Truth in Advertising and Crying Wolf
I sort of zoned out of this forum for several months because of the declining quality of questions and answers, and the apparent seizure of most topics by the social-chatteraly inclined. I accidentally stumbled across a trend, though, that I find interesting and (the votes are still being tabulated) either disturbing or amusing.
I’m referring to the pattern of threats to leave Knots if the contributor’s feelings get hurt. The threatener says something to the effect of, “I’m leaving, never to return!” The threatenees, or at least the more socially inclined of them, say, “Oh no! Your presence is too valuable to be missed.” Next thing you know, the, threatener is back without an explanation of why he or she essentially lied when he or she vowed never to return.
To those whose feelings are easily bruised: Wouldn’t be more honest to post something along the lines of, “I’m feeling very hurt and unwanted right now. Will someone please reassure me that I’m a nice human being?” There appears to be no end of to the number of elementary-ed majors and other correspondents to the present incarnation of Knots who would drop everything to utter kind words.
For crying out loud, people! Did none of you ever get shouted at by a Drill Instructor? Or Joe Fusco? Joe can be ten times as abrasive as Clem and Mario put together, but he’s contributed a hundred times more to my woodworking knowledge than any of the wolf-criers
No animals were harmed in the preparation of this screed.
Don Brown
Edited 7/8/2002 6:26:59 PM ET by Donald C. Brown
Replies
Oh, just shove it Donald, where the sun doesn't shine. Note lack of smiley, or grin, or sad face, or whatever emoticon. Now, I think it's time to go and try to pish off somebody else. Slainte, RJ.
Sgian,
Boo, hoo. (:&)>
Yah, boo, sucks.
<G>
Slainte, RJ.RJFurniture
Sgian,
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Don,
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Clearly, this Fusco is an imposter, the sweetness dripping off this guy is worlds away from the Long Island Lunatic we know and love.
Actually, this place is a bit sweet these days, we can't even swear. I never thought I'd see the day a flame war was a good idea, so...
Who wants a go at me?
LeeLee Grindinger
Furniture Carver
Lee,
View Image
Edited 7/8/2002 9:20:32 PM ET by J Fusco
Lee,
You know, I've always considered you a very handsome man . . .
Rich-
Now, now, that sort of thing can be carried on off-line. But, come to think of it, you are kind of stunning in just the right light.
Don
See,
What I really think this forum needs is a REAL tough moderator. A no-nonsense guy. With a firm-set jaw. Steely eyes. Says very little, but has a wordly-wise look. He's seen it all. Done everything. Can make a bandsaw's wheels jump into alignment by just looking disapprovingly at it.
Big forearms. Red flannel plaid shirt, rolled up his arms. Suspenders. Permanently caloused hands, chipped nails. Strong hands - from working wood all his life. Can rip 8/4 lumber all day or carve delicate detail in mahogany. That chisel wouldn't dare go anywhere but perfectly along the curve.
Wake him up at 2 am, put a natural-bristle brush in his hands and he can put down a flawless varnish coat on an entire set of kitchen cabinets, inside and out - no sags.
Chews seegars. Spits from time to time. But his grandkids love him. And he loves to have them in the shop.
Now this guy would watch ALL the messages here. NO message would get posted without his scrutiny. He'd decide the category into which the message gets posted, no matter what the poster intended. "REAL" woodworking questions and responses stay in their own bins. Then there would be "Affirmations," "Feelgoods" and "Oooh -oooh, oooh, I know the answer to that one, teacher!"
There would also be a C*R*A*P category. (Notice how I cleverly avoided the naughty word police). Messages like this one would go in the C*R*A*P category.
Insert *&^%(@#$ smiley here
Rich
Gosh Rich, have we met? You described me perfectly!! (well...except the grandfather bit...big forearms, well not really, and my bandsaw is still giving me fits...ok, so it doesn't fit me at all...dang!).
I guess I'll turn on that full moderation button that means that I have to approve every message that gets posted! Wow, that would be fun. NOT!
