I don't mean to push my post count too high and make myself ineligible for the drawing, but I think that there's some options, but there are also some reasons to do nothing...
I think I speak for many when I say that I'm not a member of the site just to get a new smoker/grill/etc. In fact, winning may endanger my marriage, given that I already have a grill and a smoker and that I would be compelled to pay the applicable taxes on any winnings (Line 21: Other Income - I'm sure everyone is tracking on that, right?). That being said, in the cycling community we have a saying that the optimal number of bikes is N+1, with N being the number you currently have. I think that applies here as well.
I gave/give my money because I believe in what's going on here, I benefit from it, and I want it to keep going. I am a strong believer in that you either support the things you enjoy, or you risk them disappearing. Again, I think many here feel the same way. At the same time, I understand that David Parrish and others may be managing things the way they want based on their vision for their site (and data metrics which I/we might not have access to, such as member activity, etc.). Which is their right, it's their site, not mine. I'm happy with what they've done so far and they'll continue to get my money.
Now that I've said that, they've not clearly come out and said "we're happy with things as they are, shut your bbq holes" so, I'll take that as an indication that they are open to considering ideas to reward active memberships while not excluding casual members. My idea: I also partake in the website www.dcrainmaker.com - the man running this site has recurring giveaways and he manages these by having people comment on the thread and the winners are chosen from those who reply. It keeps things open, but also rewards those who are actually checking in. Furthermore, it may drive increased activity by members on the site (to be clear, it will certainly increase activity among members, which should look good for enticing advertisers based on increasing active registered users, but, more importantly, people who come here to enter into the monthly giveaway may also find themselves clicking on other things, maybe commenting, maybe, who knows?). Just an idea.
Either way, I'm eager to see who the next August winner will be... maybe me? N+1, you know?
Edit: Hey, I think I can edit and not drive my post count up! I just thought of another benefit to the method I described above: If someone thinks "hey, I've got all the 'q' gear I need, I'll let someone else win", then they can just not enter. I've seen giveaways on the site I mention above where I'm like, "I don't swim, I don't need [insert swim-focused athletic gear]", and I don't enter... silly, I know, but...
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