cjh@CCA-UNIX@sri-unix (12/08/82)
1. "True Names" was not exactly obscure, as it \was/ nominated for a Hugo in its category. The problem was that its category was unusually strong this year (although I happen to think that "True Names" was better than the winner, Anderson's "The Saturn Game", that may reflect my dislike of tSG's subject). 2. The rule you describe was indeed passed at Chicon; however, since it depends on the vote of the WSFS business meeting (which usually has more important things to deal with, unless it gets packed as it did this year by fanzine twits) it's not likely to be invoked very often. The rule was passed in response to a stupid squabble between Denvention and Chicon over SUPERMAN II, which had been released on other continents (away from most eligible nominators) in the eligibility year before it appeared in this country. This is what frequently happens with the WSFS bylaws; somebody sees (or thinks they see) a problem and tries to do something about it, but by the time a fix can be ratified and take effect (the rules have been interpreted that a concom cannot be constrained by amendments passed after the concom was awarded the worldcon, which award is generally announced before the final raitification of anything before the current meeting) either people have come to their senses or the external problem has disappeared.