@FlatsFarmer Dude, I think you took what I wrote a bit too deeply. Of course I like Dave Tate. I even had some exchanges with him through email when I followed his each and every word, and let me just say here, his articles were awesome, and they still are awesome to this day! It’s the reason why I still listen to what he has to say to this day. He is very generous and has helped out god knows how many people, not to mention the jobs he has created for others with his company.
What I meant was, that if at this point of life, 36 years old (37 in a few days), if I was some clueless guy who just wanted to simply build some muscle and get in shape, I’d be turned off by stories of guys talking about aims of hospitalizing one another and challenging one another to fights over lifting. This was said in response to killerDirk speaking of why some people are simply fitness-niche famous, in a niche that is, and why some have hugely reaching popularity for diet and fitness advice.
And I didn’t mean that every guy who pushes this stuff to the limit (I’m actually prepping for my first show myself, but I don’t like speaking of it much) should be looked at as reckless and should keep to himself or be ridiculed. Maybe it came across that way, but I think some guy who nearly kills himself, breaks his bones, and describes a life of disability due to lifting is acting carelessly or recklessly, and the strain that this puts on one’s family members can be quite severe… for a pastime. If others want to do that, fine. That’s my take. But I’m not surprised that non-fanatical people wouldn’t tune in to what such people have to say.
Do you see where I am going with this? I apologize if I came across in a snobby manner, for real.
Also, keep in mind, I am admittedly sensitive to some things. Having spent all of my life residing in and roaming the boroughs of NYC, I think I have OD’ed on tough-guy posturing. Likely a few times per week if I roam the town in which I work for a few blocks south or west, I can likely hear men bellowing hardcore rap lyrics into the air or overhear conversations about “fuggin’ muddafuggas up,” “crackin’ muddafuggas over da head,” and “I told this fuggin’ guy,” etc, etc. A few weeks ago I went to a well known gym here; I went inside and I hear guys at the front desk talking about confrontations with other men.
This stuff gets tiring, especially when much of it nothing but talk. So take what I say with a grain of salt, seriously. 
