Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is this a FAQ?
A: No, it's not a FAQ yet. No one knows about this site, so no one is asking questions, so there are no frequently asked questions. For now, I'm just guessing what might be frequently asked. Technically, I am asking these questions of myself, and even if I only ask them once, that could be considered frequent in some context. But I digress...
Q: What are Brass Balls?
A: Brass Balls are literally brass balls, about 1.5 inches in diameter. They come in their own ball-sack (a velvety sack just the right size to hold 2 balls, with a draw-string to lock the balls in and to be able to affix the ball-sack to your belt-loop). They are also a symbol. Courage is often referred to (in many cultures!) as "having balls" as in testicles. This is surely gender-biased, but it's a pretty damn solid euphemism and it's fun, so we're sticking with it.
Q: What qualifies as Brass Ball-worthy?
A: It's certainly up to you. Whatever you consider exceptionally brave or courageous, vote for. I, however, pay for the Brass Balls, so not only do I have veto power :), but I will explain my definition of "ball-worthy."
Brass Balls are not to reward great activists - there are many great activists. Brass Balls are to reward the relatively more rare activists who do something extraordinary that makes people say "Wow! What they did was so amazingly brave that I am not sure I could have done it myself" or "I wish I was brave enough to do what they did!"
I think a good way to think about NH Brass Balls is this: it took exceptional courage for all of us to pack up our lives and move to NH to fight the unjust system, so we're all very brave. But among us - relatively speaking - some are yet braver than others in this journey towards freedom, and Brass Balls are for the bravest of the brave.
If people just nominating everyone they think is a great activist, NH Brass Balls will die. If everyone is special, no one is special. :) If that happens, I'll just let the site die. I'm not going to pay for Brass Balls for every free-stater. :)
Q: How does an activist earn Brass Balls?
A: Anyone can view an activist's bio or read detailed descriptions of their activism. You can then rate an activist's courage from 1 to 5, where 5 is highest. Brass Balls are awards 4 times per year; in January, April, July, and October. When it's time to present Brass Balls, all activists that have at least 10 votes and whose average rating is above 80% are eligible, and the activist with the highest average rating is the winner.
Q: Why can I still rate activists who have already earned their Brass Balls?
A: While NHBrassBalls.com separates nominated activists from Ball Holders, we keep the Ball Holders' past activism and ratings. If you have never rated a Ball Holder, you can still do so but since they already have their Brass Balls, your rating will not mean much. We keep their rating and activism events and comments for fun, and to reminisce and remember why the activists were Brass Ball worthy.
Q: Why should I create an account?
A: There's no need to log into NH Brass Balls. Without logging into an account, you can still view all the activists and activism and you can still rate each activist (up to once per day per IP). Only logged-in users can leave comments, though (i.e., if you want to discuss on this website whether an activist or some specific activism is worthy of Brass Balls, you need an account).
Q: How do I use the NH Brass Balls website?
A: I could tell you, but I already did! Please read the How to use this website page.
Q: Can I change my rating?
A: Yup. If you rate an activitst now, you can change your rating later. This allows you to correct mistakes or change your mind. For example, an activist might be nominated for something now that you think only deserved "Ball Bearings," but a couple months later they may do something that you think deserves "Brass Balls."