Chase topic minefields

[Dan Robinson]

I thought it might be beneficial for newer members to see a list of topics that are almost guaranteed to elicit a negative response on the forum and on social media. This isn't to discourage the discussion of these topics, just to prepare the poster for some of the responses. In other words, if you talk about doing any of these things, you need to expect criticism and have some thick skin in preparation.

On the flipside, I'd also encourage longtime chasers to have patience/tact with newcomers when they post things like this. Some of these involve safety issues of which serious criticism is well warranted, but even still, tact goes a long way. We were all new at one time and guilty of some of these ourselves.

Vehicle topics:

- Lightbars and flashing lights: strobes, rotators, wigwags, arrow sticks, etc
- Weather stations and instruments: Davis/OS home stations, custom builds, etc
- Logos and graphics: wraps, magnets, banners
- Anything with the intent, or appearance of intent, to drive into tornadoes: armored vehicles, etc
- Any accessory that is "over the top" or having the appearance of attention-seeking rather than actual function

Driving topics:

- Excessive speeding
- Passing in no-passing zones or on blind curves/hills
- Stopping in the road
- Standing in the road or setting tripods up in the road
- Tailgating
- Driving slow on a 2-lane road
- Hanging out of vehicle window to shoot pictures/video
- Running stop signs or red lights

Media/Photography topics:

- Giving video/photos away to media companies/networks for free/cheap
- Photographing fresh damage and tornado victims
- Copying other chasers' images to your web site/social media pages
- Celebrating while shooting a destructive tornado

Social Media/web sites/blogs:
- Posting weather hype/outlandish model graphics
- Publishing own watches/warnings

Chasing goals:

- Research
- Saving lives
- Making it a career
- Getting too close/getting "extreme" video
- Not stopping when first on the scene of damage

Weather topics:
- Global warming
- Monetizing storm chasing (video sales, sponsorships, Kickstarter campaigns, etc)
- Conspiracy theories

I'm sure there are others, but that should cover most of them! Feel free to add more if you think of any.

 

[James Hammett]

Great list...this should be required reading for new members.

 

[Steve Miller]

I completely agree. Maybe part of a welcome email that at the end has a link to the introduce yourself area. Dan, fine job sir.

 

[Mark Blue]

Job well done Dan. This deserves a sticky note IMHO.

 

[Shane Adams]

I'd like to add "Daylight Savings Time" to the list.

 

[Marcus Diaz]

Where's that damn like button!? Great job Dan. I vote for a sticky thread or have it part of a welcome email.

 

[James Hammett]

I'd like to add "Daylight Savings Time" to the list.

Daylight Saving Time

 

[Warren Faidley]

Great list.

I would be careful though about making it appear that those subjects are off limits. The subjects are ever-changing and need to be re-examined from time to time.

Should there be something about gas station burritos on the list.

W.

 

[StephenHenry]

OMGOMGOMG I heard they are gonna try to make chasing illegal!

(Maybe that falls under conspiracy theories)

 

[Jeff Duda]

While I agree that a list like this is a pretty good idea, and would be a good first thing for new members to read, that list is quite long and will probably give new members the impression that they basically can't say ANYTHING on the forum. You posted a list that looks like

DON'T talk about...
this
this
this
this and this
this
this
this
this
this this
that this
this that
this
this
this

Missing: DO talk about...

Here's how I would imagine some new members feeling after reading that: "great...so what CAN I talk about? Anything? No? Okay, f--- this." And they leave.

I'm not sure that's the message you want to be giving to new forum members.

 

[James Hammett]

Not sure it should even be presented as "don't talk about...". More like, "Search first...these topics have been rehashed a gazillion times and here are a few links to prove the point"

 

[Jeff Duda]

Not sure it should even be presented as "don't talk about...". More like, "Search first...these topics have been rehashed a gazillion times and here are a few links to prove the point"

Valid point. In that case, we need to add an entire volume associated with the science of meteorology, including topics such as
-what is a dryline
-what is a supercell
-why do supercells split/move right/move left
-what is a derecho
-why do tornadoes form
-what gives supercells rotation
-where can one typically find the dryline
-what does lapse rate have to do with forecasting severe weather
-what is pressure
-...
-...
-...

This list could go on for a few hundred entries.

 

[Marcus Diaz]

I think we need to rewind this thread. Dan was only saying that the newbies need to realize that there's certain topics that'll gain negative responses. I encourage the newbs to ask questions about weather to further their knowledge on weather. Yes there's basic things that everyone should know such as basic spotter 101 things. But everything else should be subjects that should be answered with links to subjects. They don't always have to be long drawn out type ups.

 

[Dan Robinson]

This isn't to discourage the discussion of these topics, just to prepare the poster for some of the responses.

To highlight this part of my post (I edited it to boldface it). Some of these topics result in interesting and long discussions, as long as neither party devolves into being either a.) personally offended by any direct or indirect criticism or b.) overly annoyed by the fact that the subject is being brought up/rehashed again.

Just my humble attempt to help new chasers understand why they don't get glowing, welcoming universal praise when one of their first posts is on a controversial subject.

 

[Marc R. O'Leary]

So I was thinking about installing an armor plated led lit skywarn logo on every visible surface of my chase vehicle...is that ok?




Ok, so I'm a noob and I only have a small skywarn magnet on the back of my bone stock Forester...but thats just to help convince the sheriff I'm not up to no good while out chasing lightning.