I spent 23 years in a very macho, male oriented world of flying military aircraft. I worked with a lot of smart guys – literally rocket scientists with the college degrees to prove it. We flew all over the world and were part of a lot of the worlds “hot spots”.

Every once in awhile, somebody would come along, that while a genius in what he knew and what he could do, had the social manners of a baboon and had zero ability to be part of a team. Whatever the topic - their way was right and they knew more than the others (and most times they really did), but they figured that gave them the right to be abrasive, condescending and act in a superior manner towards everybody else. A lot of times these guys would gather a small following that soon started to emulate their “hero”. There was something in the psyche of these guys; something missing that made them want to play that way with others.

Eventually they’d go too far and one of the senior guys would have to step in and expose these guys for what they were to get the team back on target. It would usually be an ugly scene, with the offender either changing his tune or disappearing down the road. Then there would be rumors, scuttlebutt, etc, while everybody got back on the track towards productivity and harmony.

Ain’t no different here…

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Old age and treachery will win every time over youth and enthusiasm.

"You can never have too many Tele's." A quote from my Sweetwater Sales Engineer

Thanks so much for the kudos. Unfortunately, the factor in play here (and I can't speak for Gil because I am not as familiar with him as I am the others) is that we are a tad more 'seasoned' and have done a few more miles in our shoes, so to speak. We've a lot more to look back over our shoulders at, can distinguish between s--t and shinola, thus avoiding stepping in it.

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"Another day in paradise!"

[quote="RickyD"]


Interesting anecdote, for sure. It's the human factor, seen in a host of varying social situations. I see it in even in the structure of the membership communities I live in. Some people need to be the center of attraction, need to know the manager, need to sit at the best table,.....the bottom line. I call it "back to high school syndrome'. Just look at the way culture kisses up to celebrity, our industry in particular.

In reality, it's a reflection of the stratification of the social order, between the haves and the have nots, and the acquistion of power and control to the benefit of one's own purpose, or the need to associate with that powerbase, to connect to it, and acquire it by proxy, even though one does not actually have outright ownership of it.

Keep that in mind when someone you know, ever yourself perhaps, has a heart attack when a sport team loses a game.

"The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings.":wink:

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"Another day in paradise!"

Hi Ricky: since we're airing this stuff... I gave a lot of thought to what you wrote about bullying on the SlapChop/StrayCat thread, and to what you've said here. Also to something ClaudeGallicHand said the other day about this Forum having a hierarchy like any other human society.

I majorly dislike bullies, back in high school and decades later to this day. So I take what you say very seriously.

One bit I couldn't quite square with what happened was what you've said about bullies having their little band of followers, which certainly rings true in other scenarios. Maybe I'm not seeing what's right in front of my face but I don't notice that going on round here. In fact, I was very relieved to see THAT thread didn't fill up with supporters of either party taking their side - it made me hope that most like me were just dismayed it was happening.

As to hierarchy: there's always going to be some voices louder than others ( ). But part of what I like here is that "authority" is fairly minimal. People are nearly always just rated on the content of their posts - or am I again missing what's right in front of me?

My own little anecdote: as it happens my very first exchange with SlapChop was a (for me) rather tart retort to something he said in one of his earliest posts about how long-term members could never be wrong about something. I said it wasn't who had been here how long that counted, but his sarcastic tone that wasn't appreciated.

For the record, I went on to very much enjoy SlapChop's contribution and miss him - if not the way he sometimes expressed himself...

Anyway. Tell me what I'm not seeing.

Cheers - C

Hey Ceri,

I really don't see a bunch of blind followers here and I am very glad to see that. A lot of times what will happen is guys will gravitate towards these bullyish types of personalities and defend them. You're right - it didn't really happen here, but I'm guessing that we who post are really a small minority of folks who read here and have opinions.

I very much enjoyed reading SlapChop when he wasn't on his high horse, his knowledge was above most. But like a cancer - the 10% that was bad kills the 90% that's good. I’m just not the type to defend the 90% part when the 10% part is unnecessary and deliberate. So I don’t miss him. And I won’t. Not a smidgen. No matter how smart he is/was.

I’m new to this forum and fairly new to the world of guitars as a whole, even though I’ve stood on the sidelines for over 40 years. So maybe I haven’t earned the privilege to call out members here who are rude and abrasive. If you remember, my very first post was a general calling out to some folks who had gone overboard with some VinnyPop nonsense. I even spoke of internet “bullies” then. You were one of the first to reply and welcome me, even saying “Some would think that a risky first post. But a good one! Fine points, well made. Look forward to hearing more from you!”

I dunno – maybe I’m out of line for calling a foul a foul. And if I am, I’ll take my hits like a big boy, learn my lessons and go on about my business. But I won’t take my ball and bat and go home. I’ll stay here and learn to be a better member of the community.

So I guess I’ll keep making the risky posts when somebody gets out of line and call them for who they really are. We are a little community here – even if it’s a little community that spreads to the corners of the earth. So yeah, there are leaders, followers, troublemakers, trolls and every type of personality that goes on in any community. But whatever the community, someone has to make a tough call once in a while when things stray too far from where they need to be.

Anyway - just my views on how people need to behave towards each other.

What I’m really waiting for is a new build thread from you!

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Old age and treachery will win every time over youth and enthusiasm.

"You can never have too many Tele's." A quote from my Sweetwater Sales Engineer

Ah man do I remember that post where Slapchop said the oldtimers are always right. It was me he was talking of.

Ricky I was involved in that vinnypop business, for that I apologize. When the comment came up up wasnt long before I removed my participation in the thread.
What we do seem to forget on this site is that its just words on a screen. You cant please all of the people all of the time, but you can be yourself. Thats what attracted me to this forum in the first place. When I first joined there were people of varying tastes in both music and guitars. All posting in a uninhibited manner about their likes. There was little berating of peoples tastes.

All i guess older posters can do is lead by example.

That's how I operate around here. It only takes a couple posts to figure out where I guy is in terms of Fender Guitar Expertise or Music Expertise in general. And of course you pick up how a guy relates to others pretty quickly.

Learning how to deal with this info is another thing ....

RE Gravity Jim: I usually agreed with what he said!

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

[quote="NICK'S ALIAS"]Ah man do I remember that post where Slapchop said the oldtimers are always right. It was me he was talking of.

Well he certainly wasn't talking about me. It took over fifty years for me to learn that I was reading the pickup selector switch the wrong way.

I once observed that there are a few things Eric Clapton does in his 'gig' that I can do also, but there's isn't anything I do in my 'gig' that he can do at all. It levels the playing field a bit and leaves room for improvment in this 67 year 'oldtimer.'

There's a galaxy full of stars in this Forum of ours, some shine a bit brighter than others due to their size and composition. but collectively shed a whole lotta light on an awesome subject.

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"Another day in paradise!"

zzdoc

+100!

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Old age and treachery will win every time over youth and enthusiasm.

"You can never have too many Tele's." A quote from my Sweetwater Sales Engineer