Growing closer as a community.

[admin]

Please note, this thread wasn't started in light of any one particular person or any particular thread at any specific time. It's just an observation made in general.

Aside from my formal apology to Nyghtcraft, I've noticed that there is a lot of unnecessary apathy on the boards. Lot's of "I'm sorry for this" and "I'm sorry for that." People apologizing for stating an opinion. People apologizing for stating something different from the consensus. People apologizing for thinking X.

I'm not going to ask why you all are sorry for such things. To me, of all of the opinions and statments made here on the boards, none of it should require any sort of apathy attached to it. I dunno, this may seem like nit-picking to some, but it's just something I've noticed. Perhaps it's a fear of offending people or becoming alienated from the group. Personally, don't count on either happening unless you just really REALLY screw up (like I did recently).

I just wanted to put this out there in light of the apathy I've noticed: This apathy suggests a sort of discomfort on the boards. Not between specific members, rather among members. And I don't mean "discomfort" in a negative connotation at all. Maybe we're just not solidified as a community yet, and we're all still strangers to one another. This is, of course, very normal, but the apathy I've noticed might make the process of getting to know each other longer than it needs to be.

I'd like to see this community grow very close. So maybe we should throw some questions out to the community to help us get to know each other? We can talk and talk and talk about ourselves all we want, but that information is going to end up being very selective. So if we start asking some questions, we may get to know a little background info about each of us that would lead to a better cohesion as a community.

So if you have any ideas to help bring this community together into a tighter group, please put them forward! And this time, without any apathy! Any trooper who apologizes will get 50 pushups!

[Deleted]

admin said:

Any trooper who apologizes will get 50 pushups!

I know that I do this, but I can honestly say that it probably won't stop with me...That's just who I am...I am a very cautious person and I don't like to deal with awkward situations just because I said something that might or might not be offensive...I honestly don't really care what people think about me, but like I said it's just the way I am...It's very deep-rooted in me...If you knew me in person, you'd understand: I have a knack for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, so I pretty much always say "no offense" or something like that when I think something I say is questionable...But I still say it...Everyone here is different, and while I understand what you are trying to say and do here, I think it is like you said nit-picking...And that's your way (maybe)...If I didn't do things like this and you didn't do things like that, we wouldn't be different people...We'd just be clones...not that there's anything wrong with that...Just my opinion though...

But when you say that you would like to see us get closer as a community, I think that is always a good idea (to move forward with things like that) but since I joined, I feel that that is kind of the vibe/way everyone does things anyway...

[ianl]

IRL I have an odd sense of humor. To some people I come off as sarcastic. I guess I have a pretty dry wit. I understand that we were all noobs once, and pretty much everyone here is starting out from the bottom with a new costume. That being said, I think we need to be honest with people, and not always rush to compliment ideas. If you fear rejection, I think ultimately you will be disappointed.

Nobody is perfect, I KNOW my suit will come out with 100 flaws that I will recognize. I can point to each one on my TS and Dengar costumes. That being said, none of those flaws prevented it from being accepted for 501st membership, and also the kids and others who see it, know that I'm a stormtrooper, not that I am a 33 year old guy whose dremel slipped when he was trimming his armor, or who dropped his helmet leaving a big crack in the back.

Ultimately I think this will lead to stronger bonds among everyone. If we know that everyone can be honest with each other and with themselves, it makes criticism and praise of our work that much more meaningful and helpful.

[snowflake]

Yes, being sorry sucks, infact you are all a bunch of morons!

Ok that was my italian sense of humor... lol

[pghfett]

snowflake said:

Yes, being sorry sucks, infact you are all a bunch of morons!

Ok that was my italian sense of humor... lol

LOL


My main goal and purpose here is to help EVERYONE create and develope the best GM costume they can.

On way too many boards I have noticed (and been a victim to) a growing and disturbing trend where only certain folks within certain cliques had access to the BEST and most accurate parts for their costumes within their communities.
This in and of itself creates an atmosphere where the newbies become "apathetic" to the persons in the clique who are builders, to sort of "kiss up" to the people in the clique just so they can have access to the said costume parts.

I think this is horribly sad.

This is additionally compounded by people in the hobby who are "suppliers" and when some one new comes on scene with nice stuff and creates a competitive enviroment.

The ideal or spirit behind these prop building commuities appears to have been lost due to greed or pride or a combination of both.

The reason for these communitites was originally, not to make a buck or be the only one with the best stuff, but to help each other build the best costume they can so we can ALL have the best.

And I'm here to contribute and help this board achieve that.

I want this board to be what these boards once were.

A community with the same goal - to make the BEST GM costume WE can for EVERYONE
~Mike

[ianl]

I like what you're saying Mike, and that is so against what so many of the other costuming and 501st boards are like.

When I started out, I chose the snowtrooper as my initial costume. You wouldn't believe how much resistance I ran into trying to assemble a suit of armor. Trust me, numerous times I wanted to send my money to SFP and hope for the best there (I never did thankfully). Ultimately I found one suit of armor, and have since replaced it based on information gleaned after becoming a 501st member. A lot of people deny it, but there are so many more resources available when people can work together rather than be bound by either rules (like 501st garrison sites not being able to reveal makers), or by individuals intent on being selfish with information.

Personally I think I've reached a plateau of information here and I'm hoping that will end soon. I only need to get the knee and calf armor to complete my GM and I am waiting to see what comes available. I've also asked Mr. LAWS if he wanted to try his skill at those pieces as well, since he did so good on the chestplate. Hopefully if he ever gets around to it, those will be available to all as well.

How about we begin a database of costume pieces for everyone to use, going so far as to provide links for things like useable undersuits and armor pieces. Some kind of living, breathing database so that everyone has fair access to what's out there. And if something better/different comes along feel free to add.

[galacticmarine823]

I really love it ere everyone is so supportive and helpful. Out of all the clone units that arose out of episode 3 the Galactic marines are deff the most inspiring and most stand out not only with there armour but also the colour of the armour. A elite Corps that is second to none and one that could draw its inspiration from the paras, german fallschrimjager, or Napolean's Imperial guard. A unit that would fight to the death and follow there commanders to hell and back.

[youngling]

Hey I just want to point out That I always say that "it is just my opinion" or "this is how I feel" And I also know that htis is very much directed to me because I have been saying a lot of sorrys lately. And I'm sorry for that (little humor there). As far as suggestions I say that everyone here should tell us there name Last and First and a middle if they have one. And there age.

So here we go. My name is Preston Eugene Nelson. I am (I hesitate to tell my age because I don't want my armor judged on it) 14 years old and I live in Shelley Idaho.