I think I am starting to understand the appeal of these forums.

[vladsch]

I was attracted to these forums, like most members, by an interest in straight razors. But this does not explain why I and others keep coming back or why we answer the same newbie question for the 100th time with the same patience and zeal as we did the first.

JL's predicament got me thinking that his fiancé is right in having trouble understanding the attraction. Straight razor interest alone does not explain it, unless he and the rest of us went collectively mad.

I'll bet if you get us all in one room that our careers, interests, hobbies, opinions and religious beliefs will span the spectrum. We can't even agree on straight razor issues like honing, stropping or shaving, so common interests or views can definitely be ruled out.

I am willing to venture that some members will even step out of the shower to urinate .

What we will probably find in common is a base value system that we all share. I'll get to that in a minute.

When I first started reading these forums I thought at first that this was a club for hypergraphia sufferers disguised as a straight razor forum. I kept seeing the same questions answered and rehashed. People posted everywhere, sometimes not adding much more than Uhuh, I agree.

I was also a bit surprised and startled by the implicit trust shown between the members here. I could not relate to it. I am suspicious by nature and highly individualistic. I don’t care to be part of any “total agreement” club so took it all with a grain of salt. As time went on I began to participate more and slowly felt more comfortable and then got hooked.

I told my wife that I found the experience here very strange and out of my character. I have not met or spoken to a single member in person, yet I feel like I know your personalities and quirks. I feel a bond to the members here that goes much deeper than the superficial interest in straight razors (crowds shouting heretic, heretic).

What we have here is not a virtual community of like interests but a virtual community of like values. The values that permeate all the posts here are: honesty, integrity and respect for each individual member regardless of social status, experience, creed, color, opinion or any other social marker.

It is these common values that rapidly build trust and bond the members, creating the inexplicable attraction to the forums.

Sure the straight razors are fun, but what makes us want to come back is the sense of security and acceptance we feel here. No question is too dumb, no opinion is shot down. It can be argued and disagreed with but never used to diminish the individual espousing it. No matter how alien it may seem. Any transgressions are dealt with the same respect and patience. Very quickly we pick up on these “values” and either embrace them, rise to them or drop out of the forums.

Here we can let our guard down because there is no threat to self. That is a very attractive social environment indeed.

I must say that I now stand in awe of what these forums really stand for. The fact that Lynn Abrams' base values were the seed crystal around which this virtual community grew makes me respect and appreciate him as a human being that much more.

You are a very remarkable human being Mr. Abrams. May I still call you Lynn?

[robertlampo]

Awesome post, Vlad. Those are my sentiments also. I realize it would be difficult to have a get-together with the members due to geography and economics, in some cases. It would be great to meet some of you guys. At least we've all seen Lynn in the shaving video. If video-conferencing technology was more popular in the home, that would be an alternative.

By the way, I'm heading up your way in June to watch the Grand Prix of Canada. I'll be staying in the Anjou area. Is Anjou a part of Montreal or is it considered a suburb? Do you follow F1?

-Rob

[xman]

When I first started reading these forums I thought at first that this was a club for hypergraphia sufferers disguised as a straight razor forum. I kept seeing the same questions answered and rehashed. People posted everywhere, sometimes not adding much more than Uhuh, I agree.

Sure.

What we have here is not a virtual community of like interests but a virtual community of like values. The values that permeate all the posts here are: honesty, integrity and respect for each individual member regardless of social status, experience, creed, color, opinion or any other social marker.

It is these common values that rapidly build trust and bond the members, creating the inexplicable attraction to the forums.

That's exactly it. I feel quite comfortable returning here because, even when we're drifting off topic and disagreeing with each other, I know I wil try (and believe others will too) to show respect for others' ideas.

I experienced that same dynamic years ago with the seperatists when I used to live in Montreal. They'll tell you how much they want to break up my country and still kiss your cheek at the end of the night. Very civilised.

X

[JLStorm]

Vlad,

I think you really hit the nail on the head with that one (feel free to note the irony..)

There is mutual respect even when we completely disagree about an emotionally heated topic. I too, just feel like I fit here, and I while I get along with most people, I rarely find a place where I feel part of the group. It's been less than a month, and already I wondered how I survived before I found this place!


