poolcuenews.com What's this dudes deal?

[nathandumoulin]

...or you need someone else to argue with.

Isn't that statement a little hypocritical? You just tried to make peace with a cheap shot....

Anyway, I have no problem with you. I simply didn't appreciate you saying the innocent and Mike were 'even'. People like Sarah and Florian are amazing people, and deserve better.

Hopefully our next encounter will be less confrontational. After all, it's a discussion forum. Not everyone always agrees. :thumbup:

 

[CrisDeLaGarza]

I have to say I am quite surprised as well that it turned out to be Mike. I don't know Mike personally but I have always thought of him as a great guy and a great supporter of pool on all levels, that opinion doesn't change. I totally give him credit though for owning up to it and responding. He very well could have just said "it's my personal blog I have the right to say whatever I want" but he didnt, he explained himself.

I may not have always agreed with things that were posted there but his blog did accomplish what he said it was intended to do. It brought attention to some important issues in pool and he had a huge following. Even though the WPBA and our players were sometimes the targets...you know what they say, "All press is good press."

Whether you liked him or not, a lot you tuned in to see what he had to say. I kind of think of it as the tabloid for pool. I think some of the pool magazines may have more subscribers if there was a gossip or editorial part of it instead of just coverage from events that we all already saw and read about.

Anyway, that's my two cents...I just saw this thread an hour ago so thanks for the entertainment for the afternoon

 

[JB Cases]

My point was...the way I have read it...the main problem everyone had with PCN guy was the anonymity. If he'd been upfront with who he was and then insulting to people...there wouldn't have been such huge drama. The parties involved would've argued, exchanged insults...and then been done with it.

No Melissa they woudn't be done with it.

When someone is NOT anonymous and is controversial then they are attacked on a PERSONAL level to a MUCH higher degree. It takes a lot more fortitude and balls to stand up and take the heat as yourself.

SOME of the things that Mike said as PCN were true about the state of the industry and legitimate venting. Some were not entirely true or spun a different way. Maybe this has to do with the fact that he is not a player or doesn't have the deeper relationships to the people in this industry. Maybe he doesn't understand that most people in this business are not in it to get rich but instead because they are passionate about the game.

I think anonymity has it's place in society and that through anonymous and pseudonymous writings much social change has been effected. But most of those types of social commentary don't resort to personal and spiteful attacks to perpetrate personal vendettas. If there is a personal character attack then it's usually in service to the larger social debate.

There is a reason more industry people don't participate here on AZB. And it's not that they don't have time. They all read the boards.

The reason is that they don't want to have to deal with personal attacks IF someone happens to disagree with them. They don't want to have to constant be hyper-sensitive to being a politician in order to not be personally attacked.

So, no, it's not like that people argue and then that's the "end" of it. Sometimes when "they" know who you are then you and your personal life become a target.

 

[ABall]

ABall, it's on. This is a Chat Room .... not a Novel Room. My chat was quick and to the point. If I want to read a book I will. If I want to chat that the post was too long I can. You are a jerk for red repping me.

Chat Board, Please tell me what you think.:
1.) Do I really deserve red rep for saying that the post was too wordy?
2.) Does anyone else think that the post was too wordy?
3.) Should I red rep ABall or be a better person?
4.) Should I just forgive and forget?

The fact that you can't take 2 minutes to read Mike's response to this thread, but you can take the time to write this to me because I rep repped you(and send me a pm), speaks volumes about your motives on this forum. I will make my response in picture form so it is "quick and to the point"....just like you like it:

 

[justnum]

I propose a thread moratorium.

A lot of important points have been made and a lot of emotion is being made obvious.

What is not clear is why the big fuss?

People have opinions and opinions can be agreed with or disagreed with.

Sure when new talent enters into the market they either make the others look better or worse, but the push to divide the groups is silly.

Times are tough just like everywhere else. Everyone wants to be positive and hear positive comments but that isn't a reality. Debates are fun as long as people don't take them too seriously.

I know negative posts pre-IPT failure about KT weren't well-received but that is a different situation. Critics with distasteful opinions exist and shouting them out or hoping they stop doesn't change the situation. Suppose the opinion is true or false, the measure of a person is how they deal with it. In some cases that task is best left to other people. The point of a debate is to acknowledge different points of view, not shout them out into Chinese censorship.

 

[cleary]

I propose a thread moratorium.

A lot of important points have been made and a lot of emotion is being made obvious.

What is not clear is why the big fuss?

People have opinions and opinions can be agreed with or disagreed with.

Sure when new talent enters into the market they either make the others look better or worse, but the push to divide the groups is silly.

