What it's all about

[Hercules]

I realize that there are many different facets of any hobby or interest, yet every one essentially has one thing in common. With sports, there are the different aspects like competition and physical fitness. With reading there is a thirst for knowledge and a quest for creativity. People have those kinds of needs. People also have social needs and other needs that can be fulfilled through hobbies and activities. Yet, the main reason for taking part in these activities is because the people doing them or have an interest in them find them FUN. Aren't roller coasters and amusement parks supposed to be fun? Aren't amusement parks in the industry of entertainment?

 

The more and more that I am involved with enthusiasts and websites within the coaster community; the more I research; the more I find the fun aspect being sucked out from me. I hear constant debates about what parks are better and what rides are the best. Sure, at times that can be fun, but only to a certain point. I am a man that respects opinion. We all have opinions, and that is all they are. Opinions are not fact. Laughing, joking, and poking fun is great, but when there are malicious attacks, I become angered. I hear such things as: "Are you crazy?..." or "If you don't like ______ you are nuts!..." I hate it when people degrade people and act like their opinion is fact and nothing else matters.

 

I also have a problem with people who believe they are more knowledgeable than others are. Sure, there are people that know more about a wide variety of subjects in this industry, and there are those who are specialists in certain areas. Nevertheless, it seems that sometimes there is a certain amount of arrogance around. I just think that if someone has a question, someone with the answer should grant them the answer with a certain amount of respect and decency. Now I know there are pests and annoyances that plague the world, but there are just so many people that seem to think that they are better than everyone, and those are the bigger pests and annoyances to me.

 

Something that kind of ties into that is the issue of coaster count. I know that this is an ongoing debate and there has been a lot said, so I don't feel the need to get into it. It just basically ties into what I just said.

 

These factors have really taken the fun out of things for me, and I don't know, maybe some of you who are reading this. I'll continue doing the things that are fun to me: going to Dorney and Great Adventure, taking photographs, getting to new parks to experience new rides and taking in the atmosphere, and writing reviews for rides. Because isn't this what it is supposed to be about? FUN? I'm not trying to be pompous or a jerk who thinks he is Mr. Perfect, but these are just some of my observations.

 

So after writing all of this I think I have taught myself a lesson. The next time I hear "Damn Great Adventure getting all of the rides that Magic Mountain should be getting...", I'll just shrug and laugh, and go have fun.

[Wes]

Yeah honestly I agree with alot of this, ALTHOUGH it seems like a veiled attack on people who do get enjoyment out of being really into it.

 

When I was around 18, I made a conscious decision to stop being so obsessed with coasters. I knew it would stop being a fun thing and start being a chore. Hell, at that point it already was.

 

I basically got almost completely out of it for two and a half years. When I started gravitating back, there were alot of things that I did. I stopped counting coasters. I don't go out of my way to get the little credits, and if I skip over something, oh well. I have personal favorites, but I don't ever really think "X is better than Y". When I started getting back into the hobby, the two sites I gravitated toward were here and Westcoaster, both which have, in my opinion, a way cooler, laid back attitude than RRC, CB, and others. I used to know all the vital stats for every coaster, and now I couldn't even tell you the proper stats for every ride at Magic Mountain.

 

Now I'm having waaaay more fun than I was back in the day. This is just my personal experience though. Some people love chasing that last credit at the fair, some people love reciting second hill top speeds. I don't think it's our place to criticize them just because they have a more vested interest.

 

So yeah, just do what you want to do. It's a hobby, everyone is going to take it with a varying degree of seriousness. There is no right or wrong, just what feels right and comfortable to you. It all just depends on your personality.

[ebl]

^^ You've said a mouthful, Hercules---and you're absolutely right.

 

Let me take your thoughts bit by bit and respond to them:

 

"Opinions are not fact. Laughing, joking, and poking fun is great, but when there are malicious attacks, I become angered."

 

Unfortunately, the world is getting more and more rude. That's probably why I have begun to back away. Often, people say that I should fight for what I believe, but to me that's ridiculous. The best way to handle attacks, in my opinion, is to just leave it alone and walk away. Is that "chicken?" No, that's avoiding unnecessary confrontation.

 

"I also have a problem with people who believe they are more knowledgeable than others are."

 

Me too. I run into these folks all the time. Like I said before, you can't fight them and change their mind.

 

"...there is a certain amount of arrogance around."

