Worst System (Except for All the Others)

[kevin_standlee]

The WSFS Business Meeting is taking a fair amount of abuse for using a parliamentary rules manual (Robert's Rules of Order, the most common, but not the only such manual) for its formal decision-making process.

WSFS actually manages only two things of significant importance: The Hugo Awards rules and the rules for selecting future Worldcon sites. (There are other things, which I can detail upon request.) Everything else about how Worldcons are run is done by the individual Worldcon committees.

So, before I hit the road for El Paso, I leave this question before you all: Direct Democracy as WSFS practices it is extremely messy. If you were allowed to change things to suit yourself (other than simply saying, "I'm King and You'll All Required to do what I say when I say it"), how would you change the governance process for the Hugo Awards and Site Selection rules?

Come up with a better system that doesn't have the flaws you perceive are present in the current system. Please.

Comments

[gridlore.livejournal.com]

Gladiatorial combat, preferably with the classic Trek fight music.

Fan 1: (raising longsword) "I come to establish the YA Fiction Hugo!"

Fan 2: (raising his paired Franciscas) "Never! I will die to prevent the dilution of the writing categories!"

Fan 1: "So be it, traditionalist dog!"

Kevin: "Enough! Two fans enter, one proposal wins! Combat is to submission or unconsciousness. If neither combatant can continue, the item is tabled unless a motion to recombat is passed by a simple majority. All decisions made by Kuma Bear are final, as prescribed by Conan's Rules of Order. If there are no further motions, BEGIN!"

You have to admit, it would make the business meetings a bit more interesting.

[kevin-standlee.livejournal.com]

You broke The Lisa. :)

I'm so glad to read that you're feeling better enough to write material like this.

Lisa has recovered from literally (not figuratively) rolling on the floor laughing; admittedly, this was partially due to a massive coughing fit triggered by the laughing. When she recovered, she said, "Is he trying for the Best LiveJournal Post Hugo Award?"

[gridlore.livejournal.com]

That part of the brain still works. I just suck as telling jokes now due to the aphasia.

Happy to know I made Lisa laugh. After the cancer, I made it my mission in life to make at least one person laugh each day. Needless to say, this has become a bit more difficult.

Of course my favorite part of this came from knowing how you love to dress for the occasion. Picturing you in black and orange robes and hood, with Kuma on the Throne of Fishes is what made me giggle. In my mind's eye, Lisa was in charge of the big Gong.

[scott-sanford.livejournal.com]

Oh, there are so many business meetings that could be improved by a gong...