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[James Lugo]

I have noticed a very mean spirited tone around here lately. Internet forums always have their ups and downs but some people here are making this place feel different then it use to feel. We can disagree but some of what I've been dealing with lately is downright wrong and hurtful. If I warn you once to tone it down and you don't you will be banned, no second warning from me.

It seems to be the same few guys over and over again. I'm here to tell you, you will not ruin gearslutz, I will kick you off before you do. Now this a major warning, everyone tone it down.

PLEASE READ ENTIRE THREAD BEFORE POSTING YOUR COMMENTS!

[jeremy.c.]

and post on The More Free Stuff thread!!!!

[DrSax]

Thanks for this James! I couldn't agree more....

[JES]

It's music. If we can't be positive and support one another, what's the point?

[Teddy Ray]

Originally Posted by JES

It's music. If we can be positive and support one another, what's the point?

I agree with the "personal attacks" stuff...but life isnt "all positive" and id much rather have someone give me a scathing review than to blow smoke and say"that was good, champ" if it sucks..

I enjoy seeing the debate..even the heated ones. the only thing I don't enjoy is the personal attacks. outside of that, what are we, stepford children?

I hope this site doesn't continue to go down the homogenized and "safe" route... where everyone pussyfoots around.

I agree..keep it civil, but no reason everyone has to toe the line and agree. this isn't church or AA.

[RawBeanZen]

Originally Posted by olivia_nb

and post on The More Free Stuff thread!!!!

What he said.

stike stike stike stike

[MindRiot]

Originally Posted by James 'LA' Lugo

It seems to be the same few guys over and over again. I'm here to tell you, you will not ruin gearslutz, I will kick you off before you do.

The sooner the better, too. Those who are aren't willing to show respect (for themselves as well as others) have no business being here.

Well said, James. thumbsupthumbsup

[Corran]

sticky?

[James Lugo]

Originally Posted by Teddy Ray

I agree with the "personal attacks" stuff...but life isnt "all positive" and id much rather have someone give me a scathing review than to blow smoke and say"that was good, champ" if it sucks..

I enjoy seeing the debate..even the heated ones. the only thing I don't enjoy is the personal attacks. outside of that, what are we, stepford children?

I hope this site doesn't continue to go down the homogenized and "safe" route... where everyone pussyfoots around.

I agree..keep it civil, but no reason everyone has to toe the line and agree. this isn't church or AA.

Well Teddy Ray this has been a rough few days for gearslutz with negativity and nastiness, I've also been moderating from vacation so I'm not sure what end of what you've been on but you have been on almost every thread I've had trouble with this week, so you can take what I say and ignore it but consider yourself officially warned.

p.s. If you read in my initial post I did say it's OK to disagree but not OK to be mean spirited. So while it's a free country to say what you want, you did take what I said out of context and equate it to church or AA, hence wasting everyones time with your comment. Also most all of us can be brutally honest, me included buddy, this thread is an exercise in restraint, I am so over the bs that some members have been dishing out so now I'm dishing back.

[Brad McGowan]

Mandatory use of real life names would help keep things more professional and respectful. Just a suggestion...

Brad

[allencollins]

Originally Posted by Brad McGowan

Mandatory use of real life names would help keep things more professional and respectful. Just a suggestion...

Brad

I agree.......

[MindRiot]

Originally Posted by Brad McGowan

Mandatory use of real life names would help keep things more professional and respectful. Just a suggestion...

Brad

I like your idea...especially since I'm so fond of mine! But I have a feeling that mean-spirited, negative people will disrespect others no matter how much we know about of them, and nothing would stop people from just using a fictitous name if they so desired.

-Justin Talbott

P.S. Well played, James. Again.

[ProducerBoy]

This is good to see. I stopped coming around for a while because every thread I went to read always got off track in an ugly way. Got bored with some of the other forums, came back over here and saw this.

[McPhaul]

Originally Posted by Brad McGowan

Mandatory use of real life names would help keep things more professional and respectful. Just a suggestion...

Brad

+1

[Teddy Ray]

Originally Posted by James 'LA' Lugo

I've had trouble with this week, so you can take what I say and ignore it but consider yourself officially warned.

