Greg I've wanted to post basically this same argument for so long. I never did because I'm still basically a nobody to the majority of the scootering community. I actually wrote a paper for school recently about how the scootering community needs to start THINKING. Like, there's not a problem with being in a group of riders and it's great to admire people but a lot of riders on here tend to suck up to more respected figures; or they're just ignorant and/or immature and just do what everyone else does to be "cool".
I know, I probably come off as being a dick and bashing/flaming people, especially videos, but I just want people to know the truth. The world is not gonna sugar-coat everything. For instance, when riders make "sponsor videos", most (not all, of course, but most) are just born of premature excitement because the person realized "Hey, that person got sponsored, so can I! I could get all my parts for free, break stuff as much as I want... and people will think I'm awesome." I mean, not everyone's like that of course but from what I've been seeing lately, someone will post a decent video/an average edit, and most of the comments are "siickkk.", "dude you really deserve a sponsor.". You can't get better if everyone tells you you're so amazing; post some advice, even if it's "watch the heels" or something. When I comment in peoples' threads, my intention is never to bring the rider or anyone down, I just feel that everyone has the right to know reality. It's awesome to get comments like "You're so good!!!" and stuff, but there should be a balance between praise and constructive criticism.
I don't wanna fill my post completely with apologies and explanations haha, I just want people to know that if I've ever posted in your thread and you thought I was talking negatively, I wasn't. If I ever post in a thread, typing a novel about something, it just means I care about where scootering will go. It's more that I care, than anything else, and I want change. Personally it doesn't bother me if barely anyone reads all this or if anyone knows who I am or anything like that, and I'm NOT trying to direct any attention from Greg's original post; I do agree with it totally and I plan on trying to enforce mature ideas like his.
I figure if I'm ever gonna post what I feel, it might as well be now. Thanks if you read all this. I won't be offended if you disagree, everyone is entitled to their opinion.
Edit: And yeah, we were all noobs at one time. New riders need encouragement more than anything else, but at the same time like I said, they won't get any better if no one gives them advice... and it kills their confidence telling them "it was horrible" or whatever.
I'm just as guilty as everyone else, I'm no better than anyone else on this forum. I just try to use my experience the right way.