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When did everyone get so serious?

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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22708 - Karma: 76,635
OK... I've been looking through some of this seething hate against the B-Devine videos, and some of the stuff that the FD wear guys have done.

It also brings my mind back to when Tanner Hall jumped off the balcony at IF3 so many years ago... and the thread on here was "Tanner Hall is a classless idiot".

I've seen this happen many times over on Newschoolers... and I'll totally admit I'm super fucking confused.

When did the youth movement in skiing become so strict and conservative?

I mean shit... when I was younger this whole action sports movement was about doing crazy shit. Breaking rules, being a punk... bringing down the establishment. I know that my friends and I partied a whole shitload when we were skiing. That was a huge part of it. We'd rip hard on the hill during the day, then party hard at night.

It was this youthful energy that made it exciting. There's lots of drug tests, serious competition and training to win that has been in our sport forever. I'm sure the US race team doesn't jump cars in NZ on the way home from training camp.

The problem for me, is that is what was boring about the way things used to be. It was all no fun and just be serious and train all the time. I quit racing to get away from that so many years ago.

Now here I am, actually a parent now (I have a kid now for anyone that doesn't know) and for some fucked up reason I now more than ever like watching the crazy stuff that these guys do. I mean, I was always a smart enough kid to know that I shouldn't do things that were illegal, and I had a low tolerance for punk behavior... but that didn't stop me from enjoying the old Whiskey videos in skateboarding.

Most other action sports have their punks who do reckless shit... and people love it. Hell look at shit like Jackass and Nitro circus... people love it.

I'm completely confused why us as skiers, free spirited and seeping with teenage energy... all of a sudden are criticizing some of our pros for being wild and having a good time.

So lets hear it - why so serious?

Jun 24 2011 11:39AM
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BIGben*
Posts: 1942 - Karma: 8
First.
Jun 24 2011 11:42AM
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kingskier
Posts: 1045 - Karma: 11
cant say ive ever really hated on any of those things above. i usually post an unrelated picture in those threads

Jun 24 2011 11:43AM
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BIGben*
Posts: 1942 - Karma: 8
Im not serious(sorry for dub post). Im just back from the police station, big party, my parents are on vacation, and when they come back, i will say: hi mom, i broke a cop car and have a 872$ bill!
Jun 24 2011 11:45AM
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Stickity
Posts: 7750 - Karma: 769
on the internet it's serious because everyone wants to have an enormous e-peen and be seen as a thug

irl it's serious perhaps because the sport is reaching such a high level that those who are being serious are trying to preserve this level and make skiing more respectable as other action sports have become. and 13 year olds are trying to be seen as thugs.

imo
Jun 24 2011 11:45AM
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seward
Posts: 5233 - Karma: 2,174

ive also noticed a trend on newschoolers.

someone says something is cool - everyone buys it.

someone says someone is gay - everyone thinks theyre gay.

someone hates on a pro - everyone hates on a pro.

the magority of people are so un-opinionated and unable to make their own decisions on this site that things like this will constantly continue to happen.

why in the fuck do you think tall-t's ever got popular?

Jun 24 2011 11:46AM
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.RYAN66
Posts: 5381 - Karma: 235
that is still what free skiing is about but it has become so big that it is now a business and there are major companies and i hate to admit it but, FD is a major company in the industry and you just cant do that as a company, as a skier you can do almost anything that wont land you in jail (tanner hall in the vail jail brought him a lot of shit). Now someone will make the argument well everyone hates on FD anyone i bet you wouldnt do that to saga, and i bet there would be a lot of members that would, I know I would and i dont wear saga, but it would turn me away from buying their products which is why i will never buy anything first drop or FD wear or whatever the hell their name is now.
Jun 24 2011 11:52AM
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22708 - Karma: 76,635
I guess this is where I get confused...

When this part of the sport came about (and action sports in general) the whole idea was to get away from the old model of super serious Olympic sports.