You do what you need to do. I intend to do the same, Lugo. If you can point out a situation in which ive stepped over the line into the realm of personal attack, I will reign it in and apologize, but as far as I am concerned(other than the one time I called AC an idiot) , I am well within the forum guidelines.

People do not improve if they are constantly bombarded with "atta boys" (me included).. that sort of tip-toeing around how one really feels is just as harmful(if not more) to one's growth..

"some" of The guys who are complaining could use thicker skin( I did disagree with Allen Collins posting a defaced picture of D_FUs child.....that crossed into the realm of "personal attack" and was way out of line) and for example, Ken Lewis telling Darwin his P*&^Y hurts(that was profane and misogynistic/chauvinist) ) ... but...personal attacks aside, (which are uncalled for) I appreciate the criticism much more than I appreciate the "that is good" comments.


so for anyone that is reading this...if I Post some music and it is trash, please tell me. Hurt my feelings. be brutal. If I have an idea that you do not agree with(I am talking about music/recording here), light me up! I won't complain or report the post to a moderator.

What I won't do, what I will go out of my way to avoid..is the personal attacks. THAT stuff has no place anywhere. Music/recording philosophy arguments... I have learned a lot by watching other opinionated people get into heated debates,..

anyway.. ill try extra hard to avoid mean-spirited posts, but I hope you moderators will let the spirited debates carry on.

This site has gotten way too PC. This once was a place to come to to escape the "sunday brunch" type discussions, where everyone exchanges niceties and tells everyone else how great they are and how much they enjoy their work, awesome, great job..man, that sounds great..blah blah blah... Is that how forum members want this place to turn out? I want the "Seedy Dive" gearslutz back..the one we had 3-4 years ago.

maybe I was an Infantry Grunt too long.. Still got the Army in me a bit..

[cortisol]

We can work together James to keep things civil and fun. But... I quite like Teddy Rays perspective on things.

Being passionate about something and speaking bluntly is part of my personality and I'm quite drawn to people who speak their minds and are brave enough to tear down myths and stop blind hero worship. And to point out that the emeror is naked.

Not every aspect of life has to have super and awesome and high 5 as a tagline when we talk about stuff. There are all kinds of people in this world, infact there are all kinds of people listening to all kinds of music ne ce pas.

Peace,
Cortisol

[petrovinksy]

Originally Posted by Corran

sticky?

+1

...

[flying_squirrel]

Originally Posted by James 'LA' Lugo

...some people here are making this place feel different then it use to feel...

My dearest James:

It's "than it used to feel", not "then it use to feel".

You're a mod, for crying out loud. Please don't make us look bad. Thank you.

Gearslutz Spelling Police

[James Lugo]

Originally Posted by flying_squirrel

My dearest James:

It's "than it used to feel", not "then it use to feel".

You're a mod, for crying out loud. Please don't make us look bad. Thank you.

Gearslutz Spelling Police

Sorry man I played guitar instead of going to school.

[flying_squirrel]

Originally Posted by James 'LA' Lugo

Sorry man I played guitar instead of going to school.

You're a good sport.............

[allencollins]

Originally Posted by Teddy Ray

You do what you need to do. I intend to do the same, Lugo. If you can point out a situation in which ive stepped over the line into the realm of personal attack, I will reign it in and apologize, but as far as I am concerned(other than the one time I called AC an idiot) , I am well within the forum guidelines.

People do not improve if they are constantly bombarded with "atta boys" (me included).. that sort of tip-toeing around how one really feels is just as harmful(if not more) to one's growth..

"some" of The guys who are complaining could use thicker skin( I did disagree with Allen Collins posting a defaced picture of D_FUs child.....that crossed into the realm of "personal attack" and was way out of line) and for example, Ken Lewis telling Darwin his P*&^Y hurts(that was profane and misogynistic/chauvinist) ) ... but...personal attacks aside, (which are uncalled for) I appreciate the criticism much more than I appreciate the "that is good" comments.


so for anyone that is reading this...if I Post some music and it is trash, please tell me. Hurt my feelings. be brutal. If I have an idea that you do not agree with(I am talking about music/recording here), light me up! I won't complain or report the post to a moderator.

