As I said, I totally respect your opinions RBD. I appreciate them too. Not trying to change them either. Just want the judges, while they are reassessing the rules, to hear one participant's different perspective. I'm surprised other participants are not using this moment to provide input as well. It's OK for us to not agree on everything as long as we all have the maturity to respect each others' right to have a different opinion/idea.
You wrote:
. . . I understand that some are more comfortable with more of the nuances spelled out. I prefer a more blank slate with just a few limitations from which to bounce ideas. “Winning” for me is all about getting as close to what I imagined was possible rather than what I do compared to someone else. That is the main thing I look to see in the fantastic notions put forth here. . . .
I have to say that you are the one that introduced the nuances. I would also prefer a black slate. A rule like, "You can use x tool.", is what I would like. Not, you can use it, but it depends how you use it is introducing nuance.
You keep mentioning "Winning". I don't expect to win this competition. I would be amazed if I even placed in the top 5. I'm not in it to win or get prizes. I could have cut cut corners last year so that I could get a prize and maybe even place. I just want to compete honestly. The problem is my imagination is developing all kinds of ideas, but have to keep dismissing them because they may not qualify to a vague nuances that have been introduced in this year's contest. Perhaps if you were competing too, you would experience some of the frustration I am experiencing trying to plan this one.
EDIT: Reworded last paragraph.