What has changed - or is it me????

[TheGame]

I'm afraid I stopped posting my usual threads because I received a friendly e-mail advising me not to post threads that were off topic. I must be honest and admit that I find this direction confusing, nearly all my threads included some info on wild edibles, obtaining fatwood or starting fires I took this to be relevent info ?

Well, whoever sent that isn't cool. Your threads were some of my favorite in this area.

I have noticed a lack of threads I am completely interested in, lately, though. Not 100% sure why, but I just am not interested in a lot of them. I have also noticed a lack of older members making new threads.. which were usually the best threads, in my opinion.

 

[Dinkum]

The number of viewers has been on the rise, meaning when you first get to BF you see how many people are 'in' a certain forum. WSS has had a fair bit of traffic when compared to the other subforums, including W&C.

I too admit there has been very little of interest to me in here for a while, its been a long time since I settled into the chair for an extended read of any one topic.

 

[baldtaco-II]

Dunno if anything in particular has sparked this off. I've not been here for a few days but I think it is a safe bet that something has. I'm sure I'll come across it if there has so no clues please. Although that does mean the below might be missing a particular point, but I shall speak generally anyway.

I like the arguments. I like debate. The more robust the better. Few things bring me as much joy as watching a pair of skilled fellows going at it hammer and tongs. I take great pleasure in watching an artist at work, and hey, I might just learn something. Obviously that doesn't include people with the apparently unique intention of hurting the feelings of others, nor people who feign hurt feelings in an attempt to secure some high ground. To me both those camps are just cheap. But if someone gets their feelings hurt just as an accidental and sometimes unavoidable byproduct of being out debated, demonstrated wrong, or just plain embarrassed then ho-hum; man-up weakling.

In fact, few things irk me as much on this site as when a good debate is going and someone prematurely appoints themselves netcop and chimes in with some lame phrase about “pissing contests”. That usually goes hand in hand with some mealy mouthed “each to their own” and “use what makes you happy”. That insipid crap is usually of no relevance at all to a contributors original question. I believe flaccid netcop interventions like that are exactly the kind of limp stuff that would make a forum no more than a club of similarly minded picnic persons just eager to show off their latest purchases / creations. It's a kind of comfy “pass the jelly and ice cream” that people collect at just to know they're not alone, not to be challenged and learn something. That makes me recoil.

I shall not post on this again but I believe Esav and Joe and the others when they are here are doing a splendid job with the ship on its current course. There's a great deal of rubbish and pointless off-topic tripe initiated on this forum. The fact they for the most part address that quite efficiently whilst not stifling the more robust conversations that some fight shy of is great.

Anyway, shushing now but remember; apathy is not the same as withdrawal in disgust.

 

[kgd]

In fact, few things irk me as much on this site as when a good debate is going and someone prematurely appoints themselves netcop and chimes in with some lame phrase about “pissing contests”. That usually goes hand in hand with some mealy mouthed “each to their own” and “use what makes you happy”. That insipid crap is usually of no relevance at all to a contributors original question. I believe flaccid netcop interventions like that are exactly the kind of limp stuff that would make a forum no more than a club of similarly minded picnic persons just eager to show off their latest purchases / creations. It's a kind of comfy “pass the jelly and ice cream” that people collect at just to know they're not alone, not to be challenged and learn something. That makes me recoil.

It shouldn't always Baldtaco...Often times there are middle grounds and two antagonists are locked in their overly narrow perceptions. Flaccid netcops are supposed to do exactly as their name implies, with logic diffuse the situation. Afterall, the opposite of a flaccid netcop is a prick is it not?

 

[baldtaco-II]

It shouldn't always Baldtaco...Often times there are middle grounds and two antagonists are locked in their overly narrow perceptions. Flaccid netcops are supposed to do exactly as their name implies, with logic diffuse the situation. Afterall, the opposite of a flaccid netcop is a prick is it not?

My interpretation of that is "throw in a clown to diffuse tension". As for part B] perhaps, but with a deserving sense of pride some others can only aspire to. ;-)

Out now. Really.

 

[tholiver]

I'm afraid I stopped posting my usual threads because I received a friendly e-mail advising me not to post threads that were off topic. I must be honest and admit that I find this direction confusing, nearly all my threads included some info on wild edibles, obtaining fatwood or starting fires I took this to be relevent info ?

Well that really s*cks.
I've always enjoyed your threads!
Informative and with good visuals.
All that splendid greenery and scenery has helped me get through some nasty winters!

 

[tholiver]

I think most people here can passionately disagree on something without succumbing to rude behavior.
The real problem are the people who are so inflexible in their thinking that they resort to insulting those with whom they disagree.

Personally i think i've learned as much from threads that have strayed off topic as i have from those that rigidly conform to a topic.
Sometimes some veering off-topic leads to new ideas and knowledge and leads to topics that can also be expanded in new threads.
As long as a person is civil and respectful of others and the thread content has at least something to do with wilderness/outdoors related things then i don't really see a problem.
IMHO A little meandering never hurts.
lol!