Times are tough just like everywhere else. Everyone wants to be positive and hear positive comments but that isn't a reality. Debates are fun as long as people don't take them too seriously.

I know negative posts pre-IPT failure about KT weren't well-received but that is a different situation. Critics with distasteful opinions exist and shouting them out or hoping they stop doesn't change the situation. Suppose the opinion is true or false, the measure of a person is how they deal with it. In some cases that task is best left to other people. The point of a debate is to acknowledge different points of view, not shout them out into Chinese censorship.

There is a line between having an opinion and name calling. Like I've said, referring to Justin as "tons o fun" is different than not liking his work or disagreeing with business model. Just an example...

 

[justnum]

There is a line between having an opinion and name calling. Like I've said, referring to Justin as "tons o fun" is different than not liking his work or disagreeing with business model. Just an example...

Virgins to the industry are thin-skinned.

Pros resolve critics with undeniable quality of service or product.

Are you a virgin or a pro?

Only virgins whine about negative comments, pros build on them and deliver better products/services.

 

[Nostroke]

Virgins to the industry are thin-skinned.

Pros resolve critics with undeniable quality of service or product.

Are you a virgin or a pro?

Only virgins whine about negative comments, pros build on them and deliver better products/services.

you are useless-build on that!

 

[cleary]

Virgins to the industry are thin-skinned.

Pros resolve critics with undeniable quality of service or product.

Are you a virgin or a pro?

Only virgins whine about negative comments, pros build on them and deliver better products/services.

I don't think you have ever said anything on this forum that was worth reading.

 

[derekdisco]

I don't think you have ever said anything on this forum that was worth reading.

 

[JB Cases]

Virgins to the industry are thin-skinned.

Pros resolve critics with undeniable quality of service or product.

Are you a virgin or a pro?

Only virgins whine about negative comments, pros build on them and deliver better products/services.

I have been here for 20 years. I am pretty thin skinned. I doubt anyone would characterize me as an industry virgin.

I think you don't understand criticism.

We are creatures who THRIVE on validation. As much as we crave praise for what we do we also despise criticism.

It's perfectly natural to bristle when criticized and perfect UNNATURAL to let it slide.

That's a trained response. People have to make a conscious decision to not care about criticism. And if a person allows themselves to be pumped up by praise then it opens the door for them to be deflated by criticism.

When you are part of a community then it's hurtful when some parts of that community go out of their way to be hurtful and harmful with their comments and actions.

It's easy to say that people should just be thick-skinned when you aren't the one being skinned.

 

[Hungarian]

The fact that you can't take 2 minutes to read Mike's response to this thread, but you can take the time to write this to me because I rep repped you(and send me a pm), speaks volumes about your motives on this forum. I will make my response in picture form so it is "quick and to the point"....just like you like it:

You are a rude blogtard who hides behind your red rep button. Sounds like you should go to work for Mike as his publisher.

 

[CallShotCowboy]

No Melissa they woudn't be done with it.

SOME of the things that Mike said as PCN were true about the state of the industry and legitimate venting. Some were not entirely true or spun a different way. Maybe this has to do with the fact that he is not a player or doesn't have the deeper relationships to the people in this industry. Maybe he doesn't understand that most people in this business are not in it to get rich but instead because they are passionate about the game.
.

I think one of the things that we have to take in context here is that "truth" is subjective, and as my Grandma always told me there are three sides to every story: my side, your side, and the truth. Once the story is told it is subjected to personal bias and influence.

The bald guy has his side, the clique has their side, and the forum has all the answers.

It sure is fun being the arm chair quarter back, or better yet for this forum "the barstool straight shooter."

 

[justnum]

I have been here for 20 years. I am pretty thin skinned. I doubt anyone would characterize me as an industry virgin.

I think you don't understand criticism.

We are creatures who THRIVE on validation. As much as we crave praise for what we do we also despise criticism.

It's perfectly natural to bristle when criticized and perfect UNNATURAL to let it slide.

That's a trained response. People have to make a conscious decision to not care about criticism. And if a person allows themselves to be pumped up by praise then it opens the door for them to be deflated by criticism.

When you are part of a community then it's hurtful when some parts of that community go out of their way to be hurtful and harmful with their comments and actions.

It's easy to say that people should just be thick-skinned when you aren't the one being skinned.

New people always want special treatment. At least with pool players they usually stay focused on the game instead of throw a tantrum because someone chewed gum or was eating chips or talking during their match. As if pro pool players never played in billiard rooms during the rec hour.

