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Authenticity is Everything
An own thread about my previous comment regarding ”the state” of this site…
Since I don’t think it’s fair to spam Robs authencity thread with this discussion, I started a new thread for this.
It might have been a slight exaggeration saying that this site has become pretty much only about cheap signed CD:s that musicians sell to up their sale records, but sometimes it honestly feels like that.
I’ve been a member of this great site for 10 years and I’ve learned A LOT, bought many nice graphs from other members, sold a few too, got authencity help and avoided fakes many times, helped a few members myself and even got a few friends here! But I honestly sometimes miss the ”old days” when this site were filled with members:
-helping each other regarding the authencity of graphs,
-writing blogs about everything autograph related,
-sharing photos of their autographs, -working together to expose forgers,
-discussing good guys and bad guys in the business,
-tallking about the good and bad with TPAs
and much, much more.
A few examples of what I mean. Earlier you could share a photo of your latest autograph and get lots of comments and people sharing their own examples. This often led to fun discussions about the artist or actor you liked and their autograph. Today you get nothing when uploading a photo, basically no one cares which I think is a bit sad. I loved sharing my own graphs but also to see other members fantastic graphs, often items I could only dream of owning myself but really appreciated seeing.
There also used to be a very active Star Wars ”community” here with lots of highly knowledgable members. I understand that many of these members have moved on to FB and for example SWAU, but this is just another example of things that have almost disappeared. And from talking to some of them I know that they felt that this new ”focus” on CD:s and books is one reason that they moved on, so it’s not just me.
Maybe it’s just me that have missed them, but there isn’t many autograph blogs today either. I loved to read these by knowledgeable and/or funny members that shared their stores about the autograph world.
I have also bought Slash signed CDs based on tips here, so I’m aware of the double standards! But as said, I honestly miss the sharing and discussions that used to be the main content of this great site.
Now it’s often multiple threads about the same $10 CD or book and first there are 45 (approx…) replies about how and where to order and then it is 37 replies about shipping followed up by 29 replies about recieved or not recieved items and sadly it often ends with 53 replies about if the item is genuine or not…
One morning when I logged in here it was approx 20-25 straight replies in the latest activity field about Dolly Partons ”signed” book. I understand the interest and as said I’m sometimes interested too, but at least according to me it pushes everything else aside and leads to that all other subjects ”drowns”.
I completly understand that many members will see me as an old fart that can’t accept changes and maybe you’re right. It’s early morning here and I basically haven’t slept beacuse of me having fever, so that may be why I’m grumpy. But I just wanted to elaborate what I meant earlier in another thread.
Take care!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dan Morris on
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Definitely fair comments and I share your thoughts and feelings and you're definitely not alone.
I have also purchased a few signed items which have been put up but sometimes I log on and you see 80-90 new comments and then see 80 are on 3-4 topics such as a new CD or autopen whilst as you say many discussions or opinion requests are swallowed up and get one, none,, or maybe a couple of replies.
I'm not sure if there is an answer to limit things such as when someone posts about a new release and these are great to see and a really good source but it is good when you see differing opinions on an item as we had recently on Elton John.
Hopefully, others will give their views and good on you for saying this and sharing!
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Permalink Reply by Cogo on
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Thank you Dan. I can’t find any easy answer either and I’m not demanding that our fantastic mods like Eric and Steve (and the others I’ve missed) can either. I’m very thankful for all of the work they put in for free so that we can have this site!
I just wrote a quick reply in another thread and then it escalated to this… :-)
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Permalink Reply by Jason H on
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I think the signed cd aspect is what actually lead me to be more active on this forum. Yeah it is a huge aspect of this website, but I believe its bringing more knowledgeable collectors here. I didn't know this site even existed before 2017 and ive been a collector since 1991. I took a few years off from the hobby after finding this site, came back here when I regained interest in the hobby last year. I'm really not sure how it used to be, but the main reason I came back was because of those signed cds... Im actually trying to distance myself from the cd section now.. after going crazy for 1 year, ive had enough. It started to consume my life. There are pros and cons to having it around. The only harm I see is that it is consuming the recent activity area.
The other argument for the cd section is, its bringing a ton of new people into this hobby.. the stronger this community becomes, the more valuable our autographs will be later on, regardless of what aspect people focus on now. Someone buying a £2 ed sheeran cd now could be one of the leaders on this site in 20 years. I cant see fault with that aspect of this community.
As for your comment about the Dolly Parton autopen questions, or anything similar, I believe those discussions deserve to be in those threads.. there are a ton of novice lurkers in the cd section that have no clue how to determine if an autograph is genuinely real. Our autopen conversations have been making the entire autograpb community more aware of these practices. I believe it helps us overall and I for one am determined to keep on fighting autopens.. i hate them with a passion.
I do understand where you are coming from and definitely do not see you as an old fart.. we need people like you to maintain certain standards going forward. I love that you are bringing this discussion up for all of us to give an opinion. However, in my opinion, I dont think the cd thread is driving anyone away.. i believe, if it is happening, its because of social media in general. There are so many more groups out there now its insane..
