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Richmond, BC, Canada

Does anyone out there feel that Bigpumpkins Grower Diaries is NOT the forum for unrelated personal and political posts?

9/18/2023 10:17:42 AM

Tauranga, NZ

2nd that Dave

9/18/2023 10:49:04 AM

Torrance, Ca.

Yes, but it happens every year so I've just learned to go through the diary's of my choosing.
This is the reason most of the best growers in the world don't post here anymore.
We almost lost the Patons last year because of this.

I only follow about 10 diary's because of this.

9/18/2023 11:28:38 AM

Syracuse, NY

There have been about 1.2 million posts and pictures in all aspects from tractor parts to classic cars to countless unassociated hobbies since the website began, and you can see discussions concerning top growers and the supposed reasons for ANYone not posting nor frequenting this website as much or as of late by searching
don't post
in the Site Search window at your top right, right now----->>>^^^
It is good that it is brought up from time to time, I suppose;
An 'environment of fear' (gag!) is an element of caution that is perhaps sort-of beneficial, butt I don't think ANYONE has been made more aware of that than myself and 1-2 other growers.
I know enough now to never look at 'Other Non-Pumpkin Related', lol.
Anywhere else, though, I'd be the first to yell out 'Who are YOU???'
Enjoy the suggested reading, and Carry On---eg

9/18/2023 4:37:13 PM

Syracuse, NY

PS---Here's something everyone can use:
Right-click on the tab of BP.com, up top, and hit 'Duplicate';
You now have another exact webpage of BP with exactly the same back pages and everything about it (a duplicate);
You can then do any and all searching and checking data for your comment(s) on that page without disrupting your original page
and well-thought-out typings.
You're welcome! eg

9/18/2023 4:42:35 PM

Syracuse, NY

By 'Anywhere else, though...' I meant anywhere else other than on BP, for clarification. eg

9/18/2023 5:18:30 PM

Lodi, California

Yes Ken get on this right now, we require you to censor this bad bad man for posting something off topic and mildly political in his diary

9/18/2023 5:57:11 PM

Grittyville, WA

Yeah the diaries should be mostly pumpkin related. Chill out, this old cowboy will ride into the sunset soon enough u guys.

I like it when people post jokes or pictures of their vacation. I have seen a few too many trophy fish pictures though... but to each their own.

Sorry about my recent non pumpkin post I am nervously twiddling my thumbs here. I have nothing left to do this year other than pray! Have mercy on me!

9/18/2023 6:17:53 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

For Dave to post about an annoyance, it must be something big! It’s not what it was Dave when we first started and joined this website. So many great growers like yourself don’t post anymore because of all garbage that is posted by a few persons, on a regular basis. Somebody has been daring Ken for years to be banned from this site, I’m assuming it’s the same person and maybe it’s time to make his wish come true.

9/18/2023 6:29:19 PM

Lodi, California

Yall are the whole goddamn circus. Stop getting butt hurt about what stupid shit someone else posts. If you don't like it don't look at it. Some boomer posted about a bible verse where "trumpet" was mistakenly replaced with "trump" buried 300 pictures deep in his diary and you all have your panties in a twist over it, writing a whole blog post about it. This entire thread is non-pumpkin related, by your standards it shouldn't even be here in general.

9/18/2023 6:51:31 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

Years ago I had everything in my diary from guns to fish to giant trees to vacations. I even used to post antique farm equipment and have people guess what it was to win seeds. Did the same for fish.

Now, since people get offended by the fish pics etc, I keep it just pumpkin.

9/18/2023 7:22:29 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Yeah Smallmouth your just another butt hurt boomer…..lol…

I miss your diary!

9/18/2023 7:46:18 PM

Syracuse, NY

Trump is short for trumpet in the biblical verse mentioned.
There was no connection to politics whatsoever and I suppose all that was needed to be has been said, now. eg

9/18/2023 9:16:14 PM

Australia eastcoastcitrus@hotmail.com

Oh dear dear dear

9/19/2023 5:23:09 AM

Bethlehem CT

I say this respectfully to all growers who have commented on this thread as none of you have ever done anything or said anything to me that ticked me off. In fact it's the opposite of that. I have spoken privately with some of you on line and even met some of you in person and have enjoyed every minute of it. You all are salt of the earth type people that are quite easy to relate too and speak with.
Just a couple thoughts here, I have been a member on this site since 2,007. I have seen many types of diaries over the course of those years. All are different and reflect many different things. Some people are very open and share everything, others just show pictures of there split pumpkins, some like to show pictures of there vacation, the big fish or the buck they shot. I love seeing all of it, and If there is someone's diary I may not be interested in, For example if someone just posts about sewing, I would avoid going to that diary. (my apologies if someone has posted about sewing, I tried to find an example that wouldn't offend anyone.)
I believe diaries have always been varied for as long as I have been on here. THis site has survived some very toxic trolls. Anyone remember AMelio? I don't consider any of the above posters to be a troll. I really think that it is unfair to blame certain people for the lack of participation on this site. It's true the site has changed a lot since it's hey day. I think we all miss those days and the comraderie we had. But the world has changed, one of the biggest things that has changed is how we post about ourselves and our hobbies. Now everything has trended toward places like facebook, twitter etc. I see very little cultural information or growing wisdom being shared on any of those more modern platforms. We are the ones who have changed, and because of that this site has changed too.

9/19/2023 7:39:26 AM

Bethlehem CT

And Ashton I don't think any of us on here are old enough to be boomers! That is highly insulting to me and my fellow generation X'ers. LOL.

