Fifty Plus (50+) - BF 50+ and University Students

I teach two sections of advanced critical thinking at a university in Philadelphia. This semester I have several students who have never participated in on line discussions. I suggested they visit the Bike Forums and browse through several of the sub-forums to get a sense of the ebb and flow of how on line discussion work. Thought you might be interested in dome of their reactions:

"There are some big egos on the Road Forum."

"Those Road people can get rude and nasty with each other."

"People on the Mechanic Forum either have too much time on their hands or are much smarter than I'll ever be."

"What's a recumbent, and why would someone want to ride one?"

"I like the attitude and vibe on the 50+ Forum.

"The people in the 50+ seem to be the nicest."

"What's the deal with Brooks?"

I teach two sections of advanced critical thinking at a university in Philadelphia. This semester I have several students who have never participated in on line discussions. I suggested they visit the Bike Forums and browse through several of the sub-forums to get a sense of the ebb and flow of how on line discussion work. Thought you might be interested in dome of their reactions:

"There are some big egos on the Road Forum."

"Those Road people can get rude and nasty with each other."

"People on the Mechanic Forum either have too much time on their hands or are much smarter than I'll ever be."

"What's a recumbent, and why would someone want to ride one?"

"I like the attitude and vibe on the 50+ Forum.

"The people in the 50+ seem to be the nicest."

"What's the deal with Brooks?"


I find it interesting how it doesn't take very long for folks to start attacking each other in the road forum.

Maybe you could ask your students to provide some thoughts on why the different subforums take on different personalities.......might be an interesting discussion.

Very interesting but not surprising. Thanks for posting this.

As said, the comments on the 50+ forum are what I would expect, great people here. I have seen and read a few snippy and sharp replies in the Road forum but so far my questions have been answered or directions given. I guess they aren't ready for the technical info in the mechanics forum. I personally love and recommend this forum to anyone I talk to, bike related.

Bill

Hey.......you kids...............get off the lawn!










:D

Thanks for sharing. The road forum has insecurity and manhood issues. A couple of the more mature members behave like kids and it reminds me of the movie Animal House where all the brothers are smart-alecks and failing in college. Since most of them are young and on very limited budgets, they discuss technology they cannot afford and make up crazy stuff as advice.

There is another syndrome in many of the forums which is "use the search engine to get your questions answered and do not bother us with anything that is not cool." In this forum, we can discuss clipless pedals and Brooks saddles once a week if someone starts a post. This forum is a more social where members are interested in others than an equipment / Q and A forum.

I prefer the let's discuss it again approach. We have new members all the time and even though the archives are rich in content, they are in fact history not current thinking. History is interesting but not as much fun as making history:)

For me, BF is partly about giving and receiving information and partly about socializing and hanging out in cyberspace with a great group of guys and gals.

For me, BF is partly about giving and receiving information and partly about socializing and hanging out in cyberspace with a great group of guys and gals.

Plus, guys over 50 make great tandem stokers, even though some of us don't always wear helmets like we should. (Nice likeness of ChipCom, though...:)

I suggested they visit the Bike Forums and browse through several of the sub-forums to get a sense of the ebb and flow of how on line discussion work.

No comment on Foo?

No comment on Foo?

I dunno, would commenting on Foo mean this thread would get moved to Foo?

Seems like the replies to this thread are a composite of the picture of the people in the 50+ forum. Seems to sum up our crowd as well as the others. And I am just a newbie.

Bill

I find it interesting how it doesn't take very long for folks to start attacking each other in the road forum.

Maybe you could ask your students to provide some thoughts on why the different subforums take on different personalities.......might be an interesting discussion.

+1 on the Road Forum behavior. I hesitated posting anything for a long time, afraid they'd tell me to HTFU and other rude remarks.

I'd be interested in reading the results, too, if BS were to assign his classes the task as you propose.

For me, BF is partly about giving and receiving information and partly about socializing and hanging out in cyberspace with a great group of guys and gals.

Me, too. :D

Those comment are just about precisely on point.

I'm in my thirties, but I come here to lurk sometimes because I like the vibe, too.

Old age and cunning can overcome youth and exuberance anytime.

The 50+ always demonstrates a large degree of friendly ambiance combined with some very knowledgeable replies / posts. The Road thread seems to be made up of more testosterone than Floyd Landis supposedly tested positive for.

How old are these Students? They enjoy the inane banter of a bunch of elders?

It must your influence that is turning them old before their time. First the mind set- then the Body- then the Brain. Better get them out riding before they lose the body- The mind set they have- but if they start analysing this forum- it will do their heads in.

"What's the deal with Brooks?"

I think cinema studies should figure more prominently into the current University curriculum...

What, nothing on Alt Bikes? They have heart and the most interesting bikes.

No comment on Foo?

Actually, no. In the assignment to them I indicated that Foo, in general, was for stuff that didn't especially relate to a topic within the current sturcture of sub discussions. And, the assignment was in part to see how you could take a topic and approach it from different interests.

