h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hello Dmitri

I don't know if you've noticed, but every month or so I've been writing something called 'Supermarket' for , in which I go on about stuff that's happened in Flea Market as well as interview someone.
So far I've interviewed people who have rescued articles from the Flea Market. I can't help but suspect that when every interview has gone a little like this:

Q: Have you rescued something from the Flea Market?
A: Yes
Q: Did you enjoy it?
A: Yes
Q: Would you do it again?
A: Yes
Q: Would you recommend that others do so?
A: Yes

It could be considered somewhat repetitive.

So what I think I need to do to present a balance is interview someone who has not rescued anything from the Flea Market, and quite possibly has no intention of doing so.

This isn't me trying to guilt-trip you into doing a Flea Market rescue (although if you did, that would be great.) I am trying to discover why one of h2g2's most prolific writers (who famously writes right) has not attempted a Flea Market Rescue.

Can you tell me if there is any reason behind why not?
Have you not got around to it?
Do you feel that your style would clash if you attempted to merge it with another researchers?
Are there so many things that interest you that you want to write about, that you don't have time or need to rescue something else?
Do you feel Flea Market is disrespectful to the original authors' intentions?
Would you recommend that other writers rescue things from the Flea Market?
Are there any questions you think I should ask and wish to answer?

If you can think about things and let me know.
I hope to get this into the June edition of Supermarket (unless the interview I've planned for the May edition isn't finished in time and I have to bump this one up to May instead).

<BB<

'I don't know if you've noticed, but...I've been writing...for the Post...'

Har. Har.

Now, what did you want to know?

Can you tell me if there is any reason behind why you haven't attempted a Flea Market rescue?

To be honest, I haven't thought about it. Elektra and I actually did an Update a few weeks ago, something we'd never tried before. The reason for this was my dissatisfaction with a Guide Entry I ran across when linking.

Have you not got around to it?

Yes. I haven't, because I keep thinking of other things to write about. But you're right. I should take a look.

Do you feel that your style would clash if you attempted to merge it with another researchers?

Definitely. My style clashes with EVERYBODY'S. It would be like putting baroque furniture in a Bauhaus apartment. On the other hand, several Post Reporters and I have managed the trick of collaboration - especially if I can use snarky footnotes.

Are there so many things that interest you that you want to write about, that you don't have time or need to rescue something else?

That's it. Try getting through a day without somebody's bringing up a new topic that you just HAVE to look up. Right now, I'm trying to finish this so I can go find out more about those 15th-century cat paw prints on the Italian manuscript Peanut told me about...so much information, so little time...

Do you feel Flea Market is disrespectful to the original authors' intentions?

No, not at all. Sometimes, an author might start a project and lose interest. Or just not have time. The Flea Market is a beautiful opportunity for asynchronous collaboration. (Feel free to use that phrase in your advertising copy.)

Would you recommend that other writers rescue things from the Flea Market?

Ab-so-bloomin'-lutely. When I ask h2g2ers why they aren't writing more, they say - wait for it - 'I don't know what to write about'. Flea Market! Problem solved.

Are there any questions you think I should ask and wish to answer?

I refuse to answer those questions on the grounds that I am in the h2g2 Witness Protection Program...wait, you mean about Flea Market? No, I think you've covered it. I would add: the Flea Market's an excellent way to add to the Guide. It gives you a start on a subject you might not have thought about. The research will be fun, and PR will thank you! And I'll get over there one of these days - probably when the Post Reporters manage to meet their deadlines.

I've a question about copyright, and I thought you'd probably know the answer. Can I quote and analyse song lyrics in an article? (All pop lyrics from songs written 1970-74). I suspect the answer might be 'no'...?

<BB<

You can only quote short snippets of a line or two. Same as with prose text.

So no, you can't analyse the whole song unless its public domain.

Sorry.

Oh well - 'tis a pity. I'd been writing an article about lyrics too: A87846439 How Do You Sleep at Night with Copulating Insects - The Lennon/McCartney Lyrics War

Never mind - I had fun writing it anyway...

<BB<

What a shame.

I found the criteria: two lines of poetry or 300 words of prose. More than that, and we're in trouble.

Now to go and read what you've written...

Oh, that's a really good entry!

My suggestion would be: if you can reduce the quotes to TWO LINES per title, you're in the clear.

I must admit I was somewhat inspired by your entry A87846286 Love Must Advertise: The Sayers/Cournos Romance

I'll see if I can write a reduced-lyrics version...

<BB<

I did, and bunged it into Peer Review. Hopefully I haven't thrown out the baby with the bathwater...

<BB<