epoxy

I was just advised that my posts and the subsequent retorts from N Natlek led to his banning. I didn‘t have anything to do with that, nor would I have wanted that to happen. It’s my guess that I, too, come off through these forums as a caustic asshole. The difference is, in real life, I’m guessing most of you would want to have a beer with Natlek, where in real life, I continue to be a caustic asshole. 😉

If there’s an issue in these forums, for me, it’s because I remember them as perhaps they once were, at least in my head, and how dynamically they’ve shifted into so much less - again, perhaps in my head - but this time, I think I’m justified, as I still speak regularly to quite a few of the old regime, and they tend to voice the same thoughts to me.

It’s abundantly clear that I’m no longer a part of the culture, here, and I’m fine with that. You folks don’t get the chance to see this place as it was, so my reactions are likely very foreign and uncouth. I’m not sure there’s much I can do about that, aside from exit. That was my intention, right up until hearing about Natlek’s banning. Now that I’ve expressed my discontent with that decision so at least HE can see it, albeit as a lurker, I’ll step out.
 
Matthew Gregory said:
I was just advised that my posts and the subsequent retorts from N Natlek led to his banning. I didn‘t have anything to do with that, nor would I have wanted that to happen. It’s my guess that I, too, come off through these forums as a caustic asshole. The difference is, in real life, I’m guessing most of you would want to have a beer with Natlek, where in real life, I continue to be a caustic asshole. 😉

If there’s an issue in these forums, for me, it’s because I remember them as perhaps they once were, at least in my head, and how dynamically they’ve shifted into so much less - again, perhaps in my head - but this time, I think I’m justified, as I still speak regularly to quite a few of the old regime, and they tend to voice the same thoughts to me.

It’s abundantly clear that I’m no longer a part of the culture, here, and I’m fine with that. You folks don’t get the chance to see this place as it was, so my reactions are likely very foreign and uncouth. I’m not sure there’s much I can do about that, aside from exit. That was my intention, right up until hearing about Natlek’s banning. Now that I’ve expressed my discontent with that decision so at least HE can see it, albeit as a lurker, I’ll step out.
Click to expand...
Matthew - I’ve posted this before, but you likely did not see it … so will do so again as a response to your post.

i have had exposure to / participated in groups like this since something like 1980 ( early on “live chat rooms”, later email based lists, now website based forums) … and one constant has been inconsiderate, overly opinionated, unproductive, or just plain mean behavior by a subset of the participants. It is everywhere, and I don’t think it is “new”. We see the same thing driving our cars … where the anonymity given by the windshield seems to turn otherwise reasonable folks into jerks. It seems to be part of the beast.

but yet, there are also many more people who are more neutral, or go out of their way to help (from the person yesterday who stopped to let me in to the auto traffic flow when I was trying to turn right, to all the folks on this forum who have given great advice and insight, and helped me greatly with my processes). Yes … I likely with enough time could have researched/read/experimented on my own … BUT this *is* social media … and part of its value is the social interaction of getting to know the folks here. Would you stop driving your car because of the few jerks out there on the road? I think the answer on these forums is that (as others have said to me) you just need to take the good, and ignore the bad. I do believe that if one can do that, there is still a lot, technically, artistically, and socially that can be gained from these forums.

(ok, I’m done … I’m gonna go get another cup of coffee…
 
It was not you Matthew. It wasn't me either. I gave him another warning and some points. I advised him to cool it for a while and be less confrontational.
Either he already had too many points, or the super-mods banned him due to the many reports on his comments. He is welcome to come back as far as I am concerned. He should contact Spark or the super mods after a while and ask to be un-banned.
 
I miss him, and also miss his contributions.
However, I realize its difficult when you are personally involved in the altercations.
He is a clever lad, but sometimes you have to be clever enough to keep your mouth shut.
No one ever knows whats going on in someones life, maybe things more important than a forum. So In my humble opinion. the benefit of the doubt should be given, perhaps with a Sin Bin type scenario for a week or two to let everyone calm down.
 
