Welcome to our latest site update appeal. In this post we’ll walk you through a heartfelt apology, some policy tweaks, a call for veteran writers, and a peek at our renewed social‑media presence – all delivered with the same fun, candid tone you’ve come to expect.
Site Update Appeal Overview
8 The Apology
It feels right to open with a sincere apology, clearing the air before we dive into the updates. Over the past five years I have endured a cascade of personal losses – both parents, a brother, two cousins, two aunts, and two uncles have all passed away. Grief, understandably, brought anger that spilled over into my interactions with writers, admins, and, most regrettably, you, the readers. A handful of commenters even told me they felt singled out or attacked. Regardless of my circumstances, that behavior is unacceptable, and I am deeply sorry for any hurt caused.
7 Politics . . . Bleurgh
As election season rolls in, I’m asking everyone to exercise a little extra self‑moderation. I won’t ban politics outright, but I’d love for us to keep political chatter out of comments unless it truly pertains to a list. If politics must appear, let’s frame it kindly, respecting the person we’re addressing. The media and politicians have driven us toward division; let’s prove we’re not gullible by offering a calm oasis amid the turmoil. Even if it only affects our community, a kinder tone can make a big difference.
6 Change To Payments
Starting in May, we halted payments for brand‑new contributors. Existing writers who already receive compensation will continue to be paid for future published pieces, and any submissions sent before the policy shift will still be paid if they go live. This payment pause applies solely to fresh contributions from newcomers. After three of your submissions are accepted and published, you’ll be promoted to a paid staff member. Why the change?
A. We’re swamped with over 5,000 submissions, most from people who discovered us via YouTube or “quick‑cash” blogs and have never actually read the site. B. We aim to return to our original standards: back when we didn’t pay for contributions, I wrote most of the content, and readers occasionally sent in lists for us to publish. That grassroots approach helped grow our vibrant community. You may have noticed I’m writing more again, and I’m hoping to inspire genuine readers like you to submit fresh lists. This leads us directly to the next point.
5 Priority For Regulars
This perk is reserved for our loyal readers and commenters. If you’ve submitted a list that hasn’t yet received a response, drop me an email with the address you used to submit. Commenters should also include their username. You’ll receive immediate priority in the queue. My goal is that by the end of May we’ll be publishing primarily content from regulars like you and our beloved columnists. Remember, any submissions made before May remain covered by the original payment system. Click the link to email me and flag your pending submissions.
4 The Appeal
I’m reaching out to the veteran writers who helped shape the site in its early days. If you’re still reading (and yes, I know some of you are, right Maggot?), please consider contributing again. I’ve just spent a week updating site code for legacy lists, and the nostalgia was overwhelming. I want to revive those golden moments we shared and bring them into today’s context for our newer audience. Rest assured, we’ll publish your lists under any nickname you prefer – no need to reveal your real name if you’d rather stay anonymous.
3 The Virus
Starting next week, New Zealand will ease its lockdown level, letting restaurants and shops operate normally again. I’m treating that as a cue for the site to move forward, too. Hence, I’m putting a lid on coronavirus‑related lists – we’ve covered that extensively. If something truly novel or groundbreaking emerges, I’ll still consider it, but for now I’m refocusing on what we do best: fun, fascinating top‑10 lists that entertain and inform.
2 The News
Following the virus announcement, I’m seeking your brainstorming ideas for our weekly news roundup. Morris M. entertained us for years, and Jonathan H. Kantor took the baton, but the pandemic dominated headlines, making news less engaging. I also want to keep political coverage minimal, as mentioned earlier. So, what should our news summary look like? Do you have a brilliant concept to spice it up and broaden its appeal? Drop your suggestions in the comments – let’s shape it together!
1 My Personal Social Media
Because of the losses I mentioned in my apology, I previously deleted my social‑media profiles. I’ve now reopened both Facebook and Instagram. I’d love for any of you to add me as a friend on Facebook. While my life isn’t Hollywood‑glamorous, I enjoy sharing cooking experiments, home‑renovation updates, favorite hobbies, and even a few embarrassing, drunken moments I’m slightly ashamed of. Find my accounts in my author blurb on the lists I write, or click the links below to connect. Let’s keep the conversation going beyond the site!