Why is DIR controversial?

[Diver Dennis]

I know that might not bother you Andy but it might give solo diving a bad name, even more of a bad name, if we had a few vocal members here or on other boards saying this was true. It might not reflect the feelings of most of the members but for most people, perception is reality and a few vocal members can give the perception that all the members think this way.

 

[H2Andy]

exactly ... it is controversial because enough people are insecure enough to react to the term, one way or another

it's just three words .... just three little words

 

[cmalinowski]

I know that might not bother you Andy but it might give solo diving a bad name, even more of a bad name, if we had a few vocal members here or on other boards saying this was true. It might not reflect the feelings of most of the members but for most people, perception is reality and a few vocal members can give the perception that all the members think this way.

But what about the people who are not solo divers, who espouse to be solo divers, who then claim that solo diving is the best way to dive. They go forth and criticize all other divers. Should solo divers be persicuted for it?

 

[TSandM]

I think almost everybody on this board knows that I've gotten GUE training, and that I love what I've been taught, and try as hard as I can to follow the principles, and that I aspire to doing more training with GUE.

But I'll admit that I suspect the GUE/DIR approach selects, to a certain extent, for jerks.

I base this on my experience in general surgery. When you take something that's hard, and you have a training process that is difficult and stressful and that not very many people do, and at the end you have skills few people have and can go places and do things that most people can't, you'll find that process can attract a certain kind of person. The unfortunately sexist word "macho" comes to mind.

Most general surgeons are great people. They have deserved pride in what they've learned to do, but a lot of humility that comes from having failed and knowing there are finite limits to their competence. But some are thoroughgoing jerks -- arrogant, elitist, autocratic and contemptuous of others. Some sneer at non-surgical specialists (referring to internists as "fleas" for example, because all they can do is crawl around on the outside of the patient and suck blood ).

I suspect that technical diving in general can select for the same personality type, and in fact, that people of that type, if they dive, are more likely to gravitate to specialized training. So your chances of running into an arrogant loudmouth technical diver are probably higher than running into an arrogant loudmouth resort diver.

I see it on Scubaboard, too.

To that extent, I think DIR perpetuates its own controversy through the actions and words of a small minority of its practitioners. But because those people confirm the stereotype, they are memorable. The DIR diver next to them, who is quietly gearing up to do a good dive with his buddies, is not noticed.

We have a wonderful community of DIR divers in Seattle. Many of them are extremely generous people, who volunteer their time to help new divers, and who turn out for work parties at the local underwater parks. There is a great community of DIR divers in Monterey, who are hospitable and generous. I know, because I've met some of them. There is a warm and welcoming community of DIR divers in Southern California, too. I know, because I've referred SB beginners to them for mentoring, and heard about the results. But none of these groups can overcome the image that DIR has as a result of the few unpleasant people who alienate others, either on line or in real life. It's sad.

 

[Diver Dennis]

Exactly my point Chris. The few that are the vocal ones lead to the persecution of the whole. That is what the rest see and perceive that all solo divers are like that. Your right, it's not fair.

 

[H2Andy]

But I'll admit that I suspect the GUE/DIR approach selects, to a certain extent, for jerks.

i've thought this too ...

however, why is it that every single DIR diver i have ever met is the epitome of a curtious, friendly diver?

maybe the jerks get weeded off early ... with ... a... er.... a few exceptions

 

[Diver Dennis]

To that extent, I think DIR perpetuates its own controversy through the actions and words of a small minority of its practitioners. But because those people confirm the stereotype, they are memorable. The DIR diver next to them, who is quietly gearing up to do a good dive with his buddies, is not noticed.

I think this is exactly what is happening Lynne. As I've posted, all the DIR divers I have met in person, have been nothing but great. It is the few very vocal internet DIR divers that seem to be the radical and confrontational ones.

 

[Soggy]

i've thought this too ...

however, why is it that every single DIR diver i have ever met is the epitome of a curtious, friendly diver?

maybe the jerks get weeded off early

There is no face and inflection on the Internet. Most people are reasonable human beings and choose not to be confrontational in person.

 

[Rick Murchison]

2. some people react strongly to DIR because it is a threat to their ego and thus they have to "prove" how good divers they are.

And some react negatively to arrogant elitists of any sort without feeling any threat to their ego at all. No one that I know likes to hang around people who tell them "you're not doing it right," no matter how secure they are in their own ways - it just gets tiresome, and obnoxious.
--

If we're arguing what is wrong with the DIR acronym, then I will agree with the arguments that it can be construed as elitist.

Bingo! It's what I meant in my first post in this thread when I said "It's (meaning "the controversy is") all in the name (emphasis added)."

While I believe that GUE is trying to do away with the "DIR" label as a future description of their diving

Best idea possible!
Good on 'em.
--

The reason why DIR is so controversial is because people are too insecure and thin-skinned. It's just a name.

Yep, the DIR controversy is everybody else's fault for being so insecure and thin skinned, not ours, who are, after all, just doing it right. Oh, yeah!
Thanks for the great example, Soggy
Rick

 

[Rick Inman]

however, why is it that every single DIR diver i have ever met is the epitome of a curtious, friendly diver?

That's my experience, too. Maybe, Andy, the real DIR elitists won't associate with the likes of us.

I think I'll re-name myself, Diving Flea.