Sorry you feel that way - some threads can bring out the worst in people. However I might liken your experience to visiting Florence and shopping at the WalMart there. You're not focusing on what can matter, but you got hooked... I don't mean to be condescending when I say this, so I apologize for my lack of vocabulary to express myself, but more self control might be needed from time to time. I might be one of the worst examples of this, scan through my post history and you'll see some pretty dumb sh#t.
I put up a few threads recently, they are kinda dorky but at least climbing related. People seemed genuinely happy about life in them, too - and one has climbing pictures!
He posted some annoying stuff when he first showed up, but maturity coupled with a learning curve has prevailed and I've read some quality words written by him lately.
I too probably fall into this category, less the climbing content(damn you ACL).
But, if you're going to fly off the handle about guns, on either side of the spectrum, prepare to get harassed mercilessly.
You show your hand as young and brash. While those are good qualities to have, they don't apply as well to the Internet.
So here I am again. Why? Because in between all the bullshit there are a few morsels of useful information. Yeah, it's the boobs thread. Actually, it's more like: "What I've learned about me ('cause, you know, it's all about me): I'm an asshoel. 'cause I left. Then I came back. Etc, etc, ect.
Useful information from this site (and others):
1. Routes, beta, closures and whatnot
2. How-tos on technique, gear comparison, and recommendations
3. Half a dozen of you are helpful. The rest (including myself) are prone to spraying personal opinions, drama, and general crap.
4. Nobody gives a crap what I think, say, or do. 'cause I"m not famous like lots of other people here, or even like Snooky (which would actually give my opinions more weight than being a famous climber, regarding climbing matters especially.
5. Guns rock. Guns suck. I've got some. Maybe you don't. It's a personal choice and it's going to stay that way. They're going to ban some. They're going to leave us some. Get over it.
6. Bolts rock. Bolts suck. I've got some. Maybe you don't. It's a personal choice and it's going to stay that way. They're banned in some places. They're unethical in many places. They are the cause of more wars and discontent than guns. Guns don't start wars. Bolts do. Get over it.
7. You've got way too much time on your hands if you're reading this. Other people are out climbing. They're using bolt guns over there to place their bolts. It's a war zone, don't you know? Get a gun! Protect yer bolts!
Who am I? I'm nobody. Just another asshoel with a late-blooming interest in climbing who got lured into this site by the accidental and erroneous belief that climbers had some special juju that made them more compassionate and welcoming than the rest of our general population. Oops... my bad. Hell, y'all can't so much as decide on whether it's ethical to climb with rubber souls!
So here's how it is for me now:
1. I'll be around, lurking. Post a question here and there for technical advice.
2. No more politics, guns, religion, or much in the way of personal opinions from me. It's all bullsh#t. My opinion means dick. So does yours.
3. I'm taking my dog to the crag.
4. I'm taking my gun to the crag.
5. I'm taking my crying baby to the crag, or at least a boombox.
6. I'll have the crag all to my lonesom. See 3, 4, and 5 above.
7. Crags suck. There are other climbers there. They have beta and opinions.
8. People suck. They go climbing. Then they fcuk it up by bolting, chopping, bitching about it. They forget how to enjoy life, and think of themselves as generous, prophetic, godly, and humble... all the while judging everything around them and shunning the new guy like the plague. Then they advise him (or her) to find a mentor. Really? Step up. Be it.
9. Climbers are people. See 8 above.
10. I'm not even up to "climber" status. I'm just a people. See 8 above.
So yeah, when you see some dipshit with a screaming kid, Cujo, and a 12gauge stick-clip wearing a full-on aid rack down at yer local 5.4 top-rope, that'd be me, looking to pin up some hard times with soft iron and a mean beer-mosa.
You spelled as#@&%e asshoel, I thought that was funny. As to the OP yeah the shopping at walmart in Florence seems like your general MO & a hilarious analogy I like Gdavis & Brandon's posts. I looked at your posts & you have posted on some climbing threads- It's not too late, just start reading and posting on climbing threads more often, contribute to positive conversations when possible, ask the thousands of years of combined climbing experience on this site some questions, I don't think there's anywhere on earth with the collective climbing related experience & resources as the members of the forum. If you pay attention you might learn something. There are options for other discussions too, like the ones you must have found. Clicking on these are not for everyone & doing so is making a bed for yourself that you will have to sleep in at some point.
like most I'm a Hypocrite as well and say dumb sh#t here all the time but its hardly worth a tantrum look at me ploy like this. Go climbing, take some photos, write a little TR. I think you will be surprised at the positivity you may encounter. If you act like an asshoel people will treat you like an asshoel. Good luck out there
the accidental and erroneous belief that climbers had some special juju that made them more compassionate and welcoming than the rest of our general population
nope, just people.
