Modern Vespa

So each night I spend a fair bit of time on the internet, I think a lot of us do. I enjoy reading articles about topical subjects, the Zimmerman trial, the recent Rolling Stone putting the Boston bomber on its cover, etc. On the internet people can make comments about the articles. I often read them and I am appalled at how nasty they can get to each other. The nastiness, the name calling, the overall stupidity is just shocking. I mean everyone has the right to their opinion and should not be abused because of it.

When I first came on MV I was a little surprised at the control that Jess and his group kept on it. I now finally realize why. This forum is always nice and pleasant and no one tries to abuse others, even if they do not agree with them. It is a pleasure being on this forum. I just want to applaud Jess and his group for keeping this civil. Keep up the good work.


Just had so say this. Also hope the temp comes down as it is just too hot to ride in the midwest.

Larry

+1

Couldn't have said it better myself. MV is a great place to "hang out"...

If not for the moderators this forum, too, would go down in 'flames'

My thought is exactly. I think that we regular members don't even grasp the amount of spam and crap that gets filtered out everyday. I sounds like a full time job to me. Do you ever ride at night? It's cooler at night and not as busy. I've been clocking in about 100 miles every day since I (with my own two hands) replaced my exhaust gasket.

have not tried night riding and you are right it is cooler although most of my nights are tied with cleaning up paper work from the day but perhaps I should try it as the days are just so hot.

This a good place to hang out.....

I don't want to take anything away from the moderators and I fully admit that I am new to this group, but I think it is worth noting the community that seems attracted to the scooter lifestyle that also plays a part. Moderators can establish rules and go after offending and extreme offensive topics and commentary. It can also cross the line and be too invasive, restricting, and controlling. I think thus far it strikes a good balance, to be honest. All said, I noted soon after joining a geoup of individuals on an online story of a little girl who had her scooter stolen, took up a collection and began to try to help her. Not normal in the Internet age or other forums and communities. i equate the constructive, do well in the world, good karma, and be thoughtful of others seems to run deep within the scooter community....similar to many mini cooper communities and vibes, other I am sure....

On topical issues also can be constructive if done in a courtesious and constructive way. People will have different points of view, experiences, and opinions. I think discussion is good. Winning And "gotchya" moments are poor taste and lack benefit in furthering dialog and understanding. I have a feeling this group could do well with divisive topics and debate constructively without becoming berating, mean, or demeaning. All said though, scooter people Nd the community is rather special... Just saying.

I belong to a fly fishing forum that has the same standards of civility that MV has. For those that don't want to tow the line there is another fly fishing forum that has one rule and that is anything goes. You have to have tough skin to tolerate the abuse that is dished out. I never understood why some people are attracted to that sort of thing. I personally find it mentally taxing. I'm glad MV has such high standards. To me MV is a refuge.

A quick 20 minute ride might do wonders to your mood and give you a nice break from the paperwork. it doesn't have to be anything epic; just a quick run to clear your mind.

Max

You are definitely right nothing clears the cobwebs like a ride on my vespa, it does invigorate the brain. I will have to do it.

Agree with trout bum there many places to go if you want a fight, here on MV we don't need that. Discussion is good it can be civil. We can respect each others opinions.

How dare you bring up a subject like this it's not too hot to ride.

ok where in the new world are you from, today on my way home it was 97 degrees with high humidity perhaps I am a wimp but that was too hot for me, stayed in air-conditioned cage. I think I need a cooling vest for this weather.

MV, 🎶Where everybody knows your name, and you're always glad you came.🎶

This thraed inspies me to put on a "Life is Good" t-shirt and jam some Bobby McFerrin

Agreed, and well-said Larry.

On the other hand, are you sure it isn't just the overall high quality of people that MV attracts?

es verdad. . .

I think you are all right. The "scooter mentality" is a bit different and does seem to attract a good crowd of people and this also, and perhaps even more importantly, contributes to the civility on this forum.

But I still hope it cools off a bit to make riding more comfortable.

Larry

... with a stop for ice cream!

Larry - your check is in the mail. I'll add another zero to the end.

Haha. I knew it.

i do like the idea of an ice cream stop although I am a bit more into the many frozen yogurt places that are popping up all around me.

And Jess dont want you to get a swollen head but tonight when i was reading the articles on the internet and seeing the nasty comments it just sort of put it all into perspective. I am happy to get into a heated discussion about a topic but it can be a fun discussion but civil. The internet just seems to be too out of control. Again keep up the good work.


larry

I don't peruse the NSM forum because I don't have a vintage Vespa, but the times I've heard it mention, it sounds to me like a NullSec/LowSec system in EVE. Go there at your own peril and be prepared to get thoroughly thrashed.

It's more about finding a stop that's exactly the right distance away.

Love the whole feel of M V, and it's not hard to understand why everyone else is here also. People helping people. I do believe that's a scooter mentality. Kudo's to the people who started and keep it going. Great job!

