Thread: The Dog Found Another Bone, or Why I Come Here.

My apologies if this should offend anyone, I really do not intend to ruffle any feathers, but I cannot help noticing that we have an increase in The Dog Carried Another Bone Into the House messages that have little to do with sharing experiences, learning new things, increasing one’s knowledge, or improving one’s technique - all reasons that I come here for in the first place.
On the contrary, I consider these messages “chaff” that while they inflate the number of posts they do not add real substance to our discussions and might even water down the reputation of this site.

I refer to posts where someone posts his latest discoveries without reflecting on it, having first hand experience, or providing a meaningful review, because the poster seemingly never used the item himself and has no deeper knowledge about it except for finding it one the Internet. Some of these posts even provide links to sites where the item is shown as “out of stock”, which could be taken as an indicator how deep the poster researches what he posts on this site.

Maybe I am alone with my opinion, or do you share with me the idea that posts on this site should have some more significance and weight?

Just bear with me, maybe it’s all because I am a 70 year old curmudgeon who is beyond redemption , but to me at least it diminishes the buzz that I used to get when visiting this site.

I repeat, I do not intend to offend anyone, but maybe there are people who feel like me and we could motivate people to dig a little bit deeper before they post their latest discoveries here.


What do you think, and do you agree with me that the quality of posts should eclipse quantity?



B.

I think I can understand the feeling, even though I am not sure at what exactly you are pointing.

There's IMHO a lot to do with categories, audience, and purpose.
When you add a umpteenth picture to one of the "razors clubs" for example, would you expect the poster to add a lot to the topic ? The category and the purpose don't seem to ask for much more

When your audience is, in the end, a group of luddites who roam here because they have not yet (and, I speak for myself, will probably never) made the turn to social networks where everything is happening nowadays who have been here for years, what much more can you tell ?

On this topic, we have a joke here with a bunch of inmates who know each other's jokes so well they numbered them and just have to summon the number to summon the associated laugh.
Then this one guy goes
- 76.
....
- 76
....
- Come on guys, 76 it's a funny one
- Yes but you just don't know how to tell a joke

If Gasman (first name in mind, don't take it the wrong way) posts a W&B FBU (see, we don't even need the full words anymore) tomorrow that he bought on ebay, what would he provide as a post ? And would anything more than a like be an appropriate answer ?

Don't get me wrong, I love quality content, heartfelt stories, in depth reviews.
But, well, mostly, most of the people still coming here have more or less seen it all, done it all.
And, maybe, just maybe, that's why there are less and less deep and insightful posts about razors and shaving, and more and more "chaff" ?

I think (unless I read it wrong) that the op refers more to products than to razors and clubs.

I understand what you mean. I also understand the intention not to offend anyone and I too share that sentiment but I have noticed that, more and more, when someone does bring an experience with a technique or a different use for a product that other posters criticize it or the op. Also when someone who is learning asks for help they are often treated with contempt. If I were the poster of those posts it might make me lose interest in posting. I did it myself recently in a post I started.

And also, to a previous point about brevity let's not forget "the covid thread". That kind of virulence drove a number of good members away.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, let's try not to be a bunch of grumpy old men yelling "GET OFF MY LAWN!" at other posters. I know I convict myself in this to as I am also a foagy. Don't we have enough of those "A Man Called Ove" types in our lives already??????

Im being picked on again. Dammit. What did i do to you?
Lol
I agree with what has been posted above but, with the amount of new posts and minimal new members, about any post helps keep us stay alive.
I dont have much room to talk as even my posting has dropped of a lot.

Now I will just sit back and see who else is going to pick on me.

I've gotten busy with things in life, it's that time of year. Hardly have time to post a SOTD. Winter will change that...things just old n dry, here at this time

Originally Posted by PaulFLUS

I think (unless I read it wrong) that the op refers more to products than to razors and clubs.

Yes, that was exactly what I had in mind.
Maybe I could have made that clearer.

