I'm probably going to regret this, but here goes...
There are probably many things amongst this fiasco that could catapult further and deeper debate about this silly hobby
A couple of things stick out for me, the first one being this whole tourist nonsense, sure we all ridicule each other from time to time both on and off-line regarding this, but the fact remains we all have been down this route on occasions and in many cases is really just banter..
There is only one person who I can think of EVER that can be excluded from that
Now, whilst there is nothing wrong from time to time of having a look at what others have turned up, the point that Speed was trying to put across is more the fact that a great majority of people do nothing other than tourism
I personally don't see a problem with this, and ultimately if people are enjoying poking about with their mates and/or taking pics of said locations then happy days
Yes it would be nice if people made more of an effort, but sadly not everyone is motivated to go out and piss about wasting time and money looking for new stuff the length & breadth of this country
The second point being THIS
A crying shame that is, however I can fully understand why many people have become insular
Personally, I enjoy underground stuff; drains in case anyone hasn't noticed is something I like to explore, this I do because I'm a nosey bugger and like to understand how systems work
No fucks are given if nobody comments or sticks a thumb up my arse for the occasional thread I stick up on the subject and I expect nothing in return either
Furthermore, when I first started exploring I managed to ruffle a few feathers, mainly because I was too eager, and in the early day's mithering too much instead of getting stuck in with research and was casted out on the back of my actions, and rightly so at the time! (Apologies, you know who you are
)
I bounced back, learning from my mistakes and this spurred me on to actually 'explore' new stuff and to carry on doing what I enjoy, and to some extent still do, although I find myself with less time on my hands these days
I've also been fortunate enough to have seen some places I wouldn't have otherwise seen if it wasn't for the work and risk taking of others, and I'm happy to acknowledge that fact and credit people where it's due also
Some truly amazing people have been met along the way and without said
'silly hobby' probably would never have done so, it continues to be an eye opener for sure!
Anyway, I digress, Urban Exploration, Urbex, 'Sploring or what other silly label people wish to attach to this hobby is many things on different levels to all concerned and far be it for anyone of us to judge
HDR/GAZ MASGS/COCO THE CLOWN - Sure we ridicule these people, but really they enjoy what they do and are happy with the processed photatoes they produce and share, no problem with that
BOLT CROPPING CREW - Again, everyone is accountable for their actions, we don't condone it, but let's be honest a good number of us have benefited over the years from this, again no problem
MEDIA WHORES - Controversial, but as far as I'm concerned it happens, will continue to happen so we really ought to get over it and let people get on with that also, despite what many of us think
These day's I'd rather just go out and piss about, meeting people here and there whether it be in drains or in some mine or boozer consuming alcohol and listening to tales of what really goes on from the few people I have any time for these day's
The only people I will ever have beef with is the people that come on here spouting shyte every time something controversial such as this thread pops up, it's not necessary and simply have no time for it
(Keep it constructive or don't bother posting at all!)
What I do have time for is each and everyone of you who has contributed here past and present, no matter what type of epic or shit hole, if you enjoy it, keep doing it
Everyone has their own boundaries and are often limited either because of experience or maybe their chosen career, whatever
I invest much of my spare time behind the scenes here helping new people when they struggle cobbling a report together. I also put more than my share of time in keeping the place ticking over too, which largely is a thankless task, however I see this as a way of giving something back. The amount of shit being a forum Administrator also brings often leaves me questioning why, the truth is I'm passionate about what each and everyone of you do and long may it continue...
I can't vouch for the rest of the stuff Speed talks about, and if anyone is labouring under the misapprehension he gives a crap either then you'd be wrong also
:
PEACE
