Rate Physique And Brand New Posters

Off Topic
21

absolutely agreed. I was thinking of posting something to this effect as well. Might as well have left the post-article-posts attached to the article, I guess. winkwink

seriously, it pushes all of the current threads to the bottom and there seems to be a serious need for article threads to be contained in their own section.

[quote]tGunslinger wrote:
Yeah, I was pretty surprised when they changed PPP to “Rate My Physique”. I thought it was obvious that it would turn into a hot or not knockoff.

On a similar note, I wish they’d put in a different sub-forum for article discussion.

I’m finding that putting up stickies in the ‘Bodybuilding’ forum just clutters everything up.

My $0.02, should the T-Nation powers-that-be value my opinion.[/quote]

22

I thought it was officially okay to tear into these guys, now that it’s a rate a physique section. As in, more flames than ever before. Some of that is really entertaining. I’m all for chumming the waters.

23

[quote]CaliforniaLaw wrote:
That forum had degraded to “Hot or Not.” Rather than stop the nonsense, they are encouraging it.

I predict in one year that no one who seriously trains will be on the forums. (Other than people who are paid to be on the forums, of course.)[/quote]

Wait, is this last part true? We have people (other than writers) that are paid to be on these threads?

24

Is this really a surprise? I look at the Hot or Not forum out of sheer, morbid curiosity and to view the trainwreck that is those threads. But it’s not something to take seriously.

25

[quote]kroby wrote:
I thought it was officially okay to tear into these guys, now that it’s a rate a physique section. As in, more flames than ever before. Some of that is really entertaining. I’m all for chumming the waters.

[/quote]

That would be fine…if the guy putting the picture up was actually the guy IN the picture. I doubt that is the case. Why the hell would someone log in for the first time just to post a picture on this forum?

That “Favorite Bodybuilder Picture” thread was up for almost two years. I guess anything of any value at all will be pushed to the last page because of hundreds of brand new posters throwing up random pictures to be rated.

They might as well make a new site just for that and let them go crazy with it.

26

Fucking trolls.

27

[quote]Professor X wrote:
kroby wrote:
I thought it was officially okay to tear into these guys, now that it’s a rate a physique section. As in, more flames than ever before. Some of that is really entertaining. I’m all for chumming the waters.

That would be fine…if the guy putting the picture up was actually the guy IN the picture. I doubt that is the case. Why the hell would someone log in for the first time just to post a picture on this forum?

That “Favorite Bodybuilder Picture” thread was up for almost two years. I guess anything of any value at all will be pushed to the last page because of hundreds of brand new posters throwing up random pictures to be rated.

They might as well make a new site just for that and let them go crazy with it.[/quote]
indeed prof

This will indeed be the death of quality picture threads, with every tom dick and harry internet buffguy69 wanting your approval

theres a real internet culture of “rate me” i want attention aka cam whores. People who are even willing to falsify stuff inorder to obtain a little internet fame and become asses when they dont get the approval they so desperatly crave. visit any other bbing forum and the picture section is rife with punks all trying too get one over each other, pedo’s in teen bbing section and ego manics.

Real bodybuilders if they exsist anymore would be more than likely to avoid such places.

28

Maybe we could have a “Rate My Physique” forum and a separate normal “Physique and Performane Photos” forum?

29

[quote]jsbrook wrote:
Maybe we could have a “Rate My Physique” forum and a separate normal “Physique and Performane Photos” forum?[/quote]

There honestly was nothing wrong with it before. Most of the people complaining about those who get “fried” are people who never took the time to realize who was saying what and why. If some 130lbs kid posts a picture asking how to get his abs to show, should the responses on A BODYBUILDING FORUM honestly be advice on how to diet given as sweetly as possible?

If some newbie posts a picture and they clearly just started training and have NO muscle mass yet seem to think they are ready to jump on stage and compete in 2 months, should the responses honestly be several posts of, “you look Great…GOOD LUCK!!!”?

If people want others to lie to them, I guess they will have that now. Most of the people who actually lift probably won’t be “rating” too many pictures or giving a shit at all now.

Congrats. We now have T-Nation’s version of bb.com.

30

[quote]jsbrook wrote:
Maybe we could have a “Rate My Physique” forum and a separate normal “Physique and Performane Photos” forum?[/quote]

How would that change anything if every bored varmint online can still post there? The more I think about this the more I’m ready to volunteer to be the first to cough up a nominal fee for posting rights. It’s puts everybody on the same level of legitimacy, filters out the reprobates and makes the site some coin all at the same time.

Somebody’s bound to say [quote]“OH NO, that will change the whole complexion and attitude of T-Nation”[/quote]

In case you haven’t noticed it’s changing already. This is not the late 90’s anymore. I don’t see a problem with this at all.

31

[quote]Professor X wrote:
jsbrook wrote:
Maybe we could have a “Rate My Physique” forum and a separate normal “Physique and Performane Photos” forum?

