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

I still very much like the idea behind h2g2. However, I can't say I entirely agree with the way it's turned out. Wikipedia represents the opposite extreme of user-based encyclopedias, where perfectly ordinary authors and editors run the site with neither nannying nor helpful hands-on guidance except for relatively rare and extreme situations.

There's a happy medium somewhere, but neither h2g2 nor Wikipedia has found it. Wikipedia is simply not reliable enough, as any college professor will be happy to explain. h2g2 has developed layers of bureaucracy, due in part to the BBC's hand, that has an unfortunate chilling effect upon free speech. When considering a contribution, one must carefully weigh whether it will be worth the longterm hassle. Increasingly, these days, it isn't for me.. And I need not go into deep mathematical analysis as I once did to know that the wait time for entries in queue is little changed while the number posted daily has dropped from five to three. So it isn't just me, I don't think.

I've admittedly cut back on internet publishing generally, but I enjoyed keeping the door open a squidge for the rare project that fits best in a wacky and informative guide to the world. Some things seemed worth getting out there a bit more. But based on a rather silly and extended conversation with an editor about a single sentence I wrote many years ago, I'm quite certain I won't be contributing anything more.

It's certainly not the fault of the actual editor. Like other editors I've met, they were simply doing their level best to follow the rules they were given. It's just the nature of the beast, as dictated by those who created the rules for how the site is designed to function.

I plan to leave this personal page up, including biographical info that will become increasingly outdated. Of course, h2g2 is certainly free to keep and/or modify any and all of my past writings. However, I won't be updating anything or responding to comments about my entries. Nor will I be conversing generally or visiting to check up on people. I suppose this makes me no different from the huge majority of contributors that have come and gone. Perhaps the only thing really different is that I considered it carefully and took the time to leave an explanation.

I made several friends at h2g2. Most of these have left or become rare (at best) contributors like I was. If any would like to keep in periodic touch or exchange contact information, I'd recommend leaving a comment on (or friending) my livejournal. A couple in particular will know I'm talking about them and should know that it's with a heavy heart that I leave behind one thing that once pulled us together.

Take care, all of you! And thanks for all the fish.

Another sad, sad day.

I wish you nothing but a life of love and peace. Come back any time.

Take care,