Intimidating comments
Join Our Community Subscribe to Paul's PostsLast month we had 56,080 unique visitors to our forums and of those, 45,463 were newcomers. Those same viewers collectively read parts of (or all of) 371,443 pages. That’s a good amount of viewers reading and spending time on a forum about high-end audio.
But, here’s the thing. Despite all those viewers, only a mere handful took the time to post their thoughts. Out of 56,000 people, fewer than 100 were actively posting and commenting.
Over the years, I have asked many of our Hi-Fi Family members why they prefer reading than participating in the conversation, and the universal answer I get is they are intimidated. Intimidated that they will be made fun of, or their question is too stupid, or they will be drawn into a fight, or their opinions aren’t of interest to others.
I suppose this is normal, yet if there was a way to help the quiet majority think of how much better off we would be.
What it takes is for those the regularly post to up the ante for their generosity and kindness to others.
The more voices that join the chorus the richer the music.
Hello Paul,
I am a new member, but have been watching your YouTube videos for a few years. I just purchased my 1st piece of PS Audio gear (P15 Power Plant). I am very excited to try it out in my system and see how it enhances my audio experience.
I have also been active in the forums the last few days and enjoyed conversing with other members. I love learning new things, especially about HiFi.
In closing, I took a chance to ask questions and that helped me decide on my purchase. Please, keep up the good work and Merry Christmas!!
Best regards,
Leo
The less they know, the more folks should ask! We all started somewhere and mostly we were depending on partly arrogant dealers or misleading, marketing influenced magazine articles.
Times got better with the internet in this regard (well, not only better, but…), take the chance!
I knew little about streaming when I hit here, asked a lot and got valuable answers.
Paul, I would question those numbers. I have had an account for three years ir so now but very rarely do I actually log in when searching the forum content. Laziness on my part, maybe. But I would bet I’m not on my own.
The numbers are from Google analytics and they do not require you to log in. Scary, I know, but every time you go to a URL the click is recorded. We don’t know who clicked on a page but we know every time someone goes to a page and how long they stayed on that page.
Welcome to the age where your every move is recorded. š
Porn too? Audio porn, that is…
“The more voices that join the chorus the richer the music.”
I fully agree with this phrase of the moderator.
Mahler, for the premiere of his VIII Symphony, drew on the sonic resources of 1,028 performers (including gigantic choirs) besides himself as conductor. E. Gutmann, the entrepreneur who organized the pair of concerts, needed no exaggeration to advertise the enterprise as a Simphony of a Thousand, since then this truly monumental work is also known by this name.
I think it is idle to say that, the premiere audiences were bowled over by the workĀ“s power, although today for mere mortals like us, it seems incredible that this work has been composed, which is not a triumph only for Mahler, but of the whole humanity.
However, I do not believe that in the future this immeasurable work can be reproduced electronically in all its magnificence. At least not, if the technology does not change dramatically.
“The more voices that join the chorus, the richer the music”…yeah, well, the caveat to that would be, ‘Only if the voices can sing in tune’…otherwise…well, it will be a total cacophony of sound.
C’mon we’ve all gotta hava laugh; it’s gotta be fun as well as informative.
I’m sure that my humour doesn’t always ‘hit the mark’ but what the hell…right?
To be honest, I’m here to have a bit of fun.
I don’t listen to really high-end gear anymore, but with all the tweaking I’m really happy with my current set-up.
I go off topic sometimes to stretch the conversation; but I’m not the only one.
I used to be in audio retail but that was over twelve years ago now & a helluva lot in audio has changed.
I don’t stream as I am perfectly happy with spinning my huge number of CD’s; but one day I might decide to stop dragging the chain.
I have obviously learned a lot in the 4 months that I’ve been a part of this collective from the major contributors but you know everyone reading this, Paul’s right; more of the viewers should share their thoughts, even if it’s just one sentence & don’t be scared to go off topic if you feel that it’s important…no one is gonna judge you here; we’re here to educate & be educated in an entertaining environment.
One time ‘Audiomano’ & I had words but that was it & we left it behind…no fight.
So come on everybody else reading this; make a New Year’s resolution to join in more in this forum in 2020.
I’m sure that once you do & you make new friends here you’ll be glad that you took that step.
I said it last week but I’ll say it again; Merry Christmas to you all!
(Missing your humour & wit ‘tarheelneil’, I hope that you’re cheering!)
I spent time on the forums over the last month, not posting because I never logged in, but reading and trying to glean some specific info on the Direct Stream DAC. I occasionally went side tracking into other topics. I didnāt find the info I was looking for, but took the chance on the 30 day trial.
If someone has a question or a productive answer to posted questions then I would encourage them to post. But not post for the sake of posting. One of the nice things about PSAās forums is that they are manageable and easy to find information on.
