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December 1st, or very soon thereafter, is the time of year wherein Doctor Scratch posts his annual "Top Ten Happenings in Mopologetics, 20xx Edition" thread.

I think it no exaggeration to claim that we're all certainly in agreement that 2012 has been the year that has seen more upheavals in the Mopologetic world than any other. I'm sure Doctor Scratch will have no lack of material upon which to elaborate. More rather, whittling the list down to a mere ten may be the hard part this year. And oh, imagine the word count it'll take to pack it all in!

So, although I always look forward to this annual thread, I've been especially eager for 2012's edition. What about you? Is anyone else looking forward to the upcoming thread with more than the usual acuity? Any guesses on how good this year's thread will be?

I can tell you that the faculty lounge in the Department of Jaredite Studies is positively abuzz with anticipation for our colleague Dr. Scratch to produce his grand list. This was a banner year in Mopologetic Studies. Much of lasting import transpired, forever changing the face of the field. The Old Guard of so-called "classic-FARMS" was thrown into exile, and now scribbles or, rather, recycles old material from previous publications in order to keep the dubiously named "Mormon Interpreter" hobbling along. After a promising debut with the article of David Bokovoy there has been a swift and precipitous decline in the quality of Interpreter essays.

Yes, Dr. Scratch has abundant material to muse over this year, and I think I speak for the entire faculty and student body of Cassius University when I say that his latest annual Top Ten will be an event in itself.

Am I correct in thinking that, once again, the much self vaunted publication of Master Willhelmigan Schryver's magnus opus will not be in time to make this years list...?

Drifting wrote:Am I correct in thinking that, once again, the much self vaunted publication of Master Willhelmigan Schryver's magnus opus will not be in time to make this years list...?

I wouldn't count Frater Schryvo out of the game yet, Drifting. After all, he might slap something together at the last moment, or simply transcribe his presentation from 2010 or whenever, and meet the lofty standards of the Mormon Interpreter quite handily.

Would a piece appearing in the 'desperately seeking content' Mormon Interpreter count as 'publication'?

I'm thinking something a little more august would be required...

Drifting wrote:Would a piece appearing in the 'desperately seeking content' Mormon Interpreter count as 'publication'?

I'm thinking something a little more august would be required...

Well, it is a publication of a sort, of course. And, it would have the advantage of the "careful" reading of his close friends at the MI, which means that they will probably tell him to rework anything that looks particularly dreadful. But, given the range of performances I have seen thus far, I wouldn't, unfortunately, be able to treat an appearance in the MI as any kind of signal achievement in scholarly terms. Rather, I think it was very kind of David Bokovoy to allow these fellows to use his wonderful essay, when he knew full well that they were likely to follow it up with a deluge of the usual apologetic dreck.

On the off chance that the undeniably intelligent Will Schryver should finally get his act together and produce something that isn't the apologetic equivalent of sawdust in the transmission to keep the old wagon on the road a few hundred more miles, well, I think it would be kind of a waste for his work to appear in the MI, when he might have sent it to the Mormon Studies Review at the very least. But, if it is more of the same old slippery dodge regarding papyrus measurements and the like--and this seems to be the direction he has veered to--then I doubt it really matters whether he sends it to the MI or self-publishes on his family blog.

Funny. I was just thinking about this the other day.

Count me as another one looking forward to the 2012 Edition...

I don't suppose we could convince Dr. Scratch to wet our beaks a little with a small preview of what's to come?

You know there might even be enough material this year for Dr. Scratch to compile a "Top 20 List of Mopologists' Boners".

One can always hope.......

December 1st, or very soon thereafter, is the time of year wherein Doctor Scratch posts his annual "Top Ten Happenings in Mopologetics, 20xx Edition" thread.

I hope you're still able to earn a living.