Kohai999
Second Degree Cutter
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2003
- Messages
- 12,554
From American Bladesmith, Summer 2007, Issue 20, written by Carolyn Hughes....
...."Buddy(Thomason, HTMD here on the Forums) and I had a "conversation" via e-mail concerning forums. I agree with him that forums are a wonderful medium for learning new methods, what is available, and knife news; we also agree that responsibility(emphasis mine) is a factor too often missing in forums. I probably believe this more strongly than he does because I refuse to read anything written on any forum. It is extremely difficult for me to accept what is written by "wannabe authorities", who don't have a clue regarding the topic on which they are pontificating, and sort through the garbage to reach the substance, if any is there. Writers to knife forums are not the only ones who are guilty of maligning a peer or an organization: this is an affliction of every forum.
Writing requires a modicum of responsibility for what you say, whether it is in print, or on a forum or blog. You might not care for a particular knifemaker, but that does not give you a right to ruin a person's livelihood by libeling his or her work. This happens all too often. If a libelous statement is published in a newspaper or magazine, the writer can be sued, and will have to pay. Someday, some way, the same should be true of the internet unless those who spend time expounding their views become responsible for writing only the truth, not supposition.
Bruce Voyles, a veteran journalist, also touches on the subject of forums in his "On the Edge" column printed in the August 2007 Knives Illustrated. Bruce writes "If there is on reason Web media still has a long way to go, it is the stark knowledge that anyone with a computer has a soapbox with equal credibility of those who have spent years obtaining an in-depth knowledge of the game; and when comments from both are posted on forums, there is no way to tell the difference. Simply because someone spends hours a day on a forum posting whatever may pop into their head does not mean they have an opinion".
Even more disturbing was the attitude Brude addressed in the bulk of his column; the elation some seem to receive from "observing the troubles of others. It is as if someone else's misery elevates the gleeful to some higher plane"....to rejoice in someone else's misery is different...it is just wrong"
This attitude has never been prevalent in the ABS. We cry, we laugh, we rejoice, we mourn together. We are family. Remember your responsibility to your family as you participate in forums."
I say this to ALL....
1. It is ignorant to call something bad, and without value, when by self admission, you do not read, participate in or understand what is being said.
2. Not sure what forums are specifically being addressed here, but in BladeForums, we have many that participate, specifically in customs, who have written articles, been quoted in books and magazines, and have a great deal of knowledge.
3. Free Speech, Ms. Hughes, Free Speech...you have your podium, so do others. Mr. Voyles is WRONG...we all have opinions, some are just more informed than others.
What say you, my brethren....MY family?
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
...."Buddy(Thomason, HTMD here on the Forums) and I had a "conversation" via e-mail concerning forums. I agree with him that forums are a wonderful medium for learning new methods, what is available, and knife news; we also agree that responsibility(emphasis mine) is a factor too often missing in forums. I probably believe this more strongly than he does because I refuse to read anything written on any forum. It is extremely difficult for me to accept what is written by "wannabe authorities", who don't have a clue regarding the topic on which they are pontificating, and sort through the garbage to reach the substance, if any is there. Writers to knife forums are not the only ones who are guilty of maligning a peer or an organization: this is an affliction of every forum.
Writing requires a modicum of responsibility for what you say, whether it is in print, or on a forum or blog. You might not care for a particular knifemaker, but that does not give you a right to ruin a person's livelihood by libeling his or her work. This happens all too often. If a libelous statement is published in a newspaper or magazine, the writer can be sued, and will have to pay. Someday, some way, the same should be true of the internet unless those who spend time expounding their views become responsible for writing only the truth, not supposition.
Bruce Voyles, a veteran journalist, also touches on the subject of forums in his "On the Edge" column printed in the August 2007 Knives Illustrated. Bruce writes "If there is on reason Web media still has a long way to go, it is the stark knowledge that anyone with a computer has a soapbox with equal credibility of those who have spent years obtaining an in-depth knowledge of the game; and when comments from both are posted on forums, there is no way to tell the difference. Simply because someone spends hours a day on a forum posting whatever may pop into their head does not mean they have an opinion".
Even more disturbing was the attitude Brude addressed in the bulk of his column; the elation some seem to receive from "observing the troubles of others. It is as if someone else's misery elevates the gleeful to some higher plane"....to rejoice in someone else's misery is different...it is just wrong"
This attitude has never been prevalent in the ABS. We cry, we laugh, we rejoice, we mourn together. We are family. Remember your responsibility to your family as you participate in forums."
I say this to ALL....
1. It is ignorant to call something bad, and without value, when by self admission, you do not read, participate in or understand what is being said.
2. Not sure what forums are specifically being addressed here, but in BladeForums, we have many that participate, specifically in customs, who have written articles, been quoted in books and magazines, and have a great deal of knowledge.
3. Free Speech, Ms. Hughes, Free Speech...you have your podium, so do others. Mr. Voyles is WRONG...we all have opinions, some are just more informed than others.
What say you, my brethren....MY family?
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
