How do you react?

Zoot Katz said:

18 Oct 2005 08:24:28 -0700,
<[email hidden]>,

Maggie said:

Quoted message said:

Congratulate them and then change the subject to bike tech type stuff
until their eyes glaze over and they excuse themselves.

That's way harsh Zoot!!! My eyes glaze over if I try to read that
other newsgroup...."rec.Bikes-tech" or whatever that is. Truly Harsh.

It would be harsh if I pursued it and kept badgering them the way some
people prattle on about their kids, cars, pets and possessions.

The only thing worse than that is hearing about what they watched on
television yesterday.

Oh man, I HATE that, especially when people carry on as if the TV show
is the most important thing in life. I used to watch it a lot, but then
the cable company prices were going up in a direct proportion of the
decent in program quality, right now a weeks worth is about 5 hours, I
know people that watch that much per day, and you can easily tell, they
have a butt wider then a city bus......

Hmmm, more TV time is less bike time, although with the days getting
shorter, bike time is getting less and less anyway.....

W

Claire Petersky said:

I'll ask a general question that's been rolling around in my head for a
while. Since there are many "advanced" recreational cyclists here, how do
you react when you encounter someone who is very proud of an accomplishment
that for you, would be rather lame?

For example: you are at a party. The hostess introduces you to someone, and
says, as a way to help along conversation, "oh [insert name] is into cycling
too!". The person you meet then informs you that she rode seven whole miles
down the multi-use trail last Sunday. Meanwhile, you rode 70 miles last
Sunday, and 700 miles that month.

The easiest thing to do, and worst, in my opinion, is to tear someone
down. The best and hardest thing to do, is build them up, which
realistically should be our goal but often isn't. First thing to do, is
to ask questions, like have they been cycling long, are they planning on
doing more riding, or longer riding, what kind of riding they like to
do. Someone fairly new to cycling, may be planning on doing more
riding, and longer distances, and if they like the same style of riding
that you do, then you might have found a developing riding buddy. This
is even better if your both available and of the appropriate genders.

W

The Wogster said:

Zoot Katz said:

It would be harsh if I pursued it and kept badgering them the way some
people prattle on about their kids, cars, pets and possessions.
The only thing worse than that is hearing about what they watched on
television yesterday.

Oh man, I HATE that, especially when people carry on as if the TV show
is the most important thing in life. I used to watch it a lot, but then
the cable company prices were going up in a direct proportion of the
decent in program quality, right now a weeks worth is about 5 hours, I
know people that watch that much per day, and you can easily tell, they
have a butt wider then a city bus......

Hmmm, more TV time is less bike time, although with the days getting
shorter, bike time is getting less and less anyway.....

OK, this is where I am an unashamed snob. When I got to school, I
quickly realized that I wasn't going to live up to mine own standards
with the TV addiction I developed as a child in the suburbs. So I quit
watching TV. I'll watch movies on DVD from time to time, but that's
about it. Now, when ever I see a TV and pause for a second, it seems
like to most ridiculous way to spend time. Wait, so I PAY sit here, do
nothing, while you reinforce my insecurities, tell me lies about the
surrounding world AND try to sell me [censored] I don't need? Where the F do
I sign up?

When people start to discuss characters on TV as if they were real
people, I really speak my mind. Depending on the company and how much
they disagree, I normally try to stop short of calling them "sheep"

\\paul
--
Paul M. Hobson
Georgia Institute of Technology
..:change the words to numbers
if you want to reply to me:.

Tue, 18 Oct 2005 19:55:06 -0400, <[email hidden]>,

Paul Hobson said:

OK, this is where I am an unashamed snob. When I got to school, I
quickly realized that I wasn't going to live up to mine own standards
with the TV addiction I developed as a child in the suburbs. So I quit
watching TV. I'll watch movies on DVD from time to time, but that's
about it. Now, when ever I see a TV and pause for a second, it seems
like to most ridiculous way to spend time. Wait, so I PAY sit here, do
nothing, while you reinforce my insecurities, tell me lies about the
surrounding world AND try to sell me [censored] I don't need? Where the F do
I sign up?

