Lay Off the Newbies!


I always try to keep my posts constructive, but there is something that regularly goes on here that I think is detrimental to our hobby - A newbie has a simple question and a bunch of neurotic geezers (of which I include myself) jump on the guy with a million rules and rituals he must follow to achieve his goal, which ends up discouraging the guy right out of hobby. There was one analog thread on static where I recommended Gruv Glide and you geezers started in with so much BS- humidifiers, move to another climate, expensive gimmicks, etc, that GG would kill him and his records.  The end result? By the end of the thread, he sold his analog rig because he couldn't deal with the stress.  In a recent digital thread, you guys are recommending a newbie buy 20 year old transports.  All this does is just make newbies so stressed out that you'll drive them to MP3s.  Newbies need simple answers, commensurate with their experience level.  Buy a Rega table, screw in a Rega cartridge and play records.  They have plenty of time to turn into us.  Somehow we survived, listening to our Sansui receivers and JBL L-100s in bedrooms thick with pot smoke and spilled Boone's Farm.  And we made it.  Sometimes I'm amazed as well.  Let the young have fun while they can. Be well.  
chayro

Showing 3 responses by pragmasi

I think the biggest barrier to educating yourself is being afraid to ask a stupid question. There are no stupid questions but there are plenty of off-topic, self aggrandising answers.
My advice to any newbie would be don't be afraid to ask the questions, ignore the replies that don't help and acknowledge the ones that do. Once the whole thing turns into a pissing contest move on to another thread. Don't give up, do your own research and once you know enough to contribute give a bit back.
@georgehifi
There are no stupid grandiose claims about things
Who are you quoting there?.. the other two are mine but I can't find that on the page.