My thoughts on these stupid grading posts

[Kawika]

Originally Posted by Leon

I have to walk my little girl out to the bus in about one minute, and then go to a meeting, but will post more on this subject later this morning. I can't allow F-bombs and have edited those out. WE do have children that get on the board. I left the one youtube video as you can barely understand what the gentleman said but I was a hair away from deleting it too, and still might. Be careful with the language please.....more later....regards

On account that women and children read this board and in deference to the one or two gentlemen who also participate, the offending Ichiro YouTube video has been removed.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Kawika

On account that women and children read this board and in deference to the one or two gentlemen who also participate, the offending Ichiro YouTube video has been removed.

Thanks David. When I think about profanity on the board I truly use my 13 yr old little girl as my reference. I don't like her to be around F bombs and really harsh language but a few minor 4 letter words, sh**, da**, hell etc....aren't that big of a deal. The other day I totally blew it and slipped up and said an F bomb in front of her. She went straight to mom and told her what I said. I am still hearing about it. After that I am trying to curb my F-bomb usage in daily life, even if it is just under my breath. So, I ask all board members, before you post something, think about if it is ok for your, or someone elses, 13yr old to hear. If it is, then go for it...if not, then don't do it. And if you make an error in judgment then I will fix it . This forum is about PG rated imho.....I try to be respectful of the women and children who might read it, even though they are probably few and far between, I know there are some. regards (and thanks again, David)

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by Leon

When I think about profanity on the board I truly use my 13 yr old little girl as my reference. I don't like her to be around F bombs and really harsh language...

If she goes to school with other, living, breathing, kids, she already hears way more of it than you want to know.

When my son was that age, and I was coaching his baseball team, I would bring my 9 year old daughter to practice. It helped control the mouths of the kids by having a "little girl" sitting on the bench... sometimes.

[FUBAR]

growing up working in the oilfield, i have trucker mouth a lot of times and don't realize it. The easiest way for me to control it is by typing.


Rob, i agree 4 months isn't that long, but comments made by people are all a matter of perception, if you look for rudeness and insensitivity you will find it. Take them for what they are , opinions, it is nothing personal. If you look at them like that, things will never bother you. The one thing about typing is you cannot see emotion or tone so therefore interpretation becomes more important. Just opinions, that's all.... just like my above statement, just a little net 54 love and an opinion!

[dstudeba]

Originally Posted by Leon

And if you make an error in judgment then I will fix it .

Thanks for the chuckle Leon, I enjoyed this quote.

[Kawika]

No problem, Leon. But you gotta admit the Ichiro video was pretty funny. The old software automatically asterisked out profanities but the new version does not and a certain amount of vulgarity now pops up here on FiveFour. (This is probably not altogether a good thing because it's a slippery slope down to the Internet Cesspool). I have been guilty of it myself as I am a vulgar and profane kind of guy, and of the philosophy that sometimes nothing says it better than a well chosen curse word. A true story (had it not have happened it would have been apocryphal): One day long ago when I was six or so my brother and I were bouncing around the backseat singing "doodoo poopoo" or some such and my father turned around and ordered "Say 'shit', dammit!!" The rest is history.

[Rob D.]

"When they pull that needle out, I let the expletives fly!"

[Robextend]

HAHA good one Rob. I always felt that Kramer's interaction with Mel Torme was one of the highlights of the whole run.

[barrysloate]

I think that was one of Mel Torme's last performances before he died. And his voice was still golden.

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

I think that was one of Mel Torme's last performances before he died. And his voice was still golden.

Golden??? Not velvet???

[Touch'EmAll]

By the quantity of responses, this topic DOES hit home with many of us - like it or not.

TPG has, for the most part, helped the hobby - lets be real folks.

Crying about grades IS part of the hobby nowadays - again, lets be real.

And partying with the good results is also very much part of the hobby.

I have been on both sides. Cry out loud if you want (to a certain extent), thats ok in my book. And rejoicing in the glory of a nice grade is very satisfying.

Finally, NO WAY would I be shelling out thousands in this hobby if it weren't for PSA & SGC.

[mark evans]

I think general discussions about TPG are a good thing as it has become a significant element of the hobby. Specific instances of disappointment may be less worthy of threads unless of an unusual nature in my view.

I share Bill C's view that TPG is a positive development. Even with its shortcomings, grading by one of the trusted companies provides a measure of reliability that, with the internet, allows most collectors access to many thousands of cards that they would otherwise not consider buying.

Its shortcomings appear two-fold: missing alterations and subjectivity. As to missing alterations, the companies should of course continue to strive to improve and stand behind their mistakes.

The problem of subjectivity cannot be overcome as it is implicit in the very nature of grading. There is no way the standards can be drawn tightly enough or applied in an identical manner every time (even by the same grader, let alone by all graders). Thus, while companies can take steps to improve consistency, there will always be unjustifiable discrepancies. (Over time, I should think this ambiguity would have the effect of reducing the differences in values among grades.)

Finally, it seems to me that these shortcomings exist to a greater degree in the non-slabbed world. Not that there is anything wrong with raw cards, which comprise the vast majority of my collection. They frequently offer a less costly alternative under certain circumstances; for example, where the buyer knows the seller and/or is not paying a large sum and/or is buying in person. But, adherents to the raw system ought to recognize that TPG serves a valuable function for the hobby.