Newbie questions about tech diver opinions

[IDS_Bill]

This thread is about to get a lot more interesting...

Doubtful - I look at someone forcing their opinion about how to configure their gear (without a valid reason other than that's what the book says) as being similar to the guys in the ties and white shirts knocking on my door.

Like I said, DIR has some great stuff, just don't ridicule someone if they choose not to do it.

I hope the Billy Williams quote was not aimed at me........

 

[JeffG]

Why is it that some tech divers tell you the ONLY way to do something is the way they do it. They act like anyone who does anything different is a suicidal retard.

Law of Primacy and ego.

 

[JeffG]

Like I said, DIR has some great stuff, just don't ridicule someone if they choose not to do it.

What if that thing that they are doing is amazingly stupid?

 

[IDS_Bill]

What if that thing that they are doing is amazingly stupid?

Like I said, there are ways to do it.......

BUT I also believe in Natural Selection. Although if I see someone I taught doing something stupid I'll smack 'em in the back of the head!

 

[Cave Diver]

How does a newbie sort out the BS, and incorporate the best attributes of other's techniques and procedures? Fire away.....

I can answer this for you in one word: "Why?"

When someone starts spouting off, ask them why. Those that understand and have a grasp on things should be able to give you solid reasoning for why they do things one way over another. Avoid those that tell you "that's just how I was taught."

The important thing for a tech diver is to become a thinking diver. Think about the consequences of doing things a certain way. Weigh the pros and cons. Examine every bit of advice you can glean and compare it to what you've learned. The most dangerous part of the learning curve is the point where you think you know it all.

 

[JeffG]

I can answer this for you in one word: "Why?"
.

Doesn't always work.


For example...ask about Deep Air. Some "Whys" are pretty darn funny.

 

[IDS_Bill]

I can answer this for you in one word: "Why?"

When someone starts spouting off, ask them why. Those that understand and have a grasp on things should be able to give you solid reasoning for why they do things one way over another. Avoid those that tell you "that's just how I was taught."

The important thing for a tech diver is to become a thinking diver. Think about the consequences of doing things a certain way. Weigh the pros and cons. Examine every bit of advice you can glean and compare it to what you've learned. The most dangerous part of the learning curve is the point where you think you know it all.

Very Well Said!!!!

 

[Cave Diver]

Doesn't always work.


For example...ask about Deep Air. Some "Whys" are pretty darn funny.

Maybe they're still narked?

 

[Rhone Man]

I hope the Billy Williams quote was not aimed at me........

I think it had a pretty wide number of targets when it was said, but I thought you'd appreciate it! (Here is a link to the full original text.)

I tend to find that the arguments usually generate more heat than light, but I always find the way that the debate is conducted to be pretty entertaining (for example, see my favourite summaries of the pros and the cons).

 

[Kevrumbo]

I've not started my tech classes yet but there is something that I have observed while trying to learn a bit own my own before class. Why is it that some tech divers tell you the ONLY way to do something is the way they do it. They act like anyone who does anything different is a suicidal retard. Then you ask another diver about it (procedure or rigging or whatever) and they have a totally different way they do it and act like anyone who would even think about doing it differently is insane ,suicidal,and a moron, and the term "suicidal" is always thrown in to validate their opinion, as in you will kill yourself if not done my way. How does it work if you go on a charter boat with four or more guys who have totally different ideas on deep diving? How does a newbie sort out the BS, and incorporate the best attributes of other's techniques and procedures? Fire away.....

It's a kind of cognitive bias called Groupthink or Group Serving Bias, several instances posted already above and elsewhere (the most notorious being the sub-forum DIR Practitioner's Zone --the "DPZ"), part of a general public relations annoyance to an otherwise fine diver training agency (GUE) that dates back to the infamous rants of good ol' George Irvine himself.

Unfortunately you've just got take the time to objectively sort through it all . . .(with JeffG, the trolling BS is obvious enough)