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Mods, I didn't know where to start this; move it to the lounge if you think it's better off there...
Rabrrrrrrrrrrrr has brought up the possibility of organizing an auction to help raise the dough that keeps DU running. I think this is a great idea, because I've seen the same concept work wonders in a totally different context: The Tiptree Auction at Wiscon. Wiscon is a convention for feminist science fiction and fantasy fans held annually in Madison, and every year they hold an auction to raise money for a book prize they award. The auction is the main event of the con and is usually a multi-hour debauch emceed by the incomparable Ellen Klages, who manages to get people to pay hundreds of dollars for items with no intrinsic value, such as bobblehead dolls altered to resemble famous science fiction writers, or fake vintage ads and items featuring a character called Space Babe who never actually existed.
The same concept could potentially raise a lot of dough for DU, even if you had to do it online. People are willing to shell out money for stuff that is special to the community in question--in this case, the DUers--but actually doesn't cost anything to make, because they support the cause and because they want a unique memento of their experience. It helps if this memento is associated with celebrity in some way. One of the highest-dollar items I've ever seen auctioned at Wiscon was a little plastic baggie full of Neil Gaiman's beard clippings. Gaiman writes the apparently very popular Sandman series and is also evidently a hottie.
Never heard of Neil Gaiman? Neither had I, but there were loads of people in that ballroom who did and were killing each other to get that beard hair. Similarly, most of the world has never heard of Skinner, Elad, or EarlG, but I bet you could get people to bid big dollars on that raggedy-ass shirt Elad's wearing in the Only Known Group Photo of the DU Admins.
So, would this work? What would we put on the table along with The Shirt? Signed copies of Will Pitt's book? Matcom's autographed cocktail shaker? Think of the money you could raise on 'edited' George W. Bush action figures. The possibilities are endless.
Hopin' to see it happen,
The Plaid Adder
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