Thread: No more green dits. Say hello to our mentors

just wanted to point out that I do understand the concept here isn't about labeling who knows the most, rather about who is willing to help

mentor just says guru, or something close to it

not that anyone cares what I think

I have read this entire thread, and I too believe labeling certain members “Mentor” would immediately lead new members to accept a Mentor’s post above other well capable and knowledgeable members… after all, the teacher is always right… right?... its human nature.

But if those members were chosen for there “willingness to help” other members, why not change the label to “HELPER”.
That way there would be no misunderstandings… and they immediately know this member is always willing to help.

Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by smythe

I have read this entire thread, and I too believe labeling certain members “Mentor” would immediately lead new members to accept a Mentor’s post above other well capable and knowledgeable members… after all, the teacher is always right… right?... its human nature.

But if those members were chosen for there “willingness to help” other members, why not change the label to “HELPER”.
That way there would be no misunderstandings… and they immediately know this member is always willing to help.

Hope this helps.

This suggestion makes sense to me.

A "mentor" by definition of the word, implies "teacher". If someone other than a "teacher" is offering advice I believe it's psychologically inferred that the person would be a student and again, psychologically, their contribution would be less valid.

Chris L

Originally Posted by smythe

I have read this entire thread, and I too believe labeling certain members “Mentor” would immediately lead new members to accept a Mentor’s post above other well capable and knowledgeable members… after all, the teacher is always right… right?... its human nature.

But if those members were chosen for there “willingness to help” other members, why not change the label to “HELPER”.
That way there would be no misunderstandings… and they immediately know this member is always willing to help.

Hope this helps.

sonofa**************

I typed all this out and deleted it because I thought I had said too much already


ok well then
+1

This thread is like deja vu all over again. It is basically the same as the reputation thread with all the controversy some members brought into that over the green chiclets.

Some members were selected for these mentor badges and I feel honored to be among them. Apparently some who weren't selected yet feel slighted and I am sorry for that.

Some think it is a good idea and some think it is not but I am not going to worry about it. I will go on doing what I have been doing and in a couple of weeks this will have blown over and we will be worrying about a new set of problems.

I don't think the mods selected based on a popularity contest.... after all they picked Mark.

As a warning, I'm going to ramble a bit and summarize things that have already been said. (For those who just want my message up front; give the system some time and see what it evolves into.) Maybe you'll read this, maybe you won't, but I feel better knowing that I put it out in public.

So my first post in here was about my reaction to getting the mentor badge thing and what I think about the system. I was going to leave it at that, but I wanted to make a few other points.

The mods who have posted in here have emphasized that there are some current mentors and that they plan to increase the number of mentors. There was also an allusion to a discussion going on among the mods about who they want to give the badge to. So here's my point: the mods are acknowledging that it is a new system and that it has kinks, as all new systems do. They are acknowledging that there are more members out there that they want to give the badge to. They are said that mentors are chosen based on general knowledge and a willingness to help.

I can't say that I understand the frustration of members who wanted to be mentors but aren't, because I was given the badge (I accepted it because I was honored to be offered it). I can't say that I understand the frustration of members who had a lot of rep or green dits, because I didn't have much of either.

What I can say is that I think patience with the mods and with the system are both critical for this to work. Isn't that same patience why we all use and love our straights? Isn't that patience the reason the forum works as a community? Is getting or not getting immediate recognition really all that important when it's been made clear more badges will be given out? Is the recognition all that important at all?

People have made references to "mentors" as "teachers" who will automatically be assumed to be right. Aside from checks and balances built into the forum (I'm referring to the healthy discussions of differing opinions that goes on around here), can't we give the new guys a little respect by acknowledging that they are going to do some research and use their heads rather than blindly follow someone who has a little badge under their user name? Did you ever in your adult life believe everything any "teacher" ever told you just because they were your teacher? Maybe it's just me, but I sure don't.

I like the bit someone said about how the mentor badge is a sign that people with it are willing to help out new guys. Getting on a new forum and posting questions in public can be pretty intimidating, and so can PMing someone out of the blue. Knowing that someone is going to be friendly and as helpful as possible is comforting. Does that mean that those without the badges are not friendly and helpful? Of course not. Have all the friendly and helpful people who deserve badges been given them already? Clearly not.