What I won't do, what I will go out of my way to avoid..is the personal attacks. THAT stuff has no place anywhere. Music/recording philosophy arguments... I have learned a lot by watching other opinionated people get into heated debates,..

anyway.. ill try extra hard to avoid mean-spirited posts, but I hope you moderators will let the spirited debates carry on.

This site has gotten way too PC. This once was a place to come to to escape the "sunday brunch" type discussions, where everyone exchanges niceties and tells everyone else how great they are and how much they enjoy their work, awesome, great job..man, that sounds great..blah blah blah... Is that how forum members want this place to turn out? I want the "Seedy Dive" gearslutz back..the one we had 3-4 years ago.

maybe I was an Infantry Grunt too long.. Still got the Army in me a bit..

See teddy here we go again at least on 5 posts you used profanity against me 5 minimum last week
I never said 1 thing out of line to you. I repeated something another member said about you. In my haste I by mistake did not use the EXACT word but it was a similar word as found in websters page 244 sorry to say.

Also d_FU? called me a troll 3 times last month I was sick of it. That guy has been all over me for months no matter what I say he has no valid argument he just throws a cheap shot. See? I'm not a snitch I'm not gonna run to the mods "d_FU is calling me a troll" "d_FU is calling me a clueless" ". He did it several times to me last month and before. I never said one thing to him except back off. And he didn't. IAnd I didn't snitch

Dude I went to school with kids who's parents were in organized crime in East Boston and the North End and Southy. You kept your mouth shut in my city or you died! We had forced bussing here in the 70's and 80's too? It was tough here. I was a band f**.... I got picked on everyday but never snitched. Sounds dramatic? Yeah well look who is number 2 on Americas most wanted? I went to high school with his nephews and cousins etc... The guy killed like 40 people? I learned not to be a snitch.

So long story long. I'm not a snitch. Everytime one of you bark at me with a cheap shot like D_FU was I used street justice? I didn't run to the mods thinking 'they don't want to be bothered'? And look what happened we all ended up causing a bigger problem here? wasting everyone's time? I want an apology from D_FU actually. He hurt MY feelings? But I didn't snitch? the little trick I pulled got him off my back though didn't it? haven't heard a peep from him in days. I almost got banned for that. And I think he should have almost gotten banned for calling me clueless and a troll. Fair is fair?

I know this is exactly the type of immature playground stuff James is referring to. Just because someone insults you first doesn't make it right to insult back I 100% agree w/ james and it's the way it should be and I will stand by it from here on out. But I'm telling you and your friends . No more AC is clueless AC is an A$$hole a troll a c*ck or a p*n*s. Fair enough?

I think I only threw some little jabs at Ethan and I actually apologized to him (for the record) way before this got escalated so I am guilty as charged

the bottom line is yes I am a dickhead, But I NEVER EVER use profanity directly at someone. I do not do it. look back at my last 3000 posts you won't find it. You don't agree with me? fine put up some facts? I did ? even JLM audio pretty much backed up my numbers. For the record I'm not saying he was sticking up for me.... But he did put up numbers by Coincidence that backed my original preamp argument all ALONG. So I'm not just disagreeing with folks for fun. I see a statement I think is wrong? I try to clear it up and put in my 3 cents worth.

Holy crap 2 weeks ago with that acoustic thread? my lord. The OP said he didn't like digital acoustics? I simply agreed and wrote some valid comments to maybe help him?. Then the shiat hits the fan everyone under the sun comes out and flamed me. Everyone? Here I am agreeing with someone making recommendations (by the way I was the only one who did if you look back) But it turned into the typical AC your clueless your a troll blah blah blah................ Ive recorded 100's of cd's 100's
I ain't clueless! a bad engineer......... maybe?........

You guys need to lighten up with me. If you don't like my point of view? then you debate me in a civil manner or MOVE ON. What? I don't have an ignore list? Damn right I do. lots of folks here I want nothing to do with. Topics I want nothing to do with? so what do I do? I move on. I don't say a WORD.

everyone should do the same

That's my problem with many of the people who flame me. You never back anything up? never. I put up pages and pages of thoughts and opinions (right or wrong) And the flame throwers toss up a one 3 word sentence cheap shot at me or someone else
and nothing about the topic at hand? I think it's weird?