Right here:
http://www.adbusters.org/metas/psycho/tvturnoff/

My favourite was from a few years ago called "Zen TV", or something.
Sit for 30 minutes starring your television set while it's turned off.
--
zk

The Wogster <[email hidden]> wrote:
:> Claire Petersky wrote:
:>> I'll ask a general question that's been rolling around in my head
:>> for a while. Since there are many "advanced" recreational cyclists
:>> here, how do you react when you encounter someone who is very proud
:>> of an accomplishment that for you, would be rather lame?
:>>
:>> For example: you are at a party. The hostess introduces you to
:>> someone, and says, as a way to help along conversation, "oh [insert
:>> name] is into cycling too!". The person you meet then informs you
:>> that she rode seven whole miles down the multi-use trail last
:>> Sunday. Meanwhile, you rode 70 miles last Sunday, and 700 miles
:>> that month.
:>>
:>
:> The easiest thing to do, and worst, in my opinion, is to tear someone
:> down. The best and hardest thing to do, is build them up, which
:> realistically should be our goal but often isn't. First thing to
:> do, is
:> to ask questions, like have they been cycling long, are they
:> planning on doing more riding, or longer riding, what kind of riding
:> they like to
:> do. Someone fairly new to cycling, may be planning on doing more
:> riding, and longer distances, and if they like the same style of
:> riding
:> that you do, then you might have found a developing riding buddy.
:> This
:> is even better if your both available and of the appropriate genders.

Appropriate or right?

In article <[email hidden]>,

Paul Hobson said:

OK, this is where I am an unashamed snob. When I got to school, I
quickly realized that I wasn't going to live up to mine own standards
with the TV addiction I developed as a child in the suburbs. So I quit
watching TV. I'll watch movies on DVD from time to time, but that's
about it. Now, when ever I see a TV and pause for a second, it seems
like to most ridiculous way to spend time. Wait, so I PAY sit here, do
nothing, while you reinforce my insecurities, tell me lies about the
surrounding world AND try to sell me [censored] I don't need? Where the F do
I sign up?

When people start to discuss characters on TV as if they were real
people, I really speak my mind. Depending on the company and how much
they disagree, I normally try to stop short of calling them "sheep

<meta>

Is this necessarily any "better" than belittling the self-impressed 10
miles at 14.7 mph guy at a party?

You could be harshing their buzz and not even know it.

From another perspective, it's darn hard to write a good story with
compelling characters etc. Sometimes half the fun is in trying to
figure out "how did they do that?". A really good show will compel you
into accepting its characters as real, at some level. A good show is as
much fun (more imnsho) than moldy old shakespeare. More accessible,
almost certainly.

Who didn't choke up when Spock gorked after saving the Enterprise or
when the Nazi's shot Heidi or when those [censored] killed Third Rock from
the Sun? etc^etc

It's ok to watch TV in moderation, and there is, despite much wailing to
the contrary, a metric bucket full of very very good television being
produced these days. Try the sci-fi channel's version of Battlestar
Galactica.

I only harsh on Survivor fans. But i dont' call them sheep, i tell them
i wish the pirates had gotten to the island before the production was
over.

</meta>

..max

Zoot Katz said:

Tue, 18 Oct 2005 19:55:06 -0400, <[email hidden]>,

Paul Hobson said:

OK, this is where I am an unashamed snob. When I got to school, I
quickly realized that I wasn't going to live up to mine own standards
with the TV addiction I developed as a child in the suburbs. So I quit
watching TV. I'll watch movies on DVD from time to time, but that's
about it. Now, when ever I see a TV and pause for a second, it seems
like to most ridiculous way to spend time. Wait, so I PAY sit here, do
nothing, while you reinforce my insecurities, tell me lies about the
surrounding world AND try to sell me [censored] I don't need? Where the F do
I sign up?

Right here:
http://www.adbusters.org/metas/psycho/tvturnoff/

My favourite was from a few years ago called "Zen TV", or something.
Sit for 30 minutes starring your television set while it's turned off.

I used to pick up Adbusters regularly until 1) it convinced me that I
shouldn't spend money on such things and 2) it kept me so mad at the
world that I was becoming quite unpleasant myself. I still check the
website every now and then for anti-pharmaceutical industry ammo. Thanks

\\paul
--
Paul M. Hobson
Georgia Institute of Technology
..:change the words to numbers
if you want to reply to me:.

Paul Hobson said:

The Wogster said:

Zoot Katz said:

It would be harsh if I pursued it and kept badgering them the way some
people prattle on about their kids, cars, pets and possessions.
The only thing worse than that is hearing about what they watched on
television yesterday.

