It's time for an experiment.

[SmittyG]

I've been told that one of the main causes for the low participation on trocks (folks posting; we have plenty of lookie-loos) is yours truly. As proof of this, it is pointed out to me than I've even made Taz cry. Every time this has been tossed at me, I've dismissed it as total bullshit. My main argument has been the fact that folks will gladly come up to me in person and discuss all the stuff I've been saying on this site. Well, if I'm the one they have a problem with, or what I say, then why make a special trip to come talk to me in person? And so we go back and forth for a few days and then I just go back to what I always do and not worry about it. Well, I want to put the argument to a rest one way or another so we are going to put it to a test right now.

This will be my last post on the site until . . . when? . . . the new year. That's nearly two full months; should be plenty of time. I will not join in any discussions, post any comments or reply to any direct queries. Nothing. (I will respond to private messages since they are totally one-on-one and not visible to the public.) During this time, we will see who posts on the site. My theory is that the numbers will stay pretty much the same and no one will even really notice my silence at all. If, however, during that time, we see a whole lot of folks who used to post on the site but don't any longer all of a sudden joining back in the fun, well then, I guess I'm going to have to concede that I was wrong. In that case, we will have to look at extending the hiatus to see if the turnaround is real or just a momentary blip.

So, for all the folks who felt slighted, threatened, intimidated, or whatever, by the big, bad SmittyG, here is your chance to take back control. All you have to do is join in over the next couple of months. You don't have to post in this thread at all. Post about your band's gigs. Post about some music you like. Post a joke. Post why you hate our public leaders. Anything. Or not. It's totally in your hands now.

See you in a while, folks. Try to behave while I'm gone.

[scott]

I'm glad I can start posting again!

[cupcake]

Wow! I'm a lurker, but i just have to pop up and ask to see the results of this experiment.
Do we have a control group to compare it to?

[Mr. Anonymous]

I'm glad I can start posting again!

Why am I now trembling with fear?

Wow! I'm a lurker, but i just have to pop up and ask to see the results of this experiment. Do we have a control group to compare it to?

No problem. I just ordered a box of lab rats!

[GuitarFreak585]

No problem. I just ordered a box of lab rats!

Are you sure? Cuz they've been posting here for years already...





Oh look! Cheese!

[Mr. Anonymous]

No problem. I just ordered a box of lab rats!

Are you sure? Cuz they've been posting here for years already...
Oh look! Cheese!

LMAO. Now, you be Gouda.

[Mr. Anonymous]

I've been told that one of the main causes for the low participation on trocks (folks posting; we have plenty of lookie-loos) is yours truly. As proof of this, it is pointed out to me than I've even made Taz cry.

Wait! Wait! The guilt is too much to bear! I can't let this tragedy go on any longer!

I'm the one reponsible for the low participation on TRocks. It was me all along! I'm the one who's been driving people away from here! And, yes...

I'm the one who made Taz cry!

SmittyG, oh SmittyG! You're wrong! It's not you! It's me! And I'm not worth it! I'll go! It should be me who's banished from these hallowed halls! Already has this once-vibrant forum become a shadow, a memory, a dark and lonely e-island!

I'll stay away! I'll lurk in the shadows in wretched penitence! Just come back, SmittyG! Come back!!!

Come back...

Come back...

[SCRAPPY]

...oh brother

[farris]

Well, here is my 2 cents.......
I almost think that the lack of posting has nothing to do with an individual(like you Smitty) but other reasons.
I think this site got really popular really fast. I think I joined back on 04 and this was(and still is) the best source of music information. With that said, a few "Cool Kids" decided they shouldn't post because:
1. It made them uncool to post here
2. They don't know shit about their instrument and didn't want to look stupid
3. They know nothing about the business side and/or the nuts and bolts.
4. The combination of #2 and 3 would discredit them among their fans or peers
5. They posted bullshit and were found out.

99% of the people I have met(in person) from this site are cool. I, probably like everyone else here has someone that they think is a total asshole. I know who is for real and who is full of shit(like most everyone else). There is only one person that sometimes posts here that I think is a back stabbing, would step on your neck then cut your throat to get ahead chicken shit.

I know who is looking out for the scene and who is looking out for themselves.

Do you think for one minute that would let someone that rarely posts here until they have a gig coming up push me off this site? I never have asked permission from Scott to be on here but I always feel welcome. I consider this place home!

