Democracy on the Ning?

[QuantumTuba]

This blog post by my friend Xaiylia prompted me to ask all of you the question of whether the current method for picking Ningmasters, an oligarchical appointment based system in which only Hank, John, and Tom really have a say, is suitable for the format of this site.

You see, the very reason they need Ningmasters is that they do not use this website with particular frequency. It does not consume their time in the manner it does that of some Nerdfighters. Fundamentally, this website, while the e-property of the vlogbrothers, has all of its content generated by the users. The users are the ones who understand what impedes their experience on the Ning. The users are the ones who can discern who shares their concerns, and who would act in a way they deem beneficial. I love John and Hank for their brilliance and entertainment value, but despite being the founders of this social network, they understand its workings far less intimately than its users do.

In that case, shouldn't those who are best informed make the decision? Doesn't the fact that Ningmasters are needed and chosen from within the ranks of the users suggest that the site users are the best informed? And isn't a democratic system more in line with the participatory principles which have defined Nerdfighteria thus far?

Note: This is not a jumping off point for a future bid for Ningmastery. The job sounds inevitably dull, and I frankly have insufficient time to do it.

[QuantumTuba]

I have no idea about who the current Ningmasters are either, firstofmany.

Regarding the selection process, I have no clear idea. The application blogs are posted, and then a while later John and Hank choose some. Every few months these are retired and new ones are appointed.

[thefirstofmany]

How are John and Hank choosing Ningmasters? When is it decided that it is "time" to retire the old and bring in new? I admit that I have tunnel vision whn it comes to the ning at this point. I have my friended folks and groups to which I belong and rarely pay any attention to anything else. I wouldn't even have a guess who the Ningmasters are currently, nor how to contact one.