kudzurunner
379 posts
Apr 23, 2009
4:25 PM
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The ratio of friendly informational interchange to needless drama has recently gone way down on this forum. That's too bad. I'd hoped for better.
When I volunteered, some weeks ago, to serve as a judge, along with Chris, in the Harpfriends video contest, I didn't realize quite how it was going to work. I assumed that folks had a certain window within which to submit videos; I assumed that Chris and I would each independently view the videos, rank them, have a private discussion, and then deliver our verdict.
I didn't realize that Chris's judging, or some of it, would take place in advance of the fact, and that his compliments--real and heartfelt compliments--would be interspersed with criticisms that included words like "vomit."
I'm not judging Chris's actions, or trying not to; I'm being truthful. I honestly didn't realize that that was how the contest was going to work.
At a certain point, online discussions about the quality of harp playing--or the characters of certain harp players--can become toxic. That is what has recently happened here. Chris can take some responsibility for this, but he certainly shouldn't be saddled with all of it.
(For the record: Chris and I spoke on the phone last week for only the second time in nine years and had a fine and friendly conversation. There is no bad blood between us.)
I'm not judging the drama here, or I'm trying hard not to. I'm simply trying to clarify the actual situation of this community as I see it: This forum has become toxic.
As webmaster, I have a range of options available to me.
*I can temporarily shut down the forum
*I can ban Chris, as I've been told he's been banned from HarmonicaSpace, and hope that this board will regain the equilibrium that seems to elude it when his corruscating honesty becomes the center of the drama, as it once again has in the past couple of days.
*I can say nothing, do nothing, and just let things keep going as they've been going
*I can solicit advice from members of the board about what they think I should do
*I can laugh, throw up my hands, and decide that all harp players are basically insane--and that I was clearly the most insane of all for actually believing that this place could remain vaguely utopian: a community of reasonably well-behaved equals who treat each other with respect
*I can deliver a Jeremiad, as I did several days ago, in which I indict this community's (sometime) spirit of non-inclusiveness
I'm going to do none of those things. Instead, I'm going to allow this community, without much help from me, to find its own way. I have no idea what will happen. Please don't email me with the latest outrage. Just do your best to figure out a way of getting along with each other. I'm not your daddy.
In that spirit, and, frankly, as a way of avoiding the toxicity that currently surrounds the Harpfriends contest, I've decided to recuse myself as a judge.
Chris is the sole judge. And of course the Harpfriends community, as planned, can award its own People's Choice awards.
Of course I wish everybody well in the contest. Sorry I can't participate this time around. Maybe next time.
Last Edited by on Apr 23, 2009 4:41 PM
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JoetheMagician
7 posts
Apr 23, 2009
4:40 PM
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All I can say is that there is not much difference between Harp players and Magicians. We all face the same challenges.
There are different names and different situations, but the big picture is still the same.
At the end of the day you need to stand up for what YOU believe is right. I have personally stepped down from positions that I have held in the magic community. I felt there were unjust circumstances, and I didn't want to have a part in any of it.
They don't have to wear your shoes. You do. So do what you do and know that your the man. If hataz want to hate, LET THEM.
Just my rant.
I hope to see you in June. I am doing my best to get there.
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Joe Jesse
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ZackPomerleau
62 posts
Apr 23, 2009
6:31 PM
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Have you ever read "Lord of the Flies?" This is very similar. I think we need some moderators or else Piggy and Simon will die. Or something like that.
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gene
177 posts
Apr 23, 2009
8:31 PM
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Lady: "Does my makeup look OK?
Her date: "Uhm, Maybe a little bit too much for this occasion."
----OR----
Lady: "Does my makeup look OK?
Her date: "MY GAWD, WOMAN, with four pounds of makeup, you look like you're painted up like a circus clown!!! It's hidious!!"
----Get my drift?----
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jonsparrow
157 posts
Apr 23, 2009
9:05 PM
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what happened? where? when? harp players are crazy.
Last Edited by on Apr 23, 2009 9:05 PM
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Gray
65 posts
Apr 23, 2009
9:36 PM
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Thats a real shame,but I respect Adams call.
