Forums are places where folks of like minds can gather to enthusiastically share their interests, hobbies, and professions. The ironic twist with the niche of frame builders is that our numbers are so small, often pros, hobbyists, and lurkers share the same space. Professionals who desire to mentor, share, and encourage others to begin the journey to mastery, struggle with how to set standards for acceptable practices. Keeping "the bar raised" on what is to be considered the standard for quality is no easy task.
The issue with the internet, is that misinformation spreads like wildfire. "Experts" are born behind a keyboard and within a short time, are establishing facts that are anything but, only to have others pass it on. The crux is when an experienced pro who knows better attempts to correct the misinformation, only to be barraged with negativity. Soon, the experienced mentors retreat to their shops, frustrated and unwilling to make the effort again. This is how the loss of knowledge begins in today's classroom of zeros and ones.
Enough time has transpired through many list serves/forums/pages that it has become clear to me that one can never remove the human element of ego and need for affirmation from discourse, regardless of the subject. Moderation can provide some constraint, but will never re-direct those who refuse to acknowledge or conform, regardless of the experience or knowledge possessed by those offering assistance.
The best way to "keep the bar high" and provide the level of mentoring we wish to convey is to be the one on the field keeping the bar in place, setting the professional example. It takes time to be a presence, guide, mentor via the interwebs, and each of us must decide if that is within themselves to share and provide at the cost of time, frustration, and little thanks.
A unified presence/effort by those that want to make a difference and see standards set is the tool to get this job done.
I'll continue to add my voice where appropriate and hope for a chorus and not an echo.
rody
