[meteorite-list] A Letter change title to "a shut in's life"

From: Mark Ferguson <mafer_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 10:28:28 2004
Message-ID: <001d01c392e1$b9bbdee0$6601a8c0_at_vs.shawcable.net>

Hi Bill

I myself, answer some questions, and do so often without replying through
the list. I will endevor to post those to the list in the future.
Mark
----- Original Message -----
From: <joseph_town_at_att.net>
To: "Tom aka James Knudson" <knudson911_at_frontiernet.net>
Cc: <meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2003 10:17 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] A Letter change title to "a shut in's life"


> Tom,
>
> I've noticed that as well. I havn't graphed it yet but I'd say that at
least
> 75% of all newbie questions, asked of the list, get blown off. But talk
about
> a muddy rock on ebay goes on for days! Where is the real concern? Genuine
> sharing is not always forthcoming for many obvious reasons.
>
> Bill Kieskowski
>
>
> > David, They say Americans do not get enough fiber in their diets, That
> > could be it, I am going to eat a bowl of Cheerios right now! : )
> > Thanks, Tom
> > Peregrineflier <><
> > The proudest member of the IMCA 6168
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: David Freeman <dfreeman_at_fascination.com>
> > To: Tom aka James Knudson <knudson911_at_frontiernet.net>
> > Cc: <mmorgan_at_mhmeteorites.com>; almitt <almitt@kconline.com>;
> > <meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com>
> > Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2003 8:23 PM
> > Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] A Letter change title to "a shut in's
life"
> >
> >
> > > Dear Tom, and List;
> > > It must be Mars proximity, the war, season's change, the world series.
> > > All crabby-appleton's, don't be such a bunch of shut in's and give the
> > > list and your emotions a break. Go for a walk even. Try more fiber in
> > > your diet, geese, what ever works for you, works for me.
> > > Encouragement to carry on "as is"! Hell, the stock market is
basically
> > > good, be happy.
> > > It MUST be five o'clock somewhere!
> > > Dave F. :-) :-) :-) ...hell, I just joined the AARP, I should be
> > > sad! Let's eat more oatmeal, every day.
> > >
> > > Tom aka James Knudson wrote:
> > >
> > > >Hello List, I happen to love the list, but I have noticed something.
If I
> > > >post something about ebay, I get A LOT of responses, some agreeing,
but
> > > >most telling me to stop posting things not pertaining to meteorites.
I
> > > >happen to think Ebay is a huge part of our hobby, but I will no
longer
> > post
> > > >anything about ebay for the good of the list.
> > > > But what I find funny, is when I do post something meteorite
related,
> > such
> > > >as a question, I am lucky to get a few responses, if any! So, what
is it
> > > >the list members want? I would bet all of the longest treads are
about
> > non
> > > >meteorite related subjects!
> > > >
> > > >Thanks, Tom
> > > >Peregrineflier <><
> > > >The proudest member of the IMCA 6168
> > > >
> > > >----- Original Message -----
> > > >From: Matt Morgan <mmorgan_at_mhmeteorites.com>
> > > >To: almitt <almitt_at_kconline.com>;
<meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com>
> > > >Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2003 5:51 PM
> > > >Subject: RE: [meteorite-list] A Letter From Blaine Reed
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >>There it is. Blaine said it for me.
> > > >>matt
> > > >>
> > > >>-----Original Message-----
> > > >>From: meteorite-list-admin_at_meteoritecentral.com
> > > >>[mailto:meteorite-list-admin_at_meteoritecentral.com]On Behalf Of
almitt
> > > >>Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2003 6:39 PM
> > > >>To: meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com
> > > >>Subject: [meteorite-list] A Letter From Blaine Reed
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>Hi list,
> > > >>
> > > >>Blaine has asked me to post a message he has been trying to get to
the
> > > >>
> > > >list
> > > >
> > > >>for two
> > > >>days in regards to the recent fighting. Since he has no internet
access
> > I
> > > >>have agreed
> > > >>to post his remarks. I am simply putting this on for him and
responses
> > can
> > > >>go to the
> > > >>list but I hope all this will die down now. Blaine in my opinion is
a
> > > >>
> > > >super
> > > >
> > > >>sharp guy
> > > >>and has a better feeling for the meteorite market than most people.