I guess I just missed the part where we woke up and decided that the only way to be serious athletes was to train on teams and cut the fun out of our lives. Should we all get coaches who control our lives 24/7 and introduce anti-doping measures into the X-games?

Should it be a scandal in the gossip magazines when Simon Dumont is drunk at the bar, tarnishing his reputation as a professional athlete?

Maybe we could get more corporate sponsors that way. I could wear suits every day. We could get real jobs managing the business behind skiing and stop these childish thoughts of having fun.

I dunno... maybe I'm jaded here, but I'm damn confused.





Jun 24 2011 11:53AM
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JStrathern
Posts: 8747 - Karma: 1,536
So true
Jun 24 2011 12:00PM
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thatsG
Posts: 2568 - Karma: 1,772
I have no problem with the video's they made, just the way they responded to the PM they got. There was no reason to publicly flame the kid.
Jun 24 2011 12:01PM
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jeremy.g
Posts: 4931 - Karma: 459
i am all for shit getting broken and people making asses of themselves. its hilarious. i like to see it happen and i like to partake. hellzyea
Jun 24 2011 12:03PM
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.nasty
Posts: 10581 - Karma: 11,150
it's summer bishop, what do you expect? haha
Jun 24 2011 12:04PM
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Gfunkrussell
Posts: 230 - Karma: 1,074
Olympics!
Jun 24 2011 12:10PM
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SirFryanator
Posts: 11149 - Karma: 1,415
Werdup bishop. Congrats on being a father, btw!

People can bitch all they want. Fuck em. People in the ski industry and athletes all tend to know each other and know whats up. People who don't know them tend to judge. It's fucking stupid and to be honest it makes most of the newschoolers who care about 'industry drama' look like a bunch of tools. The pros are living out their dream and you are paying them to do so. You can have just as much fun as they are having...you just have to get as good as they are or make money/earn financial freedom in other areas of life haha.

People are people. Just because they're better at you in a certain hobby doesn't mean they deserve any more attention other than props on a dope edit or something. Make friends with these people if you can...and then I guess you can judge if you still want to.

Jun 24 2011 12:12PM
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mooseman077
Posts: 300 - Karma: 359
Good thread and good point. We don't need skiing to get to levels where our athletes are blanketed by TMZ type coverage. Who gives a shit if a company puts out an edit with it's riders partying??? Do you know how many bmx and skate videos have that in it? That is one of my favorite parts because it shows that even though they may be sponsored, they still like to kick it and get down just like most of us do after a solid day of riding. In my opinion, it is a way to show how their riders are really just like us, not some pros up on a pedestal. People need to learn to take it for what it is, just some kids having fun, and not get their panties in a bunch about it.
Jun 24 2011 12:15PM
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-GL-
Posts: 1696 - Karma: 37
keep in mind everyone this is just my opinion dont wanna start any shit. When i first saw that video i thought it was pretty badass and i mean looked pretty fun to just do crazy shit in a beat-up car. I had absolutly no problem with the video. I think the newschooler who messaged FD had a point but personally i wouldnt personally support that side. The thing that pissed me off is not only FD response to the kid, i think a simple response would be more appropiate and professional, but how they like made a thread to like try to embarass this kid? idk maybe im talking out of my ass but i really think it was a bad move as a company if they want to be respected
Jun 24 2011 12:17PM
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Girays_Brother
Posts: 13973 - Karma: 1,635
Your missing the point of the thread. Its not just about FD and the reaction they got from people here, Its about the response to nearly every thread that turns controversial on this site.

I agree with you full heartedly Bishop and im happy you've said something about it. Its sad that because we're growing as a sport some people take the originality out of pro's and companies. All you have to do is look at snowboarding at skateboarding, Both a Huge compared to skiing, and both have wild crazy people that make them a unique bad ass sport.

