Two Questions on TBAY/Archives

[abigailnus]

> Jen R: I've always assumed creating a TBAY is equal 
to "Originating" 
> a theory, becoming an author of a theory. 

Oh, not hardly.  As David so astutely pointed out in an earlier 
message, there's no such thing as a TBAY theory.  Some theories have 
been brought (taken, dragged) into the TBAY format, but that doesn't 
mean that they are the sole property of TBAY.  In fact, many, if not 
most, of the theories that are today almost universally associated 
with TBAY posts originated outside of TBAY (George, MAGIC 
DISHWASHER, Imperius!Arthur, to name but a few), and are still 
discussed outside of TBAY (see Pip's recent addition to the MD 
canon, which had a brief TBAY intro but generally kept its feet dry).

TBAY is a mode of discussion.  A stylistic choice.  It does not 
affect the theory, except inasmuch as any discussion of a theory 
affects it and helps it to grow.

That's what I meant by 
> unilaterally, in the case that all the people on the thread don't 
> work off-list together to author the TBAY. But maybe my assumption 
> is off-base, and most people see TBAY as just a different style 
> rather than "claiming" a theory?

I don't think anyone can 'claim' a theory.  At best, we have people 
who are the most prolific defenders of a particular theory, but this 
isn't the same thing.  Take my example.  I didn't come up with 
Imperius!Arthur.  It was Elkins' idea, and when she first came up 
with it I had a lukewarm reaction to it and used the theory as a 
springboard for my own Auror!Arhtur (I call it my own because I came 
up with it and to the best of my knowledge no one else before me had 
ever suggested such a theory, but that is the extent of 
my 'ownership' of it, as I will illustrate).  A few months later, 
Veronica came upon Elkins' I!A posts and moved the theory into TBAY, 
requesting a ship for it.  Elkins obliged and created the Imperius!
Arthur Trimaran.  At this point, I became completely sold on I!A, 
but only posted TBAY about my own Auror!Arthur as a sub-theory of 
the trimaran theory.

After OOP was published, I wanted to address the affects the new 
canon had on I!A, but neither Veronica nor Elkins were around.  So I 
posted my own TBAY about I!A.  A few months later, Erin asked if she 
could come aboard, and offered her own new canon to the theory.  So, 
at this point, my TBAY incarnation is captain of the I!A trimaran, 
but that doesn't make the theory mine.  On the other hand, Imperius!
Arthur is as much mine as it is Elkins', and as much Erin's as it is 
mine.  Basically, a theory is yours if you believe in it, promote 
it, and defend it, although I would hope that anyone taking up the 
mantle of a preexisting theory would have the good grace to mention 
the names of the people who came before them (in your hypothetical, 
Jen, the person moving into TBAY might bring the other members of 
the thread with them). 

> 
> Jen, still trying to understand this elusive TBAY thing..

Well, I'm hoping that the primer will address this confusion.  
Thanks for all the great feedback, but most especially all the 
constructive suggestions.  I'd like to see more of that and less 
discussion of whehter or not TBAY has a right to exist. :-)

Abigail