Shopsmith Forums

Curious...My assumption has been those of us who own/use Shopsmith equipment are all old. Generally speaking the young don't use them (according to Nick). The young who attempt it have great difficulty - remember John Malecki??? Not sure I understand where you are going with the bifurcation of "old" into baby boomer vs. gen X segments of the population below. It is an honor to help someone else and that should be reciprocated with an appropriate level of respect & gratitude. This has been a universal truth for all time IMHO.

Apologies for going off-topic in the other thread, but conversations are never so unipolar. Part of why I rarely post on the forum anymore, lest the topic police would come after me.

You should try adding up how much time you have spent helping people on the forum over the years...I think some of you have quite large checks coming your way for your unofficial Shopsmith customer support roles!

JPG wrote: ↑Thu Aug 01, 2024 11:58 am I think what we are experiencing is a difference in perspective between those of us born before(or near) the mid-point of the last century of the previous millennium and those born closer to the end of it.

Time was when everyone was willing and eager to help each other.

Sadly times HAVE changed.

NOW we have REALLY gone 'off topic'.






P.S. I do not receive a pay check from SS either.

Good move creating a new thread!

I did not intend to delve into different generational labels, but merely wanted to point out the change in peoples attitude regard helping each other over the past 70 years. Think step function vs incremental.

Not sure who all you are directing the comment re helping and ss paycheck, but my number of posts surely has some validity as an indicator.(some here will dispute that since I tend to get off into they consider to be meaningless excursions into more frivolous genre).

I need to also add that much of what I have learned re ss stuff is indeed sourced from this forum and many much of it is the result of many excursions into off subject territory. I consider the most valuable knowledge gained was when those excursions took place that would not have happened without them.

One does not have appreciation for what they consider excessive non related info until after that exposure and the resultant more complete understanding that is thus accrued.

JPG wrote: ↑Thu Aug 01, 2024 3:32 pm Good move creating a new thread!

I did not intend to delve into different generational labels, but merely wanted to point out the change in peoples attitude regard helping each other over the past 70 years. Think step function vs incremental.

Not sure who all you are directing the comment re helping and ss paycheck, but my number of posts surely has some validity as an indicator.(some here will dispute that since I tend to get off into they consider to be meaningless excursions into more frivolous genre).

I need to also add that much of what I have learned re ss stuff is indeed sourced from this forum and many much of it is the result of many excursions into off subject territory. I consider the most valuable knowledge gained was when those excursions took place that would not have happened without them.

One does not have appreciation for what they consider excessive non related info until after that exposure and the resultant more complete understanding that is thus accrued.

JPG,

Thanks. Everyone's perception is their own, so I wasn't trying to discount yours but rather to understand it. In the very short 50+ years I have lived on this planet, I have observed different generations eager and willing to help throughout this time. What has changed, from my perspective, is the distractability quotient that entered around the time of mass adoption of the internet by the population and then spiked with the advent of social media. So, I would say that hockey stick uptick, not quite step function, occurred around these times. Not sure if this coincides with what you are referencing or not. To me, it isn't related to one's age, or generation, but rather due to societal shifts with negative impacts. I believe there are many who can help today, but some are so distracted today that they don't pay attention to realize someone needs help and then offers it. Fortunately, I have the vantage of living a good long time before coming to Earth, so I value other's feedback on their experience here since my time has been short on this planet; my experience is and will be quite different from yours. I will stop there, or a real tangent will occur on this thread!

Well, that is why I spoke up on the other thread. Not to admonish the OP, but to celebrate those who were working to help him. None of you are paid for the free support offered here. Good luck getting the same level of tech support from many other tool machine companies, especially considering the support here for Shopsmith models from 70+ years ago. Many companies would only offer support on the current product generation and not past ones. I hope Shopsmith's new owner recognizes how valuable this forum and its members are, even though we take diversions on threads sometimes, because it is free customer service. Many of you who have been on the forum for a long time deserve a pat on the back...until that check from Shopsmith arrives! Anyone receiving support on this forum, myself included, should recognize this fact and say thanks from time to time. Often I have witnessed a new member popup on this forum, post a handful of questions, get them answered, and then never post again...not even to say thank you. Honestly, this has always shocked me about this forum. I am happy if they are off woodworking on their Shopsmith equipment after getting their questions answered, but why NOT drop back in one last time to thank everyone???

Regarding the last two statements you made above - absolutely!!!

Thanks to all who make this forum a great place to learn about Shopsmith equipment, woodworking and all the things that fall in between and around those topics. You have my appreciation.

FWIW the OP described himself as "recently retired" so I think that puts him in the category of "grumpy old man" (a category in which I also find myself... ;-)

HopefulSSer wrote: ↑Thu Aug 01, 2024 5:59 pm FWIW the OP described himself as "recently retired" so I think that puts him in the category of "grumpy old man" (a category in which I also find myself... ;-)

Well, since I have lived much, much, much longer than all of you on this forum, shouldn't I be the grumpiest one here? Counting of course, my whole life, not just the short time I have spent on this little blue marble called Earth by its current inhabitants.

RFGuy wrote: ↑Thu Aug 01, 2024 6:43 pm Well, since I have lived much, much, much longer than all of you on this forum, shouldn't I be the grumpiest one here? Counting of course, my whole life, not just the short time I have spent on this little blue marble called Earth by its current inhabitants.

I yield the floor to the grumpiest....

Well if ye hail from outer space, that explains a lot.

So how old were thee when ye 'arrived' on this marble?

JPG wrote: ↑Thu Aug 01, 2024 7:23 pm Well if ye hail from outer space, that explains a lot.

Too true!!!

JPG wrote: ↑Thu Aug 01, 2024 7:23 pm So how old were thee when ye 'arrived' on this marble?

A bit shy of 6 millennia Earth years.

So where ya been since 4000 BC?

JPG wrote: ↑Thu Aug 01, 2024 7:37 pm So where ya been since 4000 BC?

You probably won't believe me, but I was born in the Andromeda Galaxy. Fought in a war there for about 3 millennia until my home galaxy was liberated. Then came to this galaxy chasing a few enemy that escaped The Great War in the Andromeda Galaxy. When I got to the Milky Way, I fell in love, had lots of kids and have been helping the people of this galaxy against this enemy for the remaining time. The final battle is being fought on Earth as the rest of the Milky Way is now free. I am one of many who are helping this planet and the rightful inhabitants of Earth to become free and live in peace finally. Coming to Earth has been difficult for me and my family, but was necessary to achieve the most optimal timeline and outcome for many. It required me to take on a human body and be born on this planet to live amongst all of you for this final phase of the war. You won't believe me and this is one of those situations where showing, not telling is needed. Soon this planet will be free and you will see for yourselves.

Checking in on this forum from time to time has been a much needed distraction for me, from all that is happening for me elsewhere as this long war finally comes to an end.