I just dont get how some cant enjoy these crazy videos that are posted and instead label them as "stupid thugs" because they get wild and have fun. Sound like a bunch of southern baptist pussies to me. Snowboarders and skateboarders will be laughing at us even more than they do now, when we become the clean extreme sport, the pretty boys of the mountains.
Jun 24 2011 12:26PM
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skier_boy26
Posts: 11295 - Karma: 502
People think they need to act a bitch and get all offended. It isn't limited to skiing by any means. Look at what most people on NS get exposed to from the internets, TV, and news outlets. Most of the time you are hard pressed not to find somebody feeling the heat of the media for something they said (probably in private), or some weird abstract action, that leads to some public outcry.

I think it has a lot to do with people wanting to act a bitch, as I said, but I think it comes from a lot of people wanting to be a victim. Somehow they are on the receiving end of something unprofessional (see FD thread, if it still exists. It better, by the way...), insulting, or inappropriate.

In regards to FD, their gear sucks, but their vids were fine.
Jun 24 2011 12:28PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,010
more money, more problems.



as far as a real response, i'll give you this: the serious mentality that skiing created over the years (especially in racing) was, for the most part, in existence because the skiers created it. When "newschool" skiing and mentality started up it was rebellious. Of course it was, it was the only way it could get attention. Without a carefree, crazy attitude it probably could have just faded out.


But now, it IS becoming a real sport in the eyes of the outsider, and with that comes some needed maturity. The sport is growing up. We all don't stay punks forever, I guess, neither can our sport.


I mean, if you really think about it. In the end, we're all the same skiers as the serious racers we didn't want to be a part of... I guess things just come full circle. I was talking with my friend at work yesterday about how Think Thank makes some of the best snowboard videos in the game, and how I wish that skiing could have something remotely close to the carefree, fun filled vibe that so many snowboarding crews represent. This is when I think to myself that maybe it can't be so, because skiers have always been too serious for their own damn good.
Jun 24 2011 12:52PM
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faux_real
Posts: 984 - Karma: 250
THIS. I'm fine with people doing crazy, reckless shit. It's their life. But I think its weak when a ski company tries to profit off of it. Ski companies for the most part are rational, careful entities. They're not like the dudes who jumped that car in ANY WAY. So it just seems corny to try to play up stunts like that in order to boost their brand.
Jun 24 2011 12:54PM
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-GL-
Posts: 1696 - Karma: 37
i agree with this guy and looking back at my previous post it really was off topic like thatsG's post
Jun 24 2011 12:55PM
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brhisawsome
Posts: 141 - Karma: 88
its serious because FD is a company and as such a certain amount of professionalism is required. You, as a company, cannot just call kids out because they didnt like your video especially while representing the entire brand.

Tanner Hall is different because he is a solo entity. He isnt an entire brand whose name could be destroyed over something like that. FD's video was poorly composed which made the entire brand seem unprofessional and their post was immature and of bad taste and marketing.
Jun 24 2011 12:56PM
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SirFryanator
Posts: 11149 - Karma: 1,415
sponsorships do exactly what you just described. companies exploiting talented athletes who risk their lives almost every time they go out there. we need more mike wilsons! wooooo
Jun 24 2011 12:59PM
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Jimmy.
Posts: 2888 - Karma: 27
i agree with mr. bishop 100%
everyone get off their fucking high horse and have a little fun
Jun 24 2011 1:00PM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
Skiing has gotten more serious as its become bigger and more mainstream. With X-games prize purses as large as they are and the money that is in freeskiing companies (its still pathetically small, lets not kid, but its more than before), yeah, what athletes and companies do and how they appear in the ever growing public eye is increasingly important.

