazy topics. Involve crazy things, like pineapple on pizza. Everyone likes pineapple on pizza, but watch out Arnold doesn't come after you.
--Magus
Arnold? I am not afraid of this Arnold. He can’t possibly get my pizza. It’s mine. It’s got yummy little bits of pineapple, sausage, and hamster.
~GiS
--Magus
Arnold? I am not afraid of this Arnold. He can’t possibly get my pizza. It’s mine. It’s got yummy little bits of pineapple, sausage, and hamster.
~GiS
Yay Monkey!
I think the mailbag should be just as it is. You do a good job! ^_^
Besides, we're all insane enough already any more and we might as well be labotomized monkies rolling around on a bouncy castle trying to get off.
--KindarSpirit
Yay! More praise! But I’m going to have to tell you, my monkey resented that last comment.
~GiS
Besides, we're all insane enough already any more and we might as well be labotomized monkies rolling around on a bouncy castle trying to get off.
--KindarSpirit
Yay! More praise! But I’m going to have to tell you, my monkey resented that last comment.
~GiS
Ack More Mailbag
The mailbag should be kept on topic. We do not need the pure insanity it would become if it were less focused. However, you may want to make another mailbag where you take questions that visitors to this site may have.
--SilentWindofDoom
Good sir, suggesting I start another Mailbag is just as good as saying “I think for the good of Mailbag you should take that large pointy implement and jam it ten inches up your ear.”
~GiS
--SilentWindofDoom
Good sir, suggesting I start another Mailbag is just as good as saying “I think for the good of Mailbag you should take that large pointy implement and jam it ten inches up your ear.”
~GiS
Fear Bureaucracy
Okay, time for me to write my Mailbag Letter, now let's see...
Hmm... this is a topic that requires a bit of thought... On the one hand, being more serious would result in the n00bs to be more careful with choosing how they phrase what they say. On the other hand, I'm quite good at being random. I can't decide! AHHHH! ::EXPLODES:: ...Yeah, the topics should be more random. Because I'm better than anyone at being random. Unless a starmen.net staffer disagress with me, which I will require proof in the form of a triplicate signature on an illustrated contract insinuating such. In other news, I don't think I used the word "insinuating" in the right context. ^_^;
NOW, about the second half of the question: There shouldn't always be a topic, but if there is, it should relate to the site, EB nostalgic things, or other EarthBound-y stuff. (Mmm... Magic Cake...)
Also, despite what the rules say, I think there should be a prize that goes to the person with the Letter of the Week, like a forum badge, a free monthly Starmen.Net merchandise thing, money... ::finally notices Giovanni holding up an incredibly large mace, throwing daggers, and arsenic bombs, all of which have been held up at the mentioning of giving stuff away:: ...you know, now that I think about it, gratification of a job well done works just fine. ::watches Giovanni put away the mace, and other weapons::
Now, in conclusion, I wish that everyone has a happy EB no Matsuri, and that you all get an EB cart under your pillow... except for... ::pulls out a long list of people that made him mad in the past year*:: Why do I wish the previously mentioned people flesh-eating virii? Because you say "HEY FOO! I PITY J00!!111 LOLLOLOLOLRZ!!!1!!1!11" And it's getting frickin' annoying, so please stop. Thank you.
--Da Foo
Triple-signed, illustrated, and by a staffer, eh? *ahem*
GiS
I, GuyInSummers (hereafter known as the Challenger) do hereby declare my position of one with a greater gift of manipulating insanity than Da Foo (hereafter known as the Defendant). The generalization of the situation is that the Defendant requires a challenge to his claim of being the best with random in comparison to all other peoples in question, likely encompassing all those who visit the website http://starmen.net or as a second possibility referring to all those capable of randomness in this world, an approximate number of subjects in the general area of six billion (6,000,000,000).
The statement of superiority with randomness is more than likely a claim of one’s ability to use random and irrelevant comments and or actions to induce a feeling of giddiness and a compulsion to release a series of short breaths and vocal sounds onomatopoeically represented by the word “ha” (hereafter known as laughter) hereafter known as funny (and actions of the nature). The Defendant hereby claims to be capable of inducing more funny (humor) than the Challenger by means of random (randomness) by simple deduction that the Challenger claims to be funnier with humor than (hereafter known as Winning or Defeating) the Defendant. Thus the Challenger must be claiming to be the “Funniest” in the sense that domination over the Defendant must grand acclaims of dominating over those the Defendant has defeated. The conclusive proof of this fact is evident and no evidence was deemed required, possibly criticized as a mistake of the Defendant. Thus the existence of this contract hereby defines the victory of the Challenger over the Defendant. The final statement is that the Challenger must indeed be better at being random than the Defendant.
