Seriously!

[ruraldean]

I understand the sentiment, and have seen snobbery on other forums but not here. In many ways it hinges upon whether you think pipe smoking is a hobby or not. I think it is, but many of my online friends don't and would just describe themselves as "smokers".
I'm slightly younger than you oldmooner, at just 57 (!), but I came to pipe smoking just 11 years ago. I had unlimited access to online information and have discovered (but not smoked) over 4,000 blends through the Intertubes. Much of what I've read has been useful and taken me over the initial shall I-shan't I pipe smoking dilemma, prevalent amongst new smokers. I've also learned that many pipe smokers are ritualists, needing the step by step preparation and seeing the whole pipe smoking ritual as a performance in itself. Nothing wrong with that. Prior to the Internet though, it may well have been a stuff and smoke mentality prevailed, and it's difficult to know whether the "old timers" enjoyed the nuances of smoking in the way many of us do now. Many of them chose one tobacco, possibly given a choice of half a dozen, and stuck with it.
We're incredibly fortunate to have the choices and information we have and to have access to the experience of those who helpfully post in forums such as this. And as a previous poster has indicated, we love to analyse.
I mean, is that really Rasputin's old fella?

 

[wnghanglow]

Look at the front page, right now there's a story about fire ants, someone who is just saying " I love tobacco" and someone getting honors student. This forum is more like a social club where people smoke I can't attest for any other sites or clubs because this is my only source of tobacco related news. Cheers!

 

[rlunderhill]

Many times, what a person writes isn't always what he means. It's all in how you interpret what you read. You determine what spin you'll put on what you read. I never assume it's bad. Just take it for what it's worth. Don't give it any value. My wife always tells me to just accept it and let it pass.

 

[oldmooner]

Whoopee!, Seems like I done poked a stick in a wasp's nest! It was unintentional I assure you. First, I did not and will not refer to anyone as a "snob." My point--if there was one--was/is that I get a bit tired of being "advised" about everything in life. I did not intend anyone to feel "put upon" by my opinions. I'm not going to apologize for them. I feel very strongly that we have become a nation of sheep that can't make a decision without some "expert" telling us what to think. This is best, this is bad, this is unhealthy, this is good for you, this is PC, this is "high end", this is for the uninformed and stupid. Newscasters today even have to tell us what they told us. I resent that. I like this forum and enjoy the opinions herein, but that does not mean that I agree with everything that is said. "bigvan", you are, I think, misinterpreting my original posting. I just think that too many of us are guilty of "follow the leader". Jeez, I even buy stuff without refering first to "Buyer's Guide". My favorite pipe, by the way, is an old Comoy pot and I generally smoke SWR original blend. And I am so dumb that I have no idea where the tobacco came from, or whether it was blessed by the great tobacco taster in the sky or not. I myself, would never be approved by "Good Housekeeping". Keep them cards and letters coming folks.

 

[lazydog]

one should always be the pupil of everyone... (a guide to the Bodhisattva Way of life). No wasps nest here sir.

 

[crpntr1]

I for one dont think you owe an apology for stating your opinion, you're just as deserving as everyone else. But for my opinion... I'm sticking with..I'll be damned.

 

[bigvan]

Well said, Lazydog.
Oldmooner, just because advice is sometimes asked for and offered does NOT make anyone "sheep" or playing "follow the leader".

 

[tbradsim1]

Oldmooner I realize you are your own man, I like that, sometimes you have to let it out or the boiler will explode, I have taken no offense, nor I think many of the forum members, I"m 70 and you remind me of my grandpa, only he couldn't"talk English, he was an orney cuss you would say black he would say white,but a kinder man never existed, I believe you are a good man, just tired of all the modern day crap. Am I right. , the old cajun

 

[brian64]

I feel very strongly that we have become a nation of sheep that can't make a decision without some "expert" telling us what to think.

I generally agree with this sentiment, but I'd like to offer the following for consideration (and this pertains to much more than just pipe smoking):
I don't believe there is anything wrong with seeking/consulting "expert" advice on any given issue...actually it is a wise thing to do IMO. But what the "system" actually does, IMO (primarily through the medium of television) is to create the ILLUSION of what constitutes expert advice on any given issue. "They" do this by presenting their experts, who are usually bought and paid for in some manner, and by excluding any other genuine experts who disagree with the agenda. They then also demonize anyone who disagrees by labeling them as quacks, or conspiracy theorists, or whatever...thereby creating the further illusion that all credible experts agree with the given agenda.
What I've described is what I personally am tired of being beaten over the head with (this is just one of the reasons why I don't watch TV anymore). But personally, I try to always seek out information from credible sources who know more than I do about any particular issue...but I look for sources whose only agenda and allegiance is to truth and reality.
EDIT: I would just add that to keep from being conned requires that one constantly question his own biases and assumptions, imo. Not an easy task.

 

[oldmooner]

I feel I need to try for closure here with some dignity so I'm gonna pick up my marbles and go home on this one. It was an interesting discussion and, yes, to a certain extent I enjoy playing the "devil's advocate" (as someone pointed out). After I retired from the USAF, I was an economics professor for 18 years and I should have realized that no matter how clearly you feel you have expressed yourself, you are always going to be misunderstood and/or misinterpreted by some. That's OK. I do believe in research and open discussion (academic freedom) of any and all topics. I am, as OldCajun mentioned, getting a little "long in the tooth" and stuck in my ways. I believe you should invest in the best you can afford, whether it be pipes, tobacco, tools, cars, or whatever. All I'm trying to say is that there is no need to "follow the crowd" if you don't like where they are going. I still think many of our enjoyable "hobbies" and activities have become less so (read the thread on "Then and Now") due to continual (continous?) striving for someone's idea of perfection or high end.

 

[cigrmaster]

oldmooner, you are just an old guy who has trouble understanding why some of us have so many pipes, so many different types of tobaccos, and how could anyone spend 500 plus on a pipe. I get it. My old man smoked one kind of cigar, Macanudo Prince Phillips, and would only buy 2 boxes at a time. I had a collection of over 3000 cigars of many different brands and he thought I was nuts. I always say to each his own, do what ever brings enjoyment to yourself and don't worry what anyone else thinks. Many of us love dissecting a blend or a pipe maker or anything related to pipes, that is what places like this are about. I don't think people here are being forced to "follow a crowd" we discuss, give opinions, agree to disagree sometimes, but it is always in good fun and with respect, which is what makes this place unique in my opinion.