Maturity - More Ramblings of an Old Fart

M

MikeH

Joined
Oct 18, 2001
Messages
4,611
It seems that staples of this and other knife forums are the posts seeking affirmation from others about the type of knife one chooses. Another is the post attacking any opinions different from one's own about the worthiness of a given knife, manufacturer, etc. Still others, with which Busse afficianados are well acquainted, seek to denigrate any knife or manufacturer deemed by some to be superior.

I can understand beginners or anyone considering buying a knife with which they are unfamiliar seeking advice. Beyond this situation though, it seems to me that a basic insecurity with one's own tastes and judgement is reflected in many of the posts of the above types. My impulse when I read these is to think, "grow up, develop a little self-confidence, quit worrying about what others think. Trust yourself."

As I have grown older, I find the catergories to which "I couldn't care less" applies have greatly increased. I am not insulted when others don't agree with my choices. I don't need or solicit their approval. I don't do facebook. I don't tweet. I don't have a smartphone. Heck, my family has just now gotten me to carry a flip phone regularly.
i don't need or want to be instantly accessible to eveyone else's agenda. It interferes too much with my own train of thought.

Life is good, and getting old is part of it. Although I have that sense of self-preservation that God puts in all of us to keep us from doing very stupid things, i have no morbid fear of death, that issue was settled permanently years ago. Getting older has it's drawbacks, but it is also very liberating in a lot of ways. I find myself more content and at peace than I have ever been before.
 
*shrug*. Maybe it's because for a lot of people, these things are expensive. As you get older, and your house is payed off and the kids have moved out (if you're lucky), if you are still working then investing in a 300 - 700 dollar non-custom knife isn't likely as hard a decision as when you have 3 kids and a dependent wife with 1 income. Yes, people must (if they have any common sense at all) live within their means, but spoiling yourself with a knife that costs a good few months of savings is still tough, whether you have the means or not. Maybe hearing it from a few more people will help the investor feel less buyers remorse?

Just a thought.
 
Oh and keep in mind it takes all kinds to make the world. Heck as a self confessed oldie you already know that, but the people who are content to be self confident and sure in their own opinions probably don't NEED to post on the forums denigrating / cheering / extolling their choice in anything. They are the ones who add useful information and help those in need. There are far more attention seeking creatures than the incredibly visible/audible 16 yr old girls, drama queens, overly-loud harley riders, and actors out there...
 
MikeH said:
It seems that staples of this and other knife forums are the posts seeking affirmation from others about the type of knife one chooses. Another is the post attacking any opinions different from one's own about the worthiness of a given knife, manufacturer, etc. Still others, with which Busse afficianados are well acquainted, seek to denigrate any knife or manufacturer deemed by some to be superior.

I can understand beginners or anyone considering buying a knife with which they are unfamiliar seeking advice. Beyond this situation though, it seems to me that a basic insecurity with one's own tastes and judgement is reflected in many of the posts of the above types. My impulse when I read these is to think, "grow up, develop a little self-confidence, quit worrying about what others think. Trust yourself."

As I have grown older, I find the catergories to which "I couldn't care less" applies have greatly increased. I am not insulted when others don't agree with my choices. I don't need or solicit their approval. I don't do facebook. I don't tweet. I don't have a smartphone. Heck, my family has just now gotten me to carry a flip phone regularly.
i don't need or want to be instantly accessible to eveyone else's agenda. It interferes too much with my own train of thought.

Life is good, and getting old is part of it. Although I have that sense of self-preservation that God puts in all of us to keep us from doing very stupid things, i have no morbid fear of death, that issue was settled permanently years ago. Getting older has it's drawbacks, but it is also very liberating in a lot of ways. I find myself more content and at peace than I have ever been before.
Click to expand...


well said sir well said. Though brifly mentioned i think people want to fit in to much. He has this I want it. I cant have it, must not be good.Live happy.
 
That's OUTSTANDING Mike and perfectly said. Same with me and a cell phone, I don't have one nor want one. I'm doing good to yak on here anymore cause I have gotten to enjoy my time and thoughts as well. My wife and I are talking retirement/downsizing and even moving back down to the Lower 48.

Well said Brother, well said!!!
 
