@ Matt Edwards....since you live near me, and I am one of the happy folks that put on the GGGBPL thingy, you should come. Jennifer, you too, since you are a Northern CA person!

Feb is the month and it is at Cache Creek Wilderness this year.

"I don't know. Its pretty easy to not click on a thread knowing you aren't interested. Save yourself the frustration and BPL the bandwidth and just don't read the thread. Its not hard. I'm sure there are countless other threads you don't bother with."


As you seem to be brand new here (9 posts starting 10 days ago or whatever), you might not understand what some long time members have to say about the possible changes/declines of the vibe/culture/whatever of BPL.

Sure you can say "don't click on the thread" but perhaps what Craig and others are thinking is "why are these threads here in the first place"?

BPL has been (for me at least) a place where smart, creative, and helpful folks got together to learn and share about UL backpacking and other similar pursuits. I think long-time folks are protective of that vibe.

Edited by DaveT on 09/21/2011 20:04:44 MDT.

>BPL has been (for me at least) a place where smart, creative, and helpful folks got together to learn and share about UL backpacking and other similar pursuits. I think long-time folks are protective of that vibe.

+1

(though, I am ready to admit that recently I haven't participated as deeply in topics as I have in the past)

+ 1 Dave T. BPL is also a place where most of us use either less aggressive screen names, or our real names. I'm not sure "Noneurbizness" realizes how his/her choice of pseudonym reflects on his/her credibility.

>Sometimes you have to not watch the news, not read about gloom. Just walk outside and watch the squirrels if you will - and watch how most of the world keeps humming no matter what the "experts" have to say.

Sarah, I do agree with your post, and I am very aware of all the beautiful things in this world. I'm the kind of guy that will watch a tiny snail in the dirt for a half hour, smiling the whole time about the sheer awesomeness of considering this tiny thing's existence within the infinitesimal enormity of the universe. It's not that the good stuff ain't there. What bugs me is the complete disregard and callus treatment toward the good things by a seemingly increasing percentage of the population.

Not to mention "noneurbizness" has 6 of his 9 posts criticizing BPL or its members.

If you're gonna come in guns a blazin', learn the lay of the land first.

I've been using this site for years. I guess I am more tolerant of peoples names and ideas. These forums are still pretty benign by internet standards.

I created a new account because I don't like exposing personally identifiable information on the internet. Phishing and social engineering is becoming an increasing problem these days.

Time for you to get back in the woods.

If you don't want to read on about a topic...then don't. There are plenty of things here that may interest you. If you’re tired of answering newbie’s questions - don't. If you want to criticize BLP, then join them and fix what you don't like. If not, then go back to the woods and relax. I like Sara's perspective.

I have enjoyed the forums. People are helpful, kind and willing to share their methods and experiences. While my hiking style is not ultra light, I have used the ideas I have gotten here to lighten up my gear and hiking methods...Do I get flamed for it..sometimes, but I always get back in the woods. Do You?


Enjoy,

Dave

I'll preface that I don't like guns and I am not fond of gun discussions. That said, I don't agree with the idea that old time members should steer the forum to try and preserve the vibe. A good vibe is not preserved by not allowing what we don't like. That becomes a distorted, stifled vibe that has little in common with the original "good vibe". So to me, to continue having a good feeling in this forum, instead of preserving something by banning something, let things move through and continue contributing in positive ways. There may be changes, such is life, but closing doors to our little town because we like it the way it is, will turn it into a town with less to like. Let's have a little faith in this community. We can tackle uncomfortable subjects, even when they seem in greater numbers than usual.
"This isn't what we do around here..." is no way to address a clumsy visitor. Show them, instead.

2.23 cents

>2.23 cents

Ain't inflation a b*tch? :)

Kat, I hear your point. "A good vibe is not preserved by not allowing what we don't like." But I'm not so sure the recent flak is simply because there is stuff that people don't like. Perhaps feathers are getting ruffled because certain topics have little to do with backpacking, let alone ultralight backpacking? There are so many hunting, gun, machete, etc. forums across the internet, so I think many people wonder: "why bring those discussions to a place where people dry tiny drops of toothpaste to save weight?"

Edited by T.L. on 09/21/2011 21:58:49 MDT.

wait, travis has a point. maybe i can go to KnifeNuts.org and post lots of threads about what type of toothpaste to best dry into tiny dots, and then GunsBlammo.net and talk on and on about the difference between cuben fiber 0.46 and 0.52. and then i'll get upset when the knife and gun guys tell me to stay on topic or take it elsewhere. but i won't care! toothpaste and cuben fiber are free (well, actually not the latter) and guaranteed by the Constitution and no one can tell me what to talk about on a free gun n' knife forum... that'll show 'em! just skip my toothpaste dot thread if you don't want to read about ultralight toothpaste on a knife forum! why click on my ultralight sailcloth shelter thread if you only care about guns?! and i'm sure i'll feel aggrieved and upset and righteous and eventually vindicated. or whatever.

Edited by DaveT on 09/21/2011 23:10:26 MDT.

Based on the number of on-topic replies to the gun thread it seems there are plenty of people willing to discuss the topic with constructive replies. There are also vocal people who do not want the thread to exist. Ironically, they reply to the thread only to help ensure it's livelihood.

If you did post on a gun'n'knife forum about toothpaste dots I suspect the thread would quickly die due to no responses. Or who knows, maybe they will find it interesting and contribute. Either way, if I didn't care about toothpaste dots I would just ignore the thread and do something else with my energy.

Relagate the lightweight firearm/hunting discussions their own off-piste forum, so those opposed to firearms do not see it pop up in other forums (maybe some filters?), and BPL can call it a day while taking in even more ad revenue.

Easy solve considering the direction the website is taking in terms of revenue.