Does anyone know ben in real world

[brianp-beme]

does anyone know the omnipresent 'Ben' in the "real world" ?

I googled it, but after dilligently searching I could not find a single 'Ben' on any of the decades worth of seasons of MTV's Real World.

Brian

[steve B]

I don't get why it's so critical to know someone in the real world.

When I joined, I "knew" some of the members from seeing their names ages ago, but I'm pretty sure I haven't met them.
Between budget, other hobbies and recently kids, I don't get to many shows. Maybe 2-3 a year when I was more active, a couple years I went to more, but was helping the show promoters.

One thing I think a lot of new people miss is that most of the regular posters are people with strong personalities and opinions. And little tolerance for games that aren't sports. They're also generally good people too. Of course we have some strenuous disagreements, that's people. (Anyone saying they never disagree with someone is either lying, or really has no opinion of their own)

Steve B

[RealToppsaholic]

never said it was 'critical'. just wondering. it is seriously amazing how people love to twist threads I love it flame on!

how it is such a problem to wonder WHO someone is since this forum is 100% no fake names --there is zero tolerance for it

so since ben n.orth is so well known HOW is it no one has met him ?

I get 60+ responders and nothing but people saying I'm trouble? for asking WHO is defaming me ? I'm not entitled to know who is posting since this forum is all transparent?

seems opaque to me.

and for those saying 'let it go' --that's what we are doing over here; but we need Ben and any other detractors to have a chance to voice their feelings towards TOPPSAHOLIC

thanks to those who sent cool polite PM saying they like us (both of you)

#1 fun #2 buy #3 sell a few

[slidekellyslide]

Toppsaholic added three rare cards from his wantlist just because of this thread.

Congrats!!

[gnaz01]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

toppsaholic added three rare cards from his wantlist just because of this thread.

HaHa

[WillowGrove]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

Toppsaholic added three rare cards from his wantlist just because of this thread.

Congrats!!

I did one of them lol's.

[steve B]

Not that it will do any good, and not like it's anything I'm good at, but here goes.

A bit of history / advice.

Some time ago, we had a member who always referred to himself as "we" - and as far as I know didn't have an ebay business as an explanation. He was also kinda nuts, at one point commenting on a post that was archived (which appears as being from "archive" ) with a threat to sue. It was his own old post! He also knew a lot about cards, and had a really good collection.

In a business setting I sort of like "we" it's a team thing. Sounds like you might be sort of someone I wouldn't mind working for in some ways.
But here you're pretty much yourself, or should be.
The advice? Move away from "we" and more to "I" the whole "we" thing has a bit too much baggage around here.

I mentioned before that most of the regular posters have strong personalities and opinions. I do too, and like the mix here. Those strong opinions do lead to a few "heated discussions", and it can feel like a really harsh place at first.
One of my introductions was mentioning that I had some T206 blankbacks, and the response was a bit rough. A whole lot of "yeah right, suuuuure you do" Right up to when I put up the scans. Since then I've seen a number of people come here with very sketchy stuff or claims of really great stuff and exactly nothing to back that up. Usually it seems to be some sort of promoting stuff that's not exactly legit. So I get where that initial harshness comes from.
The bit of advice here? - Relax, build a track record of being knowledgeable and reasonable (sort of, reasonable by our loose standards I guess, but none of those are written anywhere) And things will get a LOT better.

That brings up what I can only describe as "street cred" I'll have to go with that as I'm not a great writer. I had also mentioned that I knew some members by name but probably hadn't me them. Guys I "knew" from ads in hobby magazines back in the day. When I joined taking info from them as fact was pretty easy. If someone's been in the hobby since the early 80's or earlier and been a dealer they must know some stuff. I learned along the way that other people here know a lot about some stuff. I get the new agey thinking that everyone should have a valid opinion, but to me some opinions are better than others. Sorting that out is a great way of learning things. (I've learned a bit about the law as it applies to hobbies from reading the occasional arguments between lawyers)
The advice? - What do you REALLY know a lot about? Start posting about that stuff. We'll all get some enjoyment from that! (trust me , sharing stuff you know is a lot more fun than it seems it would be)


Ben is actually pretty cool. He knows some stuff. And sometimes does experiments to settle or learn about technical issues. Yes, he can come across as a bit difficult, but almost everyone does now and then.
I am rather puzzled with a couple things - "hiding out" in South Dakota? .....You do know that people live and work there right? It's not all fossils, Indians and pipeline right of ways. Amazingly, people even live in North Dakota too, or did back in the 70's when I visited . And as far as I know there haven't been any laws saying you can only collect if you live in certain states and go to shows.

30% plus fake names? I'd have a pretty hard time believing that. Occasionally a new member who is up to some sort of shenanigans isn't who they say they are and that gets sorted pretty quickly. Maybe that 30% is in the bunch of people who don't post much or at all? And if it is, where did you find the time to find them, let alone check them all out?

Steve B
Collecting more or less seriously since Sept 1977, a bit from late 73 till then, and a tiny bit since 1969. And still currently only one show every couple years and while I've been in the same room as many members I can't say we've met. Something I hope to fix if I can make it to the Shriners show this year.

[orly57]

Here's what I found in my inbox today. Mr. "Lookatmeaholic" has shown the real reason he is on here. He thinks that by being an unlikeable dick, it may help him sell his overpriced garbage. Get rid of this clown already.

[Forever Young]

Originally Posted by steve B

Amazingly, people even live in North Dakota too, or did back in the 70's when I visited .

It is true, ND is thriving. If fact, we don't hide at all. Ben North, where do you live in SD? Perhaps we should meet half way so that you have met another member? We can do "live from the dakotas". We can prove to the OP that there really are 50 states. You in? #historymatters

[whitehse]

Originally Posted by brianp-beme

does anyone know the omnipresent 'Ben' in the "real world" ?

I googled it, but after dilligently searching I could not find a single 'Ben' on any of the decades worth of seasons of MTV's Real World.

Brian

This is the exact response I had and kept wondering why the OP even cared about a defunct MTV show that was filled with a bunch of self centered sex fiends.

But to each their own!

[orly57]

Say what you will about Toppsaholic, but the man is an optimist. He dares to dream.

[Bliggity]

To be fair, Ben lives in South Dakota, and nobody knows anyone in South Dakota.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Bliggity

To be fair, Ben lives in South Dakota, and nobody knows anyone in South Dakota.

It is amazing how true that is. It also has amazed me how many adults don't even know where SD is on a map.

When I lived about an hour away from Dan in Clinton, I had everyone there convinced we still rode horses and used covered wagons. That was in the 80's though.

[iowadoc77]

How about an over/under for the number of billboards in South Dakota advertising Wall Drug? I will say 226. Anyone over? under? Its certainly worth the drive just for the free ice water!

[gnaz01]

Originally Posted by iowadoc77

How about an over/under for the number of billboards in South Dakota advertising Wall Drug? I will say 226. Anyone over? under? Its certainly worth the drive just for the free ice water!

Oh I will take the over on that one............

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by Bliggity

To be fair, Ben lives in South Dakota, and nobody knows anyone in South Dakota.

My wife's entire family is from South Dakota. I got married in South Dakota.