9/19/2023 7:49:28 AM

Westmoreland, KS

Does Ashton win for comment of the year?!!!? LOL

9/19/2023 8:59:59 AM

Honesdale, Pennsylvania

Chop wears Bloomers

9/19/2023 10:05:13 AM

Syracuse, NY

It is deserving of a reprimand. NO ONE should be allowed to not only attack the original poster nor include EVERYONE in the fallout from it, even if this 'community' thinks it is all in fun and entertaining and par for the course. Even then, would you want YOUR posts or comments verbally attacked as such?
Not funny that the last two comments are commending said replier as if it's allll okaaaayyyy...eg

9/19/2023 10:26:57 AM

Syracuse, NY

Maybe Ned will save the day, lol---eg

9/19/2023 10:28:26 AM

Lodi, California

No pumpkinpal I'm just ticked off that these big pumpkin growers are throwing around their weight to get a contributing member of this community kicked off. Bryan already said he would leave as a result of this. He might not be a big fancy grower like the people who are directly bullying him here, but I will say what I think when he's been thrown under the bus

9/19/2023 10:51:08 AM

Lodi, California

Sorry his name's brandon

9/19/2023 10:52:14 AM

Lodi, California

But by all means pumpkinpal, uhh, repremand me

9/19/2023 10:56:24 AM

Syracuse, NY

So, now you had to say that like, 'C'mon'?
No one is officially bullying LK - His apology way up there
should have been enough(!);
I did the same thing and felt the same way concerning Little Kins before as well, and my takeaway was that it is not up to any grownup on here to 'protect' another at the expense of himself becoming an offensive player on this field - nor bait for other, even-worse backlash.
I also tried to snuff this one out somewhat but that never works!
It just goes on and on, hence my comment about and to your 'supporters'.
Brandon is a big boy and has been through far worse than this. I have also goaded him to stick around - No one will kick him off this website. If they could or were inclined to, what are WE still doing here, right lol??? HAND - Have Nice Day! eg

9/19/2023 11:12:15 AM

Syracuse, NY

Lol---Have (A) Nice Day! eg

9/19/2023 11:14:01 AM

Marshfield, Ma, USA

Well said John. I like the variety of other interests posted as long as they are not overdone. There are a lot of very interesting people on this site with considerable knowledge of other hobbies. I like to see fish, hunting, cars, odd weird, or wonderful nature pics and many other varied subjects. Yes even tractor parts ID quiz. Because of these varied interests, I can't say how many times I've thought I wish that person lived closer to me so we could hang out, talk pumpkins and whatever our other common interests were. What I can do without is political discussions, bickering between members, personal and family issues posted. Oh yeah, guilty of fish pics lol.

9/19/2023 12:22:59 PM

Torrance, Ca.

I just skim through but I had to go back and read Ashtons posts. lol

I don't have the time to go through all the diary posts but if it's about Jesus, I'm all good.:)

Most of us remember Ashton from the very beginning. Good kid and fired up about pumpkins! I'm stoked he's still growing and stuck with it!

But back to the topic, we don't want to lose guys like Dave that have more knowledge than most of us. Dave is good people. Dave and I talk on the phone a few times a week. Again, great grower and great guy!
I've spoken with most of the top growers in the world and they tell me they just don't come on anymore because of getting bashed by someone that knows nothing about growing and trying to tell them they're wrong.

Praise God for phones and text messaging!;)

We need to all remember though, this is the ONE place we all come to for one common reason, growing giants and sharing our knowledge and experience.
In every hobby, sport, pokemon card, etc. website there's always going to be a couple knuckleheads. That's why we have the " Ignore " button Ken put on here a few years back. It's the best because you won't even see the persons post. Give it a try and I think you'll be very happy.:)

9/19/2023 4:45:14 PM

Ontario

Or even easier, chose which diaries you'll read, and just read the ones you know keep it informational. And chose what threads you want to bother reading. Any time I see a political comment, I don't bother reading it. Not that they are wrong or anything, I just don't care. If that's what I wanted to read, I'd go somewhere else. I want to read Pumpkins, so I only read posts I think will be informational to me.

9/19/2023 9:17:28 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

This recurring theme that most of the "top" growers are abandoning BP because of the odd post or diary entry, I'm not buying it. I'm not suggesting So.Cal. that you haven't spoken with growers who are turned off by some of the posts here. Last year there were 48 pumpkins grown over 2000 lbs. and over 200 exceeding 1500 lbs. You have spoken with most of the top growers ? Ok , I can't prrove that you didn't but I can say that most of these people seldom post here if ever for a number of reasons.
I don't know Richmond Dave, I enjoy and follow his diary and I certainly don't want to put words in his mouth.

I have been ignoring the author of the diary entry in question so I had to do a little digging to see what the fuss was all about. All I'm left with is...seriously? I don't think this one entry is enough to chase Dave away any more than this post is likely to chase you away.

The people who post here, by and large, do so because they want to. I've been on here pushing 20 years and from my account the heavy hitters post here when they deem appropriate, like during auction season or to acknowledge a growing accomplishment. The majority, for lack of a better term, are lurkers which is fine. The vast majority of people on this site have one thing in common- average like minded folks who enjoy this hobby/sport, including the top growers.
I don't buy the exodus claim over annoying posts, just sayin.

9/20/2023 7:42:15 AM

Richmond, BC, Canada

I found the "ignore" button. Thanks So.Cal

9/20/2023 8:22:35 AM

Lodi, California

Might it have something to do with the fact that bigpumpkins is a very old text based website? Most of the older growers have moved to facebook, some middle aged and younger growers are on instagram etc. People have abandoned this website for shinier things, but this will always be our home. Its the greatest repository of information and pictures, and is a place where people can talk and ask for advice. Its a shame more people aren't more involved here. There's so many good things that if some random post by some random person is enough to scare you away, then I don't believe you see the value of this site.

9/20/2023 11:39:07 AM