The internet also allows people to hide what is within themselves, thus appearing to be something they are not. Worse yet, I think the internet is slowly making many people as cold and uncaring as the computers which allow them to communicate. Think about it.. with this message, I'm not talking to you (the person), I'm talking to my computer. Food for thought.
What TBN use to be like
- Thread starter Robert_in_NY
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The internet also allows people to hide what is within themselves, thus appearing to be something they are not. Worse yet, I think the internet is slowly making many people as cold and uncaring as the computers which allow them to communicate. Think about it.. with this message, I'm not talking to you (the person), I'm talking to my computer. Food for thought.
It's funny that you mentioned it, because I often look at it that way. In my youth I actually had a pen pal for many years.
The speed of communication may also be part of the problem. In the past, we had time to think and perhaps even anticipate the next bit of communication, but today everything happens so quickly that we often say things without putting much thought behind them. I know I've been guilty of that more than a few times myself. Come to think of it, perhaps we're all just suffering from a bad case of TMI (Too Much Information) on a global scale. :confused2:
CobyRupert
Super Member
So, When did people start using the term "seat time"? As in "Oh boy! I got some seat time today on my shiny tractor! Oh I love it so!" What the hay?
madmax12
Veteran Member
I don't know. Could it be when driving by the shovel, wheel barrow, pick, hand truck...
Or maybe it's when tractor companies introduced HST.
Anyone else have a clue?
sandman2234
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Yeah, I remember the day he signed that, and then it got forwarded it on to the next one. There is a lot more to the story than just a few people who sent cards... as the cards should have all made it to Robert at about the same time, and were from (I think?) about four different parts of the US, since sending one to everybody would take too long, and doing multiples at one time decreased the time it took to get them to NY. Address' and emails had to be sent so the last guy would know where it was going next, and we tried to keep it under wraps so that it was a surprise to Robert (though he wasn't exactly in shape to be reading the forum at the time).
I have never met Robert, but have talked to him via the telephone several times, (ESPECIALLY when I had Ford 7710 problems) and if I ever get back to the west end of NY, I plan on shaking his hand. A friend, yes, I consider him one.
David from jax
daugen
Epic Contributor
I can't wax nostalgic because i wasn't around, but it's pretty clear there are a lot of nice people on this forum, thoughtful, helpful and patient.
And then there are the challenges of folks sitting down at their pc's after their third cup of coffee, or perhaps worse, their sixteenth beer, and
instead of a discussion, we have a ping pong match of different opinions getting lobbed back and forth. Not much discussion...that assumes some give and take.
Lots of folk set in their opinions on many things. And who seem to get extremely defensive, even offended, on hearing other opinions that don't jive with theirs.
The good news is that once one gets out of the political discussions and gun discussions, things calm down very quickly. I mean, how many unkind comments have you heard
in a crop or planting discussion?
This is a very large forum, and getting larger. Sometimes it's hard to have a quiet chat when you are in a train station...
I for one am most grateful for the long time members, who add such an enormous depth to the discussion, and who can reference other threads
where the exact same thing has been discussed. I also think TBN's showing of similar threads at the bottom of the page is very helpful. Good site design.
If there are things that have changed that are not what many want, or like, let's talk about how to improve the situation.
Important to keep the best of the past.
And then there are the challenges of folks sitting down at their pc's after their third cup of coffee, or perhaps worse, their sixteenth beer, and
instead of a discussion, we have a ping pong match of different opinions getting lobbed back and forth. Not much discussion...that assumes some give and take.
Lots of folk set in their opinions on many things. And who seem to get extremely defensive, even offended, on hearing other opinions that don't jive with theirs.
The good news is that once one gets out of the political discussions and gun discussions, things calm down very quickly. I mean, how many unkind comments have you heard
in a crop or planting discussion?
This is a very large forum, and getting larger. Sometimes it's hard to have a quiet chat when you are in a train station...
I for one am most grateful for the long time members, who add such an enormous depth to the discussion, and who can reference other threads
where the exact same thing has been discussed. I also think TBN's showing of similar threads at the bottom of the page is very helpful. Good site design.
If there are things that have changed that are not what many want, or like, let's talk about how to improve the situation.
Important to keep the best of the past.
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After giving this some thought, I think it all boils down to the scope of the problem.
I was thinking that while those who have been members of forums the longest might be more apt to notice a change, newer members probably wouldn't. Then I began to think about the internet in general, and about how it has changed since the early to mid 1990's. Everywhere you go, you'll find people complaining about one thing or another and becoming divided or polarized over seemingly trivial issues, while seemingly becoming more and more isolated. It doesn't matter what the subject matter happens to be, people are just plain unhappy, or so it seems. And the worse part is that this "unhappiness" seems to be contagious.
While I can't speak for anyone else, I can say this... If I spend more time on the internet (forums or otherwise), I feel worse. If I spend less time on the internet, I feel better. Now I can't cay for certain exactly what that means, but to me it seems to suggest that the problem is much more widespread than any of us might imagine. Don't get me wrong, I love the internet and think it's one of the greatest inventions ever conceived, but I also believe that it has the power to affect our minds and our moods greatly. As a result, I've begun to try to find a good balance, where I'll sometimes go "unplugged" for a period of time as I focus on real-life things, just for the sake of change. This may not work for everyone, but it works for me.
