CC members called Elitists
Elitists, is an interesting choice of words.
I am pleased to be a long time (20+ year) member of the Carbine Club. :D
The January 1, 2010 Carbine Club newsletter #357 has a plethora of information in a Serial Number Update article (19 pages) written by J. B. Powers.
To me, this first newsletter of the year alone is worth the annual dues of $18. The $18 yearly dues probably barely cover the costs of the newsletters.
The January newsletter is 24 pages of information with some pictures that includes a Carbine of the Month data sheet and a members ads page. Plus a blank data sheet was also included. I counted 25 printed pages. And the postage on the 9" X 12" envelope (so it can lay flat) was $1.40.
That does not take into consideration the many hours it must have taken to research these articles. Somebody has to type it. It is sent to another member to proof read. :clap: Then you add the time to copy, staple, and insert them into the envelopes, that have to and from shipping labels stuck on to each member (there are hundreds of members). :help: Somebody has to lick sticky flaps to seal them, then drive them to the post office. :cool:
Paper, envelopes, labels, postage, gas to and from the post office, add it up. :yikes:
Now, a reminder, all of the time these people volunteer to make this happen. :bow:
So let's think again about it. $18 a year (one less breakfast out with the wife, for you single guys 3 less six packs :beerchug:) for all of this is a bargain, hell it's a steal. If you were to join now and purchase the back issues, that is #357 newsletters. Information not to be found in other places. Days, maybe months of reading and re-reading.
Nobody is stiff armed to join. Those of us who are members receive information and updates that enhance our knowledge and enjoyment of Carbines. :super: If some of you think that is asking too much, the simple answer is, do not join. But on the other hand it is not fair to also want/expect others to give out club information. :nono:
Some may choose to call this elitism. I choose to call it sacrifices made by club members to help our club and members continue to receive new and updated information on our hobby.
All that is asked, in return, is participation by sending in information as you come across it. No tattoo's, no secret handshakes, no funny hats involved. :madsmile:
Elitists, no. I would call it something more like a brotherhood. :slap:
Jim
As someone who wrote articles for the major Pinball Collectors
magazine "Coin Slot" for four years, I can appreciate the work and photography time involved. I was never paid a dime but did it for the pure enjoyment and experience. It was annoying when certain individuals would steal my photos, or some of the material without asking. It wasn't dollars and cents, but at least they should ask..
The Carbine Club material is probably, no, is the best research available in the world at this time. It has great value both commercially and historically. To expect someone to just hand it over because a new guy is curious, is not fair or realistic. Join the club, pay your fees and then ask.
Regarding other sources, Reisch, Harrison etc. I bought Reisch's little book, read it once and have never opened it again. It is like looking at a menu in comparison to Ruth's books. I suggest that people look on Ebay and spend the money for these two Ruth books. If you were looking for a book on how to repair your car would you use a flyer from Pep Boys or buy a genuine Brand manual? One is a token effort and the other a quality well researched manual on the whole subject. I see many people take umbrage at the opinions regarding these other books, to that I say; there's got to be a reason.
The Hobbyist and the Collector…
In the relatively short time that I have been associated with USGI Carbines, I have noted that there are two distinct groups of people within the community. Searching the dictionary for the best words to identify them, I have chosen the nouns “hobbyist” and “collector”.
Merriam-Webster defines collector as “a person who makes a collection” meaning “an accumulation of objects gathered for study, comparison or exhibition.”
A hobbyist is defined as “someone who participates in a hobby” meaning” a pursuit outside of one’s regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation.”
I had a long 3 page sermon about hobbyists and collectors drafted out and then realized the best way to get my point across was tell a about an event in my life….
Starting as a young boy, I watched my mother do literally 30 years of research on my family’s history. It stared as a hobby in the 60’s and then became a full time lifestyle for her. She would dig for hours through public archives, travel hundred of miles to distance cemeteries, sit and interview old family members and write (and write and write) for hours. It was her life’s work.
After she died several years ago, I asked my elderly father where all of my mother’s written research was – I wanted to pass it on to her grandchildren. My father informed me that he had mailed all of it (about 75 pounds of paper) to some distance cousin in New Jersey AND that he didn’t remember how to contact her. He could remember the cost of the shipment, but not even the cousin's name. He has since died without telling who got the collection. Thirty years of my mother’s hard work, done as a gift for her future generations, and my children will never see any of it…
Hobbyists, if you didn’t collect it, it ain’t yours so stop expecting freebies.
Collectors, if you don’t share it, you will never turn hobbyists into the next generation of collectors – and then what you have collected may be lost forever.
Now, with that said, its up to each to figure out where the balance is….
In the 12 months I have been coming to several carbine forums, this is the third flare up I have seen over the Carbine Club. I still fail to understand why it happens or why people give the reactions that they do. Some people are extra defensive about it and some people are very negative towards it. I am currently not a member of the Carbine Club but will probably join it in the future. As far as the information the club has collected, it is rightfully and legally theirs. They are well with their rights to keep their info to themselves – it belongs to the club.
I want to make one suggestion in trying to find the balance I mentioned above.
The Club already openly put out the carbine data sheet for any and all people to use. Yes, it’s a freebie for the non-members, but it helps the Club because it allows a way for anyone, member or not, to send data for the Club’s benefit. It also serves to teach the newbies what to look for in carbines PLUS it makes them hungry to join the club (like a coupon for a free meal).
My simple suggestion merely adds on to that – and will also greatly benefit the club. I recommend that the Carbine Club openly publish (and take credit for) the date tables the Club has assembled. You can do that via a locked PDF form, to include the link and info on the PDF form. It’s advertisement - not a freebie because its marked as coming from the Club. It lets everyone see what kind of info is available by joining the club and since it is a locked PDF the Club’s info is forever visible on the page. It will make the newbies hungry to become collectors and encourage people to join for even more info.
Now I have had enough of the elitist name calling/defending… :bash: remember, collector or hobbyist, one day SOON we will all be a bunch of old farts sitting around in wheel chairs in the nursing home having arguments about carbines. The carbines? they will be in the hands of a bunch of young kids that may or may not appreciate them like we all do...
P.S. It was not my comment, it was not my opinion, but I sure am tired of the fighting over it. I got my asbestos underwear on, so flame away.
