Cloviscat's Scouting Page
Created | Updated Jun 23, 2003
Being a Scout
I've been a Scout on h2g2 for as long as the Scouting system has existed. That makes one of the longest-serving Scouts! I am by no means the most prolific, or the most diligent Scout, but every month1 I make my allocated number of 'picks'.2
What's so good about about a Scout?
Well, I enjoy the fact that it encourages me to go out and read entries that I might not otherwise read. I've enjoyed enjoying such a wide variety of entries, and it's really broadened my horizons. When I look at the long and eclectic list of entries that are in the Guide because I Scouted them, I'm really quite inpressed:
My Scouted EntriesThe 1925 film version of The Wizard of Oz'Acid Eaters' by the RamonesAlvechurch, Worcestershire'Antiques Roadshow' - the TV Series'Automan' - the TV SeriesAvoiding Avalanches - Basic Safety and Survival TipsBand on the Run - the Cover Stars'Bashful Bladder'Sawney Bean - the Scottsh CannibalBeing PretentiousBeliever's Baptism - getting wet in the name of ChristianityBlind Man's BuffBuilding a Debris Shelter in the Style of a SquirrelCappuccinoCanned Compressed AirCaulsThe City of Wells, the Cathedral and Bishop's Palace, Somerset, UKConkersThe Darwin AwardsDavid Hockney's PhotocollageDiana Wynne Jones - AuthorDigging a Snow ShelterDripping TapsEnglish Strong and Weak Verbs - a Very Brief OverviewEstuary EnglishEpping Forest, London and Essex, UKJohn Esmonde and Bob Larbey - Comedy WritersFacts to Impress your Loved Ones about the Champs ElyseesThe Fate of the Last Supper Thirteen - A Very Brief AddendumHershey's KissesHow to Make Cheesecake Ice CreamHow to select a small animal as a petHow to Use a Zebra Crossing in the UK'Islendingabok' - the Book of Icelanders'James Bond Jr' - the TV SeriesJet WashJudge Dredd - Lawman of the FutureLiqourice AllsortsLiving with BearsLord Dunsany - AuthorLutes'Manimal' - the TV SeriesManufactured Chocolate and Marshmallow Biscuits of the WorldMarillion - Post 1988Measuring Blood PressureMemes and Memetics'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood' - Children's Television ProgrammeThe Moonlight Towers of Austin, Texas, USAMorani - a Kenyan Black RhinoOrdering ConcreteThe OscarsEmmeline Pankhurst - SuffragetteThe Paul McCartney Death CluesPeckham Library, Peckham, London, UKPennsylvania State Farm Show, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USAThe Perfect BouillabaisseThe Perfect Italian-Style Tomato SaucePrivate Hire Vehicles (MiniCabs) in LondonPython - the Programming LanguageRabbits'Reasons to Be Cheerful' - the SongRiding a Motorbike to WorkRoasted Leg of Lamb with Garlic and RosemaryRobiComb - the Coolest Reason to Have LiceWilliam Heath Robinson - Artist and IllustratorThe Royal Company of ArchersJohn Rutter, ComposerSautéed ReindeerSerendipity'Singin' in the Rain' - A Classic Movie SceneSmiths Salt 'n' Shake CrispsSnuggle Bunnies - the GameSome helpful notes for cooking on a Family Camping HolidaySPAM - the FoodThe Spire of DublinStubbing Your ToeThe Subtle Art of SulkingSuper Creamy Butter ToffeeThings to consider when reading medical researchThomas the Tank Engine - The Works of WV AwdryThomas the Tank Engine - The Books and the CharactersThomas the Tank Engine on TV and Film'The Three Musketeers' by Alexandre DumasVanderbilt's Folly - Origins of the Pennsylvania TurnpikeVelcro Wall JumpingThe Venerable Bede - Historian and TheologianJack Vettriano - ArtistWade Whimsies'Waiting for Godot' - the PlayWalking SticksWarming Pop-Tarts without a ToasterWD-40WJ Linton - Engraver and AuthorWodwo by Ted HughesAlexander Woollcott - The Man Who Came to DinnerZTT Records 1983-1988 Part 1: A HistoryMy Scouted Entries Coming UpAlternative Lettuce SoupHow to get the best from your waste disposal unitScaleYeah, but Scouts only pick entries that interest them, right?