I
> > > >>
> > > >think
> > > >
> > > >>listening
> > > >>to his good advise is wise. All my best to everyone.
> > > >>
> > > >>--AL Mitterling
> > > >>
> > > >>From Blaine:
> > > >>
> > > >>ENOUGH ALREADY,
> > > >>
> > > >> All of these ridiculous threats, accusations and ego battles must
stop.
> > > >>They are
> > > >>destroying the hobby! Every time there is some kind of flare up on
the
> > > >>
> > > >list,
> > > >
> > > >>I get
> > > >>phone calls from collectors asking to be dropped from my customer
list
> > > >>
> > > >(and
> > > >
> > > >>from the
> > > >>number of long term collectors I no longer hear from I suspect many
more
> > > >>
> > > >are
> > > >
> > > >>taking a
> > > >>more passive route to the same ends). When I ask why, they have all
said
> > > >>
> > > >the
> > > >
> > > >>same
> > > >>thing; "I am no longer collecting meteorites". They tend to say that
it
> > is
> > > >>no longer
> > > >>fun or enjoyable. When pressed further, they have pointed to the
list
> > for
> > > >>their new
> > > >>found distaste of meteorites. While this may be well and fine for
some
> > of
> > > >>us, as often
> > > >>these people also want to liquidate their collections, it bodes the
> > > >>
> > > >decline
> > > >
> > > >>of the
> > > >>hobby. Let's look at this "hobby" thing. Some of you may find it
> > > >>distasteful that I'm
> > > >>putting meteorites in this realm. But, what is a hobby really about?
It
> > > >>generally is
> > > >>something (almost anything - mountain climbing and flying
ultra-lights
> > are
> > > >>
> > > >a
> > > >
> > > >>couple of
> > > >>mine) that brings relaxation or expands your mind to consider other
> > things
> > > >>(meteorites
> > > >>fit more into this aspect). Generally it is something that takes
your
> > mind
> > > >>off of the
> > > >>day to day troubles of the real world.
> > > >>
> > > >> Let us now consider how "the list" might be affecting this. The
average
> > > >>person has
> > > >>plenty to worry about; politics and headaches at work (or more
common
> > > >>lately, whether
> > > >>they'll even have a job next month), car troubles, problems with
some
> > > >>neighbors, their
> > > >>kids, schools, etc. Life these days is often fast paced and
difficult.
> > Now
> > > >>suppose our
> > > >>"average collector" comes home from a long difficult day at work and
> > finds
> > > >>plenty
> > > >>headaches (the car is damaged, junior is failing math, etc.) waiting
> > > >>
> > > >there.
> > > >
> > > >>After
> > > >>awhile our collector goes off to the computer for a little escape to
> > feel
> > > >>more in
> > > >>contact with their hobby (and less with the real world). How long do
you
> > > >>suppose this
> > > >>person will last as a collector if, when he turns on his computer,
all
> > he
> > > >>gets is the
> > > >>evils of the real world dumped in his lap, and often in a more
magnified
> > > >>form then
> > > >>they would likely ever experience in the real world (it's strange,
but
> > > >>
> > > >I've
> > > >
> > > >>observed
> > > >>some of the most vicious people behind a computer a computer key
board
> > are
> > > >>some of the
> > > >>funniest, nicest people you could meet in person)? Chances are, at
the
> > > >>
> > > >point
> > > >
> > > >>they find
> > > >>that their hobby seems to be adding to their stress instead of
reducing
> > > >>
> > > >it,
> > > >
> > > >>they will
> > > >>move onto greener pastures.
