St. wrote:


> this is hard to do, (explain my thoughts without anyone jumping down my 
> throat), but there wasn't imo a lot different from what I've seen before 
> in the IRTC, 

Agreed, collectively the IRTC equals, and, in context, surpasses what we 
have seen here. But I doubt any round, on its own, would quite be equal 
to this in sustained quality.  But I agree that no image here really 
displayed the sort of dramatic, collective step forward that sometimes 
happened in IRTC rounds. I think some images were big steps forward for 
their individual authors though. And sadly a few big names, who would 
have enriched this field very much, failed to show.  Shame, but that is 
the nature of contests, I suppose.  As I have stated in the past, my 
view is that contests simply provide a focus, like McLuhan's famous 
lightbulb.  It's great if the winner gets a computer, or some increased 
attention, or bragging rights, but in a way that is just a sideshow. 
The real meaning resides with the also rans.  The contest gave each of 
them an incentive to make an image that they wouldn't have otherwise. 
And each image is an adventure.


>   For the record, I hope that if there's another PoVComp, 

So do I. In retrospect it was pretty damned exciting.  I also hope that 
this one will give a boost to all Pover's sense of identity, and 
stimulate more of the ground-breaking and enthusiasm we've known from 
the past.  I hope it will showcase the software, attract more talent to 
our ranks, and motivate the developers to keep the program vital.  I 
hope it will reinvigorate the IRTC too.

> 
>  But 'now' I know. 

Exactly

> 
> 
>   Jim, your words, and art, always 'teach' me more, and I thank you for 
> that.
> 

Ah shucks.  Well I know I'll have a hangover in the morning.