Oh man, I HATE that, especially when people carry on as if the TV show
is the most important thing in life. I used to watch it a lot, but
then the cable company prices were going up in a direct proportion of
the decent in program quality, right now a weeks worth is about 5
hours, I know people that watch that much per day, and you can easily
tell, they have a butt wider then a city bus......

Hmmm, more TV time is less bike time, although with the days getting
shorter, bike time is getting less and less anyway.....

OK, this is where I am an unashamed snob. When I got to school, I
quickly realized that I wasn't going to live up to mine own standards
with the TV addiction I developed as a child in the suburbs. So I quit
watching TV. I'll watch movies on DVD from time to time, but that's
about it. Now, when ever I see a TV and pause for a second, it seems
like to most ridiculous way to spend time. Wait, so I PAY sit here, do
nothing, while you reinforce my insecurities, tell me lies about the
surrounding world AND try to sell me [censored] I don't need? Where the F do
I sign up?

I missed a line above, re-reading what I said, I told the cable company
to get stuffed, if I can't get a show with the old rabbit ears, then
it's not worth the cost. Given that I live in a large city, with all
the domestic networks on air, it's not a big loss. Okay, I "watched"
two hours the other day, kinda, the TV was on the hockey game, turned up
enough that I could hear it in the home office, next door.

I was at a friends house the other day, their living room has a fish
tank where the TV would normally be, personally I would rather have a
fireplace there, then in the winter when you spend more time indoors,
you could curl up with a good book, by the fire, much better way to
spend an evening..... Actually debating about moving the TV/VCR from
the living room to the bedroom, but my S.O. may not like the idea, she
didn't the last time I suggested it :-)

Quoted message said:

When people start to discuss characters on TV as if they were real
people, I really speak my mind. Depending on the company and how much
they disagree, I normally try to stop short of calling them "sheep"

The best response is "who?". Actually most people should do an
experiment, unplug the television for a week, eat in the dining room,
instead of in front of the "box". Talk to one another, play some games
together, read a good book. The computer is allowed, but television
programs on the computer are cheating. Have a good conversation. To
keep you from being tempted, move the TV to a back storage room, put a
plant or some flowers in that big empty space.

I am sure that at least 10% of people would forget that the TV has been
sitting in storage, until they trip over it trying to get out the
Christmas tree or Chanukkah menorah.... Most of those people will just
push it further into the corner. Some will remember when they get the
cable bill, and some of those will call the cable company to cancel.

Hmmm, watch the ball game on Sunday afternoon, or get out the bikes and
go for a nice fall ride, that's a no brainer....

W

Claire Petersky said:

but my husband bragged
about it to the guy ahead of us in the chowline. The guy smirked at me so
condescendingly, I wanted to smack him.

And I do see noobs getting the arrogant, "I'm a vastly superior cyclist"
treatment from vastly superior cyclists from time to time, and I just want
to smack those guys, too.

Claire... violence just isn't the answer. It's much better to invite
them out for a ride and then drop them like the worthless noobie scum
they really are. Better if you preface the ride with "take it easy on
my, I'm only a gurl"...

.... which really only works if you are faster than them, of course -
but of course, all us loyal readers at r.b.m. are obviously vastly
superioER cyclists.

;-)

Mark Hickey
Habanero Cycles
http://www.habcycles.com
Home of the $795 ti frame

Claire Petersky said:

"Booker C. Bense"
<[email hidden]> wrote in
message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Does riding 20mph give you the right to be rude?

Only Fabrizio knows the correct answer to that question.

I don't pretend to be Fabrizio, but I suspect he would say that:

a) if you're talking about going up a 10% grade while riding 20mph,
yes.

b) if you're faster than the person you're talking to, yes.

c) if you're Fabrizio, of course, yes.

Mark Hickey
Habanero Cycles
http://www.habcycles.com
Home of the $795 ti frame

Zoot Katz said:

The only thing worse than that is hearing about what they watched on
television yesterday.

I agree, that's about the worst. I suppose I could say "TV? Sorry, I
prefer real life."

But to be honest, I guess I spend as much time watching this tube as
they spend watching that other one. :-(

At least here, there's an exchange of ideas.

- Frank Krygowski

Zoot Katz said:

18 Oct 2005 08:24:28 -0700,
<[email hidden]>,

Maggie said:

Quoted message said:

Congratulate them and then change the subject to bike tech type stuff
until their eyes glaze over and they excuse themselves.

That's way harsh Zoot!!! My eyes glaze over if I try to read that
other newsgroup...."rec.Bikes-tech" or whatever that is. Truly Harsh.

