In Defense of "What Are You Smoking?" Thread

[mso489]

I was really surprised when someone recently posted that they never read and didn't enjoy the "What Are You Smoking?" thread. Sure, no one needs to like it, much less read it, but the steady flow of entries suggests that most (or at least many) of us enjoy it regularly. My habit is to often post an entry when I light up a bowl, just to feel the communal spirit. After I post, I scroll back up to the top and read everything along the way, usually just that page, not usually back into previous pages. I find it intriguing what people are smoking, what pipes they're using, and any tone or comment they offer. jiminks is the soul of the thread, since he sometimes posts three or more "bowls" in a few hours, and then often reviews blends in separate posts later. But I also enjoy the entries of those who only occasionally post. I find it enjoyable, a sort of people-watching in a pipe smoking way. How do you relate, or not relate, to the "What Are You Smoking?" thread?

 

[ahmadothman]

I agree, mso.. I have learnt more about tobaccos and pipes in that thread than any other source.. And it got me interested in a few blends that are some of my favourites now.. like Frog Morton and Royal Yacht.. My knowledge of both started there. So, It is nice indeed..

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I don't read it, but I used to participate. That's why my post count is astronomical. Ha ha. I just got tired of posting 12-15 times a day what I was smoking, and I didn't really feel like I was really helping anyone or interacting. It became almost habitual for me. "For me." I did help me through times when I was losing family members to have that ritual of posting. But, it started to feel "crutch-y" for me. However, if others want to use it, it's there. Everyone should at least check it out once. Make up there on minds.

But, of someone says they think it's pointless, there is absolutely no mature grownup reason to get butt hurt. No no, MSO, I'm not talking about this thread, but some of the surprising posts made by those who should know better.
Everyone is allowed an opinion, and allowed to state them, unless your opinion is of a particular poster. In those cases grow up.

 

[styler]

I'll admit that, having been a reader of this forum for over a year now, it's a thread I never look in.
Maybe I should start checking it and making the occasional post myself.

 

[jackswilling]

I missed the "anti" thread, but I enjoy reading What Are You Smoking thread and seeing who is smoking what with what. It would seem to be axiomatic, don't read what you don't like, but I guess some must create inane threads or make inane posts. Love that thread. Keep posting please.

 

[aldecaker]

I don't see what could be objectionable about the "What Are You Smoking" thread. Not every thread is going to appeal to every forum member.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Some (not MSO) will feel a personal responsibility to cut someone down or feel insulted when someone posts that they think the thread is pointless. I haven't seen or don't remember any whole threads on it, just a random poster occasionally.

 

[mothernaturewilleatusallforbreakfast]

I rarely post on the thread, and only look at it occasionally. I think it's a good thread to have running as it is a way to feel more connected to this online community, as you get to know people a little better without having to do anything but observe. Maybe the forum will have a live post section one day where we can all sit alone and together at the same time in the digital world smoking our pipes, drinking, chit-chatting, ranting, and raving about nothing important?

 

[ahmadothman]

And gents, let's not forget the elegant posts by JimInks in that thread that I barely try to imitate

 

[pipesmokingtom]

Michael,
Everyone is certainly entitled to their opinion, but my craw gets sticky when people poo poo on things that bring other people pleasure just for the sake of making it less enjoyable for them. It's all in the approach, I think, but some folks post (seemingly) with the explicit purpose of raining on parades, and in certain circumstances that deserves getting called out.
There's virtue in leaving people be, even if whatever YOU personally think they're doing is "pointless." If someone is a dick just to be a dick, maybe, occasionally, they need to be called a dick.

 

[aldecaker]

I agree with Pipesmokingtom.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

No sir, please read forum rules and etiquette.

We mods are not Nazis crimping down and watching all threads, but when we see someone step over a line, we handle things fairly. I think.

You are free to call someone a dick, as well as accept the retribution, as my dad would say.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Attack the concept, not the poster.

 

[pipesmokingtom]

I wasn't considering this a "MOD" issue, and I wasn't talking about "lines" or anything either.
I'm simply saying that sometimes posts are made (like that passive voice? :wink: ) that are clearly intended to bring down the conversation, or at minimum are rudely and unnecessarily injected in to a discussion between people with like opinions. I could point to examples, but I don't think that's necessary.
It's not "overt" rudeness, and as such, I don't think it warrants MOD attention. I DO think that it deserves to be called out for what it is sometimes, though.

 

[northernneil]

Never really looked at the "what are you smoking thread". Never really cared much for it, left it at that.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

It was called "pointless" when someone got angry that a another thread was closed.

I agree Tom. I do. The way we word things is more important that what we say at times. Wording is the difference between resolving a problem and starting a fight.

 

[pipesmokingtom]

How things are worded is indeed important.
Intention is hard to judge on forums. But sometimes - it's not.

 

[davet]

I post in it occasionally and enjoy seeing who's smoking what. I also enjoy the occasional pics as well. Jim's posts are always a good read. ::

 

[mso489]

I think I may have been a retailer in a previous life, but I'm always interested in what people are buying and how the market is doing.

 

[markus]

I post on it occasionally, in the evenings. I like to see what everyone is smoking just to kinda get into the spirit of things (like MSO said). This is a pipe smoking forum, so I can see how it would be a relevant thread.