What causes the periodic ballyhoos... from a Yellowneck perspective

[Justin King]

Certainly a ladies' afternoon tea with everyone holding their pinkies out and pretending to be nicey-nice wouldn't be much fun either!

Might depend on what the ladies were wearing, but I ain't goin' there with this crowd.
I guess my point is that there are still enough good people here (some of the more notable ones have replied here, which is why I bothered to reply to it) that I find it worthwhile to stay and continue sharing and taking in what is offered, even if I have become less vocal in doing so, and less inclined to plant a flag and defend it against all challengers, in the ether of the internet.
One of my favorite things about this forum is to see new guys come on here and be bowled over by the amount of hard-earned knowledge, and thoughtful advice that is offered. The best ones to me are the occasional deployed serviceman, wanting to make a knife in the rough during a deployment. The true integrity of our community can be seen and felt in those threads, and it is notable that the same bunch of guys always offer their help to those individuals. As long as that dosen't change I will probably keep coming. When those guys leave I suspect I won't be long for the door myself.

 

[Matthew Gregory]

...I have seen the ugly inside of this business, and others, for too many years for you to convince me otherwise. I have seen too many gentle, honorable souls with real talent and integrity trampled on by crowds running to adore obnoxious jerks who know no behavior or lie is too outrageous for those masses not to gobble it up.

I think you already know where I fall in this regard, Kev... we're passengers in matching seats on the same train. The industry that I hail from is far more insidious and despicable than this one, and facts are a dead language that no one wishes to hear spoken, as it would require them to learn and understand rather than just consume.

I still think you're a good guy, my friend. But I also think we're both losers, even though we're winning!

 

[Patrice Lemée]

Double post

 

[Patrice Lemée]

Read all of this many times and I can't understand half of what you guys are saying?

For example:

I still think you're a good guy, my friend. But I also think we're both losers, even though we're winning!

That goes right over my head.

What is the point? Or points you guys are making?

 

[tryppyr]

The industry that I hail from is far more insidious and despicable than this one, and facts are a dead language that no one wishes to hear spoken, as it would require them to learn and understand rather than just consume.

I love the way you worded that! It can be applied to so many industries and situations.

Of course, I have no idea about the context of your usage... still, a fabulous turn of phrase.

 

[wnease]

One thing apparent from many of these posts and at least one of the recent ballyhoos is the difficulty in balancing free speech with civil discourse. Contradictory opinions I'm all for if it helps us get to the truth, or at least to the truth of one particular situation but...

...this is knifemaker discussion and non-knifemakers who are interested only in marketing a factory product should not be allowed to post their off-topic rhetoric. I like having non-makers here to ask questions and provide some experience as users or collectors but if they just want to cause trouble there are other forums for that. (I wanted to post that you-know-where but I refuse to extend that thread)

Also private messaging is used far too little; sometimes it's better to question people in private so they don't feel publicly challenged. Using a forum to point out someone's errors doesn't give them a chance to save face. It's just a way to make one feel superior. Once again I'm being critical of my own past behavior.

 

[Salem Straub]

Hey, the jig ain't up yet- I feel that we have a large crop of talent in this forum now. I don't know about the old days, but right now I can ask a question or get feedback on my work from guys like Don Hanson, Bruce Bump, Tai Goo, Kevin Cashen, Frank Niro, John White, etc. or get inspiration from the many other makers working hard to make a name and learn/try new things.

I understand completely the melancholy of change. It's the way of the world that things don't stay the same. Friends depart, ideas and attitudes shift, your halcyon days move on and become someone else's.

I, however enjoy and value this forum as it is, with the great people and talent that currently reside here. Let's not dog it too much.

 

[Patrice Lemée]

I, however enjoy and value this forum as it is, with the great people and talent that currently reside here. Let's not dog it too much.

Here here! :thumbup:

 

[Mike Davis]

I agree with Salem, If it wasn't for this forum....I would be a lost little puppy dog. I have questions i often need answered, and the search function is my best friend. But when it comes to honest feedback, This forum is one of the best resources us new makers have.

 

[Angus McGunnigl]

I really can't say enough about the helpfulness of people on this forum and how much great info is here.
I think the inetrnet has added a wall of anonymity(sp?) in discussions. I wonder if some of the "ballyhooing" would happen if folks were sitting in a room being able to observe each others body language, tone and facial expressions.

 

[Rick Marchand]

I think the inetrnet has added a wall of anonymity(sp?) in discussions. I wonder if some of the "ballyhooing" would happen if folks were sitting in a room being able to observe each others body language, tone and facial expressions.

That about sums it up for me. I type like I speak and offer the same courtesy as if the person was sitting right in front of me. I read many conversations on these boards that clearly wouldn't sink to such depths if they were held face to face. A normal person wouldn't call someone a troll to their face or throw out half the insults I see here. It kinda reminds me of "road rage" syndrome.... just don't step out of the car, or it becomes REAL.

Rick

 

[james terrio]

I really can't say enough about the helpfulness of people on this forum and how much great info is here.
I think the inetrnet has added a wall of anonymity(sp?) in discussions. I wonder if some of the "ballyhooing" would happen if folks were sitting in a room being able to observe each others body language, tone and facial expressions.

As to your first point, I completely agree. If it weren't for this forum I would be very much in the dark. The willingness of professionals and knowledgable hobbyists alike to share their experience has changed my personal learning curve from decades to months.

As to anonymity, I also agree. Sure it would be better if we could all meet around a table, no question. But it's also great that we don't have to all be in the same place at the same time to share ideas.

But there's another "face" to the anonymity thing; a few will always use that as an excuse to not back up what they have to say. Frankly, I automatically take posts signed "insert-made-up-keyboard-commando-name-here", and those whose profiles are locked or empty, with a very large grain of salt.

There are many reasons a person might want to use a psuedonym and maintain their privacy, and I respect that. When I first came to BF I used the nick GibsonFan because I only stumbled across this site looking for info on re-furbing my old Buck 110 and who cares who I am, anyway? Not too long after that, after getting sucked into this addiction of modding, customizing and making knives, I started using my real name. I stand behind what I say with my actual name and reputation (as humble as it is) on the line for all to see. I've made mistakes, been proven wrong, and stuck my foot in my mouth many times, and I learned something from it every time.