It would be harsh if I pursued it and kept badgering them the way some
people prattle on about their kids, cars, pets and possessions.

The only thing worse than that is hearing about what they watched on
television yesterday.

I carry my kill-file with me to parties.

Hahah... woudln't it be great if we could just skip over boring
conversations like we do with idiotic messages, or FF over ads...

Roger Zoul said:

The Wogster <[email hidden]> wrote:
:> Claire Petersky wrote:
:>> I'll ask a general question that's been rolling around in my head
:>> for a while. Since there are many "advanced" recreational cyclists
:>> here, how do you react when you encounter someone who is very proud
:>> of an accomplishment that for you, would be rather lame?
:>>
:>> For example: you are at a party. The hostess introduces you to
:>> someone, and says, as a way to help along conversation, "oh [insert
:>> name] is into cycling too!". The person you meet then informs you
:>> that she rode seven whole miles down the multi-use trail last
:>> Sunday. Meanwhile, you rode 70 miles last Sunday, and 700 miles
:>> that month.
:>>
:>
:> The easiest thing to do, and worst, in my opinion, is to tear someone
:> down. The best and hardest thing to do, is build them up, which
:> realistically should be our goal but often isn't. First thing to
:> do, is
:> to ask questions, like have they been cycling long, are they
:> planning on doing more riding, or longer riding, what kind of riding
:> they like to
:> do. Someone fairly new to cycling, may be planning on doing more
:> riding, and longer distances, and if they like the same style of
:> riding
:> that you do, then you might have found a developing riding buddy.
:> This
:> is even better if your both available and of the appropriate genders.

Appropriate or right?

Well these days boy + girl isn't always the case, girl + girl and boy +
boy seem to also be common, so either term seems to be correct.

W

The Wogster said:

Paul Hobson said:

The Wogster said:

Zoot Katz wrote:

> It would be harsh if I pursued it and kept badgering them the way some
> people prattle on about their kids, cars, pets and possessions.
> The only thing worse than that is hearing about what they watched on
> television yesterday.

Oh man, I HATE that, especially when people carry on as if the TV
show is the most important thing in life. I used to watch it a lot,
but then the cable company prices were going up in a direct
proportion of the decent in program quality, right now a weeks worth
is about 5 hours, I know people that watch that much per day, and you
can easily tell, they have a butt wider then a city bus......

Hmmm, more TV time is less bike time, although with the days getting
shorter, bike time is getting less and less anyway.....

OK, this is where I am an unashamed snob. When I got to school, I
quickly realized that I wasn't going to live up to mine own standards
with the TV addiction I developed as a child in the suburbs. So I
quit watching TV. I'll watch movies on DVD from time to time, but
that's about it. Now, when ever I see a TV and pause for a second, it
seems like to most ridiculous way to spend time. Wait, so I PAY sit
here, do nothing, while you reinforce my insecurities, tell me lies
about the surrounding world AND try to sell me [censored] I don't need?
Where the F do I sign up?

I missed a line above, re-reading what I said, I told the cable company
to get stuffed, if I can't get a show with the old rabbit ears, then
it's not worth the cost. Given that I live in a large city, with all
the domestic networks on air, it's not a big loss. Okay, I "watched"
two hours the other day, kinda, the TV was on the hockey game, turned up
enough that I could hear it in the home office, next door.

I was at a friends house the other day, their living room has a fish
tank where the TV would normally be, personally I would rather have a
fireplace there, then in the winter when you spend more time indoors,
you could curl up with a good book, by the fire, much better way to
spend an evening..... Actually debating about moving the TV/VCR from
the living room to the bedroom, but my S.O. may not like the idea, she
didn't the last time I suggested it :-)

Quoted message said:

When people start to discuss characters on TV as if they were real
people, I really speak my mind. Depending on the company and how much
they disagree, I normally try to stop short of calling them "sheep"

The best response is "who?". Actually most people should do an
experiment, unplug the television for a week, eat in the dining room,
instead of in front of the "box". Talk to one another, play some games
together, read a good book. The computer is allowed, but television
programs on the computer are cheating. Have a good conversation. To
keep you from being tempted, move the TV to a back storage room, put a
plant or some flowers in that big empty space.

I am sure that at least 10% of people would forget that the TV has been
sitting in storage, until they trip over it trying to get out the
Christmas tree or Chanukkah menorah.... Most of those people will just
push it further into the corner. Some will remember when they get the
cable bill, and some of those will call the cable company to cancel.

