I will put this to you, the community, in a very straight, simple (hopefully understandable) way.
The editorial staff is a small, hardworking group. There are currently about 5 of us that are actively pushing stories out on a regular basis, and we need help.
We humbly come to you, the community, to solicit for a volunteer or two. We will provide all the necessary training, at a cost of just 3 easy payments of $999.99US, or entirely free if you apply before 1 Apr 2099.
For that pittance, you can expect to learn:
In all seriousness, we all are busy and have lives. So do you, and we get that, but for this community to continue to thrive, we need a little fresh blood on the editorial staff. Some of us have been at this since the site went live almost 3 years ago (janrinok and martyb have posted over 3000 articles EACH). To put it in perspective, the site has only run about 14,500. Some of us came on almost a year later, but like any organization, there has been attrition, and we need to replenish.
We are starting to see some of the tell-tale signs of burnout, and to avoid that, we need your help.
If you are interested, please feel free to reach out in the comments below, via email ([nick] at soylentnews dot org), or hit us on IRC. If we aren't there (we all LOOK like we are logged in all the time due to the bouncer, but we may not actually be there), /join #editorial and leave a message — we will get back to you.
Remember, it isn't all doom and gloom! Working on staff, you will be on a team with a fantastic group of REALLY smart (myself excluded) people. I can honestly say I have made some really good friends from this experience, and I've even gotten to meet one of the guys in meat space. It is something that I am truly glad I took advantage of when the opportunity came around.
Thanks for listening, and with a little luck, we will see one or two of you pretty soon.
Live Long and Prosper,
-cmn32480
[TMB Note: Seriously. You really don't want me having to pick stories.]
[Update: see this comment below if you've expressed interest in volunteering.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday November 14 2016, @03:42PM
TMB Note: Seriously. You really don't want me having to pick stories.
Besides the times you've submitted obvious crap to "counteract the obvious leftest crap", I would not mind you picking stories. I do not agree with many of your views, but I appreciate your perspective and your principled stances that you defend.
(Score: 2) by cmn32480 on Monday November 14 2016, @05:10PM
Trust us... you don't want him picking the stories.
"It's a dog eat dog world, and I'm wearing Milkbone underwear" - Norm Peterson
(Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Monday November 14 2016, @05:57PM
I've got two jobs and do anti-human-trafficking stuff on the side, but I'd be happy to volunteer some time in the wee hours of the morning as my schedule usually has me up till 1 or 2 AM CST/CDT.
Also, the fact that it would probably make Uzzard there burst every blood vessel in his body is an added bonus, though my content would be almost entirely science and computer stuff :)
I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Monday November 14 2016, @09:06PM
What's an anti-human and why would I want one?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday November 15 2016, @02:17PM
There are some people who have a fetish for aunts and there are people who traffick them for them. Not to be confused with 'ant-y human trafficking' which is usually trafficking in medical, chemical, or radioactive accident subjects who have been partially mutated into ants.
(Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Monday November 14 2016, @09:16PM
Go for it. Assuming you can manage to separate professional conduct from personal beefs. We're not exactly high-class over in IRC but we don't let politics get in the way of getting the job done.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 3, Funny) by Azuma Hazuki on Monday November 14 2016, @09:29PM
Damn it, Uzzard, do you know how expensive fuses for the irony-o-meter are?! Gah...gonna be feeling that one for like a week. Ow, ow, ow...
I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
(Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Monday November 14 2016, @10:37PM
Guess that's a no on the can you act in a professional manner question then.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Monday November 14 2016, @10:49PM
This is what we call a joke where I come from, Senor Flappy-flap. Both my jobs involve customer service and interaction and I've gotten nothing but good reviews from clients, so don't worry your pretty little carrion-eating head about me :)
I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
(Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Monday November 14 2016, @11:10PM
I'm not especially worried about you cheesing off the community. They can take care of themselves pretty well and editing is not my worry. I'm concerned you can't separate business time from play time and would feel the need to bring venom into staff interaction.
Our staff as a group will argue to no end on the finer points of the implementation of our roles on IRC but there's currently zero malice behind any of it. I personally would like to keep it that way. If you say you're capable of that, excellent. If you turn out not to be, that's easily remedied too.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Tuesday November 15 2016, @06:35PM
Look, roadkill-breath, if I can handle two jobs dealing with "the general public" (and remember the words of Saint Carlin on that score...) I can deal with you. There is such a thing as a professional demeanor, and given my track record in intensely customer-focused jobs, I'm not worried.
As much of a total asshole as you are, you at least can spell. That helps a lot. Now put that tiny thing away before you get it caught in yer zipper again.
I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
(Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Tuesday November 15 2016, @08:47PM
Off you go to IRC to give it a try then.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Tuesday November 15 2016, @10:12PM
Later, I got that second job coming up. It's gonna be stupid-late if I make it in there at all. Don't get your bloomers in a knot; all in good time.
I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
(Score: 1, Redundant) by jrial on Saturday November 19 2016, @02:47PM
Install windows on my workstation? You crazy? Got any idea how much I paid for the damn thing?
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Monday November 14 2016, @07:25PM
I've had an idea.
Allow TMB to pick & edit one or two stories a week. Maybe on weekends, when the traffic's low. Add the tagline (like we have "Breaking" or "Ask Soylent") "What's the Buzz?" to the stories.
While I disagree with Buzzard on most issues and think he's frequently a pompous ass, replies to his comments are usually worth reading :)
(Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Monday November 14 2016, @09:17PM
That's a large part of why I post them. That and I like arguing.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday November 14 2016, @10:53PM
While I disagree with Buzzard on most issues and think he's frequently a pompous ass, OTOH...
I lost my train of thought.
FTFY