(and it gives me an excuse to use smiles!!! )

[wvbias]

Until I joined this forum I had never been on a chat
room and never had a desire to do so. While on the
chat room I really don't contribute anything but it's fun
just observing.

I really enjoy this forum and would definately miss it
if it went away. I really can't explain it though.
Where else would a country boy from the coal
fields of southern West Virginia get to chat with
people from all over these United States and the rest of
world as well?


Terry

[vladsch]

It is not that you can chat with all the members from all over the world, other forums and chats offer the same thing.

The difference here is that this interaction occurs with genuine respect, honesty and cordiality amongst all the members. No matter the difference of opinion or the seriousness of the topic.

We feel like we fit in as human beings and not because of some superficial traits we may share. So a rocket scientists like Tony Miller and a "country boy from the coal fields of southern West Virginia" like yourself feel perfectly at ease and part of the group.

It has to be genuine because it would be impossible to fake these attitudes for long without slipping up. We would definitely feel the difference.

[vladsch]

By the way, I'm heading up your way in June to watch the Grand Prix of Canada. I'll be staying in the Anjou area. Is Anjou a part of Montreal or is it considered a suburb? Do you follow F1?

-Rob

Anjou is off the Montreal Island but that only means having to cross a bridge. Montreal is small by other city standards. We have a distorted view of distance here.

I live on the western tip of the island (West-Island area) and this is considered the booneys by some who live in "Montreal" proper. Without traffic I can be downtown in 20 minutes. Laval is on the north shore mainland accross the bridge, again the booneys 20 minutes away, same for Anjou on the south shore mainland.

I don't follow the F1 but will PM you my coordinates. If you have time we can get together when you are in town.

I experienced that same dynamic years ago with the seperatists when I used to live in Montreal. They'll tell you how much they want to break up my country and still kiss your cheek at the end of the night. Very civilised.

Like most heated social differences this one too is the result of deliberate fueling by political interests in order to gain power. I am an English speaking immigrant from the former USSR and my wife a born French, Quebecer. She is the only one in her family who speaks fluent English. We stradle both divides and can't understand what are these differences that make it such a big deal for both sides of the debate.

[Tony Miller]

<< So a rocket scientists like Tony Miller >>

Yikes....I had said that partly in jest . Yes, I work on rockets (satellite and weather) but "scientist" would be a stretch.

I get the point though. Here we are a bunch that looks forward to each day's exchange here, we notice when someone is missing yet had we never found this form we would probably never even notice each other at a social function as we are so varied and diverse in our makeup.

Finding a common interest in strangers that now goes beyond that common interest helps me improve myself in other venues. I now seek out others at work and play and learn more about them whether we have common interests or not.

Here I feel like I belong and throughout most of my life and in other places I was never a "joiner".

Tony

[wvbias]

It has to be the folowing - maturity and just plain old
common sense, also known as horse sense. From the
evening that I first emailed Lynn inquiring about a razor
for sale through this very moment I feel at ease on this
forum. Other than wetshavers which is a good group
I have never even checked out another forum so this
one is in fact new to me.

It is a good thing to be a member of a group that can
respectfully disagree with each other.


Regards,

Terry

[str8rzrshvr]

I think the personality of this site is a reflection of what straight razors are. They are a way of the past. Let's face it. We, the members here, are set apart by what brings us togther. Straight razor shaving. Straight razors were the only way when life was a little, strike that, a whole lot less hustle and bustle, less isolated. Back when you could count on and trust your neighbor. Hell, nowadays, most people couldn't tell you their neighbors name.

I think that this site and its forums take us back to a place and time long ago when the values, respect, trust, and the faith in man were the norm, not the exception. I, too, am mezmorized by the generosity and trust of the members here. I find this site quite comforting in that it restores my hope in my fellow man. Lynn had the vision and the light is certainly shining the way I'm sure he pictured it. I can say that I'm fortunate to have met Lynn personally. His generosity and openess radiates from the very site he created. Only now, it's not just from him, but from each and every member of this site who, like Vlad said, responds to a newbie's question which has been asked a thousand times. Or, when a vet like Randy, Tony, or Lynn himself offer up their honing services free of charge or a used razor for a newbie to use until he can finally get a new one with the only condition that once the new guy gets his own, he pass it on to another new guy just starting out with the same needs.

This is a great site for many reasons...not just because of straight razors.

Jeff