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

[Bennno]

Is that what I basically said? Are you sure? Did you even read that far back?

Yes, I did read it. Why do you think they called you an internet diver?

So, Bennno . . . Why would a baby cave diver want to be there? So sorry, free beer doesn't have that appeal.

To learn about interesting stuff and talk to other cave divers?

Pete is wholly on the money with this thread. Too many people do not care one whit how they portray the sport. The outliers watch this interaction and wonder ...

Pete does the same thing you're doing right now. You guys like to dish out but you hate when people don't agree with you. Ken was right on the money a couple of pages back...

 

[Jax]

Jax may I ask why you feel, as a 'baby' cave diver (as you put it) you have nothing of value to gain from listening to explorers and pioneers in this field? I personally believe newer cave divers have the MOST to gain from these talks. Honestly, even at higher levels, there are still gems to be gleaned from these sort of conversations. Not trying to poke fun at all, just curious.

Certainly a valid question! Thank you.

Listening to those who have pushed the envelope is indeed inspiring. However, one should, if nothing else, know themselves. I do not strive for the "new" cave, to lay new line, to push to the end. There was a time when I skied off-piste in the Alps, jumped out of airplanes, etc. I don't want to do that, now. I am happy exploring the 'sort of' deep wrecks, looking around the first areas of caves. I am not intrigued by rebreathers, except the science and programming behind them.

So, as a newbie, would I be in seminars over my head? Would I hear things to like and admire but not take away? I really just need to dive right now. Is there more than rebreathers? I'm pretty happy with my equipment. I hit a scuba show or two. I do like the science behind decompression.

Ergo, my question. If the target audience is the very high level tech, than perhaps I would be out of my league. For some reason, I thought that a fair question.

 

[Jax]

To learn about interesting stuff and talk to other cave divers?

Ah. Now here is the epitome of the miscommunication.

 

[The Chairman]

You wanna stop rumors, yet you think it's Ok to post a story about someone supposedly doing cocain?

Wait, you think that posting about someone getting arrested for dealing in cocaine should be censored? Even when there's a police report? I don't know that this has happened on here, but why don't you want facts like this to be known? You don't think this has any bearing on their future students? You may not like the facts, but sharing facts is not a smear.

You claim you were censored for posting facts, but that simply was not the case. Name calling is not a fact. Wishing harm on someone is not a fact. Hijacking a thread is not a fact. Insults are not a fact. I have never, ever smeared a manufacturer. Have I exposed super secret double probations? Certainly. I shared facts that were embarrassing, but I didn't add a lot of emotional insults on top of that. That you don't get the difference says a lot about you.

 

[Kristi@CCDS]

With Joe Dituri speaking on Decompression, Michelangelo speaking on archiving our caves for the future, and several amazing explorers speaking not only about their exploits, but also their team building to see these projects through... I can't imagine you wouldn't have something (or several somethings) of value to take away. Not to mention, there are always Q&A's for those who would like further insight. Yes rebreathers will play a part in the conference, but I'm certain there will be other gear there. Not to mention MANY cave divers of all levels to dive with before and after the conference. The diving is worth the price of admission alone to me if you happen to take one of the guides up on a dive at one of the local sites.

 

[Bennno]

So how about you show me where I have wished harm on somebody, Pete?

 

[Jax]

With Joe Dituri speaking on Decompression, Michelangelo speaking on archiving our caves for the future, and several amazing explorers speaking not only about their exploits, but also their team building to see these projects through... I can't imagine you wouldn't have something (or several somethings) of value to take away. Not to mention, there are always Q&A's for those who would like further insight. Yes rebreathers will play a part in the conference, but I'm certain there will be other gear there. Not to mention MANY cave divers of all levels to dive with before and after the conference. The diving is worth the price of admission alone to me if you happen to take one of the guides up on a dive at one of the local sites.

Now you see - THIS is exactly the kind of feedback I hoped to get when I asked my question!
Michaelangelo's brief was the one 'for sure' I wanted to attend.

Question on the dive guides - I "imagine" that the majority of the people would be full cave and head on down the line. I am still Intro - is there a place for . . . wait for it . . . people like me? "Baby" - junior, whatever - cave divers?

EDIT - and please don't take that wrong! I understand that lots of full-cave peeps would want to go on these guided dives. I don't want to hold anyone back, and certainly believe I could entertain myself. I am NOT requiring accommodation, just inquiring.

 

[The Chairman]

So how about you show me where I have wished harm on somebody, Pete?

I never said you did. I pointed out three things that were not "facts" but I never accused you of any of them. I guess that means you admit to two out of three. Good job and thanks.

 

[Kristi@CCDS]

Now you see - THIS is exactly the kind of feedback I hoped to get when I asked my question!
Michaelangelo's brief was the one 'for sure' I wanted to attend.

Question on the dive guides - I "imagine" that the majority of the people would be full cave and head on down the line. I am still Intro - is there a place for . . . wait for it . . . people like me? "Baby" - junior, whatever - cave divers?

I'm certain guides will be happy to dive to whatever level divers are comfortable/trained to dive.

 

[StefinSB]

Group hug everybody.