uncle arnie wrote:

mike0219116 wrote:

I never reply to OT threads but I will make an exception here.

In many respects, I think the state of this NG reflects the state of
the hobby. I would assume that if the DXing hobby was thriving to any
degree, there would be a plethora of posts reflecting this. However, a
majority of the topics here are OT crap. I am also willing to bet that
the attrition rate of regular posters in this NG is rather high, and I
don't blame them. I also don't blame people who just stumble upon
this group looking for shortwave Info. to spend five minutes reading
the posts and then leave, never to return. I lurk rather than post and
run the risk of being plonked, being called a 'tard. or told to take
my meds, put on my tin foil hat, or tote, etc... I am astounded at the
time and energy that people invest in this NG to arguing with each
other. What an utter and complete waste of one's life. I once heard
somebody say that, "Arguing on the internet is like playing with your
balls. It feels good at the time, but nobody really cares." I think
that is an accurate, if not profane, way to get the point across.

Posters are in several categories.
-People who are into Dxing.
-People who listen to short wave for the content: program listeners.
-People who are looking for a place to debate stuff they've heard on SW.
-People who are looking for a soap box from which to debate stuff they've
heard on SW or crap they haven't.
-Trolls. Typically they post the same dumb lines or insults.
-The socially or mentally deviant or ill.

The last two I killfile. The third last is the hardest to deal with.


I personally only post OT when it's something I've heard on SW. Say what
you want about the BBC's agenda, they have some provocative news
stories, and I like to discuss them with people who have also heard the
program. I also would like to discuss stuff I've heard on Radio Havana,
but most of the people here automatically regard anything the Cubans say
about anything to be a total fabrication, so I've given up on that.
(Just a couple nights ago, they said that the Pentagon is now spending
ONE TRILLION DOLLARS A YEAR! 82% of all military spending on the
*planet*! They also said that the US media, especially the cable news
channels, is giving Bush a free ride, something I think we all suspect.
But I suppose they were lying, and that the Pentagon really doesn't
spend that much, and the US press is truly in it for truth, justice, and
the American Way.) There are also posters (at least ONE poster) whose OT
posts consist mostly of stuff plucked off the web, and not heard on SW
at all. These should also be killfiled.


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