 

[Esav Benyamin]

A little meandering never hurts. There is a big difference between off-topic, which just doesn't belong in W&SS, and thread drift, which is one good topic leading to another.

Even off-topic is OK, like when a regular here posts to introduce a new hiking buddy. Pics of the new baby are mandatory!

 

[koyote]

I think some of it is the season, some of it is the dynamics being affected by a few less regular posting members doing their schtick (and maybe one or two members posting when in a bad mood more often)

Some of it, I think, really is the overall economy/politics/stuff going on. It affects people.

There's a lot more "My WAY" and less "Exploring new stuff with a coffee can" going on lately- but I think that's going to take care of itself.

 

[Kiah]

(and maybe one or two members posting when in a bad mood more often)

This has been an issue for me and probably one of the reasons I've stayed somewhat clear of my favorite forum lately. Just been in a generally argumentative mindset the past few months. Stress and the heat I suppose. Fall's starting to show up, so I'm starting to feel better.

and less "Exploring new stuff with a coffee can" going on lately- but I think that's going to take care of itself.

Now that's off-topic.

 

[Big Mike]

I think some of it is the season, some of it is the dynamics being affected by a few less regular posting members doing their schtick (and maybe one or two members posting when in a bad mood more often)

Some of it, I think, really is the overall economy/politics/stuff going on. It affects people.

There's a lot more "My WAY" and less "Exploring new stuff with a coffee can" going on lately- but I think that's going to take care of itself.

Ditto what Christof said.

A lot of us are busy this time of year, plus there’s a lot going on overall.

I expect things will normalize in time.

Heavy handed moderating, and stopping the regulars from posting good stuff, is not the answer.





Big Mike

”Scaring the tree huggers.”

Forest & Stream

 

[koyote]

Now that's off-topic. [/QUOTE]

Dude! give me a hand drill, an awl, some tin snips and a file, a BIG pile of coffee cans and I can probably eventually build nearly anything people use for backpacking! Stoves (wood, alcohol, deisel/kero atomized drip), pots, kettles, percolators, pressure espresso pots (need some bike tube scraps for that)- Oh man. Coffee cans!!!!!

Okay, I'm going there.

 

[Kiah]

Dude! give me a hand drill, an awl, some tin snips and a file, a BIG pile of coffee cans and I can probably eventually build nearly anything people use for backpacking! Stoves (wood, alcohol, deisel/kero atomized drip), pots, kettles, percolators, pressure espresso pots (need some bike tube scraps for that)- Oh man. Coffee cans!!!!!

Okay, I'm going there.

I know what you're saying. Do it myself (well, not espresso pots). Bad joke from a gutterbrain. Charlie Mike would get it.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Dude! give me a hand drill, an awl, some tin snips and a file, a BIG pile of coffee cans and I can probably eventually build nearly anything people use for backpacking! Stoves (wood, alcohol, deisel/kero atomized drip), pots, kettles, percolators, pressure espresso pots (need some bike tube scraps for that)- Oh man. Coffee cans!!!!!

A man was talking with one of he local Inuit, who were masters at making just about anything from oil drums. They watched as a big ship came in and the man joked if he could make one of those. The Inuit just asked, "How many oil drums you give me?"

 

[Kiah]

A man was talking with one of he local Inuit, who were masters at making just about anything from oil drums. They watched as a big ship came in and the man joked if he could make one of those. The Inuit just asked, "How many oil drums you give me?"

Oil drums are up there with duct tape. Every machine in my shop is mounted to a drum. Don't need no fancy schmancy tool stands. Fire pits in the yard, saw horses, exercise equipment, etc., etc.

I think I've took us off-topic.

 

[theonew]

I agree that I think there is just more general grouchiness around. Even if things haven't changed much for you in this economy, there is definitely more uncertainty about everyone's economic future. My wife used to hire assistants for her photo shoots, now to save money I often work with her, which means less weekend hiking time, which really bums me out :grumpy: I definitely feel like I get more quickly irritated and bothered by stupid petty things and can be much more argumentative. It's cyclical and will get better. Adding or modifying rules won't do much good I don't think. My favorite time of year to be outside is rapidly approaching and I already feel better

 

[OldPhysics]

I'm afraid I stopped posting my usual threads because I received a friendly e-mail advising me not to post threads that were off topic. I must be honest and admit that I find this direction confusing, nearly all my threads included some info on wild edibles, obtaining fatwood or starting fires I took this to be relevent info ?

I noticed.

I don't mean to whine, but I do miss them.

 

[mneedham]

I noticed.

I don't mean to whine, but I do miss them.

We all noticed.

 

[AeroNautiCal]

Kiah;...... I think I've took us off-topic.

Perhaps you were marching to the sound of a different drum!

 

[valcas1]

There has been a noticable shift here on the forum. Regulars not posting as much and content that i realy enjoy is missing. I love all photo threads, Pitdogs included. I also Like seeing knife designs from the makers.

The proverbial pissing matches I can work my way around. Just bring back the pictures and discussions like it was.

Paul