Hmmm, watch the ball game on Sunday afternoon, or get out the bikes and
go for a nice fall ride, that's a no brainer....

W

No kidding... most of the ALCS was on when we had an october heat wave.
I love the red sox, but it was too nice outside... turns out i had the
right idea, sigh.

However, in the winter, i have to have my shows...and since I also read
(BOOKS) i don't worry about becoming one of those people who talk about
tv characters as if they're real. That drives me buggy too... same with
people who talk about celebrities like they really care about their
lives. "Oh, so and so was on OPRAH and she was blah blah blah..." like
who cares, really.

"Claire Petersky" wrote: (clip) Or?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Just about everything has already been said, but I will add one more little
point. The premise is that the newbie is full of enthusiasm and pride, and
has no idea of the gap between you, right? Besides being discrete, and not
blasting them with boasts about your achievements, besides being interested
in their new experiences and accomplishments, I suggest including subtle
clues to your more advanced status, so they don't dig themselves in REALLY
deep, and then suffer total embarassment when they realize what they have
done.

Tell them how many bicycles you have or have had. Tell them about
rec.bicycles.misc. Tell them about your new clipless pedals (even if
they're not new.) Tell them about numerous wonderful places to ride. But
always with a tone of one-rider-to-another--never with a tone of
I'm-better-than-you.

"Claire Petersky" <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

I'll ask a general question that's been rolling around in my head for
a while. Since there are many "advanced" recreational cyclists here,
how do you react when you encounter someone who is very proud of an
accomplishment that for you, would be rather lame?

Simple. You punch the other person in the shoulder and say, Fabulous! I
bet you can't wait to get to the next level!

--ag

Zoot wrote:
<<My favourite was from a few years ago called "Zen TV", or something.
Sit for 30 minutes starring your television set while it's turned
off.>>

Ever try this for real? I don't watch much TV, but sometimes if I've
got the flu and just sitting around home I'll go on a TV jag if I'm
tired of reading and tired of sleeping. So what if there's nothing on
no matter how many channels you have? Just sit there and stare at the
blank screen.

It's not THAT different than when I was in a Catholic seminary and we
meditated while kneeling in front of the tabernacle.

The recesses of your idly focused mind contain more useful information
than most TV shows, anyway.

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

But to be honest, I guess I spend as much time watching this tube as
they spend watching that other one. :-(

Ain't that the truth. I tell folks, newsgroups are my screen time. I don't
know which is more pathetic.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
Personal page: http://www.geocities.com/cpetersky/
See the books I've set free at:
http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

Tue, 18 Oct 2005 20:34:35 -0400, <[email hidden]>,
Paul Hobson <[email hidden]> wrote, in part:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

http://www.adbusters.org/metas/psycho/tvturnoff/

My favourite was from a few years ago called "Zen TV", or something.
Sit for 30 minutes starring your television set while it's turned off.

I used to pick up Adbusters regularly until 1) it convinced me that I
shouldn't spend money on such things and 2) it kept me so mad at the
world that I was becoming quite unpleasant myself. I still check the
website every now and then for anti-pharmaceutical industry ammo. Thanks

I've never bought a copy since most, if not all, and possibly more, of
their content is available online. A lot of the issues they cover are
near and dear to my fractious spirit. I like their prankster attitude
and levity.
--
zk

18 Oct 2005 20:35:34 -0700,
<[email hidden]>, "Mike Kruger"

Quoted message said:

Zoot wrote:
<<My favourite was from a few years ago called "Zen TV", or something.
Sit for 30 minutes starring your television set while it's turned
off.>>

Ever try this for real? I don't watch much TV, but sometimes if I've
got the flu and just sitting around home I'll go on a TV jag if I'm
tired of reading and tired of sleeping. So what if there's nothing on
no matter how many channels you have? Just sit there and stare at the
blank screen.

I don't have a TV. Haven't had one for years. People used to offer me
free or cheap televisions whenever I said that. When I declined their
offers they'd think I was crazy. I hang out with a more interesting
bunch of people now so TV is rarely mentioned.

Quoted message said:

It's not THAT different than when I was in a Catholic seminary and we
meditated while kneeling in front of the tabernacle.

The recesses of your idly focused mind contain more useful information
than most TV shows, anyway.

I think that's why most spiritual practises incorporate some form of
meditation.
--
zk