GuyInSummers
GuyInSummers’ Mom
Barney
~GiS
Hmm... this is a topic that requires a bit of thought... On the one hand, being more serious would result in the n00bs to be more careful with choosing how they phrase what they say. On the other hand, I'm quite good at being random. I can't decide! AHHHH! ::EXPLODES:: ...Yeah, the topics should be more random. Because I'm better than anyone at being random. Unless a starmen.net staffer disagress with me, which I will require proof in the form of a triplicate signature on an illustrated contract insinuating such. In other news, I don't think I used the word "insinuating" in the right context. ^_^;
NOW, about the second half of the question: There shouldn't always be a topic, but if there is, it should relate to the site, EB nostalgic things, or other EarthBound-y stuff. (Mmm... Magic Cake...)
Also, despite what the rules say, I think there should be a prize that goes to the person with the Letter of the Week, like a forum badge, a free monthly Starmen.Net merchandise thing, money... ::finally notices Giovanni holding up an incredibly large mace, throwing daggers, and arsenic bombs, all of which have been held up at the mentioning of giving stuff away:: ...you know, now that I think about it, gratification of a job well done works just fine. ::watches Giovanni put away the mace, and other weapons::
Now, in conclusion, I wish that everyone has a happy EB no Matsuri, and that you all get an EB cart under your pillow... except for... ::pulls out a long list of people that made him mad in the past year*:: Why do I wish the previously mentioned people flesh-eating virii? Because you say "HEY FOO! I PITY J00!!111 LOLLOLOLOLRZ!!!1!!1!11" And it's getting frickin' annoying, so please stop. Thank you.
--Da Foo
Triple-signed, illustrated, and by a staffer, eh? *ahem*
GiS
I, GuyInSummers (hereafter known as the Challenger) do hereby declare my position of one with a greater gift of manipulating insanity than Da Foo (hereafter known as the Defendant). The generalization of the situation is that the Defendant requires a challenge to his claim of being the best with random in comparison to all other peoples in question, likely encompassing all those who visit the website http://starmen.net or as a second possibility referring to all those capable of randomness in this world, an approximate number of subjects in the general area of six billion (6,000,000,000).
The statement of superiority with randomness is more than likely a claim of one’s ability to use random and irrelevant comments and or actions to induce a feeling of giddiness and a compulsion to release a series of short breaths and vocal sounds onomatopoeically represented by the word “ha” (hereafter known as laughter) hereafter known as funny (and actions of the nature). The Defendant hereby claims to be capable of inducing more funny (humor) than the Challenger by means of random (randomness) by simple deduction that the Challenger claims to be funnier with humor than (hereafter known as Winning or Defeating) the Defendant. Thus the Challenger must be claiming to be the “Funniest” in the sense that domination over the Defendant must grand acclaims of dominating over those the Defendant has defeated. The conclusive proof of this fact is evident and no evidence was deemed required, possibly criticized as a mistake of the Defendant. Thus the existence of this contract hereby defines the victory of the Challenger over the Defendant. The final statement is that the Challenger must indeed be better at being random than the Defendant.GuyInSummers
GuyInSummers’ Mom
Barney
~GiS
Insanity All the Way
What a silly question, GiS ^_^. Insanity is always the answer!
While it's definitely nice to see everyone's opinions and letters on a certain subject, it's funny (in my opinion) to have something completely random thrown in. To balance out the other stuff, or.. something. Yes! All insanity would not be fun, but a light sprinkling is. ^_^
--Pancake
Heh, all right then. A little insanity for the mix.
~GiS
While it's definitely nice to see everyone's opinions and letters on a certain subject, it's funny (in my opinion) to have something completely random thrown in. To balance out the other stuff, or.. something. Yes! All insanity would not be fun, but a light sprinkling is. ^_^
--Pancake
Heh, all right then. A little insanity for the mix.
~GiS
Did You Spell Your Name Right?
Yes I am once again back. Insanity is not a problem. You know what is a problem, is when people try to attack you with a banana. But there are very simple steps to take if you want to defend yourself. *Suppose he has a pointed stick?* Shut up! Now what you have to do is disarm him and then eat the banana. *Suppose he's got a bunch.* Shut up! *Suppose he's got a pointed stick.* Shut up! Now you come at me with that banana, come on now attack me with it, come on *BANG!* I have now rendered him helpless. *You shot him!* Now I eat the banana. *You shot him dead!* I have now eaten the banana. The now deceased Mr. Apricot is now helpless. *You shot him!* Well he was attacking me with a banana!
