The suggestion:

In story submissions that are repeats, include a link to the original submission(s) that are under consideration. This gives potential submitters the chance to see if they have any information to add. (Or at least include the original submissions early in the search list.)

Why: I was looking up a story on a grenade being openned with a sledgehammer (already submitted, about 912,352 times), but couldn't find the original submission to see if I had new information. I figured after the 25,674th repeat that I probably didn't.

Submitted on 09/25/2006

Submitted by: Kevin Moore
Reference: N/A

Copyright © 2006 DarwinAwards.com

James said:
Neutral: For Darwin's Eyes
Good suggestion. Sometimes we get a ton of the same story all at once. It usually takes time (up to a couple of weeks) for something to work its way to the slush pile (or reject bin). Submissions from the "usual" (ie Reuters, &c) sources tend to contain the same information. *TIP* we REALLY like original write-ups and will accept one readily over a "cut n' paste", because it gives us the submitter's reasons why it should be included. Give that a thought next time you submit! :-)

Jorge said:
Neutral: For Darwin's Eyes

Fitzroy said:
Neutral: For Darwin's Eyes
I agree wholeheartedly with this idea. Also, James has an excellent point -- a repeat ceases to be a repeat if it features an excellent original write-up. Wire service stories about obvious nominees usually come to us in huge repetitive batches, so another thought would be to focus on news sources that don't just cut and paste from a syndicate.

Graham said:
Definitely Toss: Other
Problem is, 'original' stories from news agencies tend to be boring as only journalists know how. Re-written stories by DA readers makes for much better prose. Therefore, whatever you have, try submitting it anyway as it may be better than the original! Cut-and-paste submissions are rarely entertaining.

Tracy said:
Neutral: For Darwin's Eyes

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