How do you know who your friends are??......
Discussion
Calvin writes:"Hey anyone see the new titles under everyones nicknames in the author section of all the postings? When did they do that or have they do that for a while. Some of us are listed as oldtimers, newbies, and gasbags.
Hey Jim, they say you are a gasbag.
Calvin"
Calvin,
I am glad that the derogatory and hurtful characterization which the Editors of this list so callously and irresponsibly assigned to me and others amuse you so.
You, more than any other on this list, should know that my contributions are a sincere effort to assist fellow Lotus owners. Whether it be an answer to a technical question, a referral to parts and services, or to present a point of view.
In the area of personal opinion, I have never proffered that my point of view was correct, or anything other than MY point of view. I also do not believe that I ever called a viewpoint which I disagreed with as being wrong.
It is dangerous and counterproductive for the Editors to inhibit the free exchange that occurs on this list, either through direct censorship or through intimidation of select contributors.
Further, a characterization such as they have assigned to me and others detracts from one's credibility. Such a chracterization can have the effect of others not taking the substance of your contributions seriously.
Calvin, you are personally aware, and others have commented, that I posess a great deal of knowledge about these cars. Knowledge which certainly rivals, and possibly surpasses, your own. This knowledge is not the product of books, but rather detailed, hands-on experience. I freely offer this in the hope that it will aid others or prevent them from making mistakes or from getting the most of their repair monies and labor. It is not for personal gratification.
As my car runs in top form (as you know it took the 1st Place award at this year's annual Lotus convention - LOG22), I don't require an acknowledgement from others to confirm what I know about these cars. Not to mention that I am unlikely to ever meet but the smallest fraction of the list's members except online.
But what if, instead, they had characterized you as a slanty-eyed Jap Speedracer, or Matt for that matter. Would you be equally amused?
I would hope that, as your friend, you would know and have a right to expect, that I would be the very first to condemn such a characterization of you rather than find amusement in it. Calvin, I'm sure you didn't realize the more serious implications of this at the time, and I still consider us friends, but I have to call you on it.
Once one allows the arbitrary assignment of labels or characterizations, by those in control, where does it stop? These Editors know nothing of me, my experience or skills. What is the criteria with which they assign such characterizations? Is there even any criteria? Are our responses limited to a set number of words regardless of the intricacy of the question or answer?
Some will say "lighten up", others will disregard the greater implications that the Editors are free to arbitrarily decide, through labeling, who's opinion is more worthy than another's.
This characterization was extremely hurtful to me, and possibly the others to whom it was assigned. I condemn the Editors for this irresponsible, unethical behavior, and demand that they publicly apologize to me, and retract and discontinue these characterizations with immediate effect.
Jim McFadden '85TE
>>> Edited by lotusguy on Saturday 21st December 09:12
Hey Jim, they say you are a gasbag.
Calvin"
Calvin,
I am glad that the derogatory and hurtful characterization which the Editors of this list so callously and irresponsibly assigned to me and others amuse you so.
You, more than any other on this list, should know that my contributions are a sincere effort to assist fellow Lotus owners. Whether it be an answer to a technical question, a referral to parts and services, or to present a point of view.
In the area of personal opinion, I have never proffered that my point of view was correct, or anything other than MY point of view. I also do not believe that I ever called a viewpoint which I disagreed with as being wrong.
It is dangerous and counterproductive for the Editors to inhibit the free exchange that occurs on this list, either through direct censorship or through intimidation of select contributors.
Further, a characterization such as they have assigned to me and others detracts from one's credibility. Such a chracterization can have the effect of others not taking the substance of your contributions seriously.
Calvin, you are personally aware, and others have commented, that I posess a great deal of knowledge about these cars. Knowledge which certainly rivals, and possibly surpasses, your own. This knowledge is not the product of books, but rather detailed, hands-on experience. I freely offer this in the hope that it will aid others or prevent them from making mistakes or from getting the most of their repair monies and labor. It is not for personal gratification.
As my car runs in top form (as you know it took the 1st Place award at this year's annual Lotus convention - LOG22), I don't require an acknowledgement from others to confirm what I know about these cars. Not to mention that I am unlikely to ever meet but the smallest fraction of the list's members except online.
But what if, instead, they had characterized you as a slanty-eyed Jap Speedracer, or Matt for that matter. Would you be equally amused?
I would hope that, as your friend, you would know and have a right to expect, that I would be the very first to condemn such a characterization of you rather than find amusement in it. Calvin, I'm sure you didn't realize the more serious implications of this at the time, and I still consider us friends, but I have to call you on it.
Once one allows the arbitrary assignment of labels or characterizations, by those in control, where does it stop? These Editors know nothing of me, my experience or skills. What is the criteria with which they assign such characterizations? Is there even any criteria? Are our responses limited to a set number of words regardless of the intricacy of the question or answer?
Some will say "lighten up", others will disregard the greater implications that the Editors are free to arbitrarily decide, through labeling, who's opinion is more worthy than another's.
This characterization was extremely hurtful to me, and possibly the others to whom it was assigned. I condemn the Editors for this irresponsible, unethical behavior, and demand that they publicly apologize to me, and retract and discontinue these characterizations with immediate effect.
Jim McFadden '85TE
>>> Edited by lotusguy on Saturday 21st December 09:12
Guys, those of you viewing this via the Esprit Fact File won't see the monikers assigned. It's only if you view the forums via PistonHeads.com that you see them (see here).
They were introduced as a light hearted means of showing who is a new member of the community versus a regular poster in an effort to disuade some trolls who have made life difficult in other forums of late.
The monikers aren't assigned individually. The logic used is simply based on the number of posts made to the forums.