Sure its nice that people communicate but what was the goal behind outing someone with a differing opinion. Nobody was trying to determine if what he was saying could have some truth behind it, it was just "he is talking about something I am not doing or haven't done yet."

As for getting validation that comes with experience and commitment. For most people experience and commitment vary but after awhile it is easy to spot out the people hoping to keep the ride going while others are trying to keep the machine running. My point is not everyone will be happy and it is up to the person who is putting the service out there to find a balance.

It is great people are making investments into the billiards community but forcing others to be quiet so they can thrive is sharking.

The AZ community has tons of experience and it is safe to trust most of the lurkers or delayed posters are familiar with what receiving criticism means. It is typical newbie stuff. It is like telling a professor learning is difficult so do I still have to deal with it.

 

[MahnaMahna]

I don't think you have ever said anything on this forum that was worth reading.

I swear he just copies and pastes random lines from random things he finds on the internet. Oh, and then adds something about the IPT, can't forget that.

 

[justnum]

This thread should loosen up

The posts in this thread could use some relaxing.

I suggest we hold out, maybe hold out for a hero ...Holding out for a hero REMIX!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Yyat6pRxys

Through the wind end the chill and the rain
And the storm and the flood
I can feel his approach
Like the fire in my blood

(I think the simile describes someone that instead of posting with a fire in their blood they just wait it out.)

I think the guy wrapped in the fence is Jon Gries (a regular on the Pretender)he is an actor usually typecast as a geek, nerd or wannabe gangster, his first movie role might have been in Real Genius. The blond haired guy at the end I think was in smallville as perry mason. I know I've seen the girl in other work but nothing that is clear in my mind. The guy who brings the paddles is always typecast as the awkward father I think in Airborne is where I recognize him and a handful of other B movies I can't name.

 

[akaTrigger]

I think one of the things that we have to take in context here is that "truth" is subjective, and as my Grandma always told me there are three sides to every story: my side, your side, and the truth. Once the story is told it is subjected to personal bias and influence.

The bald guy has his side, the clique has their side, and the forum has all the answers.

It sure is fun being the arm chair quarter back, or better yet for this forum "the barstool straight shooter."

Can you get off your barstool and grab you and I some popcorn?

 

[cleary]

The posts in this thread could use some relaxing.

I suggest we hold out, maybe hold out for a hero ...Holding out for a hero REMIX!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Yyat6pRxys

Through the wind end the chill and the rain
And the storm and the flood
I can feel his approach
Like the fire in my blood

(I think the simile describes someone that instead of posting with a fire in their blood they just wait it out.)

I think the guy wrapped in the fence is Jon Gries (a regular on the Pretender)he is an actor usually typecast as a geek, nerd or wannabe gangster, his first movie role might have been in Real Genius. The blond haired guy at the end I think was in smallville as perry mason. I know I've seen the girl in other work but nothing that is clear in my mind. The guy who brings the paddles is always typecast as the awkward father I think in Airborne is where I recognize him and a handful of other B movies I can't name.

Drugs... either you on em or need em.

 

[sfleinen]

Drugs... either you on em or need em.

Forget "Comfortably Numb"; he's justnum.

 

[JB Cases]

I think one of the things that we have to take in context here is that "truth" is subjective, and as my Grandma always told me there are three sides to every story: my side, your side, and the truth. Once the story is told it is subjected to personal bias and influence.

The bald guy has his side, the clique has their side, and the forum has all the answers.

It sure is fun being the arm chair quarter back, or better yet for this forum "the barstool straight shooter."

Well I think that answer lies in motivation. When someone is sniping and taking direct shots from a position of safety (anonymity) then the targets get motivated to root out the sniper and destroy him or her.

Also people do make their comments based on bias even if they think that they don't. It's like the concept in physics that observing a phenomena alters it. If someone gets on their high horse and starts in on me and my business decisions but they have been given free product by my competitor then SOMEWHERE in there is bias influencing them to be prone to be negative to me when the opportunity is there to do so.

What I personally find fascinating about this is that it seems as if Mike took comments made to him in his anonymous persona personally enough to be personally insulting back to the offenders.

I listened to a piece the other day with an interesting concept of what's happening in our brains all the time. David Eagleman posits that we have competition among teams of rivals going on. Part of our brain says do it and the other part says don't and we struggle with that all the time. And I think it's true. Victor Frankl, who survived the Holocaust, said that between stimulus and reaction lies choice. That choice is what a lot of us deal with constantly as to what is "right" for ourselves or for others.

For me it's not a question of WHO is right here. The answer is that no one is right and everyone is right. The question is WHY do we deal with each other this way to the point of wanting to hunt each other down and kick each other in the nuts?