Sad News: Bruce Dorskind Died

[barrysloate]

There's a bit of a myth circulating that Bruce was quiet and soft spoken in person. Sometimes he was, but he was also loud and brash, and actually pretty driven. He was successful in business because of that drive. He could also be eccentric and odd, too. In spite of it all he was a decent soul. But behind the computer he was a different person altogether, one that was often out of control. Never quite figured out why he posted the way he did.

[4815162342]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

... He was successful in business because of that drive. ...

What kind of business was he in?

[barrysloate]

Originally Posted by 4815162342

What kind of business was he in?

Click the link that Zach Wheat posted at #107. That will explain it better than I can.

[MVSNYC]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Click the link that Zach Wheat posted at #107. That will explain it better than I can.

Barry- did you realize that article had a link back to this thread you created? interesting, they are using this thread to demonstrate how big of a collector he was.

As i mentioned earlier- RIP Bruce.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by MVSNYC

Barry- did you realize that article had a link back to this thread you created? interesting, they are using this thread to demonstrate how big of a collector he was.

As i mentioned earlier- RIP Bruce.

Wow, a strange loop! I might send a link to Doug Hofstadter.

[deadballfreaK]

I am a johnny come lately, so my opinion doesn't cast much weight. In the few months I've been here I found his posts repulsive. I am learning that many more collectors saw him in a different light. Fine with me. I am sorry for his early demise and wish him eternal happiness in heaven. I still thought his posts were extremely rude and argumentative. Insecure attention seeker.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

But behind the computer he was a different person altogether, one that was often out of control. Never quite figured out why he posted the way he did.

It's a negative phenomenon of the internet - it has allowed people to split themselves in two. I'm not a card-show goer, so I met 50 or more Net54 people last week in Chicago for the first time. Almost none of them matched up with their internet personas (all being equal or much better in person). It was very weird in some cases - a couple of people who I thought were caustic bastards ended up being soft-spoken wonderful people. At this point I would encourage people to forget about the forum Bruce and remember the nice things people have related in this thread.

I wish I had met Bruce in person so that I could have re-evaluated my opinions and said something nice to him, and I hope to someday meet the handful of others on this board who fall into a similar category. I'm sure the opinions we have of each other will change.

[barrysloate]

It's true Scott. The computer has allowed us to create a new persona, one that is different from the one we use in our everyday interactions. Bruce took that to the extreme. I tried countless times to get him to tone down his comments, but admit that I failed. I didn't even come close.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

It's true Scott. The computer has allowed us to create a new persona, one that is different from the one we use in our everyday interactions. Bruce took that to the extreme. I tried countless times to get him to tone down his comments, but admit that I failed. I didn't even come close.

I suspect that if anything most people try to create a more favorable impression online than they might make in person, because it's easier to hide flaws; because one can write and respond more deliberately, etc.

[wonkaticket]

I'm the same jerk in person.

[Cardboard Junkie]

Can we have some confirmation on that John? ha ha jes kiddin Dave.

[kcohen]

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

Can we have some confirmation on that John? ha ha jes kiddin Dave.

I'll confirm that.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by wonkaticket

I'm the same jerk in person.

Maybe, but Chris and I were hoping to see you prove it in person - seriously, sorry we didn't get to see you at the National.

[Louis Bollman]

Originally Posted by wonkaticket

I'm the same jerk in person.

TRUE!!!! Wouldn't have it any other way. Hobby needs more "characters" like John, keeps things interesting and fun.

[Jewish-collector]

I agree with Scott on his opinions meeting Net54 members in person. I, too wish I had met Bruce in person. I wish he had gone to a net54 dinner.

[CW]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Never quite figured out why he posted the way he did.

This is just my opinion and my perception from reading Bruce's past threads, but I think much of it was done to get noticed so he could fill that wantlist. If you are going to advertise on the internet, you have to stand out among the crowd, even be a bit brash. Bruce may have even learned the value of this with his experiences in recruitment advertising.

By using this posting style, and being a polarizing figure, Bruce's threads took off and the views racked up. The more people that knew about Bruce and his wantlist, the better. Sellers wouldn't care if he came across a certain way, as long as he paid.

After a quick search of the topics Bruce created, it's fairly easy to see his ulterior motive for starting many threads was finding rare cards or finding people who had these cards.

In the meantime, he did bring some entertainment to this board. It's just a bit unfortunate (for us) that he did not share the same amount of knowledge here on this forum that he seemingly shared with so many in person.

Hopefully he is at peace now.

[Peter_Spaeth]

I disagree. One, let's be honest, very few people on this Board, much less anywhere, have the sort of material Bruce was looking for. Second, if your objective is to maximize your odds of finding what you want, alienating people and getting repeatedly tossed is not a rational way to accomplish that goal. We may never know what motivated Bruce to convey the internet persona that he did -- apparently in contrast to his much more likeable in person side. But I doubt it was rationally calculated to further his collecting goals.

[Kenny Cole]

I didn't get to meet the wonderful Brucii that folks are talking about here. What I got were really vile emails, to which I ultimately responded in kind.

I guess that whoever is in charge of sending souls where they need to go will get it figured out. Wherever he goes, I hope he gets the karma to which he is entitled.

[David Atkatz]

Originally Posted by Kenny Cole

I didn't get to meet the wonderful Brucii that folks are talking about here. What I got were really vile emails, to which I ultimately responded in kind.

I guess that whoever is in charge of sending souls where they need to go will get it figured out. Wherever he goes, I hope he gets the karma to which he is entitled.