I cant submit my fling with oldwailers track,simlpy because Adams judgement would be the only one I would respect(or nice things from the nice disciples).
May the guilty ones bow there heads and see the doggy do on their shoe.
p.s I would of done the boot when things were said about Chris Reynolds
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jonsparrow
158 posts
Apr 23, 2009
9:44 PM
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good thing yall playing now in 2009. back in the day musicians would pull guns on each other.
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oldwailer
689 posts
Apr 23, 2009
10:53 PM
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OK, I've weighed this thing out to the best of my ability for some time now--and I am ready to pass judgment on it now.
The fact of the matter is that Zhin is 100% SPOT ON RIGHT about Christelle!
Christelle came in here with her post number 1 some time ago and was baiting Adam because she didn't make his hotly contested Greatest Harp player ever list in the honorable mention section. I cannot recall a time when she jumped in to help anybody other than herself.
I believe that Christelle was hard at work and was a large part of the reason for Buddha getting kicked out of Harmonica Space--but that's just an opinion.
Christelle is, to my way of thinking, only here for one reason: adulation. She craves it and feeds on it.
It is my honor to say that Buddha is my friend and my master. He has been here to help anybody who would ask for the help anytime. He has always shown me hospitality, and a willingness to help--and he really kicks ass on harp too!
Adam is another master to me. He has always delivered exactly as promised and more. I have total respect for his judgment and integrity. Therefore, I am not fully in agreement with Zhin on this point--I believe Adam should do exactly as he sees fit. It would be cool if he saw fit to return and this shit all blew over and we all got to be good friends again--but I'm afraid Christelle has poisoned these waters for a while.
I guess I'm more known as one who pops in with a joke here and there--but this thing got my blood a little hotter than usual. . .
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GermanHarpist
303 posts
Apr 24, 2009
3:22 AM
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I kinda saw it as my duty... ;)
"God gave us music so that through it we are guided 'up'. Music unifies all properties: It can lift you up, be gallivant, make you happy and with its soft, lugubrious sounds break the most barbaric soul. However its main reason of being, is that it guides our thoughts to higher levels, lifts, even shakes us up. ... Music is also quite a pleasant entertainment and prevents anybody who's interested in it from boredom. You have to be mindless more-animal-than-man to despise of music. This god given gift shall always be my companion on my life's journey and I'm happy to have found to love it. We shall all praise god in eternity giving us this pleasure." - Nietzsche
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germanharpist, harpfriends on Youtube
Last Edited by on Apr 24, 2009 5:53 AM
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tookatooka
206 posts
Apr 24, 2009
4:21 AM
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Lordy, Lordy, Lordy. What a shame it should come to this, again. Trouble is, I like both players, Christelle and Buddah, they are both very talented players and I will not take sides. They are both different in their own ways and that is what makes them good. You can't compare a Picasso to Turner but they are both brilliant.
What I'd really like to see is for the two of them to do a duet, but I expect that is asking too much.
What a shame it has come to this. It's giving me the blues which will probably explain why I'm spending more time with the greens (Irish Music) lately.
Maybe there is some way that a "harp battle" on YouTube could be organised so that they could see that the majority of people love there individual playing styles in equal measure?
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When I'm not blowing, I'm drawing.
Last Edited by on Apr 24, 2009 4:23 AM
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DaDoom
91 posts
Apr 24, 2009
5:38 AM
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@germanharpist
I knew I could rely on you ;) thx
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chromaticblues
19 posts
Apr 24, 2009
6:17 AM
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Wow! how can a friendly competition that doesn't mean shit go so bad! This forum, this web site and you tube has become a breeding ground for what I like to call the "LOOK AT ME" people!! I do not like to around people like that and I don't care to hear your long winded explanations of why certain people are not good people! If I'm not mistaken isn't that life! Being a musician is tough enough. I really thought this site was a great idea and it seemed to be uniting harpers to certain degree. I was very optimistic, but a lot of the same shit I went through as pro harp player is starting rear its ugly head here. I love music and I love playing music, but unfortunately a lot of musicians are egotistical assholes and its starting to show up here. That's to bad!! I'm sure there are a lot of great harp players that like helping people that haven't been playing as long or aren't as good, but love it just as much. I enjoy helping others and I know a lot about what it takes to be a harp player. So please If you don't want to learn anything or aren't willing to help people without personal gain. Get a hobby and don't ruin this for everyone else!!