How old are these Students? They enjoy the inane banter of a bunch of elders?

It must your influence that is turning them old before their time. First the mind set- then the Body- then the Brain. Better get them out riding before they lose the body- The mind set they have- but if they start analysing this forum- it will do their heads in.

Good question. These are students preparing to go into a challenging graduate program. Hence, the youngest must be mid to late 20 something. Additionally, all of them have life experience beyond just school. They've all held professional positions for a few years.

What, nothing on Alt Bikes? They have heart and the most interesting bikes.

One person did actually comment about the Alt Bikes. She did not visit the threads, but rather commented that there didn't seem to be too many people on that topic. So, she looked elsewhere.

It has been a long time since I was in college, but I still remember my formula for success.

1- Figure out what the professor wants to see.
2- Put that into discussions and on paper at every opportunity.

In the working world I see that too many people use that formula to too great an extent, resulting in "management by buzzwords" that is so prevalent in companies.

If they had problems with the Road forum, what did they make of A&S?

Paul

Plus, guys over 50 make great tandem stokers,

Hey! I think that I dated that stoker's sister.

It has been a long time since I was in college, but I still remember my formula for success.

1- Figure out what the professor wants to see.
2- Put that into discussions and on paper at every opportunity.

In the working world I see that too many people use that formula to too great an extent, resulting in "management by buzzwords" that is so prevalent in companies.

This is a presidential election year. So how many telephone "surveys" do you get asking your opinion about this and that? That's so the candidates can find out what we want to hear them say. All of the presidential candidates went to college.

During non-election years they're not so interested in what you think.

"I like the attitude and vibe on the 50+ Forum.

"The people in the 50+ seem to be the nicest."

"What's the deal with Brooks?"

I am a newbie here too and my 50+ impression of the folks in this forum is the same as some of your students. I like reading (and once in a while participating) in the discussions here. I especially like hearing from folks that are new to biking and are interested in doing more of it. Actually, I quit road biking in my early 40s (and just toured for many years) mostly because I didn't want to be associated with a biker attitude that didn't represent me. I am glad to say that my 50s are the "rise above it" years and I really don't give a @&$% what anyone else says or thinks anymore. I have finally realized I can't do anything about it anyway, and being annoyed by it is just a waste of time and energy. Now, I just want to ride!

If they had problems with the Road forum, what did they make of A&S?

Paul

Those didn't complete the class but were found huddling in a corner in a prenatal position... :rolleyes:

The roadies aren't bad really - posting in that forum is much like riding in a pelaton. Everything goes okay until someone messes up and then you have an awful crash with bike parts and road rash everywhere...

In the working world I see that too many people use that formula to too great an extent, resulting in "management by buzzwords" that is so prevalent in companies.

Reminds me of where I work. If only they could hear themselves... Ridiculous. "Management by Buzzword" drives any shred of creative thinking underground and results in a kind of vending machine mentality: Put the expected thought/idea/effort in to get what you want out. Its sad.

The roadies aren't bad really - posting in that forum is much like riding in a pelaton. Everything goes okay until someone messes up and then you have an awful crash with bike parts and road rash everywhere...

:lol::roflmao::lol::roflmao::lol: great description! :beer:

[QUOTE=crtreedude The roadies aren't bad really - posting in that forum is much like riding in a pelaton. Everything goes okay until someone messes up and then you have an awful crash with bike parts and road rash everywhere...[/QUOTE]




:D

...yep, that sums it up.

Who ever wants to can grab it as a signiture for when they enter the roadie's lair...

The roadies aren't bad really - posting in that forum is much like riding in a pelaton. Everything goes okay until someone messes up and then you have an awful crash with bike parts and road rash everywhere...

Despite their assertions that they don't care, try telling those guys that you passed some of their bretheren using an 'unapproved cycling platform.' The term "crash" doesn't begin to describe the reaction.

If they had problems with the Road forum, what did they make of A&S?

Paul

Or P&R??? :D:D:D

"I like the attitude and vibe on the 50+ Forum."

Here, here!!

:beer:

The roadies aren't bad really - posting in that forum is much like riding in a pelaton. Everything goes okay until someone messes up and then you have an awful crash with bike parts and road rash everywhere...

I like the Road Cycling forum, myself. I also like it here.

-soma5

...no mention of the constant jackassery in FGSS that I sometimes partake in?

I teach two sections of advanced critical thinking at a university in Philadelphia. This semester I have several students who have never participated in on line discussions. I suggested they visit the Bike Forums and browse through several of the sub-forums to get a sense of the ebb and flow of how on line discussion work. Thought you might be interested in dome of their reactions:

"There are some big egos on the Road Forum."

"Those Road people can get rude and nasty with each other."

"People on the Mechanic Forum either have too much time on their hands or are much smarter than I'll ever be."

