Why was that deemed the absolute lowest work that has to be done before someone could advance?

Because it's an excellent test of someone's overall command of the game, as well as their dedication to putting in the time necessary to make significant improvements. It includes some tasks that most people find fun, some tasks that most people don't find fun, interaction with staff members at several levels of hierarchy, creative work, game mechanics work, and a chance for us to see how you deal with guidance/feedback.

In short, I look at someone with a completed area of high quality completely differently than I do a new heroimm, or a heroimm who signs up and twaddles around the Gathering Room for weeks or months of idledom and chit-chat. Conversely, I think everyone that writes an area learns a great deal about the game and the staff, no matter how long they've been playing.

I've been open to other sorts of tasks, but it's a good bet that area construction will always be part of it. The tasks you mentioned are either one-dimensional, or else they cannot reasonably be completed in large part by a new staff member (e.g. quest construction, which requires either coding or mid-level interaction powers).

They can certainly be part of a staff member's portfolio, and there are staff members (e.g. Lyristeon) who make, say, quests/immteraction a large portion of their portfolio, and get promoted repeatedly for it. But I also know that I can ask Lyr to handle cheating, fix a broken area, answer a pray, spec out new Edges, mentor an Avatar, etc. and that he'll be informed and responsible. And sassy.

valguarnera@carrionfields.com