In closing, I don't really care why people care about the public recognition. Sure, I was honored and happy when I got a PM telling me about the mentor system and that the mods wanted to give me a badge. But I wouldn't have cared if the next day I was told the system wasn't going to happen or someone else was getting it over me. Why? Because whoever nominated me or said I should get the badge clicked my thanks button, and I know that person is someone I respect, and that's all that mattered. What else does matter?

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

People have made references to "mentors" as "teachers" who will automatically be assumed to be right. Aside from checks and balances built into the forum (I'm referring to the healthy discussions of differing opinions that goes on around here), can't we give the new guys a little respect by acknowledging that they are going to do some research and use their heads rather than blindly follow someone who has a little badge under their user name? Did you ever in your adult life believe everything any "teacher" ever told you just because they were your teacher? Maybe it's just me, but I sure don't.

Pretty much sums up how I feel about it. There has been advice that I have been given or seen given by people I highly respect on here, yet I disagree with their advice, whether it's a technique, product, or something else.

I understand how some people might feel slighted by not getting a badge. Honestly, it's a simple way for people to quickly see who the powers that be deem a somewhat reliable source of information. I don't see it as a way to exclude someone from discussion. All we can hope for, with or without badges, is that our advice will be read, evaluated, and thought to be useful. If you've got something to say, say it.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

People have made references to "mentors" as "teachers" who will automatically be assumed to be right.... can't we give the new guys a little respect by acknowledging that they are going to do some research and use their heads rather than blindly follow someone who has a little badge under their user name?

all "the healthy discussions of differing opinions that goes on around here" confuses newbs and they are yearning for someone to stand up and say
" THIS is how you do it !"

as for respecting their ability to research?
when was the last time you saw a Zeepk with multiple bids on the bay?


I'm sure there were/are some people who wanted the badge and didn't get it.
Maybe they will yet.
I hope they are worthy of it.
I hope you all are.

Originally Posted by gratewhitehuntr

all "the healthy discussions of differing opinions that goes on around here" confuses newbs and they are yearning for someone to stand up and say "THIS is how you do it !"

I vividly recall having exactly this discussion with a number of moderators and (now) mentors when we started working on the Wiki. My knowledge of honing is sketchy, mildly put, and I was then asking for a number of articles that could be amalgamated in the "Definitive Guide on Honing". Well, it simply cannot be done, as I was quickly made to realise.

As a general rule, there are too many variables involved in shaving (some of the most important ones being highly personal - just think "sharpness / smoothness balance"). The most you can expect from any source of information on shaving can be an educated guess, or an approximation of the truth based on experience.

To sum this up, I have learnt to be wary of claims to ultimate knowledge, and I personally believe that an article like this (especially with the latest edits by Glen and Lynn) is the most one should expect from a forum: What hone(s) do I need? - Straight Razor Place Wiki.

Originally Posted by gratewhitehuntr

I'm sure there were/are some people who wanted the badge and didn't get it.

My late grandmother always used to say that one should be careful what one wishes for. Neither moderation, nor mentoring, is about power, or glory. It is about the proven willingness to enhance a forum, the desire to maintain its spirit, and the unwavering commitment to making the members's stay as enjoyable as humanly possible.

Originally Posted by gratewhitehuntr

all "the healthy discussions of differing opinions that goes on around here" confuses newbs and they are yearning for someone to stand up and say
" THIS is how you do it !"

as for respecting their ability to research?
when was the last time you saw a Zeepk with multiple bids on the bay?


I'm sure there were/are some people who wanted the badge and didn't get it.
Maybe they will yet.
I hope they are worthy of it.
I hope you all are.

For the "This is how you do it" - I see that as the purpose of the Wiki, to whatever extent there is a "this is how you do it." (Sorry, BeBerlin, I posted that before reading your post, and, I believe I repeated your statement.)

For Zeepk - Do we know that these are forum members? Yes, I have seen forum members who have bought Zeepk's, but that clearly means that they did not bother to ask or look at the "This is how you do it" wiki. IMHO, if you buy something without doing any research, you deserve what you get.

I totally agree with the last three lines of your post.