I, too, never met the Bruce described by many here.

I did, however, receive a lovely email, detailing Bruce's wish to sodomize my wife, while my son watched.
I think he's already received the karma to which he was entitled.

[David R]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

I, too, never met the Bruce described by many here.

I did, however, receive a lovely email, detailing Bruce's wish to sodomize my wife, while my son watched.
I think he's already received the karma to which he was entitled.

There was no excuse for his behavior like this disgusting email, which seemed to happen a lot around here from what I recall. I am surprised he has so many apologists.

[Jewish-collector]

I wanted to meet John (Wonka) at the National, but a friend of his said he didn't go.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by David R

There was no excuse for his behavior like this disgusting email, which seemed to happen a lot around here from what I recall. I am surprised he has so many apologists.

I've received plenty of vile emails from forum members who are still living. I didn't save them, and if I outlive any of them you won't hear anything about it. It's sad that some people feel the need to win internet arguments through attrition.

[the 'stache]

I've tried my whole life to treat the people I meet, whether online, or in person, with dignity and respect. I don't judge a person until I have had a chance to hear what they say, but clearly how you act online is a part of who you are.

Whatever might have happened in the past should be left there. Bruce's family and friends will be upset by his passing, and we should be mindful of their feelings.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Speaking of Adrian, a quick check of his ebay ID reveals some big dollar purchases over the past month, none of which appear yet in his feedback.

Item Start End Price Title High Bidder Seller
111043622300 Mar-31-13 Jul-14-13 21:50:48 US $5,950.00 1921 E121 American Caramel Babe Ruth Series of 80 PSA 2 Good Purchased on:
Jul-14-13 21:50:48
See All Buyers jwilson6204

350835724455 Jul-16-13 Jul-20-13 21:19:54 US $1,100.00 1926 W512 Babe Ruth #6 SGC Authentic HS49 Purchased on:
Jul-20-13 21:19:54
See All Buyers tbh39

350825834776 Jul-01-13 Jul-20-13 21:20:14 US $1,000.00 1921 W551 Babe Ruth Hand Cut PSA Authentic LG5 Purchased on:
Jul-20-13 21:20:14
See All Buyers tbh39

380680002035 Jul-16-13 Jul-21-13 11:50:14 US $875.00 1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron Rookie PSA 4 VG-EX 18633 Purchased on:
Jul-21-13 11:50:14
See All Buyers cookiemonster501

370859317776 Jul-21-13 Jul-24-13 07:57:37 US $2,649.99 1948 Bowman Basketball George Mikan Rookie Card PSA 5 1952toppsmantle (*) vintagerookies

310711889160 Jul-24-13 Jul-24-13 15:57:55 US $1,800.00 1984 Star Basketball Michael Jordan Rookie Card BGS 8 1952toppsmantle (*) vintagerookies


321178163290 Aug-02-13 Aug-05-13 11:17:43 US $7,500.00 1888 N403 Yum Yum Tobacco: CAP ANSON SGC Auth (tr & partially skinned) Purchased on:
Aug-05-13 11:17:43
See All Buyers the_coop

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

I, too, never met the Bruce described by many here.

I did, however, receive a lovely email, detailing Bruce's wish to sodomize my wife, while my son watched.
I think he's already received the karma to which he was entitled.

Wow. That's heavy.

[mark evans]

At the end of the day, Bruce was contemptuous of ordinary collectors and far, far worse, responded to criticism in the vilest terms. Notwithstanding his personal charm and contribution to the hobby, he is not someone I would have wished to call a friend.

May he rest in peace.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I disagree. One, let's be honest, very few people on this Board, much less anywhere, have the sort of material Bruce was looking for. Second, if your objective is to maximize your odds of finding what you want, alienating people and getting repeatedly tossed is not a rational way to accomplish that goal. We may never know what motivated Bruce to convey the internet persona that he did -- apparently in contrast to his much more likeable in person side. But I doubt it was rationally calculated to further his collecting goals.

I agree with Peter. Collecting is in good part a networking activity; you are only as good as your network of contacts and friends when it comes to tracking down items outside public sales. I had some items that matched some of the call-outs on the group's want list but 'they' were the last persons I'd ever have offered them to. I don't believe it is ever good marketing to associate your name with bad behavior. OJ Simpson got lots of publicity; I don't think it was to his benefit. Mussolini was world famous for all the wrong reasons. Now, am I saying the Brucii were equivalent to a murderer or a dictator? Obviously not. But to a large segment of the card collecting populace he was "that dick on N54 who refers to himself as 'we' and sends nasty emails to people." Not the epitaph I'd choose. A former boss/mentor once told me that it doesn't cost any more to be nice to people than to be a jerk.

[barrysloate]

Well, the funny thing about "America's Toughest Want List", in my opinion, was it really wasn't a want list at all. I can't tell you how many times I had something from the list that I offered him privately, and he passed; or had something in one of my auctions and he never placed a bid. In fact many of the items he wanted never even existed. For example, if the highest ever graded T208 was a PSA 5, Bruce would ask for "T208 in PSA 6 or better." I think at the end of the day that want list was there because he loved to be the center of attention.

Sure, he did put together a very nice collection, but probably did so the old fashioned way- bidding in auction like everyone else. The number of items he got from that want list were likely very few. But it did make him feel important, and that's what I think it was about. Bruce was Bruce, what can I say.

[David Atkatz]

The key item on "America's Toughest Want List" was this:

Bruce desperately wanted to be one of the "Masters of the Universe" he so idolized.

He never got that one, either.