A Place for new Spriters

[Nindo]

The problem we have here, is not the definition of an edit, but the mindset of the editor.
Just as you said Chris, many of the "higher-ups" have done edits before. Most of the time there were for comedic purposes, and not to be taken seriously, and on very rare occasions they are "observational exercises". However, just as you brought in how our mindset might play into hating a sprite due to the fact that we "remember doing them, and we think it was a waste of time in a way", you also have to consider the mindset of the other end, the beginner. I remember when I did edits, and my mindset was that I was creating something completely original, and it looked good too. Heh, very much not the case, for as I matured in both age and art ability, I realized quite how foolish that I was, as it was not original and they certainly did not look good. Judging by how most beginner's act, I would say it is safe to assume that they too thing that they are "creating something completely original, and it looked good". I was fortunate enough not to have come across this site at that point in my life, and thus spared myself some shame and lack of respect, and I learned on my own that edits were complete refuse. These people, however, are not fortunate in this way, for they think in the mindset that they have and will post these things here without first checking what sort of community this is.
(Just going to say that editing as an "observational exercise" is completely dumb in my opinion as well, if I want to do an observational exercise, I will look at another sprite and try to replicate it without doing it pixel for pixel, not just use the sprite as a base to go off of)

Which brings us to the community discussion. I personally believe edits to be utter refuse, but I know my opinion is neither the opinion of all, nor is it necessarily a correct opinion, it's just my opinion. Under my opinion, I think any sort of community that is more accepting of edits in a way so as to maybe, "hold their hand along the way", is not necessary, as I myself was able to come to the conclusion that edits were dumb and turn myself around to doing original stuff. I will, however, cede that there is a great disadvantage to my situation. I am currently 19, and I know that most of the people here are much better than I am. Most have had the advantage of more time to hone their skills. Maybe some of these people were completely shut out (like the mindset of TSR) when they posted edits when they were younger, forcing them to go under some self evalutation relatively early. Maybe these people had a system more akin to what you are proposing Koopaul, and thus were able to figure out edits were bad early as well. Or maybe some people just figured out edits were bad much earlier than me :I. Whatever the case, we can not know what is best for others, only they can know.

As much as I hate to say it, but dA is so far gone in the pixel department, that it pretty much is what you are proposing Koopaul. I don't think it is necessary to find other communities when dA and Sheezy made themselves into what they are. dA and Sheezy are the best bet for someone who wants their hand held through editing sprites.
(Just noting that I still believe its completely irrational to have a site like these for pixel editing)