There honestly was nothing wrong with it before. Most of the people complaining about those who get “fried” are people who never took the time to realize who was saying what and why. If some 130lbs kid posts a picture asking how to get his abs to show, should the responses on A BODYBUILDING FORUM honestly be advice on how to diet given as sweetly as possible?

If some newbie posts a picture and they clearly just started training and have NO muscle mass yet seem to think they are ready to jump on stage and compete in 2 months, should the responses honestly be several posts of, “you look Great…GOOD LUCK!!!”?

If people want others to lie to them, I guess they will have that now. Most of the people who actually lift probably won’t be “rating” too many pictures or giving a shit at all now.

Congrats. We now have T-Nation’s version of bb.com.[/quote]

I can also go along with this whole post, but they obviously didn’t want it to stay like it was. I had no major problem with it before either. However the more I think about it the more juvenile this new format appears.

I really think much of the sobriety that long time vets like yourself are mourning the loss of could be restored by a pay system, at least as much as is possible at this point. At the same time EVERYBODY could still view EVERYTHING, they just would have to make an investment for their voice to be heard.

No doubt there would be some who would pay the fee and still be annoying, but what is the alternative at this late date and annoyance is part of life?

32

I would have no problem paying some fee to use the forum. However, if the changes keep going in the direction they seem to be, I doubt I will be logging in much in the future anyway.

Turning this site into “Teenaged-Anorexic-How do I get my abs out when I weigh less than my girlfriend-Isolation exercises don’t cause muscle growth-I don’t think for myself because I read insert Author and he thinks for me-Relative strength is great even though I also weigh less than my girlfriend-Palooza” is not something I am just dying to be a part of.

33

[quote]Professor X wrote:
I would have no problem paying some fee to use the forum. However, if the changes keep going in the direction they seem to be, I doubt I will be logging in much in the future anyway.

Turning this site into “Teenaged-Anorexic-How do I get my abs out when I weigh less than my girlfriend-Isolation exercises don’t cause muscle growth-I don’t think for myself because I read insert Author and he thinks for me-Relative strength is great even though I also weigh less than my girlfriend-Palooza” is not something I am just dying to be a part of.[/quote]

OK, every point you just made and a host of others are things we’ve always agreed on. On that very note, a relatively small number of these types are serious enough to pay anything to be an active part of this community. Could be wrong, but I would bet that way.

T-Nation doesn’t depend on outside advertisers for money so membership wouldn’t effect that and raw traffic probably wouldn’t change much even they did.

I don’t know everything and there could be some stuff I’m not considering, but it does seem that this would filter forum activity on a bunch of levels back in the direction at least of the dangerously hardcore without limiting anybody,s ability to view anything here at all.

I hope TC, Tim and the boys see this because it’s not every day somebody is trying to find a way for you to take their money. At the very least I hope it’s discussable (is that a word?)

34

[quote]Professor X wrote:
I would have no problem paying some fee to use the forum. However, if the changes keep going in the direction they seem to be, I doubt I will be logging in much in the future anyway.
[/quote]

It wouldn’t be a big deal to me to pay. I mean, what’s 5 or 10 bucks? At the same time, I’m really starting to feel like I have outgrown T-Nation.

Six or seven years ago, when I first found this place, it was so different, so hardcore, so real. I liked the community that was here; everyone seemed so strong and serious about their pursuit. Even those that didn’t share your goals respected the effort and commitment.

It feels much more watered-down now. As it is now, most of my time on this site is spent in the “Get a Life” forum. But I can “get a life” at any website, I used to come here because it was different.

There were no-filler articles on steroids. Now we have post after post about creatine and its “side effects.”

There were articles with words like Hardcore, Swole, and Jacked in the title. Now there are posts about ripping abs and staying skinny.

There were articles by Dave Tate about squatting 900 and benching 500. Now we have posts call a 315 deadlift inspirational.

I hate to sound like and old man reminiscing, and I know times change, but there was I time when I felt stronger every time I came here. Maybe this just isn’t the place for me anymore.

35

[quote]Professor X wrote:
jsbrook wrote:
Maybe we could have a “Rate My Physique” forum and a separate normal “Physique and Performane Photos” forum?

There honestly was nothing wrong with it before. Most of the people complaining about those who get “fried” are people who never took the time to realize who was saying what and why. If some 130lbs kid posts a picture asking how to get his abs to show, should the responses on A BODYBUILDING FORUM honestly be advice on how to diet given as sweetly as possible?

If some newbie posts a picture and they clearly just started training and have NO muscle mass yet seem to think they are ready to jump on stage and compete in 2 months, should the responses honestly be several posts of, “you look Great…GOOD LUCK!!!”?

If people want others to lie to them, I guess they will have that now. Most of the people who actually lift probably won’t be “rating” too many pictures or giving a shit at all now.

Congrats. We now have T-Nation’s version of bb.com.[/quote]

Yes, I agree. I think it was much better before.

36

[quote]Tiribulus wrote:
jsbrook wrote:
Maybe we could have a “Rate My Physique” forum and a separate normal “Physique and Performane Photos” forum?