So all in all I may be wrong about 100% of the stuff I think/write. But that does not give you the right to call me a troll just because you disagree? That's a copout.

You know it's not all that tough to be respectfull of each other in the sense that you have the right to disagree. But the swearing at me has to stop. I don't like it. Ive been called a 'dick' a 'peni*' a 'coc*' and than all he other stuff mentioned above.
Not once did I ever report anyone to the mods. and I very well could have. Maybe I should have for the last 5 years but again I'm not a snitch.............. I started last week though. (felt weird being a rat though... felt dirty after) So that aint hapenin' again

Also My name IS Mike A. Collins got it? That the name they gave me. I admit I'm a little sarcastic at times. 1/2 the time I'm not kidding but I'm only half the jerk you think I am. Lastly the next person who asks me to post my songs or productions Don't bother it ain't happenin'

To James Lugo: you are a gentleman, I spoke my mind just now and I will respect your request 100% to keep thing respectful and quiet. And feel silly now that I was 'just getting back at other members'. You are right that is classless.

And please... TO all the AC haters coolout? I think if you guys met me in person ya know? I think you'd actually.....................
hate me more? so be glad you only see this part of me... Seriously cool out with the troll the profanity and the enticing. Don't agree with me? put up some facts or move since from here on out I am not gonna argue with anyone. Civil debate only

No snitching and no cheap shots..... that my motto from here on out

I want an apology from D_FU though. He hurt my feelings calling me names. And I will apologize to him since I was wrong in taking revenge in the way I did.


NOTE: I took out a sentence from the post that d_fu said was incorrect. Allencollins you guys should work this out via email man, you guys both seem cool.

[James Lugo]

Originally Posted by Teddy Ray

You do what you need to do. I intend to do the same, Lugo. If you can point out a situation in which ive stepped over the line into the realm of personal attack, I will reign it in and apologize, but as far as I am concerned(other than the one time I called AC an idiot) , I am well within the forum guidelines.

People do not improve if they are constantly bombarded with "atta boys" (me included).. that sort of tip-toeing around how one really feels is just as harmful(if not more) to one's growth..

"some" of The guys who are complaining could use thicker skin( I did disagree with Allen Collins posting a defaced picture of D_FUs child.....that crossed into the realm of "personal attack" and was way out of line) and for example, Ken Lewis telling Darwin his P*&^Y hurts(that was profane and misogynistic/chauvinist) ) ... but...personal attacks aside, (which are uncalled for) I appreciate the criticism much more than I appreciate the "that is good" comments.


so for anyone that is reading this...if I Post some music and it is trash, please tell me. Hurt my feelings. be brutal. If I have an idea that you do not agree with(I am talking about music/recording here), light me up! I won't complain or report the post to a moderator.

What I won't do, what I will go out of my way to avoid..is the personal attacks. THAT stuff has no place anywhere. Music/recording philosophy arguments... I have learned a lot by watching other opinionated people get into heated debates,..

anyway.. ill try extra hard to avoid mean-spirited posts, but I hope you moderators will let the spirited debates carry on.

This site has gotten way too PC. This once was a place to come to to escape the "sunday brunch" type discussions, where everyone exchanges niceties and tells everyone else how great they are and how much they enjoy their work, awesome, great job..man, that sounds great..blah blah blah... Is that how forum members want this place to turn out? I want the "Seedy Dive" gearslutz back..the one we had 3-4 years ago.

maybe I was an Infantry Grunt too long.. Still got the Army in me a bit..

Teddy, I'm not saying we glad hand people, I hate that too. I'm a crazy Cuban New Yorker that spent years in the Army infantry, 91B and was raised by an old school Marine who grew up in the depression and served in WW2. Don't think I'm some pussy, I'm just trying to keep things cool around here. I'm on vacation and have gotten 20 emails the past few days about the same people causing problems. I closed 3 problematic threads because they're 20 pages long and I don't have the time to sit and go through the he said she said entanglement. I did notice your name on the threads and on some of the emails. Take it all with a grain of salt I guess, I'm just being honest and telling you how I feel about it, you told me now I'm telling you.

