I’m always calm. Just pointed out how difficult the hobby is nowadays. I’ve seen the changes over the years. It’s totally different now than say 10years ago when Indy’s was in its heyday. It was truly more of a “community” then. Not so much now. More like fear and loathing.
Originally Posted by bambino
For all the vague-whining from Eccie guys about the former Indys review system (I can think of a half dozen more "controversial" topics/events involving the historical Indys)
I think the Indys vouch system was pretty ideal. If a hobbyist had, say, 3 "green" vouches then Indys providers could conclude he was "probably" not a cop or a psycho. A whole lot of "expediting" the whole hobby-experience for PGH hobbyists and providers. Usually a "vouched" hobbyist could set-up a session within just a few PM's. With no established "vouch" system in PGH, indeed, it's more Fear & Loathing as HST said...
You know what else HST said??
"When the going gets weird the weird turn pro....."
And many hobby-people have "evolved" with the new post-FOSTA scene and some stay in their old patterns. I'm not referring to Bambino- he seems like a pretty "conscientious" and experienced and capable hobbyist. There is more to worry about for all "new" hobby people who don't really know how the scene works. Specifically there is no established "vouch" system in PGH anymore. And hardly any public "review" systems anymore....
And, yes, there is less sense of a "community" in PGH now than when ASPD and Indys-people were having GTG's and HH's all the time. After Indys started it's forums in 2005 there were usually six (6) or so solid GTG's a year, and various random HH's. Good opportunity to "put a face to a name" and check out the local scene in person. All that is gone now. Blame FOSTA, blame the Cleveland GTG bust years back. Either way there is less "socialization" person-to-person in the PGH scene now.....
Many PGH hobbyists "started doing their own thing" for the last few years of Indys, specifically with SA. Scores (scores) of Indys guys used to post on Indys "Just checking in here. Busy with SA now...." SA is a relevant market-factor in PGH now. Pro Ho's and Clueless Newbies and all types in-between. And again no "vouch" system and no public "review" systems to impose "accountability" on bad providers and also rank "slobbyists" who don't know what they are doing....
Indeed- what WOULD HST make of all this Weird Shit....?
: clapping: