T-Cell Alpha

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81

[quote]josh86 wrote:
dre wrote:
josh86 wrote:
AngryVader wrote:
josh86 wrote:
Vicomte wrote:
AynRandLuvr wrote:
I glanced at the Alpha forum. Some inspirational stories but it mostly looked like a whole bunch of wannabes.

This should be interesting.

Agreed, runs to make popcorn

I’m going to get some marshmallows. The flames should be pretty high on this one.

Damnit I should have thought of that…hey buddy you bring the marshmellows I’ll pickup the Hershey’s and Graham crackers!

Screw the Hersheys, I’ll bring some Reeses Peanut Butter Cups…Smores rock with Reeses Peanut Butter Cups!

I fucking LOVE Reeses! I can’t believe I’ve never tried that before! I feel like such a fucking newb![/quote]

Low blood sugar. That’s the only possible cause. Are you cutting?

82

[quote]Headhunter wrote:
Does anyone post in there anymore? Does anyone even read the thing? Or is it stagnant? Just curious…[/quote]

I can remember before t-cell some of the members voicing their frustrations- over the quality of the posts in the BB site,98lb cross dressers etc. The training advice at t-cell I think is solid. Maybe not many new threads- but perhaps the members feel a pressure to post quality info.

83

Bulking or cutting, ain’t nothin’ wrong with a Pop-Tart!

David Barr said they’re okay, now they are my only source of protein*!

*Blatant Lie

84

[quote]pushharder wrote:
AynRandLuvr wrote:
I glanced at the Alpha forum. Some inspirational stories but it mostly looked like a whole bunch of wannabes.

Atlas just shrugged in that one of his devotees revealed himself as a jealous cocksucker.[/quote]

I laughed pretty hard at this.

85

[quote]PRCalDude wrote:
All right. It’s getting to be painfully obvious that ARL and HH are the same person. The facts:

  1. Both make frequent doom and gloom postings in PWI.

  2. Both are on this thread bashing T-Alpha

  3. Both are into Ayn Rand

  4. They have similar - nay, identical - writing styles.

[/quote]

Can you tell the difference between St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine from their writing styles? Quit typing from your meth lab.

86
  1. Log in
  2. In upper left portion of screen, there is a menu bar. Click “Customize”
  3. Scroll list and find “T-Cell Alpha”
  4. Click “Off”
87

[quote]SteelyD wrote:

  1. Log in
  2. In upper left portion of screen, there is a menu bar. Click “Customize”
  3. Scroll list and find “T-Cell Alpha”
  4. Click “Off”[/quote]

Why? As I said, some of the stories are inspirational. I never said it had no value.

HH and I are long time friends. I disagree with him about the value of Alpha, or anything else people choose to create. Why would I dislike someone’s attempt to make a forum better?

Tell him to do the above. I think the forum has some merit.

88

Just a “Public Service Announcement”

89

[quote]AynRandLuvr wrote:
PRCalDude wrote:
All right. It’s getting to be painfully obvious that ARL and HH are the same person. The facts:

  1. Both make frequent doom and gloom postings in PWI.

  2. Both are on this thread bashing T-Alpha

  3. Both are into Ayn Rand

  4. They have similar - nay, identical - writing styles.

Can you tell the difference between St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine from their writing styles? Quit typing from your meth lab.

[/quote]

What an impertinent little Objectivist you are. We’ll find out if you and HH are the same guy. I apologize ahead of time if I’m wrong.

90

[quote]FightinIrish26 wrote:
I don’t read it because I inevitably come across something that I really want to comment about but I’m not allowed to.
[/quote]

I run into the same thing. I have a question or a comment, but can’t express it. Recently the Presidential Fitness discussion caught my attention. Not that it was anything essential, but eh, why read stuff and get engaged in it when it’s only partial engagement?

It occurred to me to wonder several weeks ago what Damici’s ultimate goal is with his biosignature, or whatever. I could certainly PM him, but eh. Here again, nonessential. Not worth writing an entire framework for the question.

I’m a rapacious reader, so I still browse around in there occasionally. But if in a conversation I can’t satisfy my own interests and curiosity, I’d rather read articles. There is only, in that case, one person’s viewpoint, and in engaging in the process I’ve agreed to honor it. However, in reading a debate among four people about a primary school fitness test, I am conditioned to engage differently.

That’s not a diss on the cell. Just my experience/preference.

91

I was one of the more vocal opponents of the T-Cell from the start, and before the re-start. So, here’s my take on it:

I must concede that so far the cell in its new form seems to have worked on one account at least - it has kept the focus of the discussion on training.

I also like the features on specific members by Prof X - I think this is interesting.
I browse through it occasionally only though - as it doesn’t give me the variety of views I find in the bodybuilding forum, or anywhere else on the site.

I still think it’s wrong though from the community perspective - as it has effectively split the T-Nation community:

  1. It keeps posters out who may occasionally want to contribute to a training related discussion on it, but aren’t considered for membership by the few ‘sheriffs’. I always believed that multitude of opinion is a positive aspect of Internet forums, and on T-Nation in particular. This has been decreased by the addition of the T-Cell. Even with the sheriffs doing a decent job - and I don’t doubt they do so - lines of communication have been cut and a segregation has been established. Case in point is the ‘T-Cell: Success’ thread currently running in it (probably in answer to this thread here) - it’s safely located where outsiders can’t comment.

  2. It keeps posters who are members inside the cell, as they, in some cases openly stated by themselves, view this as the only place worth posting in on T-Nation. That’s obviously not valid for all, but I think it’s sad somehow, as it fosters the separation mentioned above.

  3. There were some pretty bad exchanges in the process of setting up the Cell and its reincarnation after the ‘cleanse’ - and it has left some marks. It would have been great to see a more argument centred discussion - rather than the heated pissing contest and vitriolic posts - slinged at some of the critics mostly. And I don’t mean only HH - who gave us his usual crazy and entertaining drama, but had a general point worth considering.

Is this the end of T-Nation? No. Could it have been dealt with better? Probably not, as there was enough of a critical mass of vocal and influential customers lobbying for a more private area in the face of the site’s strategy of widening participation on the site (speak: encouraging newbs to join). To this Biotest reacted brilliantly, by keeping both the newbs and the seasoned customers happy. If it were my site and long term customers were threatening to leave I’d probably do the same. I still think this was the driving force from the site owners, and on that account, it has worked very well. From a community point of view though, I think we all lost a bit.

Makkun

92

[quote]EmilyQ wrote:
FightinIrish26 wrote:
I don’t read it because I inevitably come across something that I really want to comment about but I’m not allowed to.

I run into the same thing. I have a question or a comment, but can’t express it. Recently the Presidential Fitness discussion caught my attention. Not that it was anything essential, but eh, why read stuff and get engaged in it when it’s only partial engagement?

It occurred to me to wonder several weeks ago what Damici’s ultimate goal is with his biosignature, or whatever. I could certainly PM him, but eh. Here again, nonessential. Not worth writing an entire framework for the question.

I’m a rapacious reader, so I still browse around in there occasionally. But if in a conversation I can’t satisfy my own interests and curiosity, I’d rather read articles. There is only, in that case, one person’s viewpoint, and in engaging in the process I’ve agreed to honor it. However, in reading a debate among four people about a primary school fitness test, I am conditioned to engage differently.

That’s not a diss on the cell. Just my experience/preference.[/quote]

So you’re saying you don’t like the ‘Thought Police’ aspect of the Alpha Cell forum?

93

makkun,

I agree with your points. I was one of the few people that had a big mouth, so to speak, and stated what I didn’t like, not to be negative whiner, but to spur some change. That along with many other things caused the entire revamp.

I was actually offered a new “membership” to the thread by a mod (I won’t name names) and to my knowledge, I am the only one offered re-admission by a mod as a choice b/c I was so vocal in my opinions of the forum, even though I appeared to have something to offer the thread. I was responsible for the probably now dead sheiko thread.

I was hoping to see more of a round table atmosphere with debate (not arguing), not threads like “things I can’t prove, but believe.” Sounds like religion and that just scares the crap outta me, and I wouldn’t value ANY statement in that thread since there’s nothing providing proof. Another good example is some thread I just saw about blood pH. There just seems to be a lot of misinformation and lack of info about just how everything works. My point is, I don’t see a difference in the quality of topics there vs the strength or bbing forums.

Another problem I have with it is the fact that there are a lot of n00bs there. Yes, I’ve heard the argument that having people at different stages in training covers everything, but does it really? We have a beginner’s forum, a strength forum, bbing forum. I thought t-cell alpha was for the alpha’s, not people who post a lot and just really become well known on the site, at least that’s how i view it.

Like I’ve said before, I’m not alpha (look at my log, I’m not winning a national championship anytime soon) and therefore have no place posting in that sort of forum. Now if the name changes to something less than alpha, maybe beta or gamma, then I’m in, but alpha, no… That’s like saying elite and really what percentage of people in alpha are elite and how do we even qualify it?

There are too many basic problems with what the forum appears to have content wise and what it actually consists of. That’s how I feel, and hey, if I’m being too harsh, well… that’s life, right?

94

[quote]Headhunter wrote:
EmilyQ wrote:
FightinIrish26 wrote:
I don’t read it because I inevitably come across something that I really want to comment about but I’m not allowed to.

I run into the same thing. I have a question or a comment, but can’t express it. Recently the Presidential Fitness discussion caught my attention. Not that it was anything essential, but eh, why read stuff and get engaged in it when it’s only partial engagement?

It occurred to me to wonder several weeks ago what Damici’s ultimate goal is with his biosignature, or whatever. I could certainly PM him, but eh. Here again, nonessential. Not worth writing an entire framework for the question.

I’m a rapacious reader, so I still browse around in there occasionally. But if in a conversation I can’t satisfy my own interests and curiosity, I’d rather read articles. There is only, in that case, one person’s viewpoint, and in engaging in the process I’ve agreed to honor it. However, in reading a debate among four people about a primary school fitness test, I am conditioned to engage differently.

That’s not a diss on the cell. Just my experience/preference.

So you’re saying you don’t like the ‘Thought Police’ aspect of the Alpha Cell forum?
[/quote]

No, I’m saying exactly what I said, no more and no less. No one here has the power to police my thoughts, and if I desire to be heard, believe me, I will find a way.

I would say that my point is directly opposite yours, in fact. I’m saying that this is a message board and therefore entirely nonessential to me. That’s not to say I don’t like it, I do. But it isn’t necessary that I read or post here, there is plenty of information on every topic available on the internet. That being the case, I won’t shift or flex in the least. If reading the TCA causes me anything short of enjoyment because I prefer an interactive experience, I won’t read it. If I’m later bored and wanting to procrastinate, I will. Then if I get annoyed again, I’ll stop.

It’s really just that simple to me.

95

[quote]EmilyQ wrote:
FightinIrish26 wrote:
I don’t read it because I inevitably come across something that I really want to comment about but I’m not allowed to.

I run into the same thing. I have a question or a comment, but can’t express it. [/quote]

Why? Aren’t all ideas and fresh thoughts welcomed there? What would happen if you both expressed your thoughts openly there? (J/C)

96

[quote]AynRandLuvr wrote:
EmilyQ wrote:
FightinIrish26 wrote:
I don’t read it because I inevitably come across something that I really want to comment about but I’m not allowed to.

I run into the same thing. I have a question or a comment, but can’t express it.

Why? Aren’t all ideas and fresh thoughts welcomed there? What would happen if you both expressed your thoughts openly there? (J/C)
[/quote]

Let’s face it, it was justified because of long term members who banded together knowing they could all qualify by time served here, and their knowledge, and their popularity, to be in a really super duper neato clique.

Then they could decide amongst themselves who else that really “shouldn’t be there”, “could” be there, which gave them a very attractive “power”, and status on the site.

It’s good, and it’s gay, all at the same time. The original idea stated as it has been, was, and is, solid. But that’s not what it is.

What’s special about it now, is that it DOES have some very excellent people who contribute interesting ideas and experiences for others to learn from and that’s great.

These most positive individuals, are interestingly enough, the polite and dedicated guys who truly deserve to be there. It’s too bad that this smaller fraction of the whole, doesn’t recieve all the attention that most of the more popular start ups do.

Ego has been the biggest downfall of the place imo. Certain members like thinking that their opinion is the one that counts, and unfortunately, these same douschebags are still going around discounting other opinions and directing discussion to their preferred target,

Although now that it’s been “cleaned up”, this is much more subtle than it was when the superstuds were being confronted by more opposite opinions early on.

None the less, I value it for the members who in my opinion deserve to be in there, because these guys are very positive members of the site. I just laugh at some of the other guys who have no place in there, save that some of the status quo “like” them and think they should be there.

Bottom line is this; yes there are true “Alpha” members, and there are also plenty of members who in no way are “Alpha”. The rules bend according to the powers that are in charge.

ToneBone

97

Good discussion, but a few points:

  1. It’s “Alpha” as in the first letter of the Greek Alphabet; as in the first non-moderated, invite-only Forum…

NOT “Alpha” as in the dominant male or female in a group of Primates mongoose or marsupials.

  1. A discussion on ANY topic in “TCA” is free to be started in any of the other Forums on this Site.

  2. “TCA” is a test only. If it proves to be divisive and/or counter-productive to the Goals of “Biotest”, I’m sure that it will be eliminated.

  3. I’ll say it again and again; “TCA” was not meant to be some Bastion of Great and Eternal Knowledge coming from the Mountaintop.

A more valid analogy would be a group of people who get together every Sunday to watch Football; or to go camping or hiking on the weekend; or get together for literature readings…

Without having people at the gatherings who hate football; hate camping; or think that reading books is for “old people”, and instead they should be listening to Hip-Hop and Rap.

