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The NS community needs to stop disrespecting the legends of the sport

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albatross.
Posts: 4380 - Karma: 772
Sometimes I feel like these internet communities are killing legends.

In skateboarding you have people who pioneered the sport and have the undying respect and love of the community they helped build, as well as a place in it for as long as they want. People aren't gonna go out and shit talk Mark Gonzales if he makes a whacky hipster fashion video because that guy has done so much for the sport that he can do whatever the fuck he wants. People skate the way they do today because Mark Gonzales did what he did, as well as countless other innovators that they know and respect for it.

I think its fucked up how people on this site and the ski community in general disrespect and shit on legends of the sport.

Mickael Deschenaux got shit talked on this site for years before Casabon showed him the respect he deserved and everyone started following suit. You might not even realize it, but you ski park the way you do today because of Mickael Deschenaux. Maybe you haven't even seen one of his parts before, but chances are one of your favorite skiers was inspired by Mick D, emulated his skiing, and you in turn emulated that kid.

You gotta think about your favorite skier's favorite skier.

The inspirations to the generation that you are inspired by.

They deserve your respect.

Tanner Hall is one of those legends, and its insane to me that kids can jump on this hate bandwagon so easily. They have no idea what hes about because they don't understand his legacy, and what he has done for this sport. I don't care if its a joke or all in good fun or whatever pretense you try to put on this shit, its not something you do to a legacy of someone who shaped the sport you are most passionate about.

Tanner Hall is part of the reason you ski the way you do today, whether you realize it or not.

To me its fucked up how some of the ski innovators wind up. Mickeal never got what he deserved and hes not really in the game anymore. Every piece of Tanner coverage getting shit on by a bunch of clueless kids. Who knows, maybe Heed could have been a legend but he got burnt out by the community before he really had a chance to shine.

Disrespecting the people who built the sport is bad for it. Go do some homework, Iberg has posted up most of his videos go watch them. Know and respect the history of the skiing you love.



Dec 6 2013 1:10AM
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matthasaurusrex
Posts: 5160 - Karma: 185
Dec 6 2013 1:27AM
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nutz.
Posts: 3150 - Karma: 6,712
Yeah tanner is an amazing skier, but in my opinion he doesn't market himself like he wants to, or should be taken seriously/revered. I mean just look at the comments he made on his facebook about the ns thread; be honest, i bet you disagree with some of the things the guy says or does. I think that the people you're talking about do respect his skiing cause let's be real he slays it and everyone knows that, but maybe the part they don't respect is his personality, and i doubt it's all kids who think that way.
Dec 6 2013 1:35AM
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albatross.
Posts: 4380 - Karma: 772
If you look at the innovators of any other sport you are gonna find some crazy people too. Mark Gonzales is crazy as fuck, Andrew Reynolds has some serious crazy ocd problems, and there are a ton more (snowboarding too). A ton of pro skateboarders have randomly turned up on the SLAP skateboard forums and the shit they say is way more "out of line" than the stuff you call Tanner out on (but we wouldn't have it any other way).

The reason so many of the innovators of skiing/skating/snowboarding are kinda crazy is because its that craziness that turns to innovation and genius when they get on the board/skis.

If you guys only want to revere people who come across as being "professional" I don't really get that, because to me thats not skiing. Nobody wanted to become a pro skier so they could act like a businessman on snow. Skiing shouldn't be about that fake shit, and I don't think you would wan't pros to speak with the same level of censorship you get at an NBA post game interview.
Dec 6 2013 1:46AM
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Mr.Sloth
Posts: 5091 - Karma: 13,469
The NS community needs to stop making stupid threads, such as this
Dec 6 2013 1:46AM
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hot.pocket
Posts: 4225 - Karma: 10,625
Just because someone innovated the sport doesn't mean I have to agree with what they say or how they represent themselves.
Dec 6 2013 1:50AM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
You don't respect someone for the tricks they can do, you respect them for the person they are.

I think Shaun White is a perfect example of that...
Dec 6 2013 2:00AM
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-MK-
Posts: 3253 - Karma: 5,332
Inb4 tanner fake account
Dec 6 2013 2:09AM
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Bensun
Posts: 480 - Karma: 1,654
Tanner is a fucking legend but that doesnt mean I cant disagree with him.



