Taleswapper is a very good C&C-er.  Highly detailed comments and
criticism that makes you go 'hmmmm'.  

       Why do some people have to get all blown up about a harmless post

>from him?

       Here's an analogy similar to this debate.

       The movie WaterWorld was a flop in the box office because, I think,
of negative C&C from the critics.  I love WaterWorld because I have seen it
prior to hearing the negative C&C and I thought the story was excellent.  

       Different people like different things and too many people follow
what the almighty critics have to say of certain fics and what not (me
included, up till recently).

       Did Taleswapper say anything in his post about fics that he DIDN'T
like?  Maybe that tells us that he does have fics that he liked, but he also
has stories that he liked better than most?  Maybe that is why the Award
part was meant for the authors he liked overall.

       Remember (no offense to Taleswapper), a critic is just one person
and does not represent the world.

All of this I agree with.

All of this misses the point.

I don't think anyone is arguing that Taleswapper's reviews aren't
worthwhile. I certainly wouldn't. The ones I read have been very thoughtful
and insightful. I'd like to get his comments on my own work. (Hell, I'd like
to get anyone's, but that's beside the point.) I don't think anyone wants
him to stop doing what he's doing.

The question is whether his process of announcing his favorite fics should
be called "awards" or not. Personally, I have to weigh in on the side that
says they shouldn't. My own opinion is that something with the status of an
"award" ought to be determined by the voting of the masses, or by some sort
of committee that has the consensus of the masses to be doing what it's doing.

If you feel differently, that's fine, but let's discuss the real issue here
and not set up strawmen.

Gary