I'm starting to think that way, too. I tend to stay off it on the weekends now and spend more time doing stuff with family or around the house. Maybe only log on late at night when wife and daughters have chick flicks on the TV.
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"Seat time" as I remember it used to be a pilot's term. Pilots need to build hours to get their ratings, so they get as much seat time as possible.
Apparently, tractors require pilots! :laughing:
I know my little PT425 sounds like a good fighter jet name....
:thumbsup:
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And to whoever mention the devisive times in this country contributing to some of the hostilities here on TBN....
You couldn't be more wrong!!!
:laughing:
Just kidding, of course. I think you're 100% correct. :thumbsup:
Seems lots of folks are polarized on many issues. That's why I hate to see politics discussed here. I'm glad that the political discussions get moved to the friendly politics forum, but I have to wonder if the hostilities that come out in there spill over into the mainstream TBN? Several members have mentioned it.
You couldn't be more wrong!!!
:laughing:
Just kidding, of course. I think you're 100% correct. :thumbsup:
Seems lots of folks are polarized on many issues. That's why I hate to see politics discussed here. I'm glad that the political discussions get moved to the friendly politics forum, but I have to wonder if the hostilities that come out in there spill over into the mainstream TBN? Several members have mentioned it.
I'm starting to think that way, too. I tend to stay off it on the weekends now and spend more time doing stuff with family or around the house. Maybe only log on late at night when wife and daughters have chick flicks on the TV.
Spending less time on the internet does seem to work (at least for me), but I'm still working on finding a good balance. I sometimes have back problems (long story) which prevent me from spending long periods of time doing other things such as working in my garage or on my tractor, so I wind up posting on TBN or watching TV until my back gets better.
TripleR
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Quite possibly, but for me, what happens on "Friendly Politics" stays there, I can have significant disagreements on those forums with someone, yet remain cordial on tractor/implement/how to threads. If I get to the point to where I can't, I will stay away from politics as I enjoy the tractor stuff more.
Very similar situation here, haven't been able to get near a tractor in months or drive my truck, so I spend more time on the computer during those times. I imagine there are quite a few in the same situation.
dmccarty
Super Star Member
That is mostly true too. Though I don't think people are more cold because of this form of communication. Unless by cold, you mean rude, to which I will whole heartily agree. I think the people who really are cold and uncaring, out themselves on the Internet, where as in a face to face meeting, you would not always pick this up about the person. Other times, what seems to be cold and uncaring, is just a miscommunication due to the written word. Most communication between people who are talking face to face, is body language, which is completely absent in on most forms are Internet communication. But I think people also reveal more of a part of the personality than they would in a face to face encounter.
I met one of our local politicians at an event last year and we had a pleasant chat. Now, I know this person is very unpleasant because I have seen what this person says and does as a politician but in our 15 minute conversation, none of this persons true character was revealed. Years ago I learned to trust myself on first impressions. I was working with a guy, who when I first met him, struck me as very untrustworthy. A group of coworkers would hang out after work and I got to know the guy a bit better and thought my first impression was wrong. Turned out my first impression was correct after all. There were a few little things at work he did that were bothersome but the biggy was that he had a live in girl friend and I think they were engaged. On the side, the guy was having an affair with a college intern and that was not the first time he had done this either.
People can hide themselves in person to person communication, as well as on the Internet, but I think most people end up unveiling more than they think on the Internet, which is not always a bad thing. :laughing: After reading what you did for those stray cats, I always think of you as Mr. Softie, and I say that with the utmost respect and admiration. :thumbsup::laughing::laughing::laughing: You revealed a part of yourself saving those two critters. I don't think many people would have done what you did for two strays.
Later,
Dan
When I used the word cold I was generalizing (bad habit) about the effects computers have on communication, although you put it much more eloquently than I did. And I agree that first impressions can speak volumes, even if we don't always listen to what our gut is telling us.
Don't worry about calling me "Mr. Softie" because you're 100% correct. Something I've always struggled with is the fact that I sometimes come off sounding like a prick online, probably because I'm usually very guarded and tend to show little to no emotion in what I write. But with traumatic situations like the one with my cats, I tend to let my guard down and my true nature begins to show.
That's the whole reason I bought my Yanmar F16D - I just thought it had a cool name!
CobyRupert
Super Member
MasseyWV said : "But with traumatic situations like the one with my cats, I tend to let my guard down and my true nature begins to show." & "My back side is just itching for some quality "seat time"." Ok. Like Seinfeld says "Not that's there's anything wrong with that." We don't judge.
Ken
Veteran Member
Bird I'm thinking you were the first to answer a Kubota question I had. and it must of been before 2000 Nevertheless still read and respect your posts . candid answers . We have never met but the future isn't over yet.
Robert remember you health issues of broken back trust the health will continue to improve.
ken
jerrybob
Super Member
Seat time has been used in the education field for years. In college....students are awarded credit for classes on the basis of "seat time" in class and out of class student work. :2cents:
Thomas
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Years years back most of us had dial up wait to get connection slow post reply,and to submit attachment will thats another story..as the old ad you to say..you come along way baby.