Smitty is one of the select few that keep this site going. Shit, I really missed Mr. A and had to beg him to come back. I am begging you, Smitty, to rethink your sabbatical.

[cupcake]

Do you think for one minute that would let someone that rarely posts here until they have a gig coming up push me off this site? = Farris posted this...

Is there really anything wrong with that? I don't know who you are referring to, but, in general: would it be wrong for a musician to only post gigs that they have coming up? (i'm just curious, i'm not musically talented at all)

[Mr. Anonymous]

Smitty is one of the select few that keep this site going. I am begging you, Smitty, to rethink your sabbatical.

Yeah, well said, and I'll stop being facetious and leave the thread alone. I really shouldn't be goofing on it, I'm sure Smitty has a good reason for coming to the conclusion that he arrived at. I just happen to think he isn't a catalyst for people staying away, in my opinion it's more likely to be the natural ebb and flow of any "organic" system.... every complex system has it's own metabolism.

Well, we'll just have to see. In any case, people can expect to get out of TRocks pretty much what they put into it, right? And that's up to the individual.....

[farris]

Do you think for one minute that would let someone that rarely posts here until they have a gig coming up push me off this site? = Farris posted this...

Is there really anything wrong with that? I don't know who you are referring to, but, in general: would it be wrong for a musician to only post gigs that they have coming up? (i'm just curious, i'm not musically talented at all)

No, not at all. It is ok for anyone to post here. Smitty has been told, by someone who never posts here, that he is the problem. If they don't post here, what right do they have to tell him he is the problem??????????
And let me expand a little........
About a year or so ago, Smitty got some really shitty advice from some musicians that he apparently admired. I sent him a PM, just so the whole world wouldn't see it to tell him the were full of shit and the possible reasons for their advice.
There are some people out there that will send you down the wrong path just for shits and giggles. They do everything in there power to make sure that you will fail. They give you bad advice. They find out where you are playing and tell the bar lies about you. They ask people why they are your friend on myspace and so on.
So my point is this. Any increase in posts here does not reflect on Smitty's decision to leave. There is no true test here, the data will be skewed! If there is an increase, it is purely coincidental or a conspiracy. Take a moment and look at East Texas Gig Guide, and this isn't a slam on them but months go by before there is a post there. That is why people like me and Mr. A post here!

[Xmax]

LMAO. Now, you be Gouda.

...you know that theory has holes all in it................

[thatoneguy]

Smitty this is ridiculous, not you, just the face that someone has balls enough to make you want to stop posting.

If you go look at my other screennam billytrey you will find I didnt post for about 2 years. It wasnt because of anyone specific, honestly i dont know why i ever stopped, obviously I have been super active since coming back. (BTW SCOTT LENT YOU NEVER FIXED MY OLD SN!! but its ok because i just made a new one, if you were up to just delete that one so i can change this sn to it that would be awesome!)

Anyways, if they dont want to post here bc smitty has a brutally honest way about himself or post shit they dont want to read, thats their own damn problem. F$%K em. They dont HAVE to read smitty's posts but they do! its their own fault, are we adults here or are we back in grade school? I mean sometimes we bitch and piss and moan like it, but hey, thats what we have trocks for, never anyone to bitch to in person so we come here and get 15 people to bitch and moan to. anyways, thats all i have for input, and i agree with farris on the list of reasons why, I seen it too many times.

[Taz]

Smitty this is ridiculous, not you, just the face that someone has balls enough to make you want to stop posting.

If you go look at my other screennam billytrey you will find I didnt post for about 2 years. It wasnt because of anyone specific, honestly i dont know why i ever stopped, obviously I have been super active since coming back. (BTW SCOTT LENT YOU NEVER FIXED MY OLD SN!! but its ok because i just made a new one, if you were up to just delete that one so i can change this sn to it that would be awesome!)

Anyways, if they dont want to post here bc smitty has a brutally honest way about himself or post shit they dont want to read, thats their own damn problem. F$%K em. They dont HAVE to read smitty's posts but they do! its their own fault, are we adults here or are we back in grade school? I mean sometimes we bitch and piss and moan like it, but hey, thats what we have trocks for, never anyone to bitch to in person so we come here and get 15 people to bitch and moan to. anyways, thats all i have for input, and i agree with farris on the list of reasons why, I seen it too many times.