Anonymity thread for orchestral double bassists

[InwoodFerri]

The main reason that I agree with anonymity is because it protects me against the very issue that got us to this point in the first place... GOSSIP! This forum has many unexperienced readers, some of whom like to spread gossip because they do not yet fully understand how it can affect peoples lives, as we have seen. Those are the people that I don't trust with my identity. If they have the right of anonymity, then I want it too.

I agree that anonymity has its evils, but until we're all required to reveal our identity, I will cling to it like a recovering alchoholic!

[Uncletoad]

Originally Posted by InwoodFerri

The main reason that I agree with anonymity is because it protects me against the very issue that got us to this point in the first place... GOSSIP! This forum has many unexperienced readers, some of whom like to spread gossip because they do not yet fully understand how it can affect peoples lives, as we have seen. Those are the people that I don't trust with my identity. If they have the right of anonymity, then I want it too.

I agree that anonymity has its evils, but until we're all required to reveal our identity, I will cling to it like a recovering alchoholic!

I don't understand your reasoning. Explain it better. It seems circular to me.

[InwoodFerri]

Originally Posted by Uncletoad

I don't understand your reasoning. Explain it better. It seems circular to me.

Which part didn't you understand?

[Andy Allen]

Originally Posted by InwoodFerri

Which part didn't you understand?

Any of it, really.

If you want to distance yourself from the gossip, then you have to give up playing with the kids in the mud and take the higher ground. Once there you need to establish a reputation for honesty, integrity and wisdom - once you have this then gossip no longer hurts you because no one will believe it.

The first step to the honesty and integrity part is not hiding behind annonymity. The wisdom part is realizing that this is necessary.

Just my 2c.

[Uncletoad]

Exactly. +1

[BGreaney]

I treat this forum like I would talking to anyone in a normal conversation. I give my opinions, thoughts and what not. I would never spread rumors about people among my friends and colleagues that I interact with everyday and there is no reason that I would change those guidelines just because I'm talking online. I think that if you need to say something behind an anonymous name that you otherwise wouldn't have the balls to say to someone's face, then I don't care to hear about it and quite frankly, it doesn't belong on this forum.

p.s.- I too didn't get to see the cause of all this, so, if I am off track with my thoughts or if they don't quite go with the cause of the comotion, I apologize ahead of time.

[Uncletoad]

Originally Posted by InwoodFerri

The main reason that I agree with anonymity is because it protects me against the very issue that got us to this point in the first place... GOSSIP!

No. You can get slandered whether you are on this board or not. We've already seen that. The only thing anonymity protects you from is taking responsibility for your words.

Originally Posted by InwoodFerri

This forum has many unexperienced readers, some of whom like to spread gossip because they do not yet fully understand how it can affect peoples lives, as we have seen. Those are the people that I don't trust with my identity. If they have the right of anonymity, then I want it too.

I would prefer that no one had anonymity and everyone had to make their comments in the light of day. Accountability is what is at issue here. I know what I believe. I know what I have experienced. If I put it in writing for the whole planet to have access to I'm going to sign it and stand behind it.

Anything else is cowardly.

Originally Posted by InwoodFerri

I will cling to it like a recovering alchoholic

Recovering alcoholics have anonymity for several reasons.

1. To prevent the social stigma of alcoholism from affecting their lives outside of AA. (not near as much of an issue as in 1939 when the AA book was written).

2. To remind the alcoholic that they are "not God" and therefore not in charge. That they are one of many and not unique. The centerpiece of humility.

3. To protect the fellowship of AA. If a member identifies themselves in public and begins drinking or acting inappropriately it doesn't reflect badly on AA.

None of those things apply here.

An AA would be the first to suggest that one must take responsibility for their actions and be accountable for what they say and do. If an AA wrongs another by word or deed it is imperative that they take responsibility for what they say and do and accept the consequences of their misdeed.

Good advice here.

[bierbass]

I didn't sign up on this forum with the intention of being anonymous. My screen name is just that. It wouldn't be that hard to figure out who I am since I filled in my profile. I got interested in TalkBass because of the audition forum. So yeah, I think there should be an area for talking about auditions. For those of you who missed the fun, a couple guys got on and started spouting stuff they claimed to have heard through the grapevine, which is crap IMHO. The point should be that we all refrain from talking trash about others. It serves no real purpose and usually comes back to bite you on your *ss. It used to be you worried about offending a person at a gig or in school. Sadly, the ability to offend or hurt our colleagues can be done from around the world. If MasterBass (if that's his real name) is indeed 17 he'll soon find out how much work it takes to prepare an audition and how difficult it is to win one. I sort of think he isn't really 17 and is just jealous of the guys who are being considered for Detroit and Milwaukee. What's even sadder is, those two auditions have been stressful enough and painful enough for most of us, whether we went or not, without some schmuck trashing the finalists. That said, for the record, my name is Dan Thompson.

