I think this is a very well-meaning post, and, as such, I hope it receives the respect and kindness it deserves.
My name is Steven.
I have only been "doing" magic for about 18 months. Although some of you may think calls into question any comment I have made (or will make, for that matter), I call upon those who will be the saviors of these forums, in asking you all to value my opinion for what it is worth. You will never see me blasting someone for an unconfident performance, as I have not, as of yet, found the cahones to go out and perform myself. Hopefully my candor will be valued in this discussion.
I have been a member since July 14th, 2008. (Or so my profile tells me
)
I think one of the main differences, is a more noticeable influx of "pointless" threads. By this I mean, questions we are ALL sick of hearing. Questions that could have been irrefutably answered with an adroit use of the 'search' option. These threads have been started by those the internet community has chosen to label: "N00bs" or some variation thereof. As anyone who is interested may discover, not so long ago, I myself began some threads like this.
I am not proud of this.
I make no excuses.
What has changed? - I have matured a little, I have aged slightly, but more importantly, I have learned.
I have read Fitzkee, and Giobbi and Tamariz and Hugard & Braeue.
I have come to develop an understanding of where I am in this art, and how I can move forward.
This may seem a bit off-topic, but it is not. My point is that, in fact, one of the MAIN differences, and perhaps one of the greatest problems these forums face, is a RAPIDLY declining sense of tolerance.
People put up with my pointlessness. They coped with the sheer idiocy of myself and others.
Now however, we have a very different story. I am not exempt from this. I too have become increasingly, and hypocritically frustrated with the kind of blather I myself was spewing only a short while ago.
Although I realize I have not mentioned all the problems thus far; this, I feel, if solved would provide a noticeable difference. If I did not believe this, I wouldn't have posted.
In looking for a solution to this, I think it is important to look at both sides; i.e. those who are posting this stuff, and those of us who are repulsed by it.
For those who are taking part in this debacle, THEY SEE NO WRONG. As far as they're concerned, which deck is better for a flourish they can't do, or even, how good their 2 month old Classic Pass (Yes, that IS taken from my personal history
) is the most important thing in the world. To them, the excitement and joy they have for (what they believe to be) the art of magic, overpowers their present (but underused) common sense. To them, this is not a community in which we are all equal, but a resource for THEM. So that THEY can improve.
It is ugly.
It is selfish.
It is also one of the most natural things in the world.
Hopefully this kind of description will have some resonance for each of you, and you can all see, and come to believe, as I do, that these folks are just INCAPABLE of understanding that what they are doing is incorrect, and impolite.
Having said that, it still annoys me. It shouldn't, but it does.
Clearly it annoys you too, as if you are reading this, and not spending your parents’ well-earned income on the latest E DVD.
Therefore, we must find a happy medium, and this, I believe (and hope) is achievable.
My plan for this involves EVERY SINGLE MEMBER. Mods and staff included.
Any thread, which has already been posted, should be deleted. PERIOD.
Along with this, to minimize the work required going forward; I would recommend a PM to be sent to the poster in question, informing them of why their thread was removed, and a link to the original thread.
This is not to be a snotty, "up-yours" kind of a message. It should be one of understanding, a voice of progression, help, and optimism.
Why should these people, unconscious of any wrong-doing be submitted to public (I use this in the sense that a forum is public) insult, belittling, and bellicosity.
These are REAL, LIVE, HUMAN BEINGS. As such they deserve our empathy.
Notice I said empathy, NOT respect. I have seen people come on here and show no sense of history, no sense of respect for what Theory 11 is doing it's very best to achieve.
Jonathan Bayme had a beautiful concept, and we, my fellow members, are disgracing that ideal.
Do you want to put a stop to pointless, idiotic, imbecilic threads?
You have heard what I have to say.
As you sit there now, eyes growing tired from this lengthy post, you can begin to realize something. An undeniable truth:
We need to stop talking about this, and TAKE ACTION.
We can help these misguided souls right now.
We can provide a bounty of learning and wisdom.
OR we can do nothing. You could talk; you could type, but do nothing.
I urge you; make you decision NOW.
BECOME the solution.
Prove to me, to the most esteemed artists and other members, but most importantly to Mr. Jonathan Bayme, that we HAVE NOT wasted his time. That we HAVE NOT destroyed a wonderful dream.
Prove to yourself, that YOU can rise above the others, that together (drum roll please...)
To quote President Obama: "Yes We Can".
Postscript: Usually people apologize for long posts, but I really care about T11. It means an indescribable amount to me, that very few would understand. For that reason, I simply and humbly offer these thoughts, and hope that we can come to an understanding.