Personally I would start on the forums if I had a question or issues… long before calling (unless the issue was immediate) . My experience(s) calling have been less than completely satisfying.
“But not post for the sake of posting.”
This sentence contains a deep thought, with which I agree, since one should comment something only when one has something important to say and that serves to instruct others.
Well said Mike !!
Thanks Audiomano
I differentiate between Paulās musings and the responses given here versus the forums. I think of the forums as more of a technical and knowledge gathering spot. Here as more of an overview, big picture thought provoking, āpot stirringā area.
Richard might have said it best at 6:16
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
Been a while since I last commented. Thanks to you Paul, for your relentless posts which inspire thoughts and discussions. I regularly read the posts and comments, but seldom log in. I will attempt to be more present in the future.
Best best to all for this holiday season.
Jack
Same to you and yours!
Reading the daily post (enjoy reading those comments), watching Paul YouTubs, sometimes checking the newly posted forums are pretty much my daily ritual these days. I started made comments after I find my āfrequencyā sync with others ( I.e, I find hifi friends here – nut, rat, squirrel, and more) , I learn from them. This is the only place I dare to post my thoughts since this place mades me feel like home. Thank your everybody. Merry Christmas and happy new year!
Thanks, and glad you’re here.
Your forum is certainly one of the best for signal to noise ratio. We often collectively agree with the subject matter er but not always – life would be really boreing otherwise. Can’t remember too a time when you stepped in as a moderator to slap a wrist š
Happy Christmas to you and all at PSAudio.
Same to you and yours.
Personally, I would be somewhat relieved that 56,000 people aren’t posting on the forum every day!!!
There is so much we could share with each other and learn from each other. Think about it…everyone’s system is different. Even if two people have the exact same system, cables, accessories and so on (and what’s the likelihood of that), the odds of them also having the same room are almost zero. So, everyone has a unique experience. And an open mind is the way to knowledge.
“relentless posts”… Ha, that’s a good one !
Seasons come and go, the years go by, but Paul’s Posts are here to stay till the end of time.
And then forums, Copper, newsletters, Ohms Law podcasts, Ask Paul videos.
I’m trying to soak up all the information, but it’s overwhelming, just too much ! This man drives me crazy.
Not to mention all the other audio magazines.
I think I’m beginning to lose my mind. I have to go to rehab.
It’s time for a welcome diversion before they put me in a psychiatric institution for people with audio related health issues.
Time to decorate my little Christmas tree.
No more audio, At least for the next hour.
Hey Dutch,
Have a great Christmas & thanks for always putting a smile on my face š
Good point Paul! I would suggest to those who do not actively engage, please do. Everyone will be better off if more people participate, as there is strength in diversity. As for fear of “repercussions”, well, the more nice people we have posting, the more the less impact the negative posts will have. While I am all for open forums, personal attacks, name calling, etc. are childish actions I also would rather not see. For the New Year, all of us can take a look at ourselves, and try to be nicer, more open, and more accepting of other’s views all around. If we do this, we may encourage more to participate, and we all may learn more.
Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year everybody! The Internet can benefit us all.
As an occasional commenter, I’ll comment to say it takes time & effort to comment. I can read interesting comments in 5 minutes. To make an interesting (or at least coherent) comment takes me much longer. My morning coffee cup is empty, it’s time to get on with the day, and that urge to weigh in subsides as attention turns elsewhere.
And that’s my comment.
I suspect a lot of the hits on your website are not from human visitors, but rather from bots and “spiders,” which crawl the web.
Does Google analytics enable you to distinguish between hits from humans and the bots and spiders that crawl the web?
Yes, it can distinguish (and does). Also, remember that most of the spider bots crawling the web are from Google anyway. š
Paul
It may be that the new folk have roughly the same experience as I have when I encounter Famous HiFi Industry People at RMAF – what to say? Every thought seems so banal, and so not worth uttering..
Plus some folk on here are highly competent – one has to think a bit before offering stuff up; it’s not that the competent come down on you like a ton of bricks if you make a mistake (well, apart from one fellow, but we’re used to him), it’s more that one doesn’t wish to appear an idiot in front of the masters.
In any case, I read Paul’s Post every day (in the absence of weird stuff happening at home) and comment when I feel I have something to add.
I like to think that when folk ask pretty basic questions, and I’m an early responder, my tone is friendly and helpful, and my advice is correct š
— Pete
Thank you, Paul, for everything you do!
Here’s to a kinder, gentler 2020 filled with incredible sound, wonderful new music, and creativity unbounded.
Happy Holidays !
