Kelson, speedforce.org, & hyperborea.org/flash

Hyperboriea.org is a great Flash website!  Probably the best one on the internet.  The administrator, Kelson, does a nice job profiling the Flash universe in every possible way.  The only limitations to the site is that Kelson isn’t 6 people who constantly update and expand everything on a daily basis, and a few of the areas are a bit out of date.  Still, nothing comes close to it and its special niche on the internet, and as a Flash fan I appreciate his attention to detail as it’s presented as professional as possible.  In many ways I have been tough on Kelson over the years because his website is so good.  The way that he presents everything says many things:   Professionalism.  Dedicated.  Passionate.  Ultimate Flash Fan.  And something else, the reason I’ve been a bit hard on him…  “Responsibility.”

Let me explain. 

When you have a website that is this factual, with so much work put into it, I think you owe it to yourself to make sure that you and the site are completely objective.   For the most part, I think Kelson does a great job doing this, and with exception to some personal blog entries and a few message board rants, he has passed the test in this regard.  

Here’s a transcript of a recent blog where he doesn’t keep up his objectivity:

Barry’s fans have complained about DC “dangling the carrot” of Barry’s return for years and never delivering. You know why I didn’t want Barry to come back? Because I knew that if he did come back, his fans — both inside and outside of DC — wouldn’t be satisfied just to have him back. The DCU would have to be all Barry, all the time. Congratulations, BASHers! You got your wish! 

— Kelson.

As someone who respects, recommends, and enjoys his website and blog, I find this kind of commentary upsetting.  Later he regretted his rant:

Warning:  Rant ahead.  If I’d had the sense to wait until I’d cooled down, I wouldn’t have written it.  

— Kelson.

Where I sympathize with Kelson on having his favorite character pushed back from the spotlight for now, I feel that he has a responsiblity to himself, and other Flash fans, to keep this type of editorializing off the internet.  Not because it’s wrong, not because I don’t agree with what he’s saying, and not because I’m against freedom of speech (I’m not against it… really!).  Kelson should refrain from rants because his site is so good that he needs to be better than that.  He has a responsibility to Flash fans to be objective about things. 97% of the time he hits a home run in this regard and I feel that he is a better man than I for being able to do this.

I was born a “big mouth” on the internet the day I helped form BASH (Barry Allen Save Headquarters) and I can say that I love the Flash universe as much, if not more then Kelson.  The difference is that I will forever be placed on one side of the fence.  Deserving or not (In my opinion, I don’t like it, but deserve it), that is how I will always be perceived.  Kelson, don’t let that happen to you.  Stay neutral, understand that all things change in time, and stay the professional course that I know you strive for every time you post an update or blog.  Take from someone who hasn’t.  There is a price to pay attached to it that you might not want in the long run.  There’s no “refund” and there’s no going back once you get there.  And you might just taint your amazing site over time if you slip too often.  Even the most aggressive and vocal Barry fans respect it.   Keep it the “Flash Hyperborea” and don’t let it turn into the “Wally West ‘Fan-quarters’” hideout.  There’s really no real sign that it’s headed that way, but I figured I’d throw it out there just in case.

Respectfully,

Heater.

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