I resemble that remark...
Mike Irwin said:
I think the most obvious one could well be a sense of extreme nervousness over an image that some fear could become the de facto "definition" of a gunowner in the minds of anti-gunners.
It could well be an attempt by some (consciously or unconsciously) to distance themselves from this image.
Agreed, and I think this is a natural and understandable thing, even though it "ain't always pretty."
As you pointed out, people may well be nervous about being linked to a bad stereotype... the wanna-be SWAT guy, the weekend warrior... these images don't exactly help us make the case that gun owners are also professionals/skilled tradesmen/sensible people. Trevor used this phrase recently: "Whether it be one's writing or one's manner and appearance: Style is substance." Coming from a marketing background these last few years, I've realized that in most situations, style really is substance; people take what they see of you literally at face value. TFL rises above the crowd of other boards and lists partly based on the writing skill of the membership; people make carefully reasoned points and mostly know that sheer shouting will never convince anyone of anything but that the shouter is an uncouth lout. I was really impressed with the overall tone (for instance) of the thread in General titled something like "Why I love gun rights but hate handguns..."
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=63297
Some people attacked this woman for not being pro-gun, but the overall reaction was very balanced, and people supported the idea that it is the individual's decision how they would defend themselves. TFL members understand that we are on display to the world... and want to look like the intelligent and reasonable people we claim to be. In a similar way, when we "go forth into the world," we may not want to spook the herd too much.
To expand a bit on what I said earlier...
Being "uncool" is really uncool... as the high-school dweeb in the plaid high-water pants and no skill in team sports, I remember what it is like to be labeled that way; it hurts, and people will do a lot to avoid that embarrassment.
Mr. Irwin then said:
As for me, I'll bust on anyone or anything, myself included.
I'm there with ya, dude. I'm a neurotic, introspective, klutzy guy with unpopular opinions; if I took myself too seriously, I'd be a hurting unit. FWIW, I thought the original Mall Ninja thread... where was it? on GlockTalk? was one of the funniest damned things I've ever read. I literally had tears running down my face.
I'm also susceptible to peer pressure... after reading a few hundred posts here on TFL about the Mall Ninja, I've pretty much stopped carrying the black nylon pouches all over my belt... the Leatherman, the Gerber folder, and the third-and-fourth magazines of reloads for the Kimber are now hiding in my briefcase, unless I'm actually dressed in jeans and heading out into the woods or the wilds of Wally-World... and I don't even know any TFLers in my town!
I think that a lot of the energy in the M.N. threads comes from people poking fun at themselves... I know I have bought some "G.I. Joe" equipment at times... I've got the old nun-chucks from the late seventies... when you know you've made the mistakes yourself, and gotten past them, it probably will strike you as even funnier when you see some earnest person running around doing the same **** you did once.
There is also the angle of "appropriate for the situation." I'll bet there are times when every bit of M.N. equipment would be appropriate to have/carry/use, but part of maturity is being able to judge situations and make good choices about how you are going to act, look, talk.
Hmmmmm... I think I've got more to think about today when I go out to mow the side yard!
Thanks for the chance to vent a little, guys.
-Jorah
PS: I just noticed the "four letter word" editing feature... "TFL; the Family Safe Forum..."