On Suckering In a New Generation of Spudders
Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2016 1:40 am
On Suckering In a New Generation of Spudders
Yes... I realize it's a completely hilarious/original way to phrase it.
Rather than an introduction establishing that I don't think new spudders need to be suckered in, along with other wordy creations, it would be much better to just dive in, givin the limited space I have before the average 'Files reader simply hits the 'Newest Posts' link to the left and fires up MS Paint to draw a diagram of their freshest 6mm pneumatic idea.
If You Look, You Will Find Them
Spudding isn't dead.
Even though there's a thread with almost that same title.
Some of the older member's know, for instance, that they're looking at a new crowd every year... some of the things people complain about prove that spudding isn't dead! As long as there are sexually frustrated 16 year olds without a more destructive outlet, they will turn to flinging objects at high speeds at plywood and water jugs.
The thing is, we just need a new way to define this hobby. It's not people gluing together Latke style PVC combustions or sprinkler valve pneumatics anymore while worshipping Joel Suprise. It's the kid looking at a $200 USD nerf launcher for scenario paintball thinking that somebody, somewhere has built something like that from scratch before (they have!), or somebody choosing their second year's bulk of college courses, thinking that nobody could possibly enjoy Writing for Business (they don't!).
This forum is, unfortunately, not that easy to find. While you may say "It's on the first page when you google 'Spudguns'!", consider, however, that most people's internet exposure doesn't extend past https://www.facebook.com. It could (read should) be simply that people don't have the exposure to our community and are hacking it along themselves and posting their work to Instagram instead of USING THE DAMN UPLOADER.
Which of course brings us to...
Social Media - The Creative Black Hole
First, let's clarify: there is creativity on social media. Only thing is, it has to be liked/shared and spread like herpes before we see it.
On SpudFiles, we see every new project. And, no matter how "mundane" it may seem to you (what is an elitist? Correct, elitist it is for $200), it's their first project and they're obviously excited about it. For the most part, we are also good about congratulating and welcoming these members, and providing constructive criticism.
This simply doesn't happen in imgur.
What can we do about this?
The obvious answer is to advertise. But, recall that people's exposure to the web has shrunk significantly in the last several years.
Yes, unfortunately, (or maybe not), you can see where I'm going with this.
That's right, get on social media.
Get on social media, and ostracize yourself among your peers and family as "that guy"! It's fun, trust me. (Okay, don't, I barely use it other than using Facebook Messenger since I don't have service in this country).
Increasingly, we are seeing this more often on services like Instagram. Don't believe me? When's the last time a random person liked an image of yours, and they turned out to be a personal trainer, nutritionist, {insert budding occupation(alist) here}. Exposure on social media is how we drive people to Spudfiles.
In the Meantime
Stay busy!
Keep building things, and people will keep liking those things. It's true that we all have lives outside of SpudFiles. For instance, I'm not even in the United States anymore, and certainly don't have access to my tools. But, I should certainly be trying to continue my love for the hobby in whatever means I can (like writing this article!).
That's all folks!
Your friendly forum lurker,
mark.f
Yes... I realize it's a completely hilarious/original way to phrase it.
Rather than an introduction establishing that I don't think new spudders need to be suckered in, along with other wordy creations, it would be much better to just dive in, givin the limited space I have before the average 'Files reader simply hits the 'Newest Posts' link to the left and fires up MS Paint to draw a diagram of their freshest 6mm pneumatic idea.
If You Look, You Will Find Them
Spudding isn't dead.
Even though there's a thread with almost that same title.
Some of the older member's know, for instance, that they're looking at a new crowd every year... some of the things people complain about prove that spudding isn't dead! As long as there are sexually frustrated 16 year olds without a more destructive outlet, they will turn to flinging objects at high speeds at plywood and water jugs.
The thing is, we just need a new way to define this hobby. It's not people gluing together Latke style PVC combustions or sprinkler valve pneumatics anymore while worshipping Joel Suprise. It's the kid looking at a $200 USD nerf launcher for scenario paintball thinking that somebody, somewhere has built something like that from scratch before (they have!), or somebody choosing their second year's bulk of college courses, thinking that nobody could possibly enjoy Writing for Business (they don't!).
This forum is, unfortunately, not that easy to find. While you may say "It's on the first page when you google 'Spudguns'!", consider, however, that most people's internet exposure doesn't extend past https://www.facebook.com. It could (read should) be simply that people don't have the exposure to our community and are hacking it along themselves and posting their work to Instagram instead of USING THE DAMN UPLOADER.
Which of course brings us to...
Social Media - The Creative Black Hole
First, let's clarify: there is creativity on social media. Only thing is, it has to be liked/shared and spread like herpes before we see it.
On SpudFiles, we see every new project. And, no matter how "mundane" it may seem to you (what is an elitist? Correct, elitist it is for $200), it's their first project and they're obviously excited about it. For the most part, we are also good about congratulating and welcoming these members, and providing constructive criticism.
This simply doesn't happen in imgur.
What can we do about this?
The obvious answer is to advertise. But, recall that people's exposure to the web has shrunk significantly in the last several years.
Yes, unfortunately, (or maybe not), you can see where I'm going with this.
That's right, get on social media.
Get on social media, and ostracize yourself among your peers and family as "that guy"! It's fun, trust me. (Okay, don't, I barely use it other than using Facebook Messenger since I don't have service in this country).
Increasingly, we are seeing this more often on services like Instagram. Don't believe me? When's the last time a random person liked an image of yours, and they turned out to be a personal trainer, nutritionist, {insert budding occupation(alist) here}. Exposure on social media is how we drive people to Spudfiles.
In the Meantime
Stay busy!
Keep building things, and people will keep liking those things. It's true that we all have lives outside of SpudFiles. For instance, I'm not even in the United States anymore, and certainly don't have access to my tools. But, I should certainly be trying to continue my love for the hobby in whatever means I can (like writing this article!).
That's all folks!
Your friendly forum lurker,
mark.f
