Anonymous Mistake, "oops", or "OMG" section

Joshua Smith · Post by **Joshua Smith** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 1:16 pm

We Mods have been talking over this idea- unfortunately, we can't easily concoct a truly anonymous way for folks to submit their tales of woe, except for the option of submitting them to a mod, with the guarantee that we will keep identities secret, even from each other. Please chime in with a "yea" or "Nay" , along with any thoughts you might have- if it seems like there's enough interest, we'll go ahead and put something up on a trial basis. This would, of course, be a "No Hijack, No Flame" sub forum- purely objective. And anyone who wants to post under their actual identity would be allowed to do so. We think it could be an interesting addition to the site- what do you all think?

ljjames · Post by **ljjames** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 1:22 pm

excellent idea!

Linedog · Post by **Linedog** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 1:28 pm

airsix · Post by **airsix** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 3:24 pm

Do it like an advice column. Call it "Dear Nailer" and we'll all make up pen names like "Bent in Bremerton" and "Hypoxic in Hoodsport".

But seriously... Yes, it ~could~ be a good addition to the site. There may be unintended consequences though. I think we are more quick to judge or criticize an anonymous case subject than we are a friend or acquaintance. That's fine when the case subject isn't a member of the audience critiquing the events. Might be a bit uncomfortable when people you know and trust start calling you a flaming idiot without knowing it's you they're talking about. Not saying we'd jump right to that sort of behavior, but there is some risk.

Joshua Smith · Post by **Joshua Smith** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 3:48 pm

airsix wrote:Do it like an advice column. Call it "Dear Nailer" and we'll all make up pen names like "Bent in Bremerton" and "Hypoxic in Hoodsport".

But seriously... Yes, it ~could~ be a good addition to the site. There may be unintended consequences though. I think we are more quick to judge or criticize an anonymous case subject than we are a friend or acquaintance. That's fine when the case subject isn't a member of the audience critiquing the events. Might be a bit uncomfortable when people you know and trust start calling you a flaming idiot without knowing it's you they're talking about. Not saying we'd jump right to that sort of behavior, but there is some risk.

True. The idea would be to keep personal judgements out of it, using our normal "jackboots, lead battons, pepper spray and attack dogs" style of moderation. Thought it might be an interesting experiment, but only 3 people have chimed in so far, so maybe not.....

coulterboy · Post by **coulterboy** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 3:53 pm

Bring it on!

CaptnJack · Post by **CaptnJack** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 4:04 pm

Eh I can go either way. Do we really have a problem that needs solving? If someone wants accident/mistake etc feedback and doesn't know who to solicite it from then I suppose its a good idea. Although if they don't know someone personally they trust then posting on the internets and sifting through the responses might be an issue. Some of us discuss our mistakes privately and leave it at that. Personally I don't feel an obligation to publicize everything about my diving like a verbal laxative on the off chance someone might get something out of it.

LCF · Post by **LCF** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 5:14 pm

One of the most powerful tools we have is history. The ability to learn from other people's mistakes, and not have to make the same ones yourself, is how progress is made. I think it's IMPORTANT that we post the mistakes we make, so that others can avoid them. If doing it anonymously encourages more people to contribute, then I think it's great. The IRAP section of the Cave Diver's forum fascinated me when I found it. I think I have read every story there.

60south · Post by **60south** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 5:27 pm

LCF wrote:The ability to learn from other people's mistakes, and not have to make the same ones yourself...

+1

When I read others' accounts of mistakes, I am always asking myself What would I have done?

As far as relating my own errors, part of my urge to do so is because I know how much I enjoy reading other people's accounts. It's a contribution thing. Or maybe contrition. But if someone has some constructive criticism or moral support, beyond my own self-recriminations, that would be a bonus.

Joshua Smith · Post by **Joshua Smith** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 5:44 pm

I'm leaning towards doing it at this point. If it doesn't go anywhere, we can always release the posts back into the wild.....

spatman · Post by **spatman** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 6:19 pm

It seems there are people interested in reading these kinds if posts, but is anyone interested in actually posting their experiences?

If there is, please feel free to contact one of the moderators and let us know. We'll keep your identity secret if asked to.

Alexitt · Post by **Alexitt** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 7:19 pm

I like the idea... and the bit about keeping the flames down, constructive comments help a lot more than being told you're an idjit and you're going to die...

defied · Post by **defied** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 7:46 pm

Ney.
Read only - maybe.

D

Jeff Pack · Post by **Jeff Pack** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 7:48 pm

See if the herd can actually manage itself, go for it.

Joshua Smith · Post by **Joshua Smith** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 8:20 pm

Well, after receiving 46 PMs from Jeff Pack containing 132 separate, yet somehow increasingly alarming, screw up stories that he wants to post anonymously, I now know how HE feels about this idea........

Lonestar · Post by **Lonestar** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 9:20 pm

My first thought is wow, some egos are too big to admit fault so have to post anonymously? Every mistake I've made diving has been a direct result of having failed to follow simple, basic pre-dive checks or something along those lines; air on? Weight on? Lost buddy procedures discussed? Turn around point adhered to? Batteries charged? yada yada yada. My philosophy is if you did it, own it. Every one of us has made a mistake so why be embarrassed to talk about it? I think that it is a great thing to debrief every one of your dives with your dive buddy; what went right, what went wrong, did something happen that left you wondering, etc.

However, if doing anonymous posts will lead to safer diving then go for it.

spatman · Post by **spatman** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 9:55 pm

Lonestar wrote:My first thought is wow, some egos are too big to admit fault so have to post anonymously?

It's not ego, usually. It's getting lambasted and insulted on an Internet forum that often dissuades people from posting personal stories.

coach_izzy · Post by **coach_izzy** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 9:58 pm

I think it's an awesome idea! Yay!

Joshua Smith · Post by **Joshua Smith** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 10:40 pm

spatman wrote:
Lonestar wrote:My first thought is wow, some egos are too big to admit fault so have to post anonymously?
It's not ego, usually. It's getting lambasted and insulted on an Internet forum that often dissuades people from posting personal stories.

.....and sometimes leads to newbies getting scared away from diving forever, after a bad dive. We just thought this *might* be a way for people to share stories that could help other divers out. Maybe not, though.

Jeff Pack · Post by **Jeff Pack** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 10:45 pm

Joshua Smith wrote:Well, after receiving 46 PMs from Jeff Pack containing 132 separate, yet somehow increasingly alarming, screw up stories that he wants to post anonymously, I now know how HE feels about this idea........

douche wipe, it was only 44!

Jeff Pack · Post by **Jeff Pack** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 10:46 pm

ok 45, if you leave out the one I was crying about the other 44...

Jeff Pack · Post by **Jeff Pack** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 10:55 pm

Alright alright, 46, but the last one wasnt really a screw up, just a suggestion

Joshua Smith · Post by **Joshua Smith** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:23 pm

Jeff Pack wrote:Alright alright, 46, but the last one wasnt really a screw up, just a suggestion

Ah, who's counting, anyway?

renoun · Post by **renoun** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:32 pm

Sounds like a reasonable idea although I'll be amused to see how many people manage to sit on their hands and keep from fessing up to their own incident. It certainly wouldn't keep us from making fun of the folks who exchange weight pouches with somebody else on the boat and can't sink or get videoed snagging their light cord on the boat before back rolling off, on video. I've certainly discussed a few bad dives in PM's that others might be able to learn from.

mjachetta · Post by **mjachetta** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 7:54 am

Really, Jeff

douche wipe, it was only 44! :angry:

Northwest Dive Club