> > > >>
> > > >>I know, many of you are thinking right now B.S.. Anybody who is on
the
> > > >>
> > > >list
> > > >
> > > >>is a grown
> > > >>person and likely a seasoned collector, so they can handle these
mental
> > > >>assaults. My
> > > >>response is Wrong! Though the people who regularly post to the list
may
> > be
> > > >>so, a fair
> > > >>number of the observers are likely new to the hobby (in today's
world,
> > it
> > > >>seems the
> > > >>first thing someone does when they get interested in a new hobby is
sign
> > > >>
> > > >up
> > > >
> > > >>for a
> > > >>related chat room to learn more). I even suspect there are many
> > beginning
> > > >>(and a fair
> > > >>number of non beginning) collectors who would like to post questions
to
> > > >>
> > > >the
> > > >
> > > >>list but
> > > >>dare not for fear of being shouted down as a moron or just plain
made to
> > > >>look foolish
> > > >>for exposing their ignorance.
> > > >> So what can be done? At this point it is an extremely difficult
> > problem.
> > > >>There are
> > > >>many possible answers. The people involved could be drafted to help,
as
> > it
> > > >>takes both
> > > >>an instigator and a responder to have a full-fledged fight. I
realize it
> > > >>
> > > >is
> > > >
> > > >>not very
> > > >>realistic to expect someone to be silent after someone has slammed
them,
> > > >>
> > > >but
> > > >
> > > >>there
> > > >>would be no battles if they did. Asking people about other lists (in
> > other
> > > >>fields and
> > > >>hobbies) has indicated to me that lists that have no or very limited
> > > >>oversight tend to
> > > >>rapidly breakdown into an ugly battle-zone. So, the most obvious
answer
> > to
> > > >>the problem
> > > >>is to have a dedicated moderator. If there is no such person now,
then
> > one
> > > >>needs to be
> > > >>found (and if one cannot be found then it is my opinion that it
would be
> > > >>best for
> > > >>everyone to simply shut the list down, a measure I truly hope
doesn't
> > have
> > > >>to come to
> > > >>any real consideration). Their job would be to make certain that
> > anything
> > > >>that even
> > > >>whiffs of being a threat, attack or slanderous statement never makes
it
> > to
> > > >>the public
> > > >>eye. To make their job easier in the long run, they may find it
> > beneficial
> > > >>to remove
> > > >>those people that seem determined to regularly attempt to post such
> > > >>
> > > >things.
> > > >
> > > >>I realize
> > > >>that many may see this as the evil CENSORSHIP, but for the long-term
> > good
> > > >>
> > > >of
> > > >
> > > >>the hobby
> > > >>it is necessary (and on a personal note, I don't believe "freedom of
> > > >>
> > > >speech"
> > > >
> > > >>is a
> > > >>valid excuse to ignore this job). The list should be a place for
honest
> > > >>questions,
> > > >>answers and information about meteorites, not a forum for flagrant
> > > >>self-promotion and
> > > >>damaging personal attacks.
> > > >>
> > > >>I know I am likely just digging my own grave that much quicker
having
> > this
> > > >>posted. The
> > > >>rare times in the past I have had to post something I have lost
> > customers
> > > >>
> > > >in
> > > >
> > > >>droves
> > > >>(likely those that may have considered my arguments to be against
their
> > > >>views). But,
> > > >>if nothing is said, nothing can be considered or, better yet,
changed.
> > If
> > > >>nothing is
> > > >>done, there likely won't be much left of the hobby and I'll be out
of
> > > >>business anyway.
> > > >>My hope is that some of the many of you that have expressed these
same
> > > >>opinions to me
> > > >>in private (but wouldn't post them) will now come out of hiding. Oh,
> > > >>
> > > >that's
> > > >
> > > >>right,
> > > >>that is not likely. These are the people that have pretty much quit
the
> > > >>hobby, dropped
> > > >>from or ignore the list and will not see this.
> > > >>
> > > >>Blaine Reed
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>______________________________________________
> > > >>Meteorite-list mailing list
> > > >>Meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com
> > > >>http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>______________________________________________
> > > >>Meteorite-list mailing list
> > > >>Meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com
> > > >>http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
> > > >>
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >______________________________________________
> > > >Meteorite-list mailing list
> > > >Meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com
> > > >http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > ______________________________________________
> > Meteorite-list mailing list
> > Meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com
> > http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
>
> ______________________________________________
> Meteorite-list mailing list
> Meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com
> http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
>
Received on Wed 15 Oct 2003 02:01:06 AM PDT