Should it be this serious? For me, no. I dont have fun when things get too strict and I have to worry about repercussions from chugging the wrong energy drink in front of a crowd. Some people love it apparently, and that sector will grow, but there will always be skiers out there who just dont give a fuck. And that, by far, is what I would consider the best part of freeskiing. Focus on the part of the sport you love the most, ignore the other parts, its the only way as this sport gets bigger and bigger.
Jun 24 2011 1:02PM
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Keenan_Jones
Posts: 436 - Karma: 175
Hate to say it... Skiing, snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing (basically action sports) is the new jock...
Jun 24 2011 1:02PM
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corona
Posts: 12795 - Karma: 32,750
I don't think what's being posted on an internet forum is at all indicative of how it really is.  There's no way people act in real life like they do on here.  I know I certainly don't.  It can just be so much fun sometimes to get someone you'll probably never meet completely riled up over an over the top political comment when in real life you'd be having a civil discussion.  Same thing with the hate for FD, they probably do it to be irksome since they're on a website when really if they were given an opportunity to say be sponsored by FD and support their equipment they'd be stoked on it.   As for the 'why so serious', you do have to look at the fact that most of the members are in high school and aren't quite so free spirited as those a touch older and will accentuate a more conservative persona while essentially posting as an anonymous face.
Jun 24 2011 1:03PM
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K_Day
Posts: 415 - Karma: 227
Not me, not ever.
Jun 24 2011 1:04PM
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pikupfulofsnow
Posts: 2077 - Karma: 9,696
AMEN!

Jun 24 2011 1:07PM
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LOLO_FAVRE
Posts: 432 - Karma: 2,052
bishop wait the if3 i'm coming and don't worry i'll be stupidly drunk as fuck as usual and will do stupid shit....
but yeah i understand your statetment and i understand it cause now the thing for the image of the company you need to be sort of an athlete and be carefull about what you do and what people see if you want your sponsors to be stoked!!!!

but don't worry there are still out there people like me who just don't give a fuck about what we do!!! cause this is how i see freeski just shredding and partying as hard as we can this is what i've been doing for years and i won't change it even for money
Jun 24 2011 1:10PM
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_Jesus_
Posts: 2070 - Karma: 260
thank you so much for making this thread

first page
Jun 24 2011 1:12PM
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Dwarftosser1
Posts: 2602 - Karma: 951
Newschoolers just needs one big group hug, it'll make everything better.

and firstpage
Jun 24 2011 1:14PM
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adamlukowski
Posts: 3676 - Karma: 311
It's like everybody is trying to act all mature and shit, and i agree when somebody says something's gay everyone else does too, and thats what happened in the Fd thread and the Ahmet calling jossi's suit gay. Everyone tried to act like they were offended to be all mature.
Jun 24 2011 1:16PM
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Wilsooon
Posts: 321 - Karma: 62
I respect FD more for not being as "professional" as other brands. They're a brand made by skiers for skiers. Maybe they don't want to be seen as a corporate company, maybe they want to be seen as a bunch of guys that like to have a good time that happen to own and ride for an outerwear company. I'd rather have them design my outerwear than some jackass who sits inside on a computer doing market research all day and has never put on a pair of skis. They do research every time they go skiing. As skiing becomes a bigger and bigger sport brands like FD are going to become more and more scarce. I'm going to support them because they're a company of skiers, they're not some outside company just looking to make a buck.





Also, everyone needs to chill the fuck out about the video, everyone has their own preferences when it comes to videography. If you don't like B-Devine's style watch something else.

Jun 24 2011 1:18PM
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dunkaroos
Posts: 2574 - Karma: 633
yes. it had to be done
Jun 24 2011 1:19PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
I'm all for jumping cars over rivers and doing stupid shit. I don't know why everyone gets so butthurt about being "professional" when talking about silly things skiers are doing.

However, when companies work to single out a single kid, and reveal his information (even if it's just a NS name) while doing it, well, that's lame. I thought FD's response was funny and all, I just think they should have kept that one private and laughed among themselves.