How would that change anything if every bored varmint online can still post there? The more I think about this the more I’m ready to volunteer to be the first to cough up a nominal fee for posting rights. It’s puts everybody on the same level of legitimacy, filters out the reprobates and makes the site some coin all at the same time.

Somebody’s bound to say “OH NO, that will change the whole complexion and attitude of T-Nation”

In case you haven’t noticed it’s changing already. This is not the late 90’s anymore. I don’t see a problem with this at all.[/quote]

The varmints would probably be most likely to post in the ‘Rate Me’ section. But I agree with your suggestion. I would pay a nominal fee. I respect that Biotest is responding to some undesireable elements and developments by trying to change some things. But seems to me that most of the changes actually are making or will make things worse.

37

[quote]malonetd wrote:
Professor X wrote:
I would have no problem paying some fee to use the forum. However, if the changes keep going in the direction they seem to be, I doubt I will be logging in much in the future anyway.

It wouldn’t be a big deal to me to pay. I mean, what’s 5 or 10 bucks? At the same time, I’m really starting to feel like I have outgrown T-Nation.

Six or seven years ago, when I first found this place, it was so different, so hardcore, so real. I liked the community that was here; everyone seemed so strong and serious about their pursuit. Even those that didn’t share your goals respected the effort and commitment.

It feels much more watered-down now. As it is now, most of my time on this site is spent in the “Get a Life” forum. But I can “get a life” at any website, I used to come here because it was different.

There were no-filler articles on steroids. Now we have post after post about creatine and its “side effects.”

There were articles with words like Hardcore, Swole, and Jacked in the title. Now there are posts about ripping abs and staying skinny.

There were articles by Dave Tate about squatting 900 and benching 500. Now we have posts call a 315 deadlift inspirational.

I hate to sound like and old man reminiscing, and I know times change, but there was I time when I felt stronger every time I came here. Maybe this just isn’t the place for me anymore.[/quote]

It’s not just you and it isn’t about “being old”. Anyone you even see at the gym who truly trains hard and looks like it would think along the same lines.

Those are the guys I speak to at the gym, not the 150lbs dudes who actually try to lift with their collars popped in pink polos who stop in between each set of curls to flex their nonexistent biceps in the mirror and then raise their shirts to flex their abs. It seems this site actually wants to cater to the latter. I just don’t understand that.

Why keep even the same title if the goal is to make the site “Hardcore Lite”. Less filling? Check. Tastes great? I am guessing most liked Classic Coke.

Then again, it has always been a small minority of people who take this to the extreme. I don’t think I would even like it if EVERY single person on the street were my size or even more developed. It allows me to stand out. The problem is, this site used to be for those people.

Now, it is for the vast majority who will always think even working out for 3 months in a row is a major commitment and that 15" arms mean you get to brag about how large they are…because you’re short.

More than anything, I can’t stand that the prevailing feeling seems to be that every man or woman who was hardcore, who actually helped get this site to where it is is being dropped off at the last bus stop in the desert while the T-Nation school bus drives off really really fast hoping we can’t catch up.

There is no loyalty in business. I thought there was some in weight lifting though.

38

In case anyone’s counting votes, I’d pay too.

39

I really don’t get the managerial decision on all this. It’s not like there is some physiological need for people just starting out to post their pictures. These kids are not serious in their pursuits and are mostly not serious customers either.

What we need for new entrees is a good place to start, where they would feel comfortable learning the essentials. A place which, HELLO MANAGEMENT, we don’t have!

All we’ve got is some user-created compilations which aren’t really working. It’s a collection of articles and post debates which all lead to further confusion.

You have to understand how a NOVICE person who is interested in improving his/her physique feels when entering this site. And I will show you. Here are the 3 things they see:

1. Articles. Four trillion editorials with sets, reps, strange language, exotic exercises and some tits for good measure. A good percentage of articles make claims that can be totally misunderstood by a novice. Please, tell me how in the universe can some new kid learn the basics of bodybuilding from that?

2. The store. Hey, I just placed an order! But it does nothing for someone who just got here.

3. The forum. Anytime a newbie asks a question there begins a debate between posters on what advice the kid should actually be following. In the best case scenario the kid gets something out of it. JUST SOMETHING.

That’s it. So they end up reading the daily articles and getting advanced information before the basics. Then fail miserably in their efforts. And instead of creating a ‘welcome sign’ the site is now catering to random people’s fetishes.

If you want to attract serious customers you need to make people who are new welcome here. But no such effort has been made.

In one long manifesto article you can easily explain the basics of training, eating and putting it all together. It really doesn’t take that much. And it will be one of the most exciting and interesting pieces a new person will ever read! You don’t even have to write it, let us work on it! There’s no need to sacrifice the community for a quick number spike that won’t do much in the long term anyway.

~ quite a long post. I must be aggravated.

40

It’s becoming Pussy-Nation. I’m relatively new to the site and can see the degradation that it’s going through. They should’ve just stopped with no comments on author’s articles, and go no further.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.