 

You got that right. Some people get involved with a certain group and think their poop doesn't stink. I get a real kick out of some ACE members that walk around like they're some sort of deity because they get the special perks from parks that the average person doesn't get. Well, DUH?!?!? Anyone can join ACE!!!

 

"I hate it when people degrade people and act like their opinion is fact and nothing else matters."

 

Degrading others is the only way a lot of people can "improve" themselves. Very immature, and you have to learn to laugh in their face.

 

"Something that kind of ties into that is the issue of coaster count."

 

"I've ridden more coasters than you have." That's called "bragging rights." I call it, "Who gives a damn?" It's like the whole post count thing on Internet message boards. "I've posted more, so I'm better or more popular." No, you have too much time on your hands.

 

Your last sentence is the very best advice---laugh it off and go have fun. Never mind what others say. They can deal with their own panties up their crack...

 

Eric

[Hercules]

I totally agree with that Wes. To tell you the truth, I am one of those people who can tell you the vital stats of every coaster at Magic Mountain and can give you the second hill speeds on a lot of things, and I haven't been near Magic Mountain in 14 years and probably haven't been on 97% of the coasters that I can give you the speeds of.

 

I knew that this would kind of come off the wrong way. I am in no way attacking anyone. And I totally respect what people do as long as it does not hurt anyone else. If you are into going out and getting that Taxi Jam credit and are having fun doing it, go out and get it. It just comes to a point that there are people that think that their opinions are fact and there are those that attack others based on their opinions. Those are the kinds of things that bother me. There are times that the fun is just sucked out of it.

 

I am not a person that will go out and ride a kiddie coaster just for the credit. If you like that kind of thing, go for it. I'm not one to judge. If you like calculating how many miles you have been on coasters for, or how many hours you have been on a ride in your life. Great! I hope you can get it down to the last second. I find it fun to ride, write, and learn about coasters. I have just gotten into videos and photography too. I really want to become a big name in the coaster industry and work in public relations at a park. Those are my goals because I find it all so facinating and fun. It just seems that there are others that try to make too much of everything and suck the life out of it, and it kind of makes me doubt the world, if that makes any sense. Go out and have fun, just don't attack and make obscene statements. That is all I'm saying.

 

Thanks a lot for sharing your story Wes and thanks to all that have read this.

 

Jay "See you on the midways" Willis

 

^ By the way, thanks for the remarks. I appreciate it. I agree with the coaster count thing totally. That is what I was getting at. I think a person knows what a good ride is no matter how many rides they have been on. Thank you very much for the feedback.

[Three]

I hate to bring this up, as it certainly doesn't apply to all youngin's here. But perhaps the stating opinions as facts has to do with a lack of maturity on the part of certain posters. There comes a point in one's life where one is able to take a step back and realize their opinions are just that. But that generally doesn't happen until late in one's teens... at the earliest (and if at all).

 

Just keep in mind that perhaps some of the posters here aren't ready yet.

 

And just so it doesn't seem like I'm making a blanket statement here, I've been genuinely surprised by many of the 13 and 14 year olds on these boards. It certainly doesn't apply to all. But perhaps it applies to some.

[CoasterFanatic]

I have been a coaster lover all my life, but never realized it until only a few years ago. I get into the nerdy side as much as the next guy, but I like to keep it real when visiting the parks.

 

I also like to hit parks at a very modest pace and feel that the memories that I make with other people during visits is more important than the coasters or anything else. I have met lots of great people (and a few weirdos) through this hobby and I feel I am a better person for knowing them. Hell, I could go to Knoebels the first weekend of October and not go on one ride and still have the time of my life.

 

Hopefully the "enthusiast" community hasn't scared you too much. For every self-absorbed p**ck you run across, there is a really good person out there.

[pkdcoaster]

Yea I kind of got out of being "involved in the coaster community" for those very reasons....Most Enthusiasts act like critics and spend way too much time analyizing every little thing a park does and I started to get that way and it just was not fun anymore. I used to read RRC alot and posted there a long time ago but it got really bad with all the personal crap that went on and he does this and he does that (Robb knows).

Now I go to have fun and going with my son and nephew to PKD last summer really opened my eyes and made me think about how Awesome parks were when it was a BIG deal to go and you had such a great time. And last time I went to PKD I didn't really want to wait for any of the rides so I grabbed my camcorder and went all around the park filming the rides and peoples reactions to them and even something as "tame" as the log flume brings out the biggest happiest smiles from most people and I get some strange satisfaction in watching that.

 

JEFF