Hello, it's me
I've thought about us for a long, long time
Maybe I think too much but something's wrong
There's something here that doesn't last too long...
I'll come around to see you once in a while
Or if I ever need a reason to smile (Todd Rungren)
I can't encourage you to stick around. The general tone of Supertopo has dropped to the level of a snotty 8th grader. Bullies predominate, and there is a common theme of cowardice- Rather than think and discuss ideas in a respectful manner, many choose to snipe and then run and hide, glorying in their chicanery. Ho Ho Ho--I sure put that guy down--Ho Ho Ho.
This results in a thinning out of people like yourselves who certainly have better things to do than be shouted down. The end result is a higher concentration of rude people and an increase in their tactics.
A good example is the first person who responded--It should be interesting to see if he has the back bone to apologize.
"I can't encourage you to stick around. The general tone of Supertopo has dropped to the level of a snotty 8th grader. Bullies predominate, and there is a common theme of cowardice- Rather than think and discuss ideas in a respectful manner, many choose to snipe and then run and hide, glorying in their chicanery. Ho Ho Ho--I sure put that guy down--Ho Ho Ho. This results in a thinning out of people like yourselves who certainly have better things to do than be shouted down. The end result is a higher concentration of rude people and an increase in their tactics."
Bingo.
I came here thinking this was THE place. Now, I,m just another disillusioned couch rat that cant tell the difference between dye and die, ore an apostrophe and a coma. Maybe I should invest more time in an english grammar class and a dictionary so i dont offend y,all with such blatant abuse of the subjunctive.
I would go climbing if I only had $150/hour, a partner, or a bag of weed to entice some sucker to belay.
Yeah, it all takes time. Mine is mostly spent working, and most people seem to think there,s a screw loose in my head, so I,ve pretty much given up on meeting people here.
Try to look at this thread more as a "Here,s why I don,t give a sh#t about your ethics anymore" thread, as opposed to a "look at me" thread. Maybe it can answer part of the "why in god,s name would anyone do that?" kind of question.
The general tone of Supertopo has dropped to the level of a snotty 8th grader. Bullies predominate, and there is a common theme of cowardice- Rather than think and discuss ideas in a respectful manner, many choose to snipe and then run and hide, glorying in their chicanery. Ho Ho Ho--I sure put that guy down--Ho Ho Ho.
I hate to be the one to break it to you hobo and hillrat, but this is not even close to new around here. All the childishness has been here since I arrived, but that was only 2006. So I guess back in the good ol' days in 2002 when some threads were getting like, 3 posts, it was more civil.
There's a lot more folks here now, which means even more kids and arseholes.
But the greatness hasn't disappeared either. Witness the Baffin, Patagonia first ascent type threads. Also the historical threads with FA guys participating, like Jello on Metanoia, Alpinista 55 on the AK Range, The current Widows Tears thread with Chapman and Worral both.
Don't be a baby, just pick through to the stuff you like and help keep the golden yummies bumped as much as you can. You CAN make a difference!
The snotty bratty pseudo-hostile put-on attitude here is what keeps me coming back. It's pretty much one big joke, and is entirely reflective of the climbing culture I've spent the last 40 years relishing. If this place ever turns into a nancyboy ball-cuppling tea party, I'm gone.
I left. I came back. I'm a flip flopper. I found the 12gauge stick-clip. That's all I really need in life, and a belayer.
If you want to appreciate anything, let it be the fact that I'm just too busy trying to make a living to actually show up at the better-known areas in this outfit. I simply don't fit your typical climber's conventional m.o. So to hell with it.
Stick around Hillrat. You'll fit in well here ;) just don't take anything too seriously and you'll be fine. This place takes a thick skin just like the real world..
I'd tie in with a lot of the folks on this thread. And don't worry about saying goodby and then coming back, I think Donini does it every time he goes to Patagonia.
Then he comes back with great stories and photos....
Like the pic you just posted of a full rack and a 12 ga. Bet yer partner wasn't giving you any lip that day!
"GIT YER ASS UP THERE NANCYBOY YER LEADING THE OFFWIDTH"
Hey Larry,
I'm a carpenter. I'm fine with swinging a hammer, being dirty, and working all day. Im ok with being scared. I'm not an aid climber. How would that translate to climbing mud? My gut (it's large) tells me that I'm well suited for it.
Say my gut sticks out two inches, will this hinder my upward progress, i.e, will it push me off the steep stuff? I can suck it in, but it gives me gas when I do it.
Let us know!