That’s what Bodybuilding discussions had become.

If the “TCA” is lessening the Site is some way, e-mail TC.

I’m sure he would like to know.

Mufasa

98

[quote]Mufasa wrote:
Good discussion, but a few points:

  1. It’s “Alpha” as in the first letter of the Greek Alphabet; as in the first non-moderated, invite-only Forum…

NOT “Alpha” as in the dominant male or female in a group of Primates mongoose or marsupials.[/quote]

I think that message has been diluted a bit on occasion - whenever there was talk of the ‘vets’, the experienced lifters, etc. Also, running it as a separate forum for people who where often annoyed by the noob invasion, kinda makes it just like that. But - that’s not the bit I don’t like about it.

Yes, we’re all aware of that. It just feels a bit silly to do that.

Oh, I think it makes perfect sense to the business aims of Biotest. I think it was a brilliant move to placate a maybe small but vociferous number of valued veteran customers, who were on the brink of packing up and leaving, while at the same time keeping the noobs coming in, thus widening the potential customer base.

It’s like a premium membership - keeps them happy; and costs even less, as there doesn’t have to be any investment into moderation. From the customer relationship point of view, it’s a perfect solution - and surely absolutely right.

[quote]4) I’ll say it again and again; “TCA” was not meant to be some Bastion of Great and Eternal Knowledge coming from the Mountaintop.

A more valid analogy would be a group of people who get together every Sunday to watch Football; or to go camping or hiking on the weekend; or get together for literature readings…

Without having people at the gatherings who hate football; hate camping; or think that reading books is for “old people”, and instead they should be listening to Hip-Hop and Rap.

That’s what Bodybuilding discussions had become.[/quote]

I spent most of my time in the Politics Forum, trying to keep proper decorum and the level of discussion on as high a level as I can manage.

Idiot posters annoy me - but the best I can do to make the forum better, is to keep up the standard and ignore the worst; not withdrawing into a sort of ivory tower. If that works in the due to its crazyness most unpopular forum, why not in Bodybuilding?

Whether that was the plan, TCA has done that to an extent. I think actually, it may indeed have partly been the plan, as many supporters of the T-Cell were strongly opposed to a General Fitness forum (if I remember correctly), which may have helped de-clutter the BB forum in just the same way.

[quote]If the “TCA” is lessening the Site is some way, e-mail TC.

I’m sure he would like to know.

Mufasa[/quote]

I don’t think it lessens the site - it has changed it. It’s for its owners to decide if they are happy with its direction, and for its members to decide whether to stay or vote with their feet. So far, no one seems to have done that (not even HH).

Makkun

PS: edited - I wrote something the wrong place.

99

[quote]pushharder wrote:
PRCalDude wrote:
All right. It’s getting to be painfully obvious that ARL and HH are the same person. The facts:

  1. Both make frequent doom and gloom postings in PWI.

  2. Both are on this thread bashing T-Alpha

  3. Both are into Ayn Rand

  4. They have similar - nay, identical - writing styles.

The mods know. And some of us know the mods.

[/quote]

  1. True

  2. True

  3. True

  4. True

What Push said— True and True

:slight_smile:

100

[quote]makkun wrote:

I spent most of my time in the Politics Forum, trying to keep proper decorum and the level of discussion on as high a level as I can manage. Idiot posters annoy me -

but the best I can do to make the forum better, is to keep up the standard and ignore the worst; not withdrawing into a sort of ivory tower. If that works in the due to its crazyness most unpopular forum, why not in Bodybuilding?[/quote]

Judging by the number of views on the average thread in the Political Forum, there are SIGNIFICANTLY LESS people who even read that forum than who were reading the Bodybuilding forum before the T-Cell was created.

Taking it further, there was also a huge number of people infecting the bodybuilding forum who apparently HATED bodybuilding. There was thread after thread of “I don’t want to be big” to the point that ZERO actual discussion of bodybuilding could take place without several people destroying the thread with that same nonsense.

The Political Forum has never seen anything like that. Yet, the trolls the political forum does have are exactly why many people have STOPPED posting in that forum regularly.

So, please, explain to me why you would rather viewership decrease than simply allowing a way for those serious about topics to make threads without the interruptions from those who don’t even like what the entire forum is supposed to be about?

Since when has anyone started several threads in the Political forum about how they hate political discussions?

Ever?

Well then, how about you wake up and realize that the political forum needs some cleaning themselves if people are going to return to that forum en mass.

Ignoring the worst was simply allowing it to grow. Ignoring the worst was making it so no serious bodybuilding/weight-lifting posters would have remained on this site at all. Somehow, that makes more sense to you.

Nothing else really needs to be said.