An Interesting Subject

[whdamon]

It is the perfect mix of Art, History and the Child in all of us.

Walt Damon

 

[garyjd]

Originally posted by whdamon@Mar 23 2005, 02:07 PM
It is the perfect mix of Art, History and the Child in all of us.

Walt Damon

I'm with Walt on this one. Great thread Lou thanks.~Gary

 

[btavis]

I like to model because I live on the edge and I get to work with dangerous chemicals and play with sharp objects. I have the scars to prove it.

 

[PJ Deluhery]

Hey Walt, what a great title for a figure dislpay! All we need is a graphic of a Victorian era child under a tree! Shameless!

 

[mahross]

Being a budding historian, it is definetly the history which draws me to the subject. I often read stuff and then want to reproduce something related to it. For example i am at the moment readding Martin Windrows The Last Valley the story of France's defeat in Vietnam and can't ait to start of Foreign Legion Para. Probably Miniature Alliances.

Ross

 

[garyjd]

If you look at the numbers on the poll for this thread, there is one (okay two) that has really caught my attention. The catagory regarding medals and competition for a reason behind being involved in the hobby/art has not been picked by one person as of yet. It just seems to me medals and titles mean a lot to some folks, be it because they're competitive people or they have huge egos (or they develope them over time) that need regular feeding. This is just my opinion and nothing else, it's intent is not meant to stir the pot or get people flustered.~Gary

 

[Roy]

I think I know what you mean Gary...and I suppose we all find different interests guide us into the hobby one way or another, and those are maybe the most important reasons for our continued enthusiasm with this passion for figures.
For those special times that medals are awarded, it makes us feel good that our figures have been examined carefully..perhaps admired, and then considered worthy of some award. So we should certainly feel proud to garner the occassional award, especially if we have put all our labours into a piece, for a lot of people it is the recognition for their efforts, by way of a medal, that inspires them on to the next figure. But by looking at the votes it looks like most of us here, are in the hobby just for the plain love of it and it's relation to history...which probably goes a long way to explain why there is such a high standard of work here on the Planet...because we do it because we love it...warts 'n all.

Roy.

 

[Jason W.]

Originally posted by whdamon@Mar 23 2005, 02:07 PM
It is the perfect mix of Art, History and the Child in all of us.

Walt, that say's it all!

 

[Robert Merz]

Originally posted by garyjd@Mar 27 2005, 09:07 AM
If you look at the numbers on the poll for this thread, there is one (okay two) that has really caught my attention. The catagory regarding medals and competition for a reason behind being involved in the hobby/art has not been picked by one person as of yet. It just seems to me medals and titles mean a lot to some folks, be it because they're competitive people or they have huge egos (or they develope them over time) that need regular feeding. This is just my opinion and nothing else, it's intent is not meant to stir the pot or get people flustered.~Gary

Hi Gary,

This is an interesting insight. I bet for every person who is serious about competing, there is another who could care less. I know I fall into the latter category for a few reasons. First, I really do not have the talent to even think about competing, and I really don’t think I ever will. At best, I am an “average” miniaturist, and despite my best efforts and intent to improve, I seem stuck at the same skill level. Second, I am not the competitive type. I did play American football for eight years, and started on offense, defense, and special teams. Every year I was thoroughly indoctrinated to “inspired coaching” and teammates in a testosterone frenzy… I felt honored to be part of a championship team (2 years), and to belong to the team, but I preferred to spend my time with our cheerleaders (which I recall to have paid even greater dividends)!

So, to me personally, competitions seem very unimportant. I think everyone should be given some type of medal just for entering, probably because I am the father of two, and I like to see my children succeed and be rewarded for their efforts; plus it takes GUTS to set something on a table for all the “experts” to pick apart. Just look at how people in our little community here go ape over a new release. Some tear it to pieces; others admire the talent it took to create it in the first place (I am in this camp). I also think this is one reason a lot of us are loathe to post pictures of our work a lot of the time.

