Hi, Everyone.
I have been reading posts and their resulting discussions for a number of months here and, after reading some of the material in one of the longer "Cue Gallery" threads, felt I would communicate some of my thoughts on what I have seen. I have no intention of naming names, or purporting to be some kind of intellectual superior with respect to generally accepted rules of societal structure. However, I have repeatedly seen something that I feel takes away from the potential value and enjoyment of a number of the more interesting threads I have seen. I am referring to the seeming lack of respect for other people's opinions, to which we are all entitled, and the confusing sense of entitlement to openly criticize other members that generally accompanies that. This is definitely not something I have seen from everyone, as many of the members I think are very knowledgeable and experienced with the pool and cue industry and personal collecting. They also seem like very good people to listen to. However, from my perspective, this is a forum to discuss pool and cues and why we all love having it as a hobby, or livelihood for some. I don't believe it is a forum to be used to attack people personally, for any reason. That can be done through email, phone calls, or predetermined face to face encounters. Everyone has the right to express their opinions, but I always think they should be expressed with maturity, respect and an open mind to hear and consider what others are willing to take the time to share. An opinion validated through minimizing the value of those belonging to someone else isn't, in my opinion, worth hearing at all.
We all have different backgrounds, bank accounts, levels of skill on the table, and personal preferences for specific cuemakers and their choices of designs, original or otherwise. Personally, I love Bill McDaniel cues, but not because I necessarily dislike other cuemakers' works. I have used a number of them and decided I was ultimately happiest buying and playing with his cues. I would not criticize anyone for feeling differently. They make their money and they have the right to spend it on whatever kind of cue they like. That is their life, this is mine.
On a personal note, I spend my days working as a therapist in a prison for mentally ill, and some just plain nasty, federal offenders. Believe me, there is more than enough dysfunction and unecessary nastiness in the world without letting it take away from the hobby we all love.
Just my thoughts.
Ryan
I have been reading posts and their resulting discussions for a number of months here and, after reading some of the material in one of the longer "Cue Gallery" threads, felt I would communicate some of my thoughts on what I have seen. I have no intention of naming names, or purporting to be some kind of intellectual superior with respect to generally accepted rules of societal structure. However, I have repeatedly seen something that I feel takes away from the potential value and enjoyment of a number of the more interesting threads I have seen. I am referring to the seeming lack of respect for other people's opinions, to which we are all entitled, and the confusing sense of entitlement to openly criticize other members that generally accompanies that. This is definitely not something I have seen from everyone, as many of the members I think are very knowledgeable and experienced with the pool and cue industry and personal collecting. They also seem like very good people to listen to. However, from my perspective, this is a forum to discuss pool and cues and why we all love having it as a hobby, or livelihood for some. I don't believe it is a forum to be used to attack people personally, for any reason. That can be done through email, phone calls, or predetermined face to face encounters. Everyone has the right to express their opinions, but I always think they should be expressed with maturity, respect and an open mind to hear and consider what others are willing to take the time to share. An opinion validated through minimizing the value of those belonging to someone else isn't, in my opinion, worth hearing at all.
We all have different backgrounds, bank accounts, levels of skill on the table, and personal preferences for specific cuemakers and their choices of designs, original or otherwise. Personally, I love Bill McDaniel cues, but not because I necessarily dislike other cuemakers' works. I have used a number of them and decided I was ultimately happiest buying and playing with his cues. I would not criticize anyone for feeling differently. They make their money and they have the right to spend it on whatever kind of cue they like. That is their life, this is mine.
On a personal note, I spend my days working as a therapist in a prison for mentally ill, and some just plain nasty, federal offenders. Believe me, there is more than enough dysfunction and unecessary nastiness in the world without letting it take away from the hobby we all love.
Just my thoughts.
Ryan
