Time to finish the bracket. In a move that couldn’t be more on brand for this site if we tried to arrange it, we have a finals match-up of two mature, easy-to-root for master strategists. Frankly, this tells you all you need to know about this place.

Voting ends Friday, March 24

First of all, I want to thank everyone for participating in this bracket. It’s been a fun way to discuss Survivor and the greats of the game. It’s been fun debating the nature of a good win. It’s been fun just hanging out with all y’all.

But mostly, it’s been a perfect example of why ranking winners is stupid.

No criticism to any of you, as we’re the ones who asked you to participate. I think there were a lot of good discussions throughout, especially early on when people could argue FOR a winner more than just AGAINST their most recent match-up (since you run out of things to say as it goes). But while I always respect the passion, and the banter, I gotta say: time and time again, it only served to steel my resolve that trying to establish a BETTER way of winning can only ever say something about the person making the argument than it ever will about the winner. (This is also true about my arguments, btw. ESPECIALLY my arguments).

Which brings us to a finals match-up of two one time players who played strategically and socially without a lot of flair. They feel more cerebral than other winners. They avoided risk from Big Movez unless necessary. They were very likeable, and completely uncontroversial. And neither has sullied their reputations in the post-game. I’ll leave it up to you to decide what that says about our collective bias of what a winner “should” be.

Note: I’m not putting myself above anyone here. Take a look at my favourite players list and guess who I’ve been voting for.

13. Yul Kwon (Cook Islands) vs 24. Kim Spradlin (One World)

Speaking of having run out of things to say… I’ve got nothing left. Yul is awesome. Kim is awesome. I find all the counter-arguments to their awesomeness to be unconvincing. Use whatever reason you want to help you decide your vote safe with the knowledge that there’s no wrong answer.

Instead, I’ll just leave these here:

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