"What's a recumbent, and why would someone want to ride one?"

"I like the attitude and vibe on the 50+ Forum.

"The people in the 50+ seem to be the nicest."

"What's the deal with Brooks?"

By the way........you are to be congratulated for teaching these students. In a world full of "Spin", misuse of statistics and outright misrepresentation, the ability to use critical thinking will be one of the best things your students will take away from their studies.

By the way........you are to be congratulated for teaching these students. In a world full of "Spin", misuse of statistics and outright misrepresentation, the ability to use critical thinking will be one of the best things your students will take away from their studies.


Maxx,
Amen to that, when I went back and got my law degree I was fortunate enough to have my major professor, advisor as a woman that stressed critical thinking, analysis and clear writing / language. Even though I never worked a day as a lawyer or even sat for the bar these skills helped me tremendously as an engineer every day.

Bill

One person did actually comment about the Alt Bikes. She did not visit the threads, but rather commented that there didn't seem to be too many people on that topic. So, she looked elsewhere.

Ah Yes, Alt Bikes is a very elite group. ;)

Thanks for sharing. The road forum has insecurity and manhood issues. A couple of the more mature members behave like kids and it reminds me of the movie Animal House where all the brothers are smart-alecks and failing in college. Since most of them are young and on very limited budgets, they discuss technology they cannot afford and make up crazy stuff as advice.

Hi...

I'm over 50 (53 actually) ran a 100+ million dollar company, own two companies now and spend free time helping over 50 guys (mostly) buy road bikes in one of the top 50 shops in the US.

I can afford whatever I want and have a couple of bikes that you'd see on TV in July if you watch Versus. I started racing at age 8, and went to Europe to race on a Belgian team before Lance was conceived. Oh, and most of my gear comes free due to my contacts from racing days and the bike biz now. That which I have to pay for, well, you'd have a heart attack if you saw the prices...

I like the road forum. It's like bike racing. I still like to eat the dead.

Overgeneralizing and stereotyping is what old people do. I think that's why I like the road forum better. They may say crazy stuff, but it can be fixed.

Hi...

I'm over 50 (53 actually) ran a 100+ million dollar company, own two companies now and spend free time helping over 50 guys (mostly) buy road bikes in one of the top 50 shops in the US.

I can afford whatever I want and have a couple of bikes that you'd see on TV in July if you watch Versus. I started racing at age 8, and went to Europe to race on a Belgian team before Lance was conceived. Oh, and most of my gear comes free due to my contacts from racing days and the bike biz now. That which I have to pay for, well, you'd have a heart attack if you saw the prices...

I like the road forum. It's like bike racing. I still like to eat the dead.

Overgeneralizing and stereotyping is what old people do. I think that's why I like the road forum better. They may say crazy stuff, but it can be fixed.






:eek:




:eek:

:eek::eek:
:eek::eek:










:eek::eek::eek:


:beer:

Hi...

I'm over 50 (53 actually) ran a 100+ million dollar company, own two companies now and spend free time helping over 50 guys (mostly) buy road bikes in one of the top 50 shops in the US.

I can afford whatever I want and have a couple of bikes that you'd see on TV in July if you watch Versus. I started racing at age 8, and went to Europe to race on a Belgian team before Lance was conceived. Oh, and most of my gear comes free due to my contacts from racing days and the bike biz now. That which I have to pay for, well, you'd have a heart attack if you saw the prices...

I like the road forum. It's like bike racing. I still like to eat the dead.

Overgeneralizing and stereotyping is what old people do. I think that's why I like the road forum better. They may say crazy stuff, but it can be fixed.

Good post (until you blew it with the ironic line near the end).

You should see it down there.............they really did not take well to the students opinions. Let the show begin.

I don't see that much of a fuss going on over there. Nothing more mindless than what has been said here about the Road forum.

Hey! I think that I dated that stoker's sister.

:eek::eek::eek::eek:;)

One of the things (among many) that makes this forum pleasant to be around is the self deprecating sense of humor that many seem to have mastered. Another one is DeeGee deprecating humor that even more seem to be working on.

Not to mention the wealth of knowledge that is so freely shared. Or the great travelogues with pictorials. No other forum seems nearly so blessed with the breadth and depth that appears here regularly.

The road forum has insecurity and manhood issues. A couple of the more mature members behave like kids and it reminds me of the movie Animal House where all the brothers are smart-alecks and failing in college. Since most of them are young and on very limited budgets, they discuss technology they cannot afford and make up crazy stuff as advice.

I would buy a second red star to see that listed as the description for the Road Forum on the main directory page! :D

Ah Yes, Alt Bikes is a very elite group. ;)

Of course they have no choice but to look down on other riders. ;)

Good post (until you blew it with the ironic line near the end).

I did it on purpose. Kudos to you in picking it up.:)

I can afford whatever I want ...

$11.01 at amazon.com...

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/002-5992160-1579260?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=humility&x=18&y=17