Last week the SUS was about ‘The Basics.’ It almost felt like a cheat, because it was really easy to put together. A post so innocuous that, perhaps, it was a waste of time.
That’s why I was really surprised to see Mathew Cheng’s comment on my Facebook post. It felt like my post was the equivalent of a vanilla wafer.
That’s why I took special umbrage with Mathew’s reaction to my write-up.
There will never be any mistake when I “call someone out.” I used a specific post to illustrate my point. If I failed to use a specific example, then the reader could assume I assume all the posts are stupid. I didn’t want that.
I wanted to be crystal clear with the type of comment/question that surprises me. And yes, it was broadly applied because there are a lot of members asking similar types of questions.
Calling someone out would look and sound more like this, “I think Mathew Cheng is very stupid. He failed to understand, arguably, the least offensive, most vanilla post ever on this website.”
Mathew’s second comment is another example of his previously mentioned stupidity.
I wrote a blog post designed to help people “learn about the hobby.” Posting it to the Facebook group seemed like it would “spread awareness” of the post.
As for the “seasoned vets,” I don’t really have anything. It’s too stupid. It’s the kind of temper-tantrum stinger that children use as they throw themselves to the ground or stomp off to their room.
Mathew was encouraged to reread the post. The sharp insight and constructive criticism was that the “overall tone of the writing made everything seem more negative.”
Such a nuanced critique.
Luckily Mathew continued to showcase his stupidity.
I never said any single person lacked “the most basic knowledge.” I said that the group seemed to lack it – which is normal for new collectors. I poured over Nate’s website to learn the basics. Based on many of the questions, that approach seems less pervasive with new collectors. I was trying to give them a cheat sheet.
The Facebook M.U.S.C.L.E. Collectors group is great. All of the stuff Mathew said about it is true. Of course, none of it has anything relevant to do with my blog post.
Mathew wanted us to know that he was just being defensive. He can easily identify the difference between #141 and the Muscleman ring figure (#234). Thank god Mathew was there to defend the downtrodden people that can’t identify the difference.
If only there was some place these downtrodden souls could learn more about the M.U.S.C.L.E. figures. Some place that works to collect information about M.U.S.C.L.E. figures and freely shares it without a secondary agenda. That place could put together some basic information to help collectors. Some day.
That place could also help more knowledgeable collectors, like Mathew, learn about Class A figures – if they want to learn about them.
You can see on Facebook, that I took less time reacting to Mathew. I simply said he was too stupid to continue the discussion. I guess his final comment put me in my place? He never seemed to understand the write-up, but degrees prove that he does?
I guess I should feel stupid too. Until his final sentence I didn’t realize his original point was offering a critique on how not to offend. Rereading his first comment, I certainly have egg on my face.
Empty Can Sold for $53.50
Oops. Not Asshole of the Week. Now it is…
Awesome Operators
Trafficking Wonders!
I think it’s great that several people wanted to spend so much money on an empty can. These new bidders don’t want to pay an established price, largely embraced by the M.U.S.C.L.E. community. They want to break new ground and forget about the past.
I think history will be kind to the M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors that break from antiquated traditions. No longer will experience be valued. Only the immediate impulses of the impatient will be respected. It eliminates the need to learn from history. Instant credibility is earned through immediate, unquestioning purchasing power.
To the supporters and ground-breakers of this new M.U.S.C.L.E. movement, I welcome you. I also want to let this group know that my entire M.U.S.C.L.E. collection is for sale; using the $53 empty can as my Rosetta Stone of pricing.
That would probably put my collection at $2.4 billion dollars. More great news!
To be clear: (1) I “called out” Mathew Cheng for being an idiot; and (2) the top-bidders of the $53 can should all be put to death for crimes against humanity. I don’t want any misunderstanding this time.
