Summer 2009 Contest Discussion

[POLAND_SPUD]

I wasn't really referring to this contest really... and I doubt that changing the rules now will change anything... it's just something to consider for future...

lol it's literally like banning blacks from taking part in a sprint at Olympic games...

[Ragnarok]

It's literally like banning blacks from taking part in a sprint at Olympic games...

How interesting, I wasn't aware that racism in a millennia old international sporting championship was literally the same thing as defining a limit on the materials used for a competition set by a small forum.

I'm afraid that you've committed an act that's one of my bugbears...
Use of the word Literally means the description is a completely accurate one and is exactly what happened with no exaggeration. It should not be used in metaphors or similes, because it is the very mark that what you are saying is NOT a metaphor, simile or exaggeration.
It's simple enough, but the word is getting corrupted into an intensifier - it's been happening for a long while, but it's slowly getting worse. If this continues, we will literally (and I mean that) be left with a word that has a highly ambiguous meaning.

If like anything from the Olympics, it's like the whole recent debate about polyurethane swimsuits - and certainly not literally.

[THUNDERLORD]

Well, it could be though,
IF due to geograpy different materials were available and due to geography there was a different ethnic or racial group,
it would "literally" be the same in effect perhaps...

I was going to make a "special...,anyhow, can the two headed girl compete in the special olympics or not???
They'd have to fail an IQ test first or IDK?

I don't think you can call that "racist" since they probably win mostly but IDK...

It would literally be like banning steroids from WWF wrestling!

[Moonbogg]

i wonder when we get to see the entries and the results.

[Ragnarok]

Well, it could be though.

No. It would still be a metaphor or simile. A comparison - and thus the term literally would still be inappropriate.

It would be like banning steroids from WWF wrestling!

I agree with such a ban, because doing that kind of thing is just inhumane and cruel.

I think you may mean WWE.

EDIT: Also... http://freefall.purrsia.com/ff600/fv00529.htm

[POLAND_SPUD]

well for me it is literally the same situation... in both cases you prevent something/someone from taking part in competition solely because they perform better

last time I heard competitions were all about 'let the best win' and stuff like that...
so if one has better chances of winning with a metal gun this means that metal guns are better... I though that's the purpose of contests and the site itself is to improve spudguns and generally develop better guns, not the opposite of that...

if it really has to be balanced out you can add weight restrictions... if set properly both PVC and metal guns could compete and there would be a chance that both PVC and metal designs would have to be improved in order to win


note that there are still white sprinters out there... and similarly no one said that no PVC gun could win...


@THUNDERLORD

IF due to geography different materials were available

In some countries you can't get pressure rated PVC pipe and in most European countries PVC pipe is quite expensive.... just have a look showcase section - majority of PVC guns are built in the US - do you really think it's just a coincidence ?

[chenslee]

i wonder when we get to see the entries and the results.

Moonbog, please stay off topic. The current conversation is about the usage of literally and racism.

Every one but you has recognized that this thread is under grammatical martial law.

[PCGUY]

Yeehaw! This has gone off-topic. The judges have been selected and contacted, and I am currently pushing out the cannons to the judges to be judged.

Public voting will start within a few days.

[PCGUY]

FYI, sorry for the delay but public voting will start once all sponsors have judged cannons as well. Our sponsors are busy people!

[PCGUY]

Sorry, but the Most Power part of the extended contest has been cancelled.

http://www.spudfiles.com/forums/spudfil ... 18397.html

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

I think it was unworkable to start with, not to mention being biased in favour of those with the most space and material resources at their dispostal.

[PCGUY]

Unfortunately most build contests are in favor of those with the most space and materials/resources.

[rikukiakuchiki777]

I think it was unworkable to start with, not to mention being biased in favour of those with the most space and material resources at their dispostal.

Agreed, also somewhat limited to people who are not living in an urban environment.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Unfortunately most build contests are in favor of those with the most space and materials/resources.

Not necessarily, my pen gun which had come second a previous contest was made with almost no resources whatsoever and by definition (being a pen gun and all that ) negligible space. You can be creative with what facilities you have if that is the point but for sheer power, certain basic criteria need to be met.

[chenslee]

Unfortunately most build contests are in favor of those with the most space and materials/resources.

You are right. Even the creativity contest was dominated by people who have access to machine tools.

Maybe a fund limited contest like http://www.24hoursoflemons.com/.

Instead of busting plywood, which is expensive and time consuming to set up and destroy, do a hang time contest. Shoot the cannon straight up, and whoever's projectile stays up the longest wins. It's easy to measure with a video camera.

With a $10 or $20 material limit, just about everyone can participate and it would focus effort on creativity and craftsmanship rather than raw purchasing power.

(I'm sure this isn't an original idea).