I am deeply saddened by the tremendous amount of whining and complaining I have witnessed on BZP recently. This "bratty" attitude many members have adopted is useless and offensive and needs to be curbed.

The recent complaints have been centered around two contests: BZPower's BBC #38, and the European "design-a-mask" competition. Due to unfortunate circumstances of time, money, and location, BBC #38 is open to residents of the United States. Immediately upon announcement, a horde of non-US BZP members began whining in the topic because they could not enter one contest concerning plastic children's toys. Apparently the members in question have forgotten how to put things into perspective. There have been 37 other BBCs and will be innumerable more open to the entire world--why become angry over a single one that you cannot enter? The hosts are not trying to exclude non-US residents, and would have made the contest open to all if they could have.

With this European mask contest, identical complaints flow forth from countries outside Europe. The contest is run by a game-designing corporation located in Europe. Consequently, the contest is limited to Europe, not unlike BBC #38 having to be limited to the United States. As a representative of the USA, I am incredibly embarrassed by the countless complaints from other denizens of my country. Again, these whiners display a thorough inability to put things into perspective and recognize necessities.

The complaining, on all sides, is not only stupid, it's useless. The initial matter is that there is absolutely no reason to get angry or be offended. Additionally, whining will not change anything. Keep your mind in the correct tone: these are contests and promotions concerning toys. Before you speak (or post, as the case is here), think: "do I want to be known as a person who flies into a fit of rage over a toy?"

Members of BZPower, I implore you: remain calm, logical, and level-headed. Remember that a silly contest is meaningless--your life and well-being do not hang in the balance at all.

(readers: keep your eye on "Thou Vast and Venerable Head" for an upcoming editorial rectifying a common misconception!)