[Ansteorra] Judging (was:question)

[Paul DeLisle]

> Would you like it if you were a non-AOAer and were judged by someone who
> was an AOAer
> An AOAer being judged by a holder of the Thistle?  By the Thistle by an
> Iris and the Irises were to be judged by a Laurel.  this would
> mean that a
> LAurel might not ever see your work until you were an Iris?
> Would this work?

Actually (since we're on the subject *G*), I don't think there's a "rank"
problem. People have expertise that thier awards may not reflect. I think
the *big* problem is when judges are unable to step outside their expertise
or interest. Either they won't judge something in the area that it's
entered-into, or a judge is unwilling to admit that they might need help,
and won't go and ask. Examples:
Someone enters a tunic in an embroidery competition, but the judge *trashes*
the entry because it was either A: machine sewn: B: has curve-set sleeves C:
is made of a poly-cotton material.
None of these things have anything to do with the *embroidery* (which the
entry card and attendant documentation make clear), but that is this
particular judge's pet peeve.)
Second example:
Someone enters a hand-forged throwing axe. However, the picture in the
documentation is of a different type than the actual item. The judge knew
nothing of "hard arts", and instead of grading the item on Form, Fit and
Finish (and *reading* the documentation, which explained the discrepency),
the judge says that it isn't period, and again gives an extremely low score.

Both of these scenarios actually happened (with minor changes to protect the
guilty), and in both cases, the judges in question were Laurels. In one
case, the submittor even tried to seek out the judge later, only to be given
a humiliating dressing-down (in public.)

It doesn't matter *what* rank a judge is; we are (hopefully) all friends,
and we are all learning (all the time.) Judges need to remember that.

To continue your thread, one thing that the *submittor* can do to help with
this, is to remain with your display (difficult these days, I know)....but
then you are able to interact, and answer questions on-the-spot.

Alden
(who shoved this soapbox under me?)