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	Shakespeare's Monkeys zozma 2004-04-04 06:43 pm UTC (link)
	Is there a law covering excessive invocation of the typing monkeys? (Reply to this)(Thread)

	The Law of Typing Monkeys zozma 2004-04-04 07:30 pm UTC (link)
	I changed the focus just a bit, but there is now. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	nicolae 2004-04-04 07:29 pm UTC (link)
	Actually JC, i would have to disagree on that. I have talked to many people who have had their fic MST'd because i do alot of editing as a favor for people...and they tell me that it was done with out their permission. I love the people who are like, "Well, I edit!" and have THE WORST grammar/spelling ever. (Reply to this)

seventy_three
2004-04-04 07:53 pm UTC (link)

Oh, is there a code of ethics for MSTers? I didn't know. I have seen more complaints about fics being MSTed than announcements of, "Hey, cool, my fic was MSTed, go look!" I have no evidence, but I have to wonder if the standard answer to "I think your fic sucks and I'd like to insert my own characters to mock every line and post it so that everyone can point and laugh at your humiliation, m'kay?" is "Sure thing, sounds great!"

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	els_chan 2004-04-05 06:20 pm UTC (link)
	I know whenever I MiST fics, I get permission. I always thought that was a common courtesy. That, and at least putting a note that says "Oh, it's just a joke". That doesn't, however, apply to articles... (Reply to this)(Parent)

	sarajayechan 2004-04-04 09:10 pm UTC (link)
	@_@ boggles (Reply to this)

	delfeus 2004-04-04 09:35 pm UTC (link)
	This is driving me crazy. Would someone please explain to my idiotic self what MST stands for? Apparently something to do with giving feedback, but I'd prefer a proper explanation. Thank you. idiot (Reply to this)(Thread)

	iczer6 2004-04-04 09:45 pm UTC (link)
	MST is short for Mystery Science Theater, a TV show where the premise was a guy and his robot [AKA puppet] friends are forced to watch really, really, crappy movies. To ease the pain, they make snarky comments while watching. In fanfiction it's the same basic deal, usually an author will basically add snarky commentary to a bad fic. That help? Icz (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	Re: delfeus 2004-04-05 09:28 am UTC (link)
	Yes, thank you! (Reply to this)(Parent)

pfeffermuse
2004-04-04 09:56 pm UTC (link)

Would someone please explain to my idiotic self what MST stands for?

MST comes from the title of a show that was popular on cable a few years back (it started on Comedy Central and later moved to the SciFi Channel). The show was called Mystery Science Theatre 3000. In it, a man was stuck in space aboard a space station with only a few robots to keep him company. In order to keep from going mad (or to help drive him mad, I'm not sure which), he also had a ton of some of the worst SF movies of the 1950s to watch to occupy his time. Rather than sit and watch these films in silence, he and his robot friends would make snarky comments about the plot, the action, the characters, the special effects, etc. throughout the movie.

Apparently something to do with giving feedback, but I'd prefer a proper explanation.

When a fanfic is MST'd, the MST'er takes the original fic (sometimes just chapters/segments, other times, the whole fic) and inserts snide, witty or WTF commentary between the dialogue or the descriptions. Sometimes this is done to good fic, but on the whole, it's done to make fun of the really bad and over-the-top excesses that occur with blatant OOCs, Mary Sues/Marty Stus and self-inserts. (I don't read MSTs, so I'm afraid I don't have any examples for you.)

If a writer wishes to MST a fic, it's considered netiquette to ask the permission of the original fic writer before doing it. Many MSTers do, many don't. It's one of the reasons that led to the banning of MST fic on FF.net: several of those who had their fics MST'd complained that their work was plagiarised, in so far as they did not give permission for what they wrote to be used by someone else, and when an MST is done the original fic author's name and link are usually given at the start of the MST.

Pepper

Pepper

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	Re: delfeus 2004-04-05 09:27 am UTC (link)
	Thank you very much for the explanation! I've actually read a couple of those, they were quite amusing. :) (Reply to this)(Parent)

	hoorofcrowley 2004-04-05 01:20 am UTC (link)
	The art of the MST is seldom appreciated. But then, we MSTers don't do it for the fangirl approval. We do it for shits and giggles. Cheekses Central -- MSTs That Don't Hold Back on the Crotch-Punching, owned by myself and bohicamouse. Oh, yeah. Self-promotion feels good. snarf (Reply to this)

(Anonymous)
2004-04-05 04:21 am UTC (link)

Actually, if I might pop up as the chick who was MSTed and attacked for no geniune reason that I can see to clarify a point?

The fic in question was, I believe, nominated for a URA at one point, but it never won. However, the fic that did was one that DotFan452 left an anonymous negative review on a while back. Oddly enough, he/she/it used a curiously-similar phrasing to that used by one of the "registered" members, which sets off all sorts of warning bells in my head, but I'll concede that the whole thing could still be one massive coincidence.

However, I still think this person is a hypocritical moron who owes me an apology. I know I'll never get it, but that doesn't mean they don't.

-Ryuu
(yes, the evil bitch who believes in proof-reading!)

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	squib 2004-04-05 09:33 am UTC (link)
	What's a URA? (Reply to this)(Thread)

	nicolae 2004-04-05 06:18 pm UTC (link)
	I want to have your icon's babies. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	els_chan 2004-04-05 06:22 pm UTC (link)
	No, I do! (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nicolae 2004-04-05 06:26 pm UTC (link)
	Bitch, I'll fight you for it! (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	els_chan 2004-04-05 06:31 pm UTC (link)
	Bring it, wenchling! Cookie? (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nicolae 2004-04-05 06:37 pm UTC (link)
	Cookies are for the weak. I spit at your pitiful offers of bakery-fresh renumeration. Chocolate chip? (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	els_chan 2004-04-05 06:41 pm UTC (link)
	Oh, now it's ON! Chocolate chip it is. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nicolae 2004-04-05 06:56 pm UTC (link)
	I will defeat you with the rubber camel of DOOM. Thanks! (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	els_chan 2004-04-05 07:21 pm UTC (link)
	Oh, yeah? Well, not if my Holy Llama of Destruction defeats it first! You're quite welcome. (Reply to this)(Parent)