The Cave Politics, Rumor Monger and Gossip Guild is alive and well. Let's end it!

[The Chairman]

I want a bumper sticker that says...

Post More. Gossip Less!

or possibly...

Dive More. Gossip Less!


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As a clarification: none of the owners or workers at the dive shop were involved in this. In fact, I rarely get anything but positive vibes at Cave Country Dive Shop. They are always smiling, helpful and friendly. What's not to like?

 

[tech_diver]

Wow...

It's nasty but timeless. I can see it all the way back to the seventies when PADI and NAUI instructors would talk crap about the other agency and how dangerous they were. "You're gonna die if train with them."

The vitriol just seemed to move slower without the internet.

 

[ReefGuy]

There are reasons I don't post post here much anymore. While I think it's unprofessional of the instructor, his opinion is not entirely invalid.

 

[Wookie]

Do you not remember the cavers list? As soon as Al invented the internet, it seems that cave divers started trashing each other on it. Happily, I think it's restricted to North Florida. I hardly hear anyone trashing instructors in Riviera Maya, or techniques, or anything else. Yes, there was some grumbling about missing arrows and cookies years ago. I don't get into cave diving for a couple of reasons. One is that I'd be right there in the middle of it with everyone else. Ain't no one got time for that.

I think part of it is that Cave Diving is exclusive, where other types are inclusive. To cave dive (and not die) you need hours and days and weeks and years of training and practice. I have no wreck certifications, yet I can still feel included in a wreck dive even if I'm only interested in playing around on the outside, and I don't want to bring back a porthole. To cave dive, you must join a clique (or cult), spend an inordinate amount of time in the group, and still maybe not be accepted.

 

[The Chairman]

There are reasons I don't post post here much anymore.

Define "much". You posted four times yesterday and twice today. I find these negative kind of passive aggressive comments to be almost as bad as outright gossip. What does it add to the conversation other than boost your ego? Then you maligned the un-named instructor by doing the very same thing he did: spread malcontent. It's just as unprofessional to say "his opinion is not entirely invalid" while providing no supporting proof. Did you actually witness something? Or is your casual negativity based only on rumor and hearsay? This is the real problem in Cave Country. People HAVE to show that they are 'in the know' by making outrageous comments with absolutely nothing to back them up. I'm sure you'll come up with a reason why you can't support your spurious claims. That's part and parcel of the rumor mongering business. [/rant]

 

[rddvet]

Recently I was at my fave N Florida gas station, the Cave Country Dive shop. I

Dive More. Post Less.
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I'm sure you realize that that bumper sticker is associated with Amigos, and that many people believe, know, propogate (whatever you want to believe/say) that there is bad blood between those shops, and therefore even your post could be misconstrued as a dig against Wayne's.

I'm in no way saying that's what you're doing. I'm just pointing out that people are going to think what they want and read what they want, and therefore your post could feed the gossip beast if people want it to.

Point is, it's not going anywhere. Any small community that has an inflated sense of self has this type of thing happen. It's great to want it to go away and to try to take steps to make it, but it's really futile. Personally I like very few cave divers. Too many mamsy-pamsy self-involved whiners that only care about their ego. Don't they know I'm the most important?

My solution, I bought a fill station, avoid most shops, and avoid most people when I go dive other than the people that have proven not to be full of **** most of the time. I'd love to say people are great, and everything's fine, but I deal with the public daily and know how this crap works. I'd love it to go away too, but I doubt it's happening.

 

[Jack Hammer]

Pete, IME there was some truth to that negative perception at one point. I stopped reading SB many years ago due to the negativity, bickering, and BS I found common place and rampant, especially amongst the recreational crowd and the "internet heroes" who hung out. Some of what you mention from your conversation was my opinion of the board for a while. I know quite a few people who felt the same and no longer participated.

A few years ago some friends told me the general tone had changed and that good threads and info were happening and I should consider coming back. I'm glad I did as I've been pleased overall with the forums and have found good conversations and info.

It's more important how the board is now than how it may have seemed in the past.

Sent via

 

[kelemvor]

I was told by my open water scuba instructor to avoid the site. Although the reasons he cited, I've generally found to be accurate.

Basically he said there were lots of folks on here which would tell you some particular thing about diving was "the right" way. Some would be right, some would be wrong, and it's hard to tell the difference - especially for a new diver. It's a good place to get some bad or good information if you can suss out the difference.

I signed up the next day after he told me. I'm sure those that have had to suffer through 1500 of my posts wish I had not.

 

[ReefGuy]

Define "much". You posted four times yesterday and twice today. I find these negative kind of passive aggressive comments to be almost as bad as outright gossip. What does it add to the conversation other than boost your ego? Then you maligned the un-named instructor by doing the very same thing he did: spread malcontent. It's just as unprofessional to say "his opinion is not entirely invalid" while providing no supporting proof. Did you actually witness something? Or is your casual negativity based only on rumor and hearsay? This is the real problem in Cave Country. People HAVE to show that they are 'in the know' by making outrageous comments with absolutely nothing to back them up. I'm sure you'll come up with a reason why you can't support your spurious claims. That's part and parcel of the rumor mongering business. [/rant]

Take it as you will, but I think you're proving my point. Yes I posted several times yesterday. How many were about diving? When was the last time I posted a dive report? I do browse here a lot still, but refrain on posting often, except on inane posts (pub type topics that I really don't care about).

I stated my opinion of scubaboard here, not elsewhere. I do not discuss scubaboard (or any other internet forum) in my class, one way or the other. So I'm maligning the instructor by saying I felt his behavior was not professional. I don't see you calling out others in this post for call him names, but I guess that's because they're fully supporting your position.

I've been here for 13 years, and you ask if "casual negativity based only on rumor and hearsay?"

Sorry for sharing my opinion, Pete.

 

[kelemvor]

FYI, I don't own a .308, never have.

That sounds like one entertaining rumor! You killed a diving grizzly bear 2 miles into a cave with your .308 rifle and have its fur in your den?