Matthew Gregory said:
I was just advised that my posts and the subsequent retorts from N Natlek led to his banning. I didn‘t have anything to do with that, nor would I have wanted that to happen. It’s my guess that I, too, come off through these forums as a caustic asshole. The difference is, in real life, I’m guessing most of you would want to have a beer with Natlek, where in real life, I continue to be a caustic asshole. 😉

If there’s an issue in these forums, for me, it’s because I remember them as perhaps they once were, at least in my head, and how dynamically they’ve shifted into so much less - again, perhaps in my head - but this time, I think I’m justified, as I still speak regularly to quite a few of the old regime, and they tend to voice the same thoughts to me.a

It’s abundantly clear that I’m no longer a part of the culture, here, and I’m fine with that. You folks don’t get the chance to see this place as it was, so my reactions are likely very foreign and uncouth. I’m not sure there’s much I can do about that, aside from exit. That was my intention, right up until hearing about Natlek’s banning. Now that I’ve expressed my discontent with that decision so at least HE can see it, albeit as a lurker, I’ll step out.
Click to expand...
like you say, this forum is a social construct and thus is subject to change in almost any direction. The point that I've been making to you- trying to suck you back in- is that drawing some of the old talent back will displace the space which is otherwise taken up by, well, you know...

I think that people will grow weary of dealing with the faceless corporate overlords whose business plan is to feed us to ourselves in a neverending loop of FOMO on their devious social media platforms, and instead look toward the home that Kevin and his dedicated moderators have built for us here. There is nothing like Bladeforums, it's memory is long and easily accessed. There is no carefully curated version of our lives here- Bladeforums is 10x more real than those other places.

this is the first I've heard of Natlek being banned, and I don't have any thoughts or feelings about that either way, but I'm not surprised. There's a looong history of trolling and disruption that I can personally attest to, but all that said his destructive tendencies have been pretty well curbed by many others in here. Because this is a community and most of us on Bladeforums desire to keep it that way.

the Shoptalk subforum can and should be the west's #1 place for knife makers to commune and share with each other, and the only thing that will help the subbie reach that place will be for knifemakers to decide to participate in it. That's it, no magic bullet, no clutching pearls, just inviting those experienced voices back to the table and helping create an environment here where they can say the things they need to say, in the way they need to say it, without the dogpiling and butthurt that seems to generally characterize human interaction on the internet. Strong moderation and clearly defined boundaries, I think, are key.

as for having a beer with you, I've done it. It wasn't terrible.
 
Idk even Which side to choose?
Lots of high school drama in This thread for No reason. Is that what the eye-roll emoji is for? .......And Used. Haha. Wow.


It's a real shame one of the most creative and resourceful makers got Forced out.
We will ultimately loose from his departure, I hope that isn't permanent.



I actually work in an engineering environment, and having difference of opinion is healthy. That's how flaws are discovered, and products and processes can be improved. A flawed idea can be a stepping stone for something better.

Echo chambers,nepotism, and cult mentality isn't beneficial to any society.
This whole notion of "I'm better than You" & its "my way or the highway" is getting old, and exactly why so many well respected makers are quiet/left/banned.


I personally value the vast experience of the longtime makers who are Still here, and can filter through the muck. Like
Bill DeShivs Bill DeShivs .
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith ,
S Seedy Lot
Horsewright Horsewright
.....and WAY Too Many to name here
They Add their wisdom to the topics, and All grow and learn from them

This place is nothing without them.

Thank You!!!
 
Last edited:
Too bad about Natlek. Rude, aggressive, confrontational. Smart, innovative, looking to help, but all too often with a 7 pound maul. But, then, his English is way better than my Macedonian but still not perfect; he has stated before that his English may make him seem more aggressive. Hope he requests reinstatement. He filled a beneficial niche.

And, Matt, you sort of hit it on the head, bud. Different place. I sorta liked the days the rest of the forums referred to here as "the biker bar of knifemaker forums." But that's just me. :D
 
I have been here a long time and have always appreciated how Blade Forums does not suffer Trolls. People are given ample warnings before being banned and they choose their own fate.

Keep up the good work.
 
What Adam just said. Keep up the good work, mods.

I also agree 100% with Lorien, "the Shoptalk subforum can and should be the west's #1 place for knife makers to commune and share with each other..."

This is THE place I come to for help. To give it and receive it.
 
Lorien said:
good vibes is the best epoxy for holding forums together
Click to expand...
This is incredible! I certainly don’t want Matthew Gregory or anyone else to stop coming around. We need experienced makers to share some of their knowledge from time to time. Hopefully Natlek can find his way back. He was always coming up with crazy/cool ideas. I was but frustrated with the whole ordeal the other day but didn‘t lose any sleep over anything that was said to me. If I upset anyone I truly apologize.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top