Dec 6 2013 2:10AM
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Bensun
Posts: 480 - Karma: 1,654
fuck that was repost but i agree

Dec 6 2013 2:11AM
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albatross.
Posts: 4380 - Karma: 772
just wanna clarify something guys

you can disagree with someone without disrespecting them

you can actually even disagree with people and respect them

all im asking for is respect, not agreement
Dec 6 2013 2:14AM
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-MK-
Posts: 3253 - Karma: 5,332
PLEASE EXPLAIN WHY YOU CARE SO MUCH. HAHAHA. WANTS A PURPLE NAME, SO YOU CAN BE SIGHT COUNSELOR? HAHAHA. TANNER POST
Dec 6 2013 2:17AM
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Bittner
Posts: 3675 - Karma: 1,573
I dont think this is how people really think at all.
Why was/is chug life so popular? Does that show all the pros being professional? Absolutely not, and NS loves it.

Just because Thall is Thall doesnt mean he can say whatever he wants with no rebuttal. Anyone can be scrutinized no matter how much they have done for the sport.
Dec 6 2013 2:21AM
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22708 - Karma: 76,635
See I think the point that you're missing is right here... you need to respect those people for the fact that they've brought to Skiing a level of talent and style that is something that drives us... but it does not necessarily mean that its intertwined with a personality.

I do agree that personality and skiing style are closely related - even that personality is an important part of the entire package of a skier - but I don't believe that personality outweighs talent. In the end, the argument of 'just go ski' should be centred way more around how you shred on-hill, and a lot less about how you act off hill.

You can absolutely respect the living shit out of someone for what they have brought to the sport, their athletic ability and their raw beauty in the way that they express themselves on a pair of skis... but you can do this while thinking they're an utter piece of shit.

Lately with the popularization of social media (and with the way its been on Newschoolers since 1999) every skier has a voice. They can speak their thoughts, no matter what that is about. When we're all hurting for snow, often we lash out or say stupid things just to pass the time. When we're skiing, we're just skiing. However, just like our individual freedom to ski however we want, we have the freedom to say whatever we want. Same goes for the legends.

So I would only caution you to separate the respect of a legend's talent from the legend's philosophical opinion on life. Of course there is a very blurry line in the middle where that legend is speaking about the personality trend of the sport as a whole vs. the world as a whole... though that line is blurry on both sides.

I'd also caution you to call out the entire ski community for the opinion of a few people. Remember, part of the catch to everyone having a voice is that those very few people that have a voice that pisses you off can overwhelm the others that agree with you. Most of the time someone flips out about an issue on Newschoolers/Facebook they actually have about 80% support, but the 20% enrages them so much they can't see between the lines.

There's danger when you support every person having an equal and democratic voice. Some people piss you off like crazy. However, what do we want... to go back to a total media dictatorship? Fuck that. These people in our sport should be questioned. If you're off the rails you should get called out.

I mean come on... would we really want to go back to every single person in the industry being too fucking famous to get called out for doing something stupid? That is lamer than lame... and its the way its been in most of ski media for a very fucking long time.
Dec 6 2013 2:22AM
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albatross.
Posts: 4380 - Karma: 772
Thats my point exactly, and I'm glad you agree.

One of my other points being that you can disagree with someone without going out of your way to disrespect them.

My final point is that Tanner, and the other people who shaped our sport, are people that deserve your respect.

I disagree with a ton of shit Tanner says, as do a lot of people. I think going out of your way to disrespect him for it is wrong, and I think it reflects badly on NS as a community when you have a video on the front page that is essentially a flurry of internet memes bashing on Tanner.

I'm not trying to usher the whole community into a fascist policed circlejerk over ski "legends", I'm just asking them to show some respect.

If you disagree with that, I disagree with you.
Dec 6 2013 2:51AM
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coolflash8
Posts: 3171 - Karma: 2,048
Respect is earned. It always creams my corn when people say dumb shit about elders deserving respect, fuck that. They need to earn it.
Dec 6 2013 4:00AM
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coling
Posts: 1086 - Karma: -3
I think its ignorance. If everyone watched tanners part in ski movie 3 or mickaels part in exact science they wouldnt talk as much shit
Dec 6 2013 4:11AM
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louie.mirags
Posts: 6015 - Karma: 5,029
They did. Then, a user who is younger than the amount of years Tanner has been pro, can make some post talking out of his ass on how Tanner deserves no respect. What do they know? It is one thing to have an opinion, but to openly bash freeski veterans on NS for no legit reason is another.
Dec 6 2013 5:03AM
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The_Polock
Posts: 345 - Karma: 1,280
They earned it while you were pissin your diapers foo! What the hell they have to earn from respect from you for?
Dec 6 2013 6:41AM
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Vinci
Posts: 701 - Karma: 1,472
Respect isn't a thing you put on the entity of someone. Also style or talent isn't really something you need to respect people for in my opinion...

