I was just reading on the PCB tech forum that Paul was banned from FM.
While I realize that Paul hasn't always taken the "high road" when attacked by some members and that his posts can sometimes be abrasive, on the whole I think the insight and knowledge that he shares with the FM community substantially outweighs these negatives.
While I could certainly be overlooking something and I realize that Fred and the moderators don't have to give us a reason for their decision, I'm hopeful that they will reconsider their decision.
Over the past five years I've found FM to be a wonderful source of information that has really helped my photography grow. For me, having access to knowledgeable individuals such as Paul has added to my positive experience on this forum.
If what you're reporting is accurate, Hobbit, it's a very sad day. Paul's contributions are significant and worthwhile reading (abrasive personality not withstanding).
hobbit wrote:
I was just reading on the PCB tech forum that Paul was banned from FM.
This is the first I've heard of it, but if true, it doesn't come as a surprise.
While I realize that Paul hasn't always taken the "high road" when critiqued by anybody and that his posts can often be abrasive, on the whole I think the insight and knowledge that he shares with the FM community marginally outweighs these negatives.
IFYP. PCB says some useful stuff, sure. I don't dispute he is knowledgeable. But he clearly comes to these forums with an agenda (to sell his stuff), and whenever someone brings up even the slightest bit of information criticizing his products, however legitimate, he flames them with a personal attack and then resorts to the same tired defense of, "well if you can do better, then why don't you make one yourself?" It is incredibly antagonistic. Then someone inevitably tells him what an ass he's being and then he calms down for a while until another critic comes along.
I can totally understand that when you design and build something yourself, it's a labor of love. When your work is questioned it's very easy to take it personally. I absolutely get that. But if you're in this business and you want to promote your products through an internet forum and expose yourself in such an uncontrolled fashion, then you are going to need a thicker skin than that. You can't expect to play with fire and not get burned.
The one mistake PCB made, IMO, is that he failed to distinguish between the creative and business aspects of his work. He should've banned himself from FM long ago because it was clear he could not separate the two.
While I could certainly be overlooking something and I realize that Fred and the moderators don't have to give us a reason for their decision, I'm hopeful that they will reconsider their decision.
It's their choice and I trust that it was not made lightly. If anything, they did him a huge favor by saving him from himself.
Over the past five years I've found FM to be a wonderful source of information that has really helped my photography grow. For me, having access to knowledgeable individuals such as Paul has added to my positive experience on this forum.
If you value the knowledge he shares, there are other ways to keep listening to him. The internet is a big place.
Wickerprints and Joseph - I realize that I can go to the PCB tech forum to ask questions and access his knowledge, however, the number (and quality) of participants on this forum is more substantial and therefore lends to a better discussion.
wickerprints wrote:
This is the first I've heard of it, but if true, it doesn't come as a surprise.
IFYP. PCB says some useful stuff, sure. I don't dispute he is knowledgeable. But he clearly comes to these forums with an agenda (to sell his stuff), and whenever someone brings up even the slightest bit of information criticizing his products, however legitimate, he flames them with a personal attack and then resorts to the same tired defense of, "well if you can do better, then why don't you make one yourself?" It is incredibly antagonistic. Then someone inevitably tells him what an ass he's being and then he calms down for a while until another critic comes along.
I can totally understand that when you design and build something yourself, it's a labor of love. When your work is questioned it's very easy to take it personally. I absolutely get that. But if you're in this business and you want to promote your products through an internet forum and expose yourself in such an uncontrolled fashion, then you are going to need a thicker skin than that. You can't expect to play with fire and not get burned.
The one mistake PCB made, IMO, is that he failed to distinguish between the creative and business aspects of his work. He should've banned himself from FM long ago because it was clear he could not separate the two.
It's their choice and I trust that it was not made lightly. If anything, they did him a huge favor by saving him from himself.
If you value the knowledge he shares, there are other ways to keep listening to him. The internet is a big place....Show more →
Well said!
Joseph Garcin wrote:
This is true. While he might not have lost a large number of customers with his attitude, I know of one that he did lose.
Same here. The way he conducts himself publicly is really lacking in many aspects. Because he takes everything personally, it has become very hard for me to separate the man from his products. Paul did that to himself.
When Paul put up two polls if his presence is wanted here, I voted "yes". That was before I knew how Paul carried himself on the forums. Everyone here seems to think that Jerry Kacey attacks Paul for no good reason. I've read and participated in all those threads where both parties traded jabs and I just don't see how Jerry attacked Paul.
Every time someone says something about Paul's products, which are not necessarily negative, Paul gets very defensive and is the one who goes on offensive mode. I really can't believe how many here fail to see that and come to Paul's rescue.
This is how I see it: Paul begged his loyal customers on his "tech" forum (Yes, I read it the minute he posted) to stand up for him here on FM and you (hobbit) just took his word for it that he was attacked and came here to do exactly what he asked.
Paul is rude, short-tempered, egotistic, and behaved like no one else on this forum. I'm glad he was finally banned.
Regardless of personality, we've had a direct manufacturer, who has never failed to answer a question (personally) nor give information, removed due to what I can find is no more then squabbles. Sad. I don't know what half of you who troll this section will do with yourselves and all that free time that's become available...maybe go take photographs?
jeremy_clay wrote:
Regardless of personality, we've had a direct manufacturer, who has never failed to answer a question (personally) nor give information, removed due to what I can find is no more then squabbles.
It shouldn't be too hard to have FM open in one tab and PCB forums in another.
Sad. I don't know what half of you who troll this section will do with yourselves and all that free time that's become available...maybe go take photographs?
The even sadder thing is, the "trolls" used to have discussions here about lighting... in a lighting forum no less. Imagine that. But because they can't stand Paul's trolling, they ended up being labeled as the trolls. Wait what?
I know one thing for sure, now that Paul is banned, I can go back to reading threads that are banter-free.
jeremy_clay wrote:
. Sad. I don't know what half of you who troll this section will do with yourselves and all that free time that's become available...maybe go take photographs?
nah f* shooting,
I think I'll go troll some Korean teenage popstar sites
It's funny he was banned for calling attention to an obvious product plant, not a review, and people who baited him numerous times, Kacey, are still around. If going off the deep end with posts are warranting a banning, which Buff did often, then that's fine. But where's the justice if this Kacey person who was just as annoying gets a free pass? Ban one ban them all. And why is that "Review of the Profoto Batpac" thread still allowed to be here? It's not a review but a product plant. Again, free pass?
OK.