< 40 = "newbie"
< 500 = "gasbag"
< 1000 = "old timer"
more than 1000 = "veteran gasser"
Jim, I'm sorry if it's offended you. Please don't take it so seriously. I suspect part of the problem may be a translation thing. In British parlance, a gasbag is just a light hearted way of describing someone who talks a lot. Coupled with the title of the forums being the 'Gassing Station' it seemed an amusing way of ranking our members. Other residents of the forums have taken it in that vein (see here)
I have obviously offended you for which I'm sorry. I'll alter the system to suppress any descrption for you.
I'm a reasonable guy that will respond to reasonable requests and apologise where I've been insensitive. Threats of legal action came as a bit of a shock.
They were introduced as a light hearted means of showing who is a new member of the community versus a regular poster in an effort to disuade some trolls who have made life difficult in other forums of late.
The monikers aren't assigned individually. The logic used is simply based on the number of posts made to the forums.
< 40 = "newbie"
< 500 = "gasbag"
< 1000 = "old timer"
more than 1000 = "veteran gasser"
Jim, I'm sorry if it's offended you. Please don't take it so seriously. I suspect part of the problem may be a translation thing. In British parlance, a gasbag is just a light hearted way of describing someone who talks a lot. Coupled with the title of the forums being the 'Gassing Station' it seemed an amusing way of ranking our members. Other residents of the forums have taken it in that vein (see here)
I have obviously offended you for which I'm sorry. I'll alter the system to suppress any descrption for you.
I'm a reasonable guy that will respond to reasonable requests and apologise where I've been insensitive. Threats of legal action came as a bit of a shock.
Another example of 2 once great nations divided by a common language 
(I mean UK & USA BTW 
)
Lighten up Jim! No-one is libelling, casting aspersions, slagging off, or otherwise denigrating you, or your points of view.
As Ted says, these titles are a way of *giving* information, rather than unfair characterisation, to allow people to see whether the information is coming from valued members like yourself, or trolling newbie scum - oh, and they aren't arbitrary, but based on number of posts.
*Sheesh*! No wonder the USA is turning into the most litigious culture in the world, if everyone takes offence so easily.
Chill dude!! Merry Christmas!
(I mean UK & USA BTW ) Lighten up Jim! No-one is libelling, casting aspersions, slagging off, or otherwise denigrating you, or your points of view.
As Ted says, these titles are a way of *giving* information, rather than unfair characterisation, to allow people to see whether the information is coming from valued members like yourself, or trolling newbie scum - oh, and they aren't arbitrary, but based on number of posts.
*Sheesh*! No wonder the USA is turning into the most litigious culture in the world, if everyone takes offence so easily.
Chill dude!! Merry Christmas!
Every other board that I post to (for instance the Autoweek board) also has these "characterizations" only they use such labels as "junior member", etc. I rather like the way Ted has done things. It adds more to the "community feel" to Pistonheads.
When I first started out on Pistonheads I stayed predominantly in the Lotus area, but began posting and reading all of the other areas. The "General Gassing" area is an awesome community. I have met and talked with fellow car enthusiasts from all over the world. The feeling is one of family and I think that this is just a way for the older family members to notice and recognize the new ones and possibly help them along. The system also helps "Uncle Ted" to look out for trolls that only arrive to stir the pot and flame other members. While this is rarely a problem for the Lotus areas it has crept up from time to time in other areas.
I, for one, like the new system.
ErnestM
When I first started out on Pistonheads I stayed predominantly in the Lotus area, but began posting and reading all of the other areas. The "General Gassing" area is an awesome community. I have met and talked with fellow car enthusiasts from all over the world. The feeling is one of family and I think that this is just a way for the older family members to notice and recognize the new ones and possibly help them along. The system also helps "Uncle Ted" to look out for trolls that only arrive to stir the pot and flame other members. While this is rarely a problem for the Lotus areas it has crept up from time to time in other areas.
I, for one, like the new system.
ErnestM
egomes said: TIM-
But what if, instead, they had characterized you as a slanty-eyed Jap Speedracer, or Matt for that matter. Would you be equally amused?
I think it's YOU that must apologize!
Ed-
Ed,
I find no need to apologize for the passage you quote out of context, or to explain myself to you for that matter.
But, point of fact, I did not refer to Calvin in this manner in any measure.
It was a hypothetical analogy (read what if?) to demonstrate the extreme limits of what characterizing and labeling can lead to.
In the years I've known Calvin personally, he knows that I would never believe, or ponder, let alone utter, such a characterization of him or anyone else. Resorting to ethnic or racial or really any stereotypes to express dispproval or annoyance with an individual is a sure sign of one's inability to express one's self or ignorance, or both...Jim '85TE
>> Edited by lotusguy on Saturday 21st December 22:44
Lotusguy. Say what !!! I don't EVEN understand that last statement !! Way over my head ! Me thinks that certain people should CHILL OUT !! Ted, a famous line springs to mind. ' The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or in this case, the one' Time for another Whisky. Again. Night, night !
Time for another Whisky. Again. Night, night !
PetrolTed said: Can someone please enlighten me. Does 'Gasbag' mean something far more offensive to Americans? I'm haven't set out to offend anyone but obviously if I'm doing so then I'll change the moniker being used.
Not that I am aware of. I believe the same meaning applies. I, personally, don't think that there is anything wrong with any of the poster rankings. However I have spent an inordinant amount of time in "General Gassing" where there is a lot of self depricating type of humor (or is that humour?
) Cheers Ted, keep up the great work and have a VERY MERRY Holiday
season 
ErnestM
>> Edited by ErnestM on Sunday 22 December 03:04
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