Being older life gets better, the pressure is off, there is nothing to prove to the world or compete for. I am retired and done and can move on at my own chosen speed. There are far fewer birthdays to come than have already past but I have no problem with that fact. For now I can enjoy the fruits of my lifetime of labor despite the growing pains of aging, those problems seem pale compared to issues in the past and the uncertainties that come with them. A life time of experience is great knowledge where problems and issues are resolved much more easily with less stress as the 'I couldn't careless' factor weighs in, and problems roll off one's back like water off of a duck.

Life is like a good wine, it improves with age.
 
Mike, as always, great post and something to think about. Came across the below photo after reading your post

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Mike

I always enjoy reading your posts. theres actually some content to them instead of another mindless thread, exactly like the ones you described.

I dont really have much to add because I'm still a young guy but I really admire my dad who doesnt have a cell phone and can barely use email or the internet.

It was nice meeting you at blade next year and I look forward to seeing you again this year.
 
MikeH said:
I
As I have grown older, I find the catergories to which "I couldn't care less" applies have greatly increased. I am not insulted when others don't agree with my choices. I don't need or solicit their approval.
i don't need or want to be instantly accessible to eveyone else's agenda. It interferes too much with my own train of thought.

Life is good, and getting old is part of it. Although I have that sense of self-preservation that God puts in all of us to keep us from doing very stupid things, i have no morbid fear of death, that issue was settled permanently years ago. Getting older has it's drawbacks, but it is also very liberating in a lot of ways. I find myself more content and at peace than I have ever been before.
Click to expand...

I find myself agreeing more and more. As I get older it gets much easier to dismiss those things that use to irritate me, now I just laugh and smile as I walk away.
All these possessions don't have the same appeal as they once did and I find it's time to let them go. Time to make life more simple and myself free to do what I want.
And about Death, I've looked it in the face many times, I have no fear of the Grime Reaper, he is an old friend.
Might be nice to see old friends that are on the other side, but not just yet..:)
 
You have a flip phone?

Damn man, you're more advanced than I am :o :D
 
I agree with alot of what the OP said, and it sounds like he is aging well. I must disagree that smartphones and social media are somehow a sign of seeking acceptance... Nor do I think someone seeking advice on a knife is always a sign of insecurity. Sometimes people that have owned various items can shed light on the positive and negatives aspects of that item. You may be at peace with your age, but you fail to see the various sides or possibilities as to why people do what they do. Not every whipper-snapper seeking help is an insecure whelp, and not every face booker is seeking some Internet stardom. Embrace these modern times, they have good things to offer as well.

I 100% agree that denigrating other people's choices, work, Etc is a sure sign of immaturity and a lack of growth and confidence. That's a point many need to examine and possibly change. Thanks for the viewpoint!!
 
I tend to agree with almost everything in MikeH's original post, and I am just a youngin' from the 70's. Of course, I am just old enough to remember the good old days before cable tv, computers, internet, cell phones, text messaging, compact discs, digital video discs, video cameras watching you everywhere you go, crazy airline restrictions/no fly lists, endless wars on _______ (pick your faceless noun), computerized cars that can be remotely unlocked or turned off by some stranger sitting at a desk, almost everything being made in china, etc. which many folks younger than me never knew. The trade for more technology and convenience seems to be less independent thinking and freedom, which anyone with a little common sense has to wonder about. Our society encourages conformity, being normal, not standing out or being different, yet this country was founded by free thinkers who suffered the consequences of living in/under the very same oppressive societal conditions. History almost always repeats itself, given enough time.

I have a smart phone that was made in 2007 and still does everything I need, so I don't need any "we have an app for that", but then I am also on a nicely featured plan that is from 2003 and priced accordingly that does all my family needs for far less than what it would cost now. However, I intentionally chose to move to a location where those phones do not work at home, but are convenient for trips to town or anywhere else, including conducting business where I need internet on my laptop. Some advances in technology are great, but like everything, being able to control how you use them in moderation versus letting them control your life is key. If social media, internet, tv, etc. encourages people to spend more time reading/typing/watching than getting off of their butt and doing real activities, then it is not a benefit or improvement to one's life.
 
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