I think that the standards of the HASA system are based actually on something like "poll" among readers. If 5 to 9 readers are willing to take the time to say "I like this story, because..." then it certainly deserves to be showcased in the public archive. If 5 to 9 readers are willing to take the time and the trouble to say "I don't like this, because...", then that does not mean the story is bad, but maybe not quite what the majority of readers would like to see *showcased* on the public side of HASA.

It's funny because I don't find my nails digging into my palms so much when you word it this way as I do with the whole notion of "maintaining a certain level of quality." This brings it back down to the level of individual opinion rather than attempting to achieve some sort of actual grade of "quality" through the votes of a few people.