I liked it when ski movies had stupid intros and everyone looked like they were having fun.
Jun 24 2011 1:21PM
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TheHamburglar
Posts: 3895 - Karma: 3,315
I don't think anybody will disagree with you bishop. This sport embodies living free, hence "freeskiing." Most kids on this website do or will eventually drink hard, indulge in weed, and silently say "fuck you" to every cop that passes. I do, at least. However, there is a certain amount of mutual respect that should be shown within our tiny community here, as everybody really does know everybody. About the FD thread, some skier kid called out FD for acting a bit too recklessly and immaturely in his opinion. The least FD could do is respect that opinion and send their response to him, and not to the entirety of NS.

I fully endorse getting fucked up and rebelling, skiers will be skiers. But love thy neighbor and be respectful to other skiers. Of course points of view will clash, but we're all here to have fun and why should that stop? gonna go burn some butane honey oil and rock out to some KISS now, buh bye.
Jun 24 2011 1:23PM
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_DUSTY_
Posts: 1097 - Karma: 686
I agree with you 100%. I also think FD's easy going attitude is what makes their products have so much potential. The designers actually use their product pretty much every day. I think this is why they have come up with so many good ideas such as having removable sleeves for spring shredding in a vest or magnets everywhere on the jacket to keep shit from flapping around.

The seriousness of NS is also starting to get annoying, although I have not been on NS for a very long time their have been some really funny threads where people really don't give a shit about what they say. Its ok to be serious when you're talking about something serious such as one of our fellow skiers passing away or a company being shut down but when someone is joking around and having a good time don't be the prick that ruins everything, if someone says something that is not you're type of humour ignore it, they're just having a good time.
Jun 24 2011 1:28PM
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*simba*
Posts: 9125 - Karma: 512
Just do as the Romans do...


Click for larger image
Jun 24 2011 1:29PM
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johnnypsunami
Posts: 5024 - Karma: 221
am I the only one who doesn't know what video's Bishop is referring to?
Jun 24 2011 1:31PM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
lol you would never make this thread if that thread wasnt made by a site sponsor. here ill break it down- being a badass, NGAF, doing stupid shit and getting fucked up: cool. being sensitive bitches and calling out some 15 year old like a homo when youre supposed to be a "company": gay

the math checks out
Jun 24 2011 1:32PM
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84891jnf92048
Posts: 11552 - Karma: 2,550
There's fun and there is stupidity. There are actually people who live in new Zealand, and probably don't love that some dumbass team of skiers wearing grills and huge outerwear coming there and acting like it is some lawless wasteland of car jumps. Fun is fucking around on skis, going out and partying, being funny, etc.
Jun 24 2011 1:34PM
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Ski_ThEast
Posts: 1676 - Karma: 272
i don't
Jun 24 2011 1:35PM
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grown-ninja
Posts: 3031 - Karma: 175
its the pussification of america plain and simple
Jun 24 2011 1:41PM
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EmperorKuzco
Posts: 6660 - Karma: 254
hell yeah bring down the establishment
Jun 24 2011 1:41PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
Haha... I don't know much about NZ, but from what I've been told by friends from there, I think more likely than not they actually fit right in...
Jun 24 2011 1:47PM
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Girays_Brother
Posts: 13973 - Karma: 1,635
appearently of a certain new zealander a few posts above you as well
Jun 24 2011 1:48PM
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Stickity
Posts: 7750 - Karma: 769
it's not like they're not having fun. there's plenty of evidence that they are. tons of videos show clips of pros going nuts at parties. but yeah things have gotten a bit too serious
Jun 24 2011 1:56PM
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[tk]
Posts: 3863 - Karma: 1,906
i just kinda hate on fd cause their logo looks like a dick. i have nothing against their video.
Jun 24 2011 2:01PM
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nskerb
Posts: 228 - Karma: 232
i thought that video was pretty dope imo
Jun 24 2011 2:07PM
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AWALLRUS.
Posts: 5762 - Karma: 223
yeah skiing should be more like that king of the hill contest they had in sweden when the naked guy overshot the JOI jump

kids are fucking gay
Jun 24 2011 2:19PM
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