SOME THOUGHTS ON BAKING
i'm writing this in hopes of clearing up some of the q's that have arisen recently about baking here on /qr/. At least, from one anon's pov.
What is Baking?
Baking is how new Qresearch threads get created and old ones are compacted to make room for the new. Bakers also collected notables, work with the info upfront (the dough), and help new bakers learn how to bake. It's a challenging job that few anons want to do. But to those who do bake, it's something of a calling. Once you start, it's hard to stop.
Why I Bake and How I Got Started
I never wanted to bake. But when the night baker was suddenly called away, there were times when there was nobody to bake and anons would try to do it on the fly. Sometimes there were five breads. After a couple of weeks of this, i got tired of watching it go down. But baking was really scary, even after a lot of practice. Had to be pushed to go live. Was embarrassed countless times by mistakes. But gradually, it grew on me. One day, i realized i actually loved to bake.
Baking is a Tough Job
Why baking is a challenge:
* there's just no way to regular bread speed, which is determined by the number of posts that appear per minute. In a very fast bread, there can be as many as 30 -50 posts per minute, which makes it tough for bakers to keep up
* notables are tough, bc the baker must notice it, read it, evaluate its merits, check the date, check to see whether previously notabled, and that it's 'sauced' (includes a link to a legit source).
* the tasks are diverse - they require lots of different skills: multi-tasking, ignoring distractions, answering questions, staying aware of post count, listing notables, do housekeeping, links breads, and handoffs to a new baker.
* bakers are always running into little "surprises": board lags/hiccoughs/freezes, error messages, inconvenient captchas, etc.
* there are constant attacks on the kitchen. Some are personal. Requires a pretty steady hand to deal with that.
Never Enough Bakers
There are never really enough bakers to fill the demand for 24/7 coverage. It's a burnout job for many. While new bakers arrive, old ones leave. Sometimes there are only about 6-8 regular bakers.
Baker Names
Covering the board is really hard. Makes it easier when bakers know each other a little. So regular bakers find 'name fagging' helpful. Both to resolve problems and create rapport, coz it's important to have each others' six.
Anon Bakers vs Named Bakers
Why are names such a problem? i don't get it. Most of us like to be anon when we aren't baking. It's peaceful. But we also like to check in with other bakers in case they need help.
Anonymity and the Baking Function
Baking is social. It's like a relay race where each baker "carrying the flame" for his own bake passes the torch the next baker. We try not to drop the torch, espec when Q might post. So we need to talk sometimes, so we can keep the breads going.
How Named Bins Promote Transparency/Responsibility
There's another advantage to baker names: they promote transparency. Anons can see who's baking upfront. I think they like this. I'm always surprised on pastebin so see so many anons check out my bin in a short time. Why else would they do this than to see who the baker is?
How Recent Bin System Got Started
The system of asking bakers to present their pastebin/qanonbin began last Spring after certain groups (WR fags) started taking bakes in order to put stuff in the dough that did not belong there, based on anon consensus. An anonymous WR baker would take the bake and make unwanted changes. Next baker would have to unmake them. When they didn't get their way, WR fags would sometimes split the bake, even when Q was posting. This became a big problem. That's how the "upfront bin presentation" came to be used: to prevent WR fags and shill bakers from making mischief with the dough.
Bin System Details
It worked mainly because by that time, most regular bakers were always using baker names. Also, they began using qanonbin (not pastebin) in June, as pastebin became more and more unfriendly to anything Q-related. Baker developed qbin as an alternative. There, a baker never has to use a baker name, just a, UID associated with his bakes based on hashed ID. This lets him build up a track record of his bakes (or practice bakes).
Bin System Criticized coz 'Anyone can bake'
Recently, the bin system has come under attack. The argument goes like this: In QResearch, we say that "anyone can bake." But if an anon must present a bin upfront, then this can't be true, because only those able to present a bin will receive a handoff. This limits the freedom of anons to bake.
But can anyone REALLY bake?
Nope - not right away. The idea that 'anyone can bake' really means that 'anyone is welcome to learn how to bake.''' It takes time and skill to bake. It's ridiculous to say that bakers should hand over a bake to a total beginner, just coz he wants it (and "wants it NOW"). What's gonna happen if he gets the bake, espec in during a busy shift? Next baker's gonna have a mess on his hands.
Bakers who wanna bake have to learn how first
Anyone who wants to learn how to bake has plenty of chances to do it. Just not on a LIVE board. The "power to the people" model of baking just doesn't work. /Comms/ offer a place to do practice baking. But is an anon doesn't want to use it, he can apply to get his own board and practice bake there. Or he can ask the BO at /qrb/ if he can practice bake on that board. But what he can't - or shouldn't - do is to demand to practice on a LIVE qresearch bake. Because Qresearch is where Q posts. And Q deserves better than that.
Who really wants beginners and completely unknown bakers in the kitchen?
Three guesses anons - and the first two don't count. I think there's really only one group that benefits from some kind of radically revisionist model of baking. And that is the same group that benefits from division fagging of all kinds. So excuse me if I don't buy the arguments that "anyone can bake" and "you gotta hand over the dough to anyone who asks." Didn't work when @FJ had "anons only" notables. Not so great for "anons only" baking imo.
Most bakers on this board love to bake. And they love to bake for Q and for anons too. Kitch ain't perfect and bakers can be stubborn and uncooperative at times. Sorry about that, but it's not a perfect world. But to throw the baby out with the bathwater - is that what most anons really want? Do ya'll really think that the regular baking crew are total faggots? I sure hope not. Godspeed anons, WRWY.