I've been on gearslutz for a long time and have moderated for a long time so I've seen a lot but lately it's just to much. Just look at the post above, some guy publicly corrects my english, WTF. You only see that on the internet. If I corrected someone's english like that my father would have kicked my ass. Chances are he wouldn't have done it in person, I guarantee that. People just don't roll like that in person but they do on their computer or is it there computer.

P.S. Please don't correct my english on a public forum again.

[badboymusic]

Hell Yeah!

[Sonic Lush]

Originally Posted by badboymusic

Hell Yeah!

hear here!

[Benmrx]

Originally Posted by Brad McGowan

Mandatory use of real life names would help keep things more professional and respectful. Just a suggestion...

Brad

Another +1

[travisbrown]

I presume James is referring to the petulance in threads like the Click Track thread.

Most everyone here is over 15. If they can't control their thoughts enough to manage reasoned criticism over malice, then they shouldn't be allowed to play with others.

Sometimes people deserve a little criticism. Especially when they are being malicious. It's a method for setting standards of social acceptability. I generally stand by the maxim that people who do ridiculous things should suffer ridicule.

If someone can't handle reasoned criticism, or can't differentiate between criticism and malice, then they should be reserved about what they say and do.

All in all, it's not difficult to act grown up.

As for using real names instead of handles....it makes for a professional forum. The reason why I always use my real name on the internet is it makes me accountable for what I post. We do this as a policy on the MIMF (Musical Instrument Makers Forum). But if you make for a more professional forum, them you'll lose out on some the funny things and candour that happen here.

In any case, it's a bit late here now. It's a hard policy to make retroactive, and it requires additional moderation.

[Benmrx]

Originally Posted by James 'LA' Lugo

Sorry man I played guitar instead of going to school.

Hope you don't mind.... but I think I may have finally found my "sig. line"

[AwwDeOhh]

I'm glad to hear it.
I hardly come here anymore, just because it seems like i gotta dig through 30 pages of elementry school bickering to get to any content...

If i wanted drama, i got enough of that crap at home... Don't need it here.

No one wants a kiss arse, keep it real...but honestly.. seems there's more 12 year olds here than at your local grade school

[James Lugo]

A few years back I had trouble with 2 members, it felt like they were ganging up on me a bit and following me around to every thread I was posting on and looking for something to criticize in me. I can be pretty tough yet I can also be very thin skinned if the right remark is made and they had my number boy. These guys crushed me, I almost quit GS because of it, I was embarrassed. What I did was shoot them both an email and told them that I was really hurt by what they said and they emailed me back saying they were hurt by some things I had said, we talked it out and it was over. One of them has become one of my better friends on the forum and we chat often. My advice if you have a beef with a member PM or email them and be honest, you'd be surprised. These 2 guys were 2 old school analog guys who hated everything I was about (protools and computers) but we worked it out, I also saw where I had been wrong and insensitive and have tried to tone that down in me.

[Proggm]

I don’t post too much around here, mostly because of this issue. A lot of people seem to use the forum to release their angst and frustration in many ways, i.e. disrespecting user opinions, violently criticizing other people’s work (from novices to experts in the field), etc… not to say that many use the forum to reinforce their egos.

We all are humans and it’s understandable that we may have one or two bad days, but when almost every significant topic becomes a pointless argument in the style of “you’re wrong – no I am not – yes you are”, then the forum absolutely misses its whole point.

Another problem that’s out of control here is the eternal recurrence of topics. I mean, for every “what do you think about X unit?” or “Useful unbiased information about Y” topic, there are at least twenty with titles like “ITB sucks, OTB rules!”, “192KHz SR: I CAN HEAR THE DIFFERENCE!”, “How to get Green Day-like loudness?”, etc. It makes GS a boring place.

I’m sure this is related to the increase in quantity of members. I’ve been lurking in Gearslutz since 2005, and it’s quite noticeable that a lot of non-professional users have been joining the forum. I have nothing against amateurs and enthusiasts, but some users think of the forum as a “answer-my-questions-even-though-I’m-sure-I-could-find-the-answers-in-two-seconds-with-the-aid-of-Google” place. And that’s what’s been slowly corroding the quality of a forum that once was the lair of many professionals and geeks of the field.

So… that’s what I think. Of course – it’s just my opinion, and maybe I’m wrong. But perhaps I’m right, and then we could do something about it.