I have a thought that has been kicking around in my head for a week or so now. Over in Chris Shugart’s blog there was a thread on “The Newbie Paradox” and Arioch brought up a really interesting point.
[quote]OK maybe this is just a nit, but I don’t think using the term newb, noob or newbie helps either.
For me, it relates to something bad. I spent time in the Marines and being the newb or FNG was not a good thing. If you didn’t have rank you got the worst jobs until you proved yourself. I think some members get the same feeling here. [/quote]
I think I agree for a few reasons. First, the terms “newbie” or “noob” is just way too namby-pamby and cutesy for this site. Seriously, that’s not even a little bit hardcore, let alone dangerously so. Second, it does have a bad connotation to it whereas the people on this site who come here looking to truly learn are doing something good - making the effort to learn and do better (granted, not all who are new and come to this site fit that mold… no need to name names, we’ve seen a bunch of them).
Now, I know there is a certain mentality to T-Nation of needing to earn your stripes, which is fine. Can’t disagree with that… but still, “noob”? Come on. We have enough collective brainpower to do better than THAT.
So, anyone got any ideas to replace newbie/noob with something decidedly better?
[quote]Kuz wrote:
I have a thought that has been kicking around in my head for a week or so now. Over in Chris Shugart’s blog there was a thread on “The Newbie Paradox” and Arioch brought up a really interesting point.
OK maybe this is just a nit, but I don’t think using the term newb, noob or newbie helps either.
For me, it relates to something bad. I spent time in the Marines and being the newb or FNG was not a good thing. If you didn’t have rank you got the worst jobs until you proved yourself. I think some members get the same feeling here.
I think I agree for a few reasons. First, the terms “newbie” or “noob” is just way too namby-pamby and cutesy for this site. Seriously, that’s not even a little bit hardcore, let alone dangerously so. Second, it does have a bad connotation to it whereas the people on this site who come here looking to truly learn are doing something good - making the effort to learn and do better (granted, not all who are new and come to this site fit that mold… no need to name names, we’ve seen a bunch of them).
Now, I know there is a certain mentality to T-Nation of needing to earn your stripes, which is fine. Can’t disagree with that… but still, “noob”? Come on. We have enough collective brainpower to do better than THAT.
So, anyone got any ideas to replace newbie/noob with something decidedly better?
Kuz
Return with honor.[/quote]
Only problem with it is that it can’t be mean 'cause if you’re mean to the newbs the mods make you stop.
If you are trying to change the world of Internet slang that has been around for 20 years… good luck.
You might as well invent new words for elements of your chosen profession. If you want to communicate with the world, you speak the same language as the world.
[quote]vroom wrote:
If you are trying to change the world of Internet slang that has been around for 20 years… good luck.
You might as well invent new words for elements of your chosen profession. If you want to communicate with the world, you speak the same language as the world.[/quote]
But that’s to assume we need to be just like the rest of the 'Net world, which I don’t think has to be true. It’s just a very non T kind of word, think we can do better, especially given the fact that this site and its forums is also whatever world we make of it. Screw the rest of the Internet.
Kuz, you’re not going to revolutionize the internet with your concearn for fellow noobs. You yourself are a noob and deserve to be called one untill you stop making pointless noobie threads, noob!
Just kidding, call them what you want, they shouldn’t care. I never care what people over the net say to me. It means nothing to me.
Well, my point was less about how the noobs feel about it and more that it’s just a really lame term, especially for T-Nation. Too cutesy, IMHO. Believe me… I ain’t looking for some kind of “Hug A Noob for Jesus” fest or something.