Good advice, Matt.

But....ya know, it's not just a website. You have to treat something the same way people treat it. In other words, if people take it seriously, then it must be taken seriously.

This is a community. I used to say "aw, it's just words on a screen," but I was wrong. People develop friendships from places like these. Hell, I know people who have gotten married from meeting on discussion boards and chatrooms. So, to many folks, it's much more than a website. It's like sitting with friends in a living room. And the words they read here can be just as powerful as if spoken in someone's ear.

As far as the top twenty, sure, I agree. I can't personally relate to why anyone would take it seriously, as it has been obvious from the start that the top twenty list and the best art are more often mutually exclusive than not. But, some people do take it seriously, and others clearly perceive they have been harassed. It doesn't matter if they actually were, if they think they were, then they were, and nothing anyone can say can change their minds.

I think we all care what happens here to a certain degree, or we wouldn't be posting about it. If enough people in the fractal community want that top twenty list gone, and I don't know if this is the case, then perhaps it should be discarded. As far as the harassment, that's another story altogether. In my mind, the ones on the receiving end of the harassment should be consulted about Arend's banning. Even better, a dialogue between them all might be helpful, although that would be up to those who feel as if they were victimized.

Finally, Eveline, you gotta stop scolding people, and let them talk about what is important to them. :)

Mindy