Wrong. Anyone examining that list of Scouted entries above would be hard-pressed to find a single theme running through them all. But just to set the record straight, I am aware of certain prejudices:
- Although I rarely pick entries on subjects that I would count as within my own sphere of special interest, there are some notable exceptions:
There are quite a few entries I have picked on which I have at least a good general knowledge of the subject. This can and does make things easier when you are checking that an entry is well-based in fact:
- Believer's Baptism - getting wet in the name of Christianity
- The City of Wells, the Cathedral and Bishop's Palace, Somerset, UK
- David Hockney's Photocollage
- John Esmonde and Bob Larbey - Comedy Writers
- The Fate of the Last Supper Thirteen - A Very Brief Addendum
- Judge Dredd - Lawman of the Future
- Lord Dunsany - Author
- Marillion - Post 1988
- The Royal Company of Archers
- The Venerable Bede - Historian and Theologian
- ZTT Records 1983-1988 Part 1: A History
- Believer's Baptism - getting wet in the name of Christianity
- In fact, I've picked a number of entries on subjects that I (cordially) dislike. I figure that if an entry that can convince me, even if the subject doesn't appeal, then it must be OK:
- I particularly enjoy entries that take me from knowing nothing about a subject. Obviously for this the subject had to be reasonably obscure. Some examples might be:
- A sub-set of this would be the 'survivalist' entries. I have no intrest in leaving my comfy chair, thank you very much, but if ever I do get stuck in the wild, these entries take a down-to-earth approach to saving my life, and I like that:
- Then there's the entries that make you look at familiar, everyday objects and experiences in a new light. I like that too:
- There's a certain category of entries that just strike me as classic hootoo: stuff that you simply wouldn't find anywhere else
- I seem to have picked quite a few entries about TV programmes. These range from programmes I remember:
to programmes that I'd heard of but never seen, and programmes that I'd never even heard about until I read the entry :
- I've also picked quite a few foody entries. Recipe entries are a good option for a Scout in a rush, but I do read through the recipes to see if they make sense - even if I don't necessarily head for the kitchen to try them out:
- As well as recipe entries per se I've also enjoyed a number of entries simply about foodstuffs - especially if there's an element of nostalgia involved:
OK, So what don't you go for?
Well, I don't have an embargo on any type of entry, but I do find that I'm don't pick techie entries, on any subject, if I can't grasp them (Python - the Programming Language is as far as I get).
If I'm in a rush to pick, I'm not likely to zoom in on entries that have ambitious titles - usually dealing with big chunks of sex, religion, recreation (legal or otherwise) or philosophy. It's not that I don't think these should be in the Edited Guide, just that I find they're unlikely to be ripe to be picked at short notice.
In the same situation I also steer clear of entries with titles that imply they're (a) trying too hard to be humorous (b) about something within the HHGTTG universe or (c) both.
I'm wary of entries with populist titles - such as ones about television programmes that haven't yet finished their first season - come on guys, have some perspective!
I do like picking a new researcher's first entry for the Edited Guide, but I don't make concessions. Like all Scouts, I'm sure, I get a little dispirited about researchers who shove something into PR that simply isn't EG material. If you want to write the EG, then my best advice to you is: read the EG! The most talented writer or journalist will tell you that you need to match your product with your target publication.
In a similar vein, I have a bit of an aversion to anything that looks like a school/college/university essay that's been pasted straight into hootoo. It may be a great essay, but this is a different platform, and will almost certainly require a different style and approach. If you're really passionate about the subject, then hopefully you can face writing about it a second time.
