Last week an unsigned, uncredited, article arrived at The Post Office.

Normally we like to know our sources, even if they prefer to remain unknown on h2g2. Ironically, by staying anonymous, the writer has no hope of seeing their ambition fulfilled as a user number is essential to the procedure of awarding a Post badge. The Post Team have a reasonable idea who the contributor is, however, and would like to say that their plea will certainly be considered. So, why not step forwards and identify yourself - you never know what may happen, especially if, as we suspect, you do actually contribute quite a lot to The Post in ways other than providing articles.

New
Scientist recently published an article
about objects that have no purpose other than to give
us status. An example was personalised number plates,
and the value attributed to them. The list of features
that increase perceived value was of course topped by
the registrations spelling out words, followed by
plates with the number '1' in them. Strangely enough,
plates beginning with the letter 'S' were also thought
to be of high value. Why? Who knows.

I want a badge to put on my Personal Space,
proclaiming to the world that I am a contributor to
The Post. Why? This is a new badge, but there have
been badges (albeit that before the launch of Brunel
they were only shields) for members of a number of
elite groups such as the ACEs, GURUs, SCOUTs, etc and I have not
attempted to join them. And it's apparently not that
hard. They are, after all, volunteer groups, which
rely on people coming up and saying 'Hey, I'd like a
go at that'.

Maybe it's the fact that they all require certain
skills that I'm not sure if I possess. Think about it.
ACEs and GURUs basically have to be good at everything
h2g2. SCOUTs have to be confident about their
abilities to pick and choose the best of other
people's work. Since I don't write for the Edited
Guide myself, that career path is definitely out. I do
occasionally bring articles to the attention of AGG/GAG, but that's different
(their priorities tie in nicely with mine, so if I
find something I like and it's a bit weird it's most
likely something they'd want).

But writing for The Post? The skills required are
much more within my range. Can I type? Yes. Can I make
sentences? Usually. Can I write something interesting?
Well, you got this far didn't you? Can I suck up to
Shazz, Greebo and friends?
If you're reading this, then yes¹.

I'm not claiming that this is enough. A regular
column is something only awarded to those who can
consistently churn out highly readable material, week
after week, without repeating themselves, or getting
boring. But to be published occasionally, when we have
something important to say? That, my friends, is a
very rare thing: an achieveable dream. The benefits,
though some may say they are negligible, are as
important, and give as much prestige, as you believe
them to.

Unknown

17.10.02 Front Page

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