--The Hearbreak Kid formerly known as “Cooler”
Why not just sic the lobotomized monkeys on the attacker?
~GiS
--The Hearbreak Kid formerly known as “Cooler”
Why not just sic the lobotomized monkeys on the attacker?
~GiS
You Vanished
Oops! Where have I been for 2 weeks?
If the mailbag is insane, then GiS would get these kind of letters:
"The topic for the week is:
Do you think Earthbound is a deep game?"
Letter from Moron534:
Haha u r teh stoopad :D
Erfbownd is teh game for uuuuu!
But that's the wort possible scenario.
If it was serious, then NOBODY would have any fun! It would look a little something like this:
Letter from Edipus233:
"Subsequent to Sigman Freud's latest work, I believe that Shigesato Itoi has created a video game worthy of the label 'deep'. What makes something deep? I believe it is to do with the aura..etc.
Open minded-ness is good, but can cause problems for the letter writer:
Letter from GiS
"Dear Hawian Shirts:Following last week's post, I do not belive/agree with your idea of a *insert object* free world. I am a *named object* and would happily kick your *object* until you cry. Thank you."
If topic minded, then there would not be as much creativity, as it would all be about the same thing, BUT there should be room for expansion, creativity-wise
In general, a post that has your opinion, a good, decent and sensible answer with a touch of humor/creativity, and you get the perfect post for a Mailbag. If people don't respect the rules, then things could get out of hand, and someone will get hurt. Really, what makes you 'Letter of the Week' lies in the hands of Guy in Summers, so only he really knows.
PS. Well done in Xod's forum, GiS. My book I talked about will be out soon.
--Hawian Shirts
A good view on the two extremes. Luckily I don’t plan to take things too far in any direction. …and keep our secret forum operations quiet!
~GiS
If the mailbag is insane, then GiS would get these kind of letters:
"The topic for the week is:
Do you think Earthbound is a deep game?"
Letter from Moron534:
Haha u r teh stoopad :D
Erfbownd is teh game for uuuuu!
But that's the wort possible scenario.
If it was serious, then NOBODY would have any fun! It would look a little something like this:
Letter from Edipus233:
"Subsequent to Sigman Freud's latest work, I believe that Shigesato Itoi has created a video game worthy of the label 'deep'. What makes something deep? I believe it is to do with the aura..etc.
Open minded-ness is good, but can cause problems for the letter writer:
Letter from GiS
"Dear Hawian Shirts:Following last week's post, I do not belive/agree with your idea of a *insert object* free world. I am a *named object* and would happily kick your *object* until you cry. Thank you."
If topic minded, then there would not be as much creativity, as it would all be about the same thing, BUT there should be room for expansion, creativity-wise
In general, a post that has your opinion, a good, decent and sensible answer with a touch of humor/creativity, and you get the perfect post for a Mailbag. If people don't respect the rules, then things could get out of hand, and someone will get hurt. Really, what makes you 'Letter of the Week' lies in the hands of Guy in Summers, so only he really knows.
PS. Well done in Xod's forum, GiS. My book I talked about will be out soon.
--Hawian Shirts
A good view on the two extremes. Luckily I don’t plan to take things too far in any direction. …and keep our secret forum operations quiet!
~GiS
Letter the Last
I am starting to get extremely anxois. Where is news for a new Earthbound game?!? Have you not recieved any news for this long a time? This big petition has been goin on for over half a year and there was this talk of a new game finally coming out. I would love some news pertaining to a new game if you have any whatsoever. Please?
--Matt Lantz
Er…unfortunately…there isn’t exactly any news of this nature. Only rumors. But hopeful rumors! Keep your eyes peeled and stick around, ‘cuz the future is bright!
~GiS
--Matt Lantz
Er…unfortunately…there isn’t exactly any news of this nature. Only rumors. But hopeful rumors! Keep your eyes peeled and stick around, ‘cuz the future is bright!
~GiS
Conclusion
Er, what? Those may have been excellent letters, one of the best batches yet, but c’mon – 20 letters total? I know Mailbag isn’t that popular, but please. I’ve seen you do twice that good. Next week should give you all a chance to let down your hair a bit. Good luck with that. And yay Mailbag! Laterz, all.
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