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Appreciate your opinions Jason!
Yes of course, we can learn a lot from those discussions and it’s positive that new members register here. It’s just the feeling that it sucks the air out of pretty much every other subject I’m not so fond about.
And just to be clear, I never meant that my opinion are better than anyone elses or that my way of seeing it represent any ”higher standards”. Because it doesn’t!
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I did not feel any superiority from your comments at all, no worries there. As for the subjects you are fond of, could you list what interests you and ask if anyone knows of groups outside this forum they could point you to. Ive just started adding groups on Facebook a few months ago so I'm fairly new to a lot of them. There is a whole other world out there for autographs if you arnt aware and its continuously growing. If people really are leaving this site, it might be best for you to find another group to complement this website.
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In every online community I’ve ever been a part of, there is always an element that wants to control their environment absolutely. People who can’t just pass over the threads they aren’t interested in, but feel the need to diss other members’ interests as being counterproductive to the community as they see it.
There are bands and celebrities I can’t stand to even look at, but, you know what, I scroll right past when I see their names in the recent activity feed and instead find something that I am interested in.
The Dolly Parton thread was not only busy, but vital to our hobby at large. It exposed the corporate fraudsters for what they are, and helped members get their money back. It also sent an important message to those who think they can play fans and collectors for fools.
I post photos of my latest acquisitions from time to time. Sometimes they garner comments, other times not. Years from now, they may help other collectors authenticate their own finds. There’s a good chance I’ll never know what influence I’ve had, but I’m fine with that. My ego isn’t so fragile that I need a pat on the back every time.
This hobby is a broad spectrum. Live and let live.
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I am guilty of this control.. I was pushing hard for a while for a Hollywood direct sales catagory. So far its contained to one thread, most of the posts are for newly released signed books. There are so many celebrity websites with autographs for sale. My thought was, if it had its own catagory, the names would be searchable. We could discuss them all more in depth individually.. it hasnt happend yet. I gave up pushing for it.
You have more restraint than I do.. i wanted to constantly scream at everyone on "the weeknd" thread for buying that garbage.. but i did hold back. There are a lot of real fans that are happy with his scribbled "a". I can't fault anyone for buying what they want but it is best like you said, just pass them over and find what interests you.
Thats great that you keep posting new acquisitions. An example of this, I came across a Wayne Newton autograph id like to know if its authentic.. but no one has any in-person examples to share. I see 2 different types of his signature being authenticated, one with more of a slant to the right. Im still trying to figure out if any of his successes ttm were secretarial. No one knows for certain. This is where I say, keep on posting.. i know for a fact they will help someone out down the road, even if no one is interested now.. i agree 100% with everything you said
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It is always useful to recognise one’s own strengths and weaknesses. I commend you for that.
In the same spirit, I think you give me too much credit, Jason! I’m guilty of buying that Weeknd CD, haha.
For me, there’s a personal tipping point for each purchase, governed on the price-versus-perceived-value principle. I’ve expounded on this theory a little more in your own Autographs Anonymous blog post. This does present grey areas where I have to check myself occasionally and resist buying something just for the heck of it. For the most part, I won’t spend more than I’m comfortable with on artists where I have a borderline interest.
I am a longtime collector of vintage music memorabilia (not necessarily signed stuff), and that is where the heart begins to rule the head. I’m not afraid of paying big money for rare and unique items related to Bob Dylan or The Velvet Underground. Luckily, I have a very understanding girlfriend, but restraint is not a word she would associate with me.
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Lol, I did not mean to offend anyone at all about the weeknd cds. It was just an example. Im sure someone is out there gunning for me now in defense of their purchase. My taste will never line up with others. I know its easy to hurt feelings at times on this board. I can't fault anyone for making a purchase. I may try to touch on that a little more in my other post.
My wife is also very understanding. She knows there is value in everything I buy, for the most part so she lets everything slide..
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No worries at all here, Jason. I’m not offended in the slightest, and don’t feel the need to defend this or any of my purchases. I couldn’t give two hoots, either, what anyone else buys, or for how much.
My only concern in this hobby is authenticity, which is something we should all care about, but, again, the only actions and opinions I’m responsible for are my own. Anything else is down to personal choice.
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Based on the sentences below, where you Stepeanut implies things about me as a person without knowing me at all by saying:
”there is always an element that wants to control their environment absolutely and feel the need to diss other members’ interests as being counterproductive to the community as they see it.”
and
”My ego isn’t so fragile that I need a pat on the back every time.”
makes me sure that you sadly didn’t understand ANYTHING of what I was trying to say. Other members did, so it seems like it’s you who struggles a bit when it comes to reading comprehension. I will just ignore those stupid and frankly pretty offensive replies and move on. Honestly, they say more about you as a person then they say about me…
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I dont want to speak for anyone, but what I got from Stepeanuts comments were more of a generalization and not necessarily aimed at you.. his second comment was more directed at himself. I dont believe he was implying that you had a fragile ego.. its easy to take criticism negatively and misunderstand. Ive done it before. Just want you to know Cogo, I don't think anyone is against you. We all want this site to be better going forward
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