gkelly, I agree with a lot of what you say in principle, but not in actuality. My point is, there's a world of difference between what "should be" (even according to the current rules) and what "is". GOEs are padded. PCS are padded. While the system is not perfect, and can be easily gamed, it's understood - but the worst culprit is endemic judging bias.
For example, when a higher / longer / cleaner jump with beautiful entry and exit should receive a higher PCS and GOE (in theory) - in practice, it often does not, if performed by a skater who is not the judges favorites at that particular competition. And those are just the most blatant side-by-side examples. Never mind anything as "subjective" as interpretation or cleanliness.
Why strive for perfection (perfection is HARD!), if you can sail through on ugliness and high tech content? Tinkering with rules will do nothing to fix the underlying problem. JMHO
For example, when a higher / longer / cleaner jump with beautiful entry and exit should receive a higher PCS and GOE (in theory) - in practice, it often does not, if performed by a skater who is not the judges favorites at that particular competition. And those are just the most blatant side-by-side examples. Never mind anything as "subjective" as interpretation or cleanliness.
Why strive for perfection (perfection is HARD!), if you can sail through on ugliness and high tech content? Tinkering with rules will do nothing to fix the underlying problem. JMHO