Joe, it is good to see you back.
Tim
____________Tim SamsAssociate Editor, Fine WoodworkingKnots Moderator
Edited 7/9/2002 10:17:32 AM ET by Tim Sams
Okay, okay..you can stop snowing I get the drift..I'll ask my wife to join....
Don, Richard, Lee and Joe in a group hug...there are all kinds of ways to be annoyingly sweet, you know. Next thing, you'll be telling us which movies make you cry.
Tim, back to work. Don't make Helen come over there.
I got a henna tattoo and suddenly i can lift large objects with ease. I'm thinking about getting the real thing before i order 16' sheets of drywall for the new shop ceiling. If i get through the needle thing, perhaps i could apply for the moderator job?
Movies that make me cry . . .
Well, I've always been partial to "Wise Guys." Joe Pesce's character always brings a tear to my eye. He reminds me so much of my Uncle Bill. He was such a sweet guy. (Sniff)
Then there's "Terminator" and "Terminator II" . . .
Oh, but enough about me, I'm monopolizing the conversation . . .
Rich
Didn't someone once say "Vengence is sweet". I think someone else said "Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it".
Tatoo, where.Steve - in Northern California
Hey Splintie, Be careful of tatoos. their addictive. I have six. The latest is a crucifix 10 inches long by 4 inches across on the outside of my right fore arm. Make sure your artist uses NEW needles for each client and has an autoclave. Good luck Rick W.
Please warn me ahead of time if you guys are going to start discussing dress sizes and show colors....I will need a bit of time to find my barf-bag.
Well, I guess there's always the "I got a stiff one" thread.
View Image". . .and only the stump or fishy part of him remained."
Green Gables: A Contemplative Companion to Fujino Township
"Clearly, this Fusco is an imposter, the sweetness dripping off this guy is worlds away from the Long Island Lunatic we know and love."
He must be one of "THOSE" New Yorker's passing through my town, ruining our 7-11, on their way to the Hamptons, then a true Long Islander.
GTF
there is the 'ignore' button... you can utilize it to create your own personal blacklist. I am sure that in time you will narrow down your viewable messages to only those where the poster meets your obviously high standards on content and personal conduct. It would be your own club, you would be the leader.
An alternative to the blacklist method, which is time consuming, would be to start your own discussion forum and apply the level of moderation that you feel is necessary to deliver thought provoking insight on the tools and techniques for woodworking. Perhaps you should consider instituting an application process to ensure that people who contribute to the forum are qualified, in your view, to do so. Personal references should not be overlooked in this process, you can't be too casual about this. Eventually, your forum would contain the known universe of content on the subject and you could just turn off posting... I mean, it's woodworking, not protein research!
I, for one, fully support you in either endeavor as I just hate to see your precious time wasted by people who obviously aren't as tough as you, nor do they know as much as you do.
cheers!
Hi Don, You're right I did lie. The alternative was to come back as somebody else. I tried that but I had a personal problem with that lie also. I decided that it would be more admirable to face the music.
So Don, while I have your ear, can you explain to me what the significance of 0.6 is ?
Steve - in Northern California
Great! So welcome back to both.
Some folks is all work and no play. Some search for hidden meanings. Still others would benefit by growing a set of duck feathers.
There ain't no mistake that I have made that everyone else hasn't made twice.I don't know this emoticon stuff but you know what I mean.
Dave
Edited 7/9/2002 4:27:21 PM ET by none
Gentlemen
Before anything let me tell you that my feelings bruise easelly, that taken care of, let me proceed to say that I'm just another woodworker wanna be and pretend to leave it at that (since I'm not that good and starvation is NOT an option) let me tell you that I've learned a lot from you all but never thought that I would find such displays of humor as the ones on this thread, that said let me just thank Don for starting this very uplifting thread and to say that if you are ever in Orlando Florida please don't look me up cause you all scare me ;)
Sergio
"Portugee" woodbutcher living in Orlando Fl.
Edited 7/12/2002 9:03:25 PM ET by SCIPRIANO
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