Why Tanner really deserves it though is because his love and passion for skiing is beyond anyone's imagination. The way he came back from all those injuries is just insane and really shows how much drive this guy has. This thing deserves respect.
What clearly does not is behaving like a 13y old and making childish comments on a big internet community.
Dec 6 2013 6:54AM
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nutz.
Posts: 3150 - Karma: 6,712
I'm not saying that we want and respect business men on snow, in fact it's pretty looked down upon. Skiing for a majority of newschoolers is about having the time of your life out on the slopes with your buddies. I mean look at henrik, he's super laid back and funny and loads of people like and respect him without him having to be a businessman all the time. I never said skiing was about all that fake shit, I just don't think his personality and things he says is something I totally agree with albeit him being an amazing skier. And I ask you this, why should I respect him as a person when he doesn't give two shits about giving or getting respect? If you act like a 13 year old online trolling the shit out of people, and you can't take it as well as dish it out, why should we respect that? I'm pretty sure tanner has a thick enough skin that he wouldn't get too upset over that. I actually like that newschoolers isn't like any other action sports community where pros are worshipped like gods and can do no wrong.
Dec 6 2013 7:25AM
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CMYK
Posts: 1101 - Karma: 336
The amount of respect I give anyone is constantly changing. More recent actions and words are always going to factor into that equation. I don't care if you had my favourite video segment of all time, if you're not still representing yourself well, I will lose respect for you. (side note, I love and respect Tanner, AND found the dubstep remix video hilarious. Why does it matter? I'm pretty sure no body is trying to go pro so that kids on the internet will like them...)
Dec 6 2013 8:24AM
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GrahamGould
Posts: 713 - Karma: 2,439
I dont think you understand. people respect tanner as a skier, he definately helped create the sport as it is today. however, outside of skiing I dont really have any respect for him. He has the maturity of a 12 year old, and its a little rediculous. Half the things he says dont make any sense. Thats what people are talking about, and I see no problem with that. They arent just hating on him just to hate, they do it because hes anoying as hell. Its really his own fault.
Dec 6 2013 8:30AM
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1337
Posts: 31054 - Karma: 29,231
At first I thought it was schmuck who posted this thread, you guys have the same icon (or you have his old one)
Dec 6 2013 8:38AM
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22708 - Karma: 76,635
See I read that differently.

That video was nothing more than a parody, having fun with content that is out there around the world. Sure its poking some fun, but that is what happens to public figures. I mean if you look at absolutely anywhere in the world, we have great comedic parodies of basically everyone, and it doesn't lessen the impact of that person nor garner complete disrespect.

I don't watch saturday night live and then instantly lambaste them for being a horrible detriment to our society, I don't write scathing remarks that the Onion made fun of someone out there that is doing good for our world.

Satire is an important part of people's enjoyment of whatever world they're into. Its in good fun, and its light hearted. I mean we have some legendary Tanner satire on the site -

https://www.newschoolers.com/ns/forums/readthread/thread_id/361350/

That was all taken in good fun. No disrespecting of a person's skiing when you're just having a bit of fun.
Dec 6 2013 8:44AM
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22708 - Karma: 76,635
Why? Do elaborate.
Dec 6 2013 9:01AM
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22708 - Karma: 76,635
Also do note that Tanner used to have a bad rap, so don't lament the 'old days of true NS respect' or anything. Anyone remember this?

https://www.newschoolers.com/ns/forums/readthread/thread_id/319582/page/1/

There was a group of people that didn't like his antics. Then, when he got booed at the X-games, we came out in support of him. Then Tanner was stoked on us. Then there was debate.

THe thing is - Newschoolers has everyone. So there are opinions on both sides of the fence, and anyone who is a polarizing character is going to have both fans and haters. Its totally normal, just like it happens with any out there football, basketball or baseball player.

When you're in the public eye, and you have ton of people - you debate their actions.

hell that is what sportscasters do.
Dec 6 2013 9:04AM
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124
none of those legends you mentioned would be worthy of pickin up Alf Engens jock strap off the floor
let alone even be mentioned in the same thread.
Dec 6 2013 9:07AM
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UncleGerry
Posts: 1291 - Karma: 1,377
Can someone respect Tanner's ability to ski and his donation to progression in our sport? Yes.
Do I have to respect him as a person? Fuck no. He's kind of an idiot.

Plus, that's just fucking dumb to say that people like Mik D and Tanner Hall were the sole innovators of park skiing, are you serious? The degenerates weren't the only guys around in the early days, bud.

Either way, you should cry about it a little more.


