Over in another thread, a few folks are talking about how the forums will get better when the “immature members” go back to school, or the “one or two immature teens” who will calm down or go away “and then we can get back to trains.”
Well, I can usually tell within a few posts if someone is not yet legally an adult - although I can’t really put my finger on it, something about how their messages are composed gives me a strong clue. They also tend to display a certain “youthful exuberance” that at times can, quite frankly, be a little tiresome.
But immature? Some of the adults on this forum are a lot more immature than any of the teens, I think.
I’d venture to guess that this forum presents the first opportunity a lot of young folks have to converse with adults as peers, rather than as a child talking to an adult. So lets cut these younger members some slack, and not slap them across the face for that. They’re not “immature members” so much as they are simply “life-experience challenged.” By definition, that changes as we age.
Sometimes I read a few posts and think, “Geez, kid!” Sometimes that even lasts for two or three seconds before I remember that I was a kid once, too. Besides, maybe their newer view of the world will show me something I can’t see through all the layers of experience I’ve accumulated.
So, for all you kids who are going back to school soon, don’t be strangers - I for one hope you’ll remember to drop in here often!
None of us here should ever forget that without our young people this hobby would quickly become extinct. It’s good to see that we have a number of young people here and hopefully the number will continue to grow. They won’t be young for long!
I’m 40 something and still remember so much of what I did as a teen exploring this hobby. Time “flew by”. Most of the adult modelers I met were kind and encouraging. Does make a difference.
Very good point Mark B. The internet is a very comfortable place for the young. To discourage their participation on this forum, discourages their participation in this great hobby. There have been so many threads that have discussed the death of the hobby due to the lack of new young blood entering. I would hate to think that we as a group here would contribute to this trend by discouraging kids, teens and young adults from getting involved.
Right on! I totally agree with you on your statement that immaturity comes in all ages. Some of the teens here are, as you say, can exhibit youthful exuberance, but sometimes that can be a fresh air. On the other side of the coin, I have my times of being afflicted with “old fogeyism” and seeing that exuberance makes me realize that, hey, this is a hobby - let’s have fun!
Loathar,
Looking for job over here myself, I totally agree with you. Knowing what I know now, man, high school would be a blast!
I usually don’t like the “me too” kind of post, but in this case I’ll make an exception. You guys have said it a lot better than I could have. I’m happy to see the participation of so many youngsters in the forum.
Time to assume my “geezer” identity. In my early teens (about 1947 or so) I discovered model railroading. I’d been a railfan since I could tell the difference between a train and a streetcar. My father could not have been less interested. Somehow or other I found out about the South End Model Railroad Club of Chicago that met in the South Shore Railway frieght house on 115th St hard by the IC Kensington station. I was accepted as an observer (no dues!) and when they were evicted I was allowed to continue participation as meetings moved from residence to residence. I was contributing nothing but I got loads of encouagement which is probably why I’ve had the enjoyment of this hobby ever since.
I decided long ago that I would bend every effort to extend the same kind of encouragement that I recieved then. If that involves overlooking some of the youthful anomalies (don’t they teach spelling in school anymore?) so be it. It’s a really cheap currency to pay back that debt from long ago.
I would hate to disagree with you, but I bet you contributed plenty to that club. That contribution didn’t show up on the layout or any of the equipment, but I bet all those guys in the club loved having you there and I’m sure that they are smiling down on you watching you encourage kids just like they did.
Just a reminder to any of us old geezers who might still look down on these kids. They can assemble a kit with available light. They do not need the aid of an illuminated magnifying glass to see their work clearly.
One of the things in life that has always amazed me is how much I have learned from my students (K - 12) over the years. It was once said that inside every adult, there is a kid waiting to come out and play. Well, it can also be said that inside every kid there is an adult waiting for guidance and nurturing to grow. I am very glad there are so many “kids” (from teens to us 50+ folks) on this forum. Yes, it can be tedius at times, but we can allgrow sometimes. Good post Brunton!
I’m impressed by the posts from our younger members. Their thoughts are clearly expressed, and they usually come off as articulate, intelligent people. Model railroaders in general come off as an above-average group, and every one of our “junior engineers” belongs in the group.
I remember one time I was going to send some information to a member on something that came up in a topic but it was enough off the subject of trains that I did not want to post it on the forum. When I looked at their profile I was shocked that they were only in their early teens.
I also remember a few chronologically gifted people that deserved to get there rear ends tossed off the board and did.
After being on the board long enough I know some of the more active younger members and, yes, not all of their threads are dripping with maturity but over all I have to say that they contribute a lot to the forum.
Well, as one who was put off the hobby in my teens because a couple of “geezers” pretty much destroyed my enjoyment, I have to agree with the premise of this thread. If we don’t encourage these kids to enjoy the hobby, we don’t have a hobby anymore. If manufacturers can’t sell enough because only people over 50 are buying, then over 60, there isn’t much left. Kids make mistakes. Adults make mistakes. Why is it so hard to overlook peoples mistakes? I don’t know too many that haven’t made mistakes. None in fact. I was encouraged that in that ebay thread that now appears to be deleted, it all seemed to be sorted out, and I hope nobody is going to leave over this. Funny how showing a little compassion is so much more difficult than criticizing or tearing down. Stepping down off the soap box.
Oh, and just to clarify, I have since met an overwhelming number of “geezers” that have been absolutely wonderful and helpful. Many on here appear to be as well.
thank you everybody for this support
im glad that most people here are very supportive;the section about inmature teens in the ebay thread really shook me up
I like their exhuberance and their enthusiasm. And when they post pictures, I really like what they’re doing–some of the modeling efforts of these ‘teens’ are just terrific. I hope that if some of us old farts just take a moment and stand back and remember when we were their age and how amazing it was to discover this hobby–well, perhaps we can change our outlook and keep these younger people welcome not only on the forum, but in the hobby itself.
And remember, most of these youngsters are coming into the hobby more technologically advanced than some of us will EVER be–with myself at the top of the list, LOL!
Tom [:D][:D]
As with any hobby, kids are the FUTURE of the hobby! Without the kids, this hobby would eventually die. The older hobbyists are slowly going the way of the dinosaurs, and without new blood, where would the hobby be?
Many of the younger generation are wise beyond their years, and contribute to the hobby, and this forum, with a fresh outlook.
I’d have to agree - in my experience there’s often little difference in the quality of posts between young and old, and if this forum encourages the younger modellers to keep going then it’s doing a sterling job. Slightly off topic observation here (in that it’s not MRR related) but I’ve done a fair amount of amateur theatre work both in school and with a local group. I found the school shows a whole lot less stressful to work on because we didn’t have the huge and easily bruised egos exhibited by the “adult” members of the other group. I’m not trying to draw any parallels whatsoever with this forum here (I don’t believe we have any egomaniacs here - they don’t last long in MRR), just saying that in my experience younger people can often be far more mature than some 50 year olds I know…
