The Problem With US Philately

The op calling forum members "douche bags" was a tad disgraceful.

The OP never called anyone anything. That was someone else.

goinpostal wrote.




Though he was absolutely wrong to write his thoughts on this forum, he was absolutely right in what he said.

The OP came here for help, and all he has seen from the beginning is ridicule and abuse on his post. Though a lot of it was directed at goinpostal, the old guard rarely named goinpostal, so stuck probably thinks its directed at him.

He was absolutely right in what he said? Huh? Bitter old men waiting to drop dead. Give me a break.

Dynamode, it appears that you are having a bad day. Certainly, you have hijacked this thread.

I will stand by my characterization of 'goinpostal' as a troll. My understanding of a troll is that such a person makes outrageous, or unsubstantiated claims and/or incendiary remarks on Internet forums. It appears to me that this is undoubtedly correct in this case.

I often wonder what ever happened to philately in the mainstream. How many of you work to help kids or young adults interested in the hobby? Do you donate your extras to any children's groups or organizations? Have you taken the time to sit at a kid's table at any of the shows you go to? How about visiting a local elementary school to talk about stamps and hand out glassines with inexpensive mixtures? I try to do each of these things at least once a year.

I was introduced to stamp collecting by my paternal grandmother who was not a collector, we both started at the same time and it became a common connection we shared for many years. I tried to get my daughters interested in collecting, but there were too many other distractions in their lives. It's not easy, but together we can work to build up the hobby to the once great "king of hobbies, hobby of kings" that it once was.


Or we can just settle for bitter old men waiting to drop dead...

rogdcam, as the alleged 'OP' on this discussion I am assuming you had your tongue firmly in cheek when you alleged I'd called anybody a 'douche bag'. Someone apparently at one point referred to me as a 'troll', I assume that comment got deleted.

My original intent was to stimulate discussion, I apparently did but not the kind hoped for. I digressed from my original post in recounting my impressions of issues with members of some clubs I've been to.

Not that it matters but I am not on here to make trouble. Not sure how that impression came across.

The drama has created confusion. Roger was not referring to you Stamps1962. And there were two 'doubters' in the #613 thread; 'goingpostal' and 'Stuckonstamps767'; some folks appear to have them confused.

This thread has been hijacked but lets move on and get it back on track. And less drama please.
Don

bookbndrbob.

No I am not having a bad day. I am only writing what has already been said. They are not my words.

Whats up, guilty concience about what what you wrote, calling the OP a troll, and are now trying to distract and put it on me.

dynamode,
Which part of 'less drama' did you not understand?
Last warning.
Don

I don't see a lot wrong in this hobby that I don't see going on with other hobbies. Most people are afraid of change and when change happens that they don't like then it generally causes a negative response.
1. Catalog values - yep, you need to learn the hobby to understand them. Same was true with comics, baseball cards, antique tools, list is infinite.

2. Hobby is dying, look at the reduction in stat numbers - I belong to a number of Facebook groups and I see the opposite. People don't subscribe or join a lot of publications, membership due societies because the info is out there for free and they can spend that money on purchases.

3. Old codgers- I'm probably in that group now.. I learned to adapt to my surroundings and technology. I've been able to acquire items that would've never been possible before the internet. Work precluded me going to shows and for the past 20 plus year I've been able to add rare items to my collection from anywhere I'm at and at whatever time.

4. Fraudulent sales and dealers - instead of going with your gut they are much easier to weed out by forums just like this one. Scams are part of everyday life.

5. Who are the reputable dealers and why doesn't someone tell me who they are? - not sure how to answer this. As mainly a buyer I'm not to open to divulging where I get my great deals. But, a few of the dealers I deal with call me when they get something they think I might be interested in so I do give those dealer names out. Otherwise all I can say is do your due diligence.

6. Help - do you know another hobby that is so open with resources and offering help on identification?

So exactly where is this hobby failing? Sometimes we as collectors get in a rut. My recommendation is you're seeing a negative aspect overall in your hobby maybe it's time to walk away for awhile. I've done it 3 times. I've always came back with more passion. Life is so much better to be an optimist and in turn you will enjoy your hobby much more.

It looks to me like this thread and the #613 thread have become tightly entwined. Posters are on this thread responding to something that happened in the #613 thread.Thus all the confusion.

i think that turff49 has stated things very well. I too have adapted to technology and have collected 60+ years. I have experienced the grumpy old mens club attitude in a local group, but also have been a member of a specialty group for 50 years where info sharing is the norm. while I have not participated in going to any major shows in a while, I miss the social interactions that occur during same. as to bad apples both as buyers or sellers they should be exposed for the benefit of all. all of us have favorite dealers that we use, some more knowledgeable than others and that can sometimes lead to some bargains. I have shared info about items with those who would benefit from it. not all of us are in a position to help expand the hobby directly but all of us should start somewhere if they can. information sharing is has been and should always be a part of the hobby. remember that it is a hobby.

Morning Turff49 and all,


Tyrtt49, welcome to the thread and thank you for expressing a positive philately view. Yep, philately is not alone in being challenged by greed based less than savory practices. As long as there are folks like us enjoying our philatelic treasures the hobby will survive. Yes, we need to attract more new and younger folks into out numbers; however, the bait on our hooks used to real them must be there own personal pleasures not investment profits.

Welcome, turff49.....and thank you for your positive attitude. That is SO much more pleasant than negativity and incivility. Likely why we have "nicer" posters here than some other forums.

Nothing can be gained by belittling or denigrating others--what you post remains here forever (thank you for the diligent moderators who sometimes negate that rule!)

"If you can't say something nice about someone....." my parents always taught me!

--Jim Wentzell
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