Cookie Marenco
Blue Coast Records and Music
A special holiday treat – not yet released
https://bluecoastmusic.com/blue-coast-collection-4
I say what I want to within the terms of use rules, I don’t care what others think, I respect the opinions of others, and when someone tries to intimidate me because I’m a new comer or they don’t like or agree with something I say I do tend to retaliate to defend my turf. š Retaliation is a no no and I should know better. I have been around message boards too long going back to it’s infancy with the old MSN Money stock market and personal groups boards where I was a moderator for 7 years (including Politics and the Market) to be intimidated by an audio board. Try moderating a political board Paul and try your patience….LOL. When moderating such a board it’s very difficult to keep your own political opinion out of the equation when it comes to refereeing. I was rarely accused of taking sides so I guess I did a pretty good job.
We had thousands of message boards (including a board for almost every stock out there) with many different subjects, and political opinions always seeped into any topic and usually resulted in all hell breaking loose, which is why we formed the political board (which was my idea) and limited political talk to just that board where people could vent all they wanted. The rule was to attack the subject matter and not to attack the writer personally.
We had to delete spam manually, the algorithms were not like they are today. Some of the boards not used much were ignored by the mods and swamped with spam until one day I decided to clean it all up. Took me weeks.
Merry Christmas to all including the silent majority.
Happy Hanukkah and a Happy and safe New Years too!!
Great stats on the site Paul. I’ll borrow the old one about golf and sex. “You don’t have to be good at it to enjoy it” A comment from your own experience about your gear and listening to recorded and live music doesn’t need to exhibit any supposed “expertise” only your own views. Great thanks to Paul for hosting and posting an very civil forum as hifi forums go and stirring the pot to get things going. Happy Holidays to all!
The problem is that their are numerous audiophiles who are simply unable to maintain a civil tone in a conversation. The judgement, the ridicule, the snide remarks. If I were just starting out I would be silent too. The question, do cables matter? Will get you so many response that the ability to wade through them is daunting at the minimum. When you’re told that what you hear when evaluating cable is all due to your own bias and you must A/B/X test to a six sigma level of confidence that would turn off most newcomers. I’m luckily past caring what others think, I hear what I hear, but a new convert can be overwhelmed with the vociferousness of audiophile opinion.
Trolls, condescension, and flat-earthers. The guy who always posts to a newbie: “use the search function”. Posters who have to chime in on every question without any direct knowledge etc. Sometimes, the keyboard brings out the worst in a person.
I love your passion and dedication to sharing the joy. My system with PS Audio front end is transcendent! I can’t wait to get home in the evening and fire it up.
Reading audio blogs and forums can bring vicarious enjoyment and useful knowledge, but so many forget that this is supposed to be a FUN endeavor.
Thank you, and Merry Christmas.
(Ps. what are you guys doing with trade-in equipment??? More than a few of us have wondered!)
teachscience,
Life has taught me that you have to be a bit tough to get through life…not everyone wants to be ‘wrapped in cotton wool’
Hence you are “past caring what others think”.
So why not let the “new convert” also learn from life’s lessons?
A very close friend of mine likes to say, “not your way is not the wrong way.” What’s intimidating about the audiophile world is how invested in, and how sure people are, that their way of doing it is THE right way. I don’t tend to comment because of this. It’s upsetting to see how many people get internet brave and how willing they are to start hurling insults for whatever reason. The PS Audio forum tends to be a little more civil but sometimes the comments on your videos can get a little out of hand.
I’m glad I happened upon your YouTube videos because you’ve said so many things that reinforce opinions that I developed through personal experience. The specs don’t tell you the whole story. If you buy a piece of gear and it doesn’t work with your system, that doesn’t mean that piece of gear is a piece of junk (necessarily) just that it doesn’t work well in your system. Everyone hears differently and has different subjective tastes in sound reproduction and music; buy the gear that will make the music you love sound the best to your ears.
Thanks for all you do as an ambassador for 2 channel audio Paul.
Fat Rat wrote:
āThe more voices that join the chorus, the richer the musicāā¦yeah, well, the caveat to that would be, āOnly if the voices can sing in tuneāā¦otherwiseā¦well, it will be a total cacophony of sound.ā
Donāt forget timing. My ex-wife went on a tour of St. Petersburg and the Baltic States years ago with her chamber singing group (a bunch of ringers – the pianist has a Ph.D. in organ from the University of Edinburgh). They went to a music festival at a soccer stadium in Latvia where 32,000 people were singing in perfect unison and with perfect pitch. Just the thought sends shivers down my spine.
I just tried to get my son-in-law to let me stream the playlist my wife and I curated of all the Christmas albums (and a little lagniappe) by Josh Groban – he of the incredible voice and talent – and The Canadian Tenors/The Tenors – they of the incredible vocal blending and harmonies. Nope. Well, I tried…
Why donāt you post? I donāt post because Iām lazy. I read a lot of posts. I see consensus on what components work well and then look into them further. Iād like to thank 99% of the people who post. They have helped me remain lazy. Please keep up the posts people, Iām still improving my system! I wish you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year! BTW, Iām really enjoying my PS Audio stuff.