Re: Double Helix
After the past two derbies where Ramyb was the center of attention, I think I can finally understand why there is such support for Ramyb. There are two reasons:
1. His shirts are generic enough to appeal to a wider range of buyers, while interesting enough to rise, even slightly, above the typical generic design.
2. Many of his detractors, one in particular, are very outspoken in a very impolite and angry manner. This serves to offend many in the woot community and galvanize support for Ramyb. However, when Ramyb chooses to respond, he shows both levelheadedness and restraint- both of which are commendable.
Now, while I have some qualms about the lack of originality in most of his designs, the same could be said about the vast majority of designs submitted to derbies. Fortunately, many quirky shirts to make it to print. Sadly, as both Woot! and shirt.woot! have become more popular, the tyranny of the majority becomes a greater and greater issue. Thankfully Woot! combats this, if only to some degree, with the editor's choice, but most of the shirts submitted in the derbies are still selected via popular vote.
I am neither a Ramyb supporter or detractor, but I do find it difficult to become a detractor as I have no desire to be lumped in with some of his more, to put it lightly, outspoken critics. Therefore, while I hope that Ramyb works towards more and more original designs, I understand that he fills an arguably necessary, however undesirable it may be to some, niche.
