But this rapid gangland warfare is why I spend most of my time now in the equipment rooms and the single's bar (errr non-diving stuff) room.
Anatomy of a Basic Scuba Discussions thread:
blah blah DIR blah
Chrpai (or one of the few courageous souls remaining), after months of being pounced on by the pack of DIR / GUE apologists/supporters ("the zealots") for the 2700th time, attempts to make the same, tired, yet dimly valid point - (take your pick):
* you can't tell me how to dive
* you have no monopoly on what is "right"
* many people don't dive DIR and they are perfectly safe, rational divers
* GI3 is a bloated, dolphin short wearing blowhard who only needs cuffs and a bow tie & collar to complete his Chippendale's starter kit
Mix in a touch of wit and irony to your post, give it a provocative title and these guys melt down. But the zealots, not content to reduce these guys to a pulpy stain on the board continue to stomp and stomp.
And newbies are left to witness this display. Daily. And then are the new zealot fodder when they ask (because they're too new or too lazy to do some thread shopping) Why do computers rot the brain? Why are all DIR people idiots?
Its saddens me. I've only been here for a year, and this place has changed so much. I'm not gonna lay the 'uphill in the snow, both ways' thing on you - but man. Shake yourselves. I needed to shake myself. This isn't a "why can't we all get along" plea. Constructive conflict is good. Its essential. Passionate exchange is what has kept me here. Questioning the status quo, demanding an explanation for things, searching for reasons, justification. I love that. I miss that.
If I'm throwing out the same retread hash, and if my posts become bitter, paranoid, self-righteous or despense bad or unsafe information, someone slap me around.
I miss this room, but its tough hanging out the last several weeks.
Chrpai - I can't change your mind on some of the things we passionately disagree on. I'm OK with that. You get killed because you're outnumbered and because after months of getting beaten up you've reduced your once thoughtful and witty delivery to quick jabs. I'm cool with that. Its tough to go 1 on 20 every time you post. So lets just go diving together. I'll extend it again. When you're in So Cal, let me know (and I likewise with the gret stet) and we'll dive.
K