I am getting sick to death of all the bitterness.

mymindisamob

mymindisamob

Platinum Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2005
Messages
15,179
I came here some time ago and found a lot of good natured ribbing and a whole lot of helpful and considerate folks. So I stayed. I found knives I truly love, fantastic customer service and an extremely entertaining (and sometimes frustrating) marketing strategy. I stayed even longer.
Lately we have more mudslinging and bitterness than a school district with budget cuts. I post less nowadays because of the confrontational and nasty nature of the mood so often evident.
That's not to say that we don't have a great crowd here. I have had more good fortune and camaraderie here than just about anywhere I've been online. I've met folks from here in real life and have been treated fantastic by them as well as all the Busse staff, in person, online, on the phone and definitely in product.
Maybe I'm overly optimistic of the past, but I see less posts by those who have been here a long time and more from the current regulars trying to keep the peace or posturing defensive.
I personally try to use good sense in the whole flipper/pricing scenario and not buy if I don't like or can't pay the price. Enough of the finger pointing and such. I love me some INFI, but remember, it's just knives. Friendship and people don't have the same warranty that Jerry affords us on his knives. So let's quit abusing them.
(steps off soapbox)...............(for now);)
 
well phooey on you!

Just kidding :)

all we need is love.

Let's Drink

Rootbeer :)

Kisses from Big Dave Brown

 
Word up. It actually seems to be a bit better lately than it has been for a while. I used to be a regular, but spent a long time away because I got fed up with a lot of the foolishness. I still follow the forum though, because the knives are still awesome. It seems a little more chill around here the past couple months than it was over the past few years. I still see some childish, selfish behavior that I could do without, but this is a great forum. I look forward to seeing some of you guys at Blade!
 
and hand shaking :)
 
Just thought I might offer a little long-term perspective, as I see this subject come up from time to time.

I don't worry much about the flame wars, bickering, etc. anymore. I did get sick enough of pettiness that I pretty much quit logging onto Bladeforums after I'd been around for 3-4 years. But after a couple of years away I had some down time and came back around.

I love knives, many kinds of knives, and through these forums I've found that is a common love among people, mainly men, worldwide. I suspect that's been the case for thousands of years. This means people from all walks of life, all points of view, all ages, and with all kinds of personal agendas, share an interest in blades. This is an open forum, so we get all kinds.

I've learned that this pool of knife compatriots on the internet is a little like an ocean.

There are always new waves of people who have just discovered Bladeforums, crashing the beach, learning, asking a million questions (most of them the same questions from the last new wave). This wave often constitutes a majority of threads to be found day-to-day on page one, especially in between "significant events". Mixed in at this level are youngsters who are just coming of age, and a few ripples are always caused by new people who aren't socially well-adjusted for whatever reason--people who have something to prove or sometimes deep-seated emotional/psychological or substance abuse problems.

Many newbies end up embarrassing themselves, becoming defensive and then apologetic, but most of them learn and grow and become part of the brotherhood. Those with deep-seated problems often have explosive flare-ups, attacking the system or other members, and they eventually end up going away or they get banned (sometimes a few bannings are required for it to take, and I applaud the mods for their vigilance in that department). Some simply get what they came for and leave, never to be heard from again.

The next layer are veterans of the forums, those who like to stay in contact with the leading edge of news breaking on the beach, for new information, for camaraderie, often because they've recently discovered something new or tangential to their interests that has them enthused enough to check in every day or so to see what's going on. This is a deeper, more stable layer made up of those who have been around, don't mind helping the noobs with a few questions, look to pick up a nugget of information here and there, and enjoy incisive, significant discussions about theory, design, possibilities for new models, etc. (as well as enjoying a surprise and a good grin). They don't fight with others unless someone steps way out of line. They've learned to be generous and to live and let live. And they're happy to have the forums as a social outlet, as well as to slake their unquenchable thirst for all things related to the magic of blades.

Finally, if you delve around here long enough you realize there's a group that doesn't show itself on a daily basis or sometimes even for weeks or months at a time. Some in this group have only a peripheral interest in knives that doesn't draw them unless they have a specific purpose or question. Some have been around for many years and have either gotten tired of the daily turmoil and repetitive nature of the "surf"; or have decided they just don't care to engage on superficial subjects. So you don't see them post often, but when they do, they usually have something of value to say or ask. Many who occupy this deepest layer still keep a stealthy eye toward the shore to see if anything significantly new and interesting might appear on the horizon.

Over the past few years I find myself drifting in and out between the deep end and that layer of active friends who I like to share a thought or a chuckle with, but I'm easily drawn to the shore for something truly special, something new, something that engages. (For the past couple of weeks we've been remodeling our house, so any diversion right now is a welcome one. :D)

I know there will always be new waves crashing the beach, and the surf will always be roiling, noisy and typically shallow. But I know those waves will always just as surely recede, and there is a deeper tide of sincere, steadfast people lying just outside that noisy froth, those who you can always count on to be there and to show their depth of character when called upon.
 
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Will, excellent summation Bro and hope to see you at Blade, may give up a offering or two to a favorite Hog, hope Jimmy is able to make it as well, take care and good luck on the remodeling, what a daunting task!!!
 
Thanks guys. I won't make it to Blade this year, but I wish all of you who do a rip roaring good time, as usual!

Will
 
MMIAM, I think I have felt that same way at certain points.

Will, great analogy and summary of the forum. I find my self wavering between those two layers as well lately, but I'm always around when word of something new comes up.

After all, these knives are simply AMAZING!!



.
 
You have written a nice piece Will, I enjoy reading your thoughts so thanks for sharing.
 
1. Economy: in times when most people have less than before - or are made believe they had less - the tone naturally gets more rough. Cross this with a communication platform for luxury goods (and busse knives ARE luxury goods) and you have a perfect culture medium for jealousy and other unpleasant emotions.

2. technological progress: Nowadays people post more and think less. They have iPhones, Blackberries, Androids and I bet a considerable amount of the posts on this forum are posted "on the run" - from airports, train stations, coffee shops or in between. Not thinking properly about your wording in a post can easily turn a joke into an offense and an answer into a smart ass comment.

However, you will see that in the end the good ones stay at good places and the bad ones stay at bad places. All others are travelers only. Be friendly, and let them pass by.
 
Nice to see some of thoughts expressed in this thread. :thumbup:

This thread shows that there are good enough reasons to hang around this forum provided you come with the right attitude.
 
Absolutely beautiful. I could not have express it any better.

It's like you guys reached in and yanked out my thoughts and feelings.
 
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