In September I am going to try to enter a local contest, just so that I can say that I have tried it once, and had the experience. I don’t expect to place, win anything, or hang around while the entry is judged; I just want to satisfy my curiosity about the whole show/competition thing. I plan to be as anonymous as possible, and just observe the “goings on” (and hit the vendor area). I feel I owe myself the experience, and who knows, just maybe some of the conceptions I have will be dispelled.

Well, just another $.02, for what it is worth…

Rob

 

[Uruk-Hai]

It just seems to me medals and titles mean a lot to some folks, be it because they're competitive people or they have huge egos (or they develope them over time) that need regular feeding.

That may very well be the case for some. But remember that only one option were to be chosed.

Sometimes I feel that its bad to be competive? Im competive and Im honest about it. Its not good if the competition is all thats important. I admit its bad when people dont want to discuss techniqes and tips or help other. Or bad loosers.(Ive used to fence and boy have I had more than my fair share of bad loosers and unsportmanlike behaviour ).

Im competive because it spurs me and encourage me. If you aim for the stars youll at least hit the tree tops.

Medals and award are more important for those that does not share the social side of this hobby. I may not win an award but my buddies told me that the liked the piece and how it was compared to my other pieces. Some also noted that extra detail Ive added and was so proud of. In that scenario some noticed your work and therefor theyve noticed you. However, if you dont know any other modellers or have any as friends, medals and awards are the only recongition of your work.

To add more only a one show here in Sweden have an Open system and two has an half-open system with one class-winner in every with two additional valours depending on the level on the entries. This is a compromize when Ive agitated for an Open system some years ago and many IPMS-members were reluctant.

Another note is that shows without the competition aspect does not draw as many participants or visitors.

 

[Lou Masses]

Janne,

You are correct. Unfortunately I couldn't figure out how to make it multiple choice if at all possible so we only had one choice.

I'm sure medals are important to some but not the primary reason. In a multiple choice I would guess it would rank towards the bottom probably, but that's just a guess.

Thank you everyone for participating. There were some really interesting stories posted-one things for certain-it seems like we are all similar in our likes, and also how we got here.

My favorite was this one from Walt.....

"It is the perfect mix of Art, History and the Child in all of us."

Cool! See ya

 

[Lou Masses]

Firstly, I'd be interested to see how long this one lasts without being deleted.

Secondly, if you don't want to hear this, please stop reading now and go to another thread.

Finally, the topic of this post.

Over the last few months there has been a concerted effort to censor any posts that are not "appreciated" by certain members on this site. While it may be understandable to censor or delete posts that are wildly inflammatory or outwardly obscene and offensive, to delete someone's view simply because A.) you don't agree with it or B.) it MAY cause an disagreement is not only offensive in and of itself but just plain wrong.

It's no secret that there have been some "back and forths" here as of late. What you may not know is that certain member(s?) of the moderating team have decided what stays and what goes-without so much as an explanation. On one occasion, a closed thread was "reopened" to allow comment and then closed again. I even attempted to respond in a non offensive manner on another post and was deleted. While of course we may hear "people have the right to defend themselves" I guess the truth is "certain people have the right to defend themselves", but not others. When a few members said the exact same thing last night-the whole thread was deleted outright.

Yet these very moderators, when it is a subject that they have interest in will allow "leeway" and allow others to argue for them and close off the person they disagree with-all the while claiming fairness.

Whether Quang and I get along or agree or disagree with eachother or whether you agree with the discussion of history vs art on either side, it is our right to discuss it within the guidleines of this forum. If patently offensive to anyone who reads it, it goes against the rules and the person should be told to edit it or have it removed, but to offhandedly remove posts, close them, delete them and not allow them to be posted in the first place leads me to believe that some are getting a bit to overzealous with their online "Godlike powers".

You can say that "it keeps the peace" on pF. Frankly it does not. If people are prevented from speaking and airing their views or discussing them, or not allowed to react to an attack then the frustration anger and bitterness builds until it reaches a point where what could have settled by discussion becaomes an all out hate fest. Numerous dictators have tried the same methods and we all know how that ends up.

The internet will always have disagreements. It will always have things posted you or I don't like. It is, and should be our choice to read it as long as it is not patently offensive.

Make the censorship STOP