Continuing this discussion:
It’s somehow funny that exactly always 5 people in this entire forum are “bashing” the complainers by daring to offer helpful advice and positively uplift the community.
If you try to group up people to constructively answer questions in forums, is that community behavior?
This has been a terrible issue for the forum’s dedicated pessimists as long as they have been viewing content here. There is a cadre of individuals who seek to dominate the discussion with reasoned debate and encouragement. They choose to flood threads with positive narrative and be relentlessly helpful towards those who do not align with the usual toxic complaining. In gang-like behavior, once one of them starts helping someone troubleshoot, the others will happily pile on with their own recommendations. I think they, and the people like them, do far more good to the reputation of the 3d printing community then whatever harm the pessimists think they are doing.
One of the greatest problems with living in this so-called polite society, is that in the name of civility, is that we pretend that the loudest complainers are dealing with the biggest problems. We are taught to just let them complain and move on. Yet there are others that take reasoned conversation with gratitude and self reflection.
Well stated.
In the relatively short time I’ve been on here, I’ve run into a few outstanding members. I’ve sent gifts to them for being patient and helping me out. They (and those like them) are the value of this forum from where I sit.
I’ve also run into a few WAY too helpful and honestly annoying members. They continued to answer questions I never asked.
And of course, I’ve run into the rabid band of ticked off at the world members that make it their days work to bring others down.
I’ve located the IGNORE settings for both of those over the top members groups and have enjoyed my time here for the most part.
This is a hobby for me, so I treat it as such. It’s just for fun. I realize it’s a business for others and I grant them that very wide berth during discussions. I take it all with a grain of salt as it’s not my fiscal business at stake. More power to 'em.
The bottom line - Bambu Labs puts out some incredible equipment and such. Same could be said for others. But it’s not zero sum. One doesn’t have to scream their allegiance over the others. It’s our own individual investments utilizing our own very personal financial resources. That’s really none of anyone else’s business. So enjoy what you select. And learn how to stay silent when others have a differing view of equipment choices. That could go a very long ways.
Wanted to add - @CincinnatiDesigns you’ve been a breath of fresh air here. Pretty much spot on and even handed. Thanks bud.
The joy of 3D printing - is what brings almost all of us together, and it’s something that should always stay at the heart of this community. Everyone has good days and bad days sometimes. There have always been lively discussions, strong opinions, and occasional disagreements, but most people ultimately connect through the same shared enthusiasm:
- the joy of creating
- the joy of being part of a supportive community
- the joy of helping newcomers find their way
Unfortunately, there are always a few voices who focus only on negativity. They rarely help beginners, and they seem to forget that this is meant to be a hobby - something fun, inspiring, and enjoyable for everyone. These people have lost that joy and passion.
All the more reason to appreciate those who keep the spirit of the supportive community alive.
@NicPlays3D , Full Transparency, the original post is a sarcastic mimic of another post that I am using to make a point. So take that with a grain of salt (or pepper).
But the point still stands… We have a certain subset of users here that immediately go towards a negative path of thinking. Even worse when we see brand new accounts coming here for the sole purpose of complaining.
Heck, I can rattle off about 20 people that I just know they are going to say something negative no matter what the topic is.
Admittedly, we do have some issues with even the most “helpful” users have their points of being an ■■■■■■■. But I am looking at the overall picture. As I have seen @RetroSharky say probably 200 times “You are probably just having a bad day”. Everyone has them, cant avoid it. I have some users that I do not like in the way that they decide to share their opinions, but when you take a step back, you see how knowledgeable they are.
Some people go through the world thinking it is against them, and that makes me sad.
From my perspective - even though that sentence wasn’t directed at me - that’s how I interpreted your comment.
That’s why I chose to keep my comment completely neutral - regardless of whether the post was meant to be sarcastic or not - without addressing anyone.
Speaking only for myself, it often feels like there are really just two kinds of users: those who still genuinely enjoy 3D printing after many years, and those who have simply lost that sense of enjoyment. In the end, it’s a pretty simple and pragmatic distinction.