[Charlie Nilles]

I don't know what to think of all of this buzz is surrounding the concept of anonymity in our forums. I think if we all man-up (or woman up), and not be afraid to take some criticism, bad situations like this one wouldn't be an issue. HOWEVER, we are a small, close, friendly community of artists, and while criticism is a huge part of our lives, gossip can be pretty destructive within our kind, unlike larger professions such as politics or athletics.
So what I guess I'm getting at is that I think we should keep everything the same in the forum. But if someone wants to criticize and disagree, fine. Grow up an take it like an adult. If someone with an alias of...i don’t know...say...masterbass...is spreading false gossip, call him out. I think we've generally been good about these sorts of things. I just don't think we need to turn into the McLaughlin group over some silly post. We're bass players; everyone loves us. Lets keep it that way.
CN

[Anonymous75966]

I agree with the last two posters. A screen name is just a screen name. And can I point out something sort of obvious? For the average person, there's no easy way to know exactly who anyone on the web really is. Some TBers leave more of a trail, by linking to personal or commercial sites, but most of us don't.

If you're in my part of the world, you might recognize me from my profile, but tell the truth, you probably wouldn't even. That doesn't matter to me because I don't hang out here to build up a rep with other bass players; I'm here because I'm interested in the discussion and the interchange of ideas. Do I post things in TB I wouldn't say in person? Yeah, I probably do - the nature of communication on the web is to cut through a lot of social niceties. I'd challenge anyone here to say differently. I personally try and be respectful, even when I read something that burns my arse. Anyway I'm kind of shy in person, aw shucks.

The anonymity of the web is a fact; it's a freakin' anarcho-libertarian jungle out there; you have total freedom, you can 5hit-talk people without any serious consequences, and so on. But like Uncle Ben said, with great power comes great responsibility. If most of us act (more or less) responsibly and respectfully, it doesn't matter if your screen name is, uh, B455_R0XX0R, Edgar Meyer, or, umm, Dick Cheney. IMHO the quality of this discussion tells me, anyway, that we're doing exactly that. I say if it ain't broke don't fix it.

[kpo]

Hi Dan T., Karl here,

I still think that any major eruptions should be cleaned up by the "offenders" editing their own posts; participating in the clean-up and apologizing usually helps folks realize there's a problem, even if they get to remain "anonymous".

[Dave Whitla]

All this discussion of personal annonymity on the web, screen names, etc. is interesting, but this is the "Orchestral Auditions" section. I may have missed the point, but I'd have thought the intended discussion would have been about annonymity for audition candidates from the listening panels and related issues like screens, etc. Otherwise why is this thread here and not out in some more general area of TB?

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by Dave Whitla

All this discussion of personal annonymity on the web, screen names, etc. is interesting, but this is the "Orchestral Auditions" section. I may have missed the point, but I'd have thought the intended discussion would have been about annonymity for audition candidates from the listening panels and related issues like screens, etc. Otherwise why is this thread here and not out in some more general area of TB?

There was a lot of acrimony generated by anonymous posters "slagging off " /denigrating people in Orchestral positions...or applying for them....

I think the idea is to debate whether people should be allowed to post anonymously about orchestral auditions - not whether those auditions should be anonymous..

[Dave Whitla]

Ah...


Maybe there should be a sub-section of the "Auditions" section called "Post Audition Pub Bitching"??

[Justin K-ski]

^^^ Nice one :-D

[Davidruby]

We all wait for those fleeting moments in concert, in the practice room or just listening that represent and define the reason any of us play music. Casals listened for those inspired moments from himself, his students and his colleagues and showed thanks for being there when they happened.

Have a great day to you all!

[Prescottissimo]

Well, friends, something I like to ponder is, "do people remember that the truth comes in many forms ranging from positive to negative."

And, are negative truths any less valid than positive ones?

One might hope with all their might that people would use their dixcretion and reign in their implulses and if not, we will recognize their folly and live on happily surviving with ease.

Otherwise, anyone who has serious job, I IMAGINE, and like the truth, might post mainly anonymously to prevent their management or colleagues from miscontruing thier words, OVERREACCTING as is SO terribly vogue these days...
But, heavens fo bid they lost their hard (or not so hard) earned job over some innocent words on the web of wide world.

[Steelslammer]

Why not just look over the posts that are obvious spam. Maybe posters should use their digression when posting to an obvious instigator. I believe in deleting Rumors and other unnecessary discussions. This is a great website. I like it the way it is.

[Prescottissimo]

Dearest Friends, how I've missed you all.

This thread is important. Let me say this:

If you've been lucky enough to win an orchestral job ever and want to keep it, anonymity is important if you are also intelligent.

Bad, corrupt things happen every day... so long as there are greedy, unscrupulous people, there WILL be rigged auditions!! Doesn't mean they are all rigged.

Bad players with sneaky friends soemtimes win jobs. It is true.
Sometimes bad people will say bad things about good ones who won fairly!!

Question: How do we know the difference?!?