[panhandler62]

I think people get a little confused on the focus of this issue.

Yeah, some people do things to cars and trucks that most people don't understand (or care to) and it is difficult to refrain from staring. No one is trying to say that "every truck is beautiful in its own way" because, well, some clearly are not.

What we are trying to say is that conversations aimed at creating a "dang that sucks" dogpile thread are inherantly negative. No goodwill or helpfull information is produced, just derision. While "Your welding sucks" and "It would be a good idea to grind that down and lay a more penetrating bead on that seam" may actualy convey the same information; it's pretty clear that one statement is helpful and the other is not.

If you are moved to discuss some less than spectacular build you spotted on a Craigs List or some ill-concieved chimera built fron a 72 Corvette, a 61 Plymouth and a 81 GMC long bed you can, if your approach is possitive.

e.g.
"While it was an interesting idea to graft the front end of a 71 Satelite onto a 64 long-step I think the effect would have been better if the blend line was carried up through the door."

Here we have a post that takes something we all consider attrocious and turns it into a possitive discussion about extream customs.

Compare that to:
"Look at what this idiot did!"

Same truck, same picture but now the post is an attack on someone and will spawn nothing but further attacks and negative feeling.

You see; it's not about the subject so much as it is about atmosphere. Just ask yourself; will what I am writing be something that is possitive or is what I am writing going to hurt someone?

Also; while I chose an extream situation to make my point above, there is a huge gray area that will certainly include members of this site. I am doing the very best job I can on my truck, but if (a century from now when I actualy finish it!) I rolled it across the block at Barret Jackson it would be laughable. If the pros here were to jump on my build thread and start making fun of my less than profeshional skills I might feel a tad discouraged about the whole thing.

We want to nuture and encourage the hobby here, not make people feel that they are not worthy and shouldn't even try.