As an "outsider" to the world of "hardcore" swimming ...
Former Member
I swim a lot and really enjoy it. It's something I've done all of my life, growing up in Southern California, and it's my main form of exercise. I'm good at it, but I do it primarily for health and enjoyment.
I've noticed from lurking around this board for several years that there seems to be a very self-congratulatory, cliquish tone to many threads and posts. It seems like it's often a small group of people who post relentlessly, as if they are engaged in some sort of private conversation where they're trying to outdo each other.
Maybe I'm the only one who feels that way. Maybe that's part and parcel of the world of "hardcore" competitive swimmers. Or maybe it's because there wouldn't be anything else to talk about, unless there weren't a constant focus on who's the "best" at this or that.
A race is something that happens once in a while, whereas a lifetime of swimming lasts, well, a lifetime. Yes, it's great to break a certain time in a certain race, but it's also great to have the self-discpline to keep at a daily swimming program and work on improving one's technique and endurance. Both are valid, and, to my mind, neither is more worthy of praise than the other.
Jim Thornton, if I recall correctly, noted a while ago that there were a lot of people lurking around the board and not really participating. If that is the case, I would propose that may be due to the general off-putting tone of things on here. (I won't give examples at this point, although I could.)
Not that I'm the expert on message boards, but, the ones I visit require a decent amount of thick skin, most of the time. I haven't been on any where posters are delicately answering questions without any sarcasm or humor. The original poster's tone was condemning in his initial post and that invited the same kind of response. Part of the way you get to be "an insider" (if there really is such a thing) is by bantering back and forth and being able to take a little ribbing (or at least argue back)!
You got beat up a lot in grade school, I'd put money on it.
Spoken like the voice of experience.
There are a lot of wonderful people on this forum that are very welcoming to newbies. If people want to swim for fitnesss or compete, everyone is welcomed.
If you think people are this forum are rude, go look at some other swimming forums. That will redefine rude. The moderators do a good job of not letting these forums get too personal(trust me here) But when someone comes in making statements that come across as challenging or less than informed about the sport we love, people will challenge them about their comments. Maybe they do come across as rude, but when someone makes a "HTT" :angel: statement, forumites aren't going to drop to their knees and bow to the poster.:bow:
Even the regulars disagree with each other on posts. Doesn't mean we are being rude or that we dislike each other, but we are defending our opinions.
If Stud and Geek haven't run everyone off by now, then it shows we all can enjoy the forum, despite these two. :bump:
Probably not, but since he's coming in telling us how much the place sucks do you expect us to drop by his house with a plate of cookies?
Well, if there are laxatives in the cookies, they could be dropped off for him.
By now it's possible to map the progress of this thread: provocative introductory statement & question; pushback with mocking jollity; provocative restatement drawing on mockery as evidence; accelerating meta-mockery culminating in a cloud of haze(ing).
Perhaps this thread has run its course. It seems pretty clear that Mssrs. Tom and Heather do not like the rhetorical atmosphere on this forum. Likewise it is also clear that the home crowd likes it just fine.
From my perspective, I will say that I have gotten a great deal out of the forum, but have very little personal connection to anybody on it. I met Anna Lea Roof (now Matsyek) and Jim Matsyek at a meet, but's that's pretty much it.
Admittedly, I did get a few posts removed for extra-aquatic commentary during the whole Obama Big Shoulders tee-shirt controversy, so maybe I'm tempermentally a little more of a jouster than some. I like the back and forth, though a fair amount of it sails over my head since I am still somewhat new to Masters and the forum.
But plainly, persuasion is not occurring.
Motion for adjournment.
Second?
Admittedly, I did get a few posts removed for extra-aquatic commentary during the whole Obama Big Shoulders tee-shirt controversy, so maybe I'm tempermentally a little more of a jouster than some. I like the back and forth, though a fair amount of it sails over my head since I am still somewhat new to Masters and the forum.
i consider post removal a right of passage. congrats.
Heck, I'll third that sucker. Let's go get a beer!!!!!!
Wolf,
I will see your third and raise you a fifth to go along with your beer and some shots of shine
Wolf & Wookie: I am so there. Barkeep, a round for the house! Thornton's buying.
:chug:
Chaos, thanks for the rite of passage concept--I like that!
Anna Lea, sorry I mangled "Matysek." And nice emoticon sculpture, or whatever you'd call that...
Allen,
This very thread shows just how wrong you are about being rude. Some of the posters have been blatant and unapologetic with their rudeness.
Challenging a new member of the DF to post something meaningful hardly creates a welcoming atmosphere.
Mocking his observations or questions with snide remarks and insinuations is not really what the reasonable person would perceive as friendly.
Referring to someone who is lurking as something less than equal is far less than fair.
Gee folks, how about a little introspection? Does anyone read their posts before they punch the send button? It is hard to believe the acid that is posted sometimes.
The DF is not a place for alienating behavior, but the perpetrators do not believe that is the result of their actions. I am a lightning rod for some posters' wrath and they see my posts a a wet blanket, or worse, a parent's admonition. I am frankly shocked that I didn't get the "Holier than thou" handle hung on me long ago. Or maybe I did.
These forums are intended to help educate those looking for swimming knowledge by putting new members with questions together with a large pool (pun not intended, but accepted) of coaches and swimmers who want to share their experience for the good of the sport. It's that simple. Can't we all just get along?
Sounds like BS to me...