Dec 6 2013 9:08AM
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JAHBRADOR
Posts: 3004 - Karma: 17,069
All you kids that are hating on tanner for what he does out of skiing are not doing anything to "hurt his feelings". In fact, you are helping him.

The amount of publicity, good or bad, he has got over the last couple of months has been insane.

So if you really want to hate on him, start by not hating on him.

I fucking love Tanner.
Dec 6 2013 9:08AM
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1337
Posts: 31054 - Karma: 29,231
This is very important to this discussion. There is a LOT of support I see for Tanner, tons of "he's Tanner Fucking Hall and he can do whatever he damn well pleases to do." I believe there is a lot of respect for him and many of the other pros, and not as much shit as you claim there to be. And I'm no skating expert but I bet there's some shittalking that goes on about some of their legends too.

Focusing specifically on Tanner as an example, a lot of the fire that you see is due to the fact he is a very outspoken individual in the industry. He actually puts his opinions out there, and there aren't that many pros/legends/icons with such a drive to do that. You don't see hate on someone like Eric Pollard because there's not much he says that you can hate on.

People still have a right to their opinions on a pro's opinions though. Like Doug has said, it's better to tell it like it is than to blindly support people 100% of the time. It keeps things interesting and hopefully keeps a pro in shape. Think about it: If a pro knows that he's followed by a flock of sheep (the community) and no matter what he says he still gets support, what's going to happen to his attitude? It's going to be a whole lot shittier than what it is with hate, that's for sure.
Dec 6 2013 9:09AM
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UncleGerry
Posts: 1291 - Karma: 1,377
Also, when I think "legend" in the freeskiing scene, I usually think along the lines of Candide, JP Auclair, and Seth Morrison. And I realize that the NS community hates Dumont, but I'd say that he's done some pretty fucking monumental shit in his day to help push this sport. Boosting out of the pipe, quarter pipe record, cubed pipe, insane park skills, etc...

I dunno, it's a shame, but Tanner has pushed himself to the back of the line due to his ridiculous antics as of late. After his injury he went the "let me just get negative attention" route due to his bitterness. And that's the truth, whether you like it or not.
Dec 6 2013 9:15AM
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UncleGerry
Posts: 1291 - Karma: 1,377
Where has this "insane publicity" been besides in the NS forums?? I feel as if anything, he's been getting pushed out of the spotlight even more as of lately. People just see him as an obnoxious, immature pest.
Dec 6 2013 9:20AM
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ny300z
Posts: 1299 - Karma: 1,708
who the hell cares

love tanner on skis.... not when hes on the internet

tanner is really the only one who catches a lot of shit and its for good reason, he brings it on himself.
Dec 6 2013 9:25AM
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22708 - Karma: 76,635
The easiest thing is we can just ban you. Can't ski all day every day, so talking about skiing doesn't much affect your ski day. That is why all the athletes use the internet on their down time!

If you really want we can completely nuke your account, but honestly making a good point here and expanding would be so much more constructive.
Dec 6 2013 9:26AM
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JAHBRADOR
Posts: 3004 - Karma: 17,069
Click for larger image
Dec 6 2013 9:33AM
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Pipe_Munky
Posts: 10888 - Karma: 2,184
interesting thread.

here's my opinion:

i don't care what someone did for the sport. if you're a complete and utter douche i will not respect you. case in point, tanner hall...he made a huge announcement that he's training to make the american team for sochi and when he realizes that he can't cut it, instead of bowing out gracefully he starts targeting athletes that are making it. then there's the "real skiing on real mountains" bullshit video. she basically shat on all the skiers that were coming up at the same time as him...wtf man?

bottom line, if you want to be a douche, go ahead...when all the fans, the sponsors, and your knees are gone, what are they going to be left with? you're the only one that has to look at yourself in the mirror...
Dec 6 2013 9:33AM
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CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5712 - Karma: 20,638
This was great. Only a couple years after Session 1242. I'd love to see more threads from back in the day like this. Ones that take current perceptions of the pros and turns them upside down.
Dec 6 2013 9:39AM
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summersover
Posts: 5777 - Karma: 233
I don't see what the big deal is. when dumont used to get pissed when he would lose competitions (because god forbid he would want to win a lot) he would get absolutely eviscerated on NS and no one leapt to defend him. if Tanner wants to do ridiculous things like he's always done, then he's subject to criticism. The fact is, within the skiing community, these guys are celebrities or public figures and if you act up then people are going to notice and be critical no matter how legendary you are.

