The full 128 poaster field is found at http://challonge.com/XOmadness2017

RULES

The tourney is a 128 poaster bracket, single elimination. The poaster who gets the most voats in the official voating threads advances to the next round. In a case of a tie voat, the highest-ranked poaster will advance unless the genial hoast calls shenanigans.

Final arbiter of all issues shall be the genial hoast.

NO VOATS FROM PUMOS OR QUOTEMOS WILL BE COUNTED.

(aka the Watchmen rule)

Exceptions to the above rule shall only be accorded to those poasters in the field whose pumo/quotemo monikers are recognizable, ie SAD.

We had more nominated poasters than available seeds in this tourney. Many quality poasters, and a few shitty ones, were excluded due to space. Please know that we all appreciate your contributions to the bort in 2017. Those not in the tourney can proudly call themselves the 129th moast valuable poaster.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3844129&forum_id=2#35041151)

This is the championship zozo deserves for 2017. Chuck has received consistent support throughout the tourney, averaging ~34 voats per round and winning with comfortable margins. twins had one tough round against Charlie Brown, but otherwise has advanced comfortably, albeit not as comfortably as Charles XII.

This is the final round. Both megapoasters have their supporters/detractors. Passions run high on each side. Make your choice for the poaster we may proudly call ARE king from 2017.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3844129&forum_id=2#35041152)

0x59002246210aC537a9daB7C8aa326273778AC6A9

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3844129&forum_id=2#35041330)

Askav probably had my favorite post of the year, but he spent a decent amount of time away while MPA is a consistent PRODUCER.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3844129&forum_id=2#35046312)

* * *

I've got to work, so I can't do much campaigning, and anyway I'm ill-inclined to. [If I wanted to win I'd just say I would give .1 eth to the tenth twins vote which counted, .2 eth to the 20th, etc. --- but charles is the just victor, so let victory be just]. However, since I like writing lengthy screeds in the morning hours, I thought I would write a little something to grandstand while I've got the stage.

***

It was, and always has been, charles's year. At first I thought his output was limited to stunt-posting, which (truth be told) I care for little, as reality is mostly interesting to me as the bounding box of possibility. As this contest has wound on, though, I've come to appreciate the range of his output: he's adept at ratings & scenario threads [a weak-point of mine, since I tend to abandon them midstream or not put any effort in to begin with], he is a reliable source for oddments, curios, and matters of historical interest, and he has a strong character, which I highly prize, and which makes viewing his travelogues enjoyable, as it is like being in an unknown land with a familiar face.

What is more, charles stands as living proof one can at least make an attempt to live a principled life breathing the mephitic air of the modern world, without electing the (hopeless) Benedictine option; and even that it might grow easier to make the right choice over time. [That is why we are going on a road-trip after this is over to try & find him a suitable spouse - I see it as a cross of THE AMAZING RACE & THE BACHELOR].

***

I have only one regret about my loss. One day, on reddit, the "HIVEMIND" will torture out of charles his confession: "okay, I won a little bit of a popularity contest on this other weird forum, but it's kind of embarrassing you guys." His agony will be exquisite, as sharklasers when that hooker I hired was not stayed by his refractory period. If you vote for me, do it only to spare charles this pain; there can be no other reason.

* * *

I'm genuinely surprised to have gotten this far. Much of it is a historical freak and the construction of the brackets: FLW welched, evan caught cooties, etc. Even so, it's odd I'd advance so far. 99% of my output is shitposting, with the balance single-sitting ill-considered essays and dumb debates.

I'd say a clue is provided by the popularity of the bpd/aspie/schizo poasts I sometimes make -- the megapoaster community draws heavily from certain odd character structures I think I can lay fair claim to having in abundance.

Regardless, while it will draw obloquy from every angle, I can truly say I'm touched at the support I've received, and I've truly enjoyed chopping it up with all of you in the past year. This includes friends and foe, for I like fighting as much as friending (if not more!). As pedarestian noted, I likely haven't made even one truly memorable poast this year. However, I'd like to think I've been one of the beams or the struts that does the modest job of helping to hold this place up, joined by lines of force with the structure as a whole.

***

Lastly, I disagree with the charge this has been a "weak" year. I'd say it's been average or above average, while last year was great, and so by the opponent process theory (relative comparison) this one seems weak. It should also be noted the average level of the boart has been raised higher and higher. Schtick that used to be killer wouldn't get a single response these days. But the true masters (zeke, jshad, johnsmeyer) continue to shine, no matter how the world changes.

This was charles's master year: he's made or inspired at least one poast that will be forever fixed in the firmaments, providing a beacon unto this malignant shithole rach created, and guiding lights to the young poasters of tomorrow who wish to one day take one step further. As such, even if this year were weak, it should not be read as a knock against charles's accomplishment, as he would have a puncher's chance at the championship in just about any year you could name.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3844129&forum_id=2#35041317)

though datelab is the GOAT xoxo stunt and getting tucker to say 'sweet treats of scholarship' is in the top 10 GOAT xoxo stunts, charles is also a great history-threader and does a good job w rankings/ratings/hypos. he's not just a one-dimensional stunt-puller. hes a great poaster and i agree that it was his year.

i think the top 3 this year (presuming that MPA wins over askav) are correct. This board needs different types of poasters to keep it going/interesting and all 3 of you are important parts of it.

so to summarize our dumb, gay internet popularity contest... i think the top 3 placements/finishes this year are correct and all 3 of you are great poasters

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3844129&forum_id=2#35041357)

Twins, but man, this is the only year where I've wished it was possible to declare co-champions.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3844129&forum_id=2#35041545)

http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3738709&forum_id=2#34259662

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3844129&forum_id=2#35042127)

In the past xo has always voted for pure schtick guys or guys running great flame. Good to see some people who are just good solid posters make it.

I'll go charles

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3844129&forum_id=2#35042769)

Maybe my two favorite poasters

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3844129&forum_id=2#35043643)

I choose to believe that the datelab guy was him

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3844129&forum_id=2#35045995)

extremely difficult choice, love Charles XII

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3844129&forum_id=2#35047968)

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3844129&forum_id=2#35047972)

<3

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3844129&forum_id=2#35041390)