Gratuitous self-promotion

I haven't bothered to read that thread, but it's not surprising that people nominate themselves. Personally, I wouldn't do it, but a lot of people would just consider it a normal part of self-promotion. I don't think it's disgusting, but if you see writing as beautiful and pure, then I can see why you would. Without trying to be offensive, I'd just like to suggest that your attitude is somewhat naive, and if you're going to survive in the world of online writing, you need to grow out of it. Writing is just as competetive as any other profession, and unless you're so talented that your work just knocks everybody right out of their socks, then you have to use self-promotion, and hope for a bit of luck along the way. I'm not much on self-promotion myself, so what little I do is very laid back. I prefer to comment on other people's work (when I can do so honestly and favorably), and participate on appropriate forums that let me use a sig. I hope you can find a good self-promtion balance for yourself.