As for the whole "he influenced everyone who skis today" argument, its really completely irrelevant. Mik D and his direct descendants Henrik and Casabon, quite frankly act like some of the biggest clowns I've ever seen in my life but I have tremendous respect for their talent and the way they've influenced skiing
Dec 6 2013 9:42AM
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skodeo7
Posts: 14949 - Karma: 9,234
I hear what you're saying but I try to see it from his perspective. Skiing is his life. It's been his whole entire life. It has to be so incredibly frustrating to try to battle back from two incredibly serious injuries to try to get back to the level where you were at before them.

An injury is one thing but to be struck down with another heavy injury not long after the first is absolutely devastating; to your career, to your thought process and your livelihood. To realize that you aren't going to return to the competitive level which you were once at must be even more heartbreaking.

Every person handles situations differently, when high level emotions are involved one's thought process can sometimes be skewed. I know that within Tanner he is a great fucking person, who loves skiing more than anything. When you love something that much it can be hard to let go of certain aspects of it. It seems like T is trying to find his new role within skiing. I really like that he is gradually becoming more of an ambassador to the sport. I think it will help him deal with the evolution of his career and leave him satisfied when all the olympic BS is over with.

He may never be every mom's favorite inspiration for their child, quite frankly I like it better that way. He embodies what skiing is all about, skiing hard and not giving a fuck.
Dec 6 2013 9:53AM
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Capurnicus
Posts: 9947 - Karma: 1,886
OP, you're taking it all way too seriously. This is 2013 and people make fun of everyone/everything. It's not worth it for you to get vicariously butt hurt on someone else's behalf. Take a deep breath and learn to laugh a bit - you might just enjoy yourself a little.
Dec 6 2013 9:54AM
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CKpolicy
Posts: 2587 - Karma: 2,463
They come on here and joke around and have fun. I highly doubt they want people to take everything they say seriously, or that they think we are obligated to agree with every opinion they post. They are people, with a sense of humor, thats why NS is fucking tits.
Dec 6 2013 9:55AM
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STwoops
Posts: 2941 - Karma: 5,126
Marketing yourself? WTF? Twall needs to market himself, thall does not. He says shit he wants because hes opinion gets blown way out of porportion by the thousands of kids who wish they could ski, do and say whatever they want, party whenever and visit the coolest spots in the world. and own your own mt. bascially.

Im sick of this thall has a shitty image bs, skiing is a about being free, whats more free than a white rasta mogul skier turned freestyle and big mt mountain master, from Montana? Hes a little add kid ina grown dudes body, and if he doesnt keep that little kid in him he wont be as good. Sure lets have thall turn into a good christian midwestern dweeb with business like steeze. Thall represents all that is fun, righteous, and blessed about our sport, from the heaviest of deaths to the lightest powder and the dankest bud.
Dec 6 2013 10:07AM
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Karl_Hungus
Posts: 510 - Karma: 3,664
I think op has over simplified this.
you dont think people just HATED tony hawk
do you not know about the whole hawk vs. hosoi thing
people HATED HIS GUTS now he is a goddamn legend. thats just how it was
skating is in no way perfect and skaters are in no way more well behaved
Dec 6 2013 10:16AM
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LastChairMedia
Posts: 860 - Karma: 1,855
I respect skier legends, not OP...
Dec 6 2013 10:25AM
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Alexhiglo
Posts: 260 - Karma: 1,083
Also Simon Dumont. He may have made that weird spandex clad ski pic, but has pushed the sport of skiing so much and is a pretty dope skier. I dont understand why people rip on him for lifting and being an actual athlete. I totally respect him for that. Yes he can be a bit of douche sometimes but he is a legend and deserves a lot of respect.
Dec 6 2013 10:25AM
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oil.
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 1,254
agree with this.
Dec 6 2013 10:30AM
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22708 - Karma: 76,635
If anything Skaters are way worse with this stuff. There is a lot more prevalence of Pros and other industry types hating on the Legends, not only your average person.

Dec 6 2013 10:33AM
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Daski
Posts: 658 - Karma: 2,348
The beauty of this site is that people can share their opinions. For example, Tanner Hall. I appreciate everything he has done for our sport, which is A LOT, but im not incredibly fond of the fact that he acts and dresses like a homeless Rastafarian idiot.
Dec 6 2013 10:45AM
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powerbong2000
Posts: 737 - Karma: 1,802
Jose Canseco was a really good baseball player too.
Dec 6 2013 11:06AM
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John18_6
Posts: 7313 - Karma: 49,163
I respect tanner hall for what he did for skiing but I can't take him seriously currently. He's still a good skier but there's just that aspect of him that I can't get myself around. I found this comment was a little outrageous, seems slightly homophobic to be saying that a chick will make you a better person in response to an LGBT comment. Click for larger image
Dec 6 2013 11:20AM
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