Off-Topic "You can learn a lot by hangin' out"

[Steve Freides]

This morning I was watching a Rick Beato video on his YouTube channel (which I recommend if you have more than a passive interest in music). He's about my age, 60's, and he talked about how, in college, he worked as a stage hand and sometimes got to "hang out" with the performers, how his college roommate and he would "hang out" listening to, and talking about, records, and he tells a few other stories as well, ending with a quotation from one of his music teachers:

"You can learn a lot by hangin' out."

A site like the StrongFirst forum is the 21st century version of "hangin' out." For me, it started in the 1980's with 300 baud modems and CompuServe discussion forums, but it's really caught on in a way few could have imagined then. Electronic connectedness has become ubiquitous, and here we find ourselves, "hangin' out" with others interested in strength.

I very much enjoy "hangin' out" with everyone here, and something about the varying opinions on the recent forum reorganization made me want to post this message. The new look of the forum - not finished, by the way - is perhaps as significant in the grand scheme of things as redecorating a room: noticed by all, distracting to some, pleasing to others. But it's the cast of characters and the conversation that matter most. It's been, and continues to be, an honor and a privilege to be the manager of this tavern-next-door-to-the-gym.

-S-

 

[offwidth]

Well said Steve

 

[Chris Mills]

The new look of the forum - not finished, by the way - is perhaps as significant in the grand scheme of things as redecorating a room: noticed by all, distracting to some, pleasing to others.

This reminds me of what happens in my house every time (or almost every time) my wife notices that I...... moved something.

 

[North Coast Miller]

I don't mind the new look. For how I use the forum most, it adds a step to find out what the latest posts are in a given sub, but literally a second or three.

The kettlebell sub gets a much greater % of overall traffic than I appreciated.

But yeah, a great hangout and the quality of experience is first rate.

 

[WxHerk]

In my usual curmudgeonly way, I was somewhat irritated by the new format. Then I saw the thread about @Tom Furman 's new eBook. Then I noticed several intriguing "nonkettlebell" threads. I would have missed all of this since 99% of my forum time has been in the kettlebell forum. Yes, what a great place to hang out!!

 

[Steve Freides]

Then I saw the thread about @Tom Furman 's new eBook. Then I noticed several intriguing "nonkettlebell" threads. I would have missed all of this since 99% of my forum time has been in the kettlebell forum.

That is the big plus of the new format, @WxHerk.

-S-

 

[Bauer]

"You can learn a lot by hangin' out."

That is a great quote. Call it community, hotspot, network, hub: It all comes down to this idea. I think this is one of the chances of the internet, to build places of mutual inspiration. But the social design has to be good to facilitate those synergies. So thanks @Steve Freides and everyone else.

 

[paules]

Love hanging out here. As in life, I don’t have much to say and prefer to listen. Learn something new every time I come in here. Thanks for all your work Steve!