My First Attempt At A Poll

Scoundrels you say!

 

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Sorry Dave. I was not quite sure being the first time. But I'm not doing any checking on who is voting. I was just looking for numbers. I'll do better next time. Promise.

 

No need to apologize. I think people are going to vote as they choose anyways...
I will add that I really enjoy seeing pictures of other members coins. I learn something new every time I log on to CT.

 

I am rather curious why. Would you prefer it be more of a place the the ultra educated numismatists are engaged in the finer points of early copper varieties and such?.... Is there too much lighthearted banter or is it just too much of the pocket change millionaires sorts of posts?

 

Holy crap dude! Who engaged in what about what?? My goodness that was well put.

 

Really want to know? Because if you do, I'll be honest with you. Short answer: it's out of balance. Too much of one thing. Slightly longer answer below. Skip it if you like.

 

Yes I truly do. I believe you are among the more learned numismatists here. I believe the place would suffer void of your input.

 

Have you forgotten about pure entertainment value?

This place is the numismatic equivalent of watching a certain someone troll the media. If you look at it the right way it's priceless!

 

Randy, your last line almost nails it -

Yes, my patience for that runs hot and cold, and when I'm not feeling physically well, as now, I COMPLETELY LOSE IT over those posts. I just can't take it any more some days.

But yes, you may have also hit on something here:

Without signing on to THAT particular line of discussion, yes, I WOULD like a place where that SORT of higher level conversation is available in enough volume, and I'm not getting that here.

But...

Goodness no, far too little. We need more, MUCH more. I have even dabbled recently on the NGC forum, but it has almost disappeared, mostly from too much ultra-newb material as well. I find myself ENVIOUS of our Ancients section, so much so that I am even thinking of getting into Ancient Greek coins. What if there were more U.S. focused intellectual material here? But alas, there is not. Or it's hiding. Is it hiding?

Yes, I so enjoyed my six days bathed in a summer ANA experience that I'm suffering from withdrawal, along with "walking pneumonia". I love that way of doing numismatics, God help me I do. It's only four days past and I do miss it so. Cripes, my "stuff coming in the mail" isn't even here yet, and I'm trying to figure out how to "bridge" myself until my next big show.

 

It’s a very valuable site. Period.

 

I get it. And all numismatic or forum issues aside... Walking pneumonia.... or any variant thereof sucks. I hope you find yourself back in good health sooner rather than later.

 

+1. With a few frustrations. Period.

 

This place used to be much, much better than it is now, especially in said regard. We used to regularly have very educational and often technical discussions that were both enjoyable and enlightening for everyone from the new to advanced, but we also used to have threads with incredible entertainment value (Detecto). Now, and as nice as some of the new members are, much of the US forums have lost their luster and it is quite sad. This isn't to say new things cannot be learned, but just that it's taken an unfortunate turn downhill.

 

We need to advise these neophytes that they are wasting their time hunting through pocket change looking for errors.

Either that, or ignore their threads. A certain percentage of these are nothing more than trolling.

 

Part of my current health issues ARE self-inflicted. I burnt my ANA show metaphorical candle at both ends. The show ended last Saturday, I had done all I could to help with show tear-down. I went to the hotel desk to get a replacement room key because I had thrown on my grungy clothes to help with crates and stuff, and forgot my key card was in my badge lanyard, which I didn't wear to go do heavy duty stuff. I was registered through until Sunday, but my plan was to pack up my stuff and head home Saturday night if there was still a train west after I was done packing. I woke up fully dressed, shoes on, with the shirt I had been folding Saturday night still in my hands - SITTING UPRIGHT IN A CHAIR - Sunday morning 7:30AM. THAT is how much I am committed to ANA-show-style numismatics. There is literally NOTHING I won't do to further it.

I get 20 vacation days a year now. Every. One. Of. Them. Is. Used. For. Live. Coin. Shows. Not half, not 90%, not all but one. All of them. Every year. But none if the House is in session. Verboten!

 

What about the one on the upper left?

 

It is very welcoming and helpful compared to others, that may seem too sophisticated.

 

I’ll add this. For three years previous to my introduction here, I participated in an over the Hill, middle aged former guitar hero site. A very lively and all encompassing group. The site was set up almost identical to this. Talk about discussions that can get technical..... I was more active there than I am here. It was a great place to keep up on advances in music gear and to rehash old war stories. In short it was (critical word) a fun and enlightening place.

Maybe 12-18 months ago the place became a haven for a young, cocky and demeaning new crop of guitar hero’s. The tenor of the discussions turned against those of us from “back in the day”. The only forum rules were no political and no religious references whatsoever. It simply became a rude and intolerable place. The older (and dues paying) membership began to fade away. I left in February and despite constant emails from forum members and staff, I’ll not return.

The tenor of this place is in fact quite amorous and I appreciate that it is expected behavior. Quite the opposite of the behavior expected of members on that guitar forum. And I only draw the analogy here because what I see happening at CT is more of a nurturing and pleasant experience. One closely monitored for proper etiquette. One where a rabid hobbyist like myself can rub shoulders and can engage in conversation with true numismatists without fear of feeling less of value than those more learned than myself.

Anyway, just thought I would share that. I been in a harsh forum environment and it ain’t fun. I truly enjoy what happens here.

 

I'm judging for the PAN Monroeville show September 13-15, and can barely wait to pay my OWN MONEY for fuel and hotel to go do that. It's just the way I'm wired. That kind of stuff just "does it for me". This? Much less so.

 

I just figured it out what bugs me most about this and what gets my juices flowing about major coin shows. I PREFER to hang with people who know MUCH MUCH more than I do, and from whom I can learn. I hope it doesn't make me a "bad person", but teaching newbs bores me. Sorry, it just does. Some people are driven to teach. I am not. I'm driven to learn for its own sake. I'm the "professional student" personality type.

The coolest time at Philly was sitting down with five other judges and learning IN DEPTH what they liked or didn't about every exhibit on the floor, whether they judged it or not. Also the unresolved questions they had. THAT gets me going.