Zeuswood of Harshly Mellow is getting a little burnt out from being the moderator for Carnival of the Vanities and is thinking about just ending it.

Zeuswood - the question of whether your co-ordination of the COTV is worth your effort is something that only you can decide, and I won't criticize if you call it quits. I abandoned a carnival of my own after 10 editions. Maintaining one is a LOT of work.

However, the question of whether the COTV still has a place in a blogosphere which currently boasts over 250 active Carnivals is another matter.

And I'd say - yes, the COTV *is* still relevant.

Why? Because unlike the myriad of "themed" carnivals out there, the COTV has NO theme. It's an eclectic smorgasbord of literary tidbits.

Or a box of chocolates, if you want to be Gump about it.

Either way, its themelessness IS its attraction. Some people don't WANT to know that all 50 posts are going to be on the same topic. They want the excitement of unwrapping the box to behold the shiny present inside.

Or possibly the dead puppy (NOTE TO SELF: airholes!)

So although the COTV may wax or wane in popularity during any given week, it's still as wrong to say that it's "lost in the crowd" as it is to say that "Tiffany's is just a drop in an ocean of jewelry stores".

The Carnival of the Vanities is a beautiful thing. I discovered many of my now-favorite bloggers by exploring its enchanting links. To let it go... to let it die... a tragedy.

Anyone who would like to take up the moderator's mantle for the COTV, please fully inform yourself of what you're getting into, then drop a comment at Harshly Mellow.

Posted by: Harvey at 08:23 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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