It's 92-95 F over here with humidity up to 80%. Corazzo Ventata does the job - ventato my body
A little comment about the MV environment. Beginners don't know who founded and who owns MV, see a "petty tyrant" with South Park avatar and wonder who gave him the right to be petty tyrant.
Then those who survived first week realize what's going on and maintain the atmosphere of solidarity. Jess, did you expect MV would be your 24/7 job when you started it?

I believe that the biggest abusers are cut from the herd and the lesser ones eventually tamed. If your first posts leave a bad impression, it will be difficult to recover, but it can be done. Also, with the volume of people reading and participating in this forum, even the best will piss someone off at one time or another. Crash and burn and then move on, being a bit wiser and perhaps a bit more humble. Crow can actually be tasty if served up properly.

The incident with the little girl who had her scooter stolen truly brought the best out in the group. Without being asked, In a matter of a day or two, enough money was donated to buy her a new scooter with enough left over to donate to a worthy cause.

In the past there were a couple of cases where a new poster started right off asking for money or parts to fix a scooter or help out a crowded household with nobody really working. That one had sob stories to tell. A few dollars were donated, but the group soon realized neither case was worth considering and aid was denied. Folks here are smart and sharp and have a good heart, but a scam will not be successful. Jess has a good family.

The invention in the 1940s of the Vespa is sort of a metaphor for this phenomenon:

The "skin" on a scooter covers many motorcycle parts, and shields the rider from chain grease, mud, grime, road dirt, heat, and the like. Yes, messiness exists, but it can interfere with the enjoyment of riding.

That is what Jess et. al. have done by creating and protecting the integrity of ModernVespa.com. Messiness exists, but I like having a shield sometimes, in the form of redeeming friendships and worthwhile discussion, to add to the enjoyment of riding.

ditto...mv does a super job...

Thanks Larry for pinpointing why this forum is like a breath of fresh air, and therefore why I'm addicted to it. It is indeed a lovely place to hang out.

John W.

I love this forum.
It is a place of scooter good will and friendship.
Though we all have witnessed some bad or uncomfortable threads.

I've run forums and mail lists so I do realize exactly how much crap needs filtering out. PIA and more work than one thinks so thumbs up to all the folks who keep MV running smoothly.

Glad to see you are back on the road Max.

Its been coldish (55-65) and cloudy/raining the last few days in Breck and not supposed to get better until Sunday. One of our BVs is still in the shop in Denver so we can't ride together until next weekend so I guess its just as well the weather is so crappy. Makes me less unhappy that it is taking so damned long for the scoot to be repaired. They will have had it for a month by the time it is ready for pick up. grr

If you really want to give Jess his due, then the newer posters better know that all this civilisation took a lot of building and experimentation.

It didn't arrive like this and had to evolve - indeed, there was a monkey stage where there was a deal of shite flinging and it got UGLY.

Seriously, its a massive acheivement.

+1
I'm always comfortable diving into the MV pool.

When I'm about to go to other forums or about to make a comment about an article on the web, I have to make the sign of the cross before taking the plunge. Most of the time (99%), I choose not to leave comments about web articles. Many of the commenters on news sites are rude weasels that hid behind their anonymity.

Anonymity breeds these nasty posts. I fall victim at times myself.(I know you all are shocked )

Here is another +1. I come here to escape, and can relate to a lot of the "characters" here. (But I won't point any fingers)

Heh. Thanks, Kate. But I don't really need my due, strictly speaking. I'm glad everyone likes the place, and I'm very satisfied with that. The kudos are nice, but actually make me slightly uncomfortable.

Can we go back to talking about booze or dogs or monkeys riding segways?

I, too, very much appreciate the MV site and have learned a great deal from it in only the short time I have been visiting. This thread gives me the chance to ask whether there is (or should be) an opportunity for MV members to defray whatever costs are involved in running the site? I hope this question is not in bad taste; perhaps Jess and the founders are doing this altruistically as part of their contribution to a better planet (if so, it's working), and I certainly do not wish to give offense in such a case by bringing up the "filthy lucre" aspect. But I also feel that the many benefits of the site are worth contributing for, if contributions are needed, and that it is not fair for one person, or one small group, to bear all the costs when there are hundreds of members. I know that there are some scooter-related advertisements on the site, and perhaps those are offsetting any costs, and my concern is unfounded. But I often do feel like a "freeloader" here, benefiting where I have not contributed, and I would certainly be willing to shoulder my share if need be to keep this wonderful forum going. Again, apologies if my question is deemed inappropriate.

"Shite flinging" Hahahaha! I had a friend/colleague a while back who liked to engage in what she called "flicking shit". It was her way of testing the water, seeing if one could defend one's opinions, etc. I'll have to admit I didn't like it at first, but we eventually became good friends. That being said, the anonymity of the internet is the root of the civility issue, IMHOP. When you have to deal with people in person, there is almost always an incentive to be civil. I also appreciate all the moderators as well as the regulars who post frequently. My wife refers to this community as my "imaginary friends", but I have met lots of MV folks and made some actual friends. Great thread BTW, Larry.