> BTW, you do realize this is one of the best ways to destroy any self-esteem you had about the story, don't you?

I probably shouldn't speak for him, but I really don't think he's that delicate.

> Offering a prize for people to find stuff wrong with it just lets all of point out flaws that aren't really flaws, just misinterperetations, leading you to [possibly] believe that you were way too subtle for the audience and/or didn't explain things clearly enough? At least, that's prob'ly what I'd think.

You'd have to be pretty insecure to start with if rewarded nitpicking fouls you up -- and in that case, you don't encourage it. Otherwise, it's a darned good way to get feedback and criticism for future improvement.

Well, to a point. Personally, I find myself frequently of the mind that, if you don't get it because it's too subtle, the joke's on you, and I don't worry about it. It depends on the situation, of course.