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kudzurunner
380 posts
Apr 24, 2009
6:30 AM
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Terrific! Great contributions, everybody. We're beginning to get somewhere.
When you get a minute, please watch this video. It's a brief, funny teaching by a Tibetan Buddhist monk whom I admire. (Embedding has been disabled, so you'll need to cut and paste the URL):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7qFi52FX1Q
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Buzadero
71 posts
Apr 24, 2009
7:21 AM
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Screw you. (or, did I miss the point?)
Thanks, Adam. That was very interesting perspective.
By the way, Zhin. I am impressed by your posts in this thread. You have my admiration of your appraisals of the human condition. (or, am I thinking of the Canned Heat song?)
I get so confused.
This forum is so much fun, I'm thinking of giving up beating my head against the wall for good.
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~Buzadero
Underwater Janitor, Patriot
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Chinaski
5 posts
Apr 24, 2009
7:52 AM
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heheh, oh dear, saucer of milk for table nine...
I too am only here for the love of harp and lose interest very quickly in lengthy squabbles.
Zhin - if you are going to REPEATEDLY cap up WORDS for EMPHASIS during your sermons, make sure they are spelled correctly otherwise the effect is somewhat diminished ;-)
Just a minor gripe
Peace.
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Sirsucksalot
32 posts
Apr 24, 2009
7:58 AM
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I don't make myself vulnerable on this or any other forum. From my experience people on the Internet like to hurt other people because its the only way they can feel important. Just read the comments on any YouTube video. There's always a few people who think they are superior to others and feel the need to attack them for it.
If i see a topic that has more than ten posts i don't bother because i know there's going to be some petty pissing contest and I'm not interested in waisting my time. I really don't care what anyone on this forum thinks because the chances of meeting anyone is very slim.
The only people I'm worried about impressing are the ones in the audience.
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Andrew
238 posts
Apr 24, 2009
12:19 PM
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And, coincidentally, Pema Chodron was also referenced in season 3 of the L-Word. I guess she's popular in the USA. I don't know her otherwise, but YouTube is great for some things, isn't it!
Last Edited by on Apr 24, 2009 12:25 PM
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djm3801
93 posts
Apr 24, 2009
6:11 PM
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What do I know? I hate rudeness but have been rude myself - not here, but to people's faces. That said, I come to this site for harmonica talk. Chris is brutally direct much of the time but brings a lot to this site. He also seems to know who he is - brutally direct about himself. I have not studied enough of Christelle's posts to judge her. I will not comment on her harp skills - I am no judge. Do not know what may have happened on other sites. I am just really tiring of the fact that bickering and personal opinions seem to be more prevanent on the site now than harp info.
This is the best harp site on the web. I just wish more civility would return. Adam To have to recuse yourself as a judge is a sad thing as you are an excellent teacher and student of this instrument, and seem to be very objective.
I started a note yesterday about the increasing pissing contests here and deleted it. Sirsucksalot used my words. Adam, still a great site. YOUR site.
But what the hell do I know?
Dan
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geordiebluesman
174 posts
Apr 25, 2009
5:39 AM
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What a damn shame that a fun competition started with the intention of bonding and encouraging the members of the forum has apparently degenerated into petty bickering, I thought we were all like minded ADULTS who love the harp and respect Adam,What is the big problem here? Please can we get away from the paranoia and politics and back to the fun and joy of learning and playing this amazing little instrument, All this agro is making my Mojo shrink
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sopwithcamels266
7 posts
Apr 25, 2009
9:11 AM
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geordie bluesman: Well said.
Hey man Ill talk blues harp,a nice thing that can work great.
Take a gangster film 1971 Get Carter,theme staring michael Caine.
Put it onto The Harp work it up chords lines inflections etc works great man.
When youv'e nailed it take an amp out crank it up and play it on some of the places they made the film.
I am assumung you live there or visit now and again.
Some will recognise it and it will go down well.
If nothing else it would be good fun.
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