I get mildly annoyed by the kind of “low level product placement”, where someone trawls the internet and then copies and pastes on (dare I say) “our” site his “discoveries”, which he seems to have never used, never evaluated, never really thought much about in fact, as I cannot find any true effort to add a genuine opinion or views of his own to his post.

To me (hence the title), it seems just like when my dog comes in from outside and she brings in some sort of bone she discovered in the yard.
I get mildly annoyed, shake my head and wonder why one earth does she have to bring in that garbage?


I have no beef with clubs, beginners, or even questions that have been asked many times before. I have plenty of time for that and if not I know how to avoid it.

Regarding razors, clubs or “Shave of the Day”, all that involves at least some mental, creative effort by the poster and if one is not interested one does not have to go to these (sub-)forums.

Regarding “categories, audience, and purpose” that one reply mentions, the category would be “stuff I found on the net, but cannot really vouch for or recommend because I have never tried it”, the audience is “us”, and the purpose is “look what I found, pat me one the back” and driving up one’s post count.

But if someone should find a new way of doing things, has experimented with it and wants to share that with us, that is actually the kind of post that I come here for and we should encourage that kind of conversation.

By contrast, the stuff that I find tiresome is the kind of “product placement” post that one cannot avoid when visiting a forum that has usually more interesting stuff going on.

Like many of us, I have noticed that forums like ours have gotten much quieter after Covid, but I believe that this forum still manages to hold its own and we should not encourage such unintelligent low level product placements that may reduce the attractiveness and relevance of this forum.


Just my 2 bits…


B.

It's no secret this site has seen a marked decrease in members visits but then again pretty much all sites have this same issue. Many do use social sites and the other social SRP site is doing quite well from what I understand.

Though the member visits have shrunk the visits by nonmembers has increased steadily.

This site is still the best reference site when it comes to wet shaving and more so straight shaving.

Yea we have a few guys who like to post about the latest and greatest. I don't know if they actually use the stuff or not.

This is a free site and you get to choose which forums you want to visit. If you see something you don't like go to another post or forum on the site. If you see someone breaking the rules let us know.

I guess us old timers and Troglodytes and luddites will keep the place going kind of like caretakers.

Indeed, there is a plethora of forums and subforums here. Something for everyone and anyone's interest.
If what is on the front page does not interest someone, starting a new thread has always been encouraged.

I feel members and visitors should seek positive experiences here. Just because someone may not be interested in a particular subject does not mean they should shut it down with negativity, esp if they have no experience with the subject. Too many other positive things to engage in.

This place should be a learning and sharing environment.. Putting yourself in the shoes of others at times will help understand and lead to teaching and learning discussions instead of insults and bashing.
How many of us long-timers knew little as we arrived? I know I did. Takes thick skin to be chastised and hang around.
Some ask for it. Most don't. Either way, patience and supporting discussions help others a lot more.

Dispelling internet rumors is the tough go these days, I think. If someone knows it all , why would they join a place like this?
Teaching and sharing is quite hard these days as everyone seems to know everything from the brain in their palm.
It's not just here. It's everywhere. Anyhoo, if someone cannot find discussions to their liking.. Start a thread somewhere.
Otherwise, complaining is moot.
JMHO

I’ve gone through long stretches where I’ve been absent. In fact, I’ve just recently started posting and reading here again after a long while. You get tired of discussing how to cut a bevel or providing advice nobody takes. I’ve become pretty hard set in my ways and haven’t bought a new razor in years. Most of my posts are in areas having nothing to do with shaving anymore. It’s kind of up to new users to keep it going. They are the ones that need questions answered.

Well let's not conflate issues. Some members are trying to pump their "blogspot," ergo the gratuitous product placement but I have no love nor hate for that. I don't read those because I am not not interested.

A separate issue is WHY there is not other content. That is due in part to internet snobbery and inconsiderate treatment of posters. As my brother says, "if you lay down with a monkey you gonna eat 'nanners."

Cause and effect baby...cause and and effect.