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Post by TwoBrainedCylon on Feb 21, 2005 11:55:45 GMT -5
Excuse me Sandy. I don't shake anyone down. I have sources close to the BSG production that inform me what's up- I don't go to them. And I have developed very cordial relations with some Skiffy people who volunteer the info. So do not impugn me or my sources. They are just as reliable and credible as yours. Thank you, KR P.S. If I read something out of line here, sorry. But your comments certainly did not cast me in a favorable light compared to you & your contacts. I don't recall making a single statement ever questioning any "news" you've posted. When the Dirk thing blew up, I didn't comment on it nor did I speculate on what might have created the disconnect or question your motivations. I don't believe I've done that here either. I do think its fair to say (by your own statements) that you are "covering the news" and seeking it out. You said recently that you cover all rumors. I don't. I have some friends and associates I speak with and the subjects come up as topics of someone's job or common interests. When info seems to impact arguements going on at the boards (primarily Cylon.org) I comment. I see that as nothing more than saying "Hey, guys, here's something I know". As I've told Michael Hinman a number of times, I don't report anything. I'm just a fan. That's different than the role you've set for yourself in which establishing your position as some sort of leader seems to be as much your goal as anything you have to say. I certainly wouldn't have spent a week telling everyone to tune into lvrocks or whatever its called to get my interview. I'd have just answered the questions posed to me. That's not a slam but an example of just how different we are and why we're involved in the fanbase in the first place. Promoting your interview was appropriate for the approach you are taking and the "leader" role you've said you want to fulfill. Its not appropriate for me and the fan role I want to fulfill. We have different intentions and different goals. As for the rest, I don't wish to argue with you people and this has spiraled away from any sense of logic. Justify it as "discussion" or anything you want but the reality is that I shared some behind the scenes info on a completely different board with no intent other than inform people that there was more under consideration than many thought. Somehow that sparked conspiracy theories about secret plots whose concepts simply amaze me. I honestly can't fathom how some of you come up with all of this but those are issues you can deal with. From this point onward, I consider this a hostile place and will regard it accordingly since I no longer believe this stupidity is based on any misunderstandings. That doesn't make me an "enemy" but it does mean that I'll consider this sort of conduct to be the standard of this board and its more vocal membership. Sandy
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Post by TwoBrainedCylon on Feb 20, 2005 10:21:26 GMT -5
Well, it certainly is refreshing to see that I continue to command such love among the new series fans.
I'm confused as to why I either deserve this sort of treatment or how so many seem to know my character better than I know myself. I'd appreciate it if some of you could share this ability.
Xenu, you seem like a great guy but frankly your credits seem limited to a documentary series. That doesn't rank among guys like Tom DeSanto as far as what can be done in the industry. (Yes, I do get info originated with Tom).
If anyone manages to actually check my background they'll find I do apologize, without reservation, when I've done something wrong. In this case, it seems that the only real crime was to trust in the rationality of those that might read my posts. I've been somewhat tolerant of the treatment from places like this but honestly you guys are a bit beyond belief.
Where do you get the idea that I have secret plots to push or develop any agenda? Where in all the posts I've made saying nothing written on the boards will affect any direction of any Galactica series did you get the idea that I was secretly plotting to kill the new series and get a continuation going? Where do you see my efforts to found or push the CFF or any other revival campaign. I've donated artwork, talked to friends, and shared what has proven to be credible info that people would be interested in.
The Sci-Fi Channel discussions focused on some concerns they had. I expressed on Cylon.org that they had concerns beyond sheer ratings and that their expectations for the shows performance was higher than you'd think. I said that in my opinion they were unfairly high. Somewhere along the line I said I thought it would be renewed. Even though I don't like the new series I gave Ron the good wishes that I hoped he'd at least get to finish his story.
In most circles, this would be a good wish for someone just because you consider him a good guy. Somehow, here, it is a secretive plot to end the series and kick it out the door.
Amazing.
Xenu is correct that I do feel that a continuation would be better off if the new series failed. That doesn't mean that I hope the new series would fail. It was nothing more than a statement of my belief of the conditions. I'd like to see a continuation but frankly if it happens it happens. I'm not pushing, plotting, or filtering anything. I'm certainly not spinning any information and I sure as Hell am not sharing 95% of what I'm hearing just because of this sort of thing.
Am I "connected", ... not much. I have friends (READ: FRIENDS) who are working on the show on various levels. I know Ron Moore and Richard Hatch but my friends go well beyond that to include some of the CG guys as well as Skiffy guys. Unlike someone like KR, I'm not shaking them down for info. I really don't much care. Things come up in conversations I have with them -- the same conversations most friends have.
The 22 episodes came up in a conversation primarily focused on my buying a new investment property, the great times I had recently visiting my granddaughter, and vacations at the Yucatan. If you guys want to debate about how much spinning took place on those topics go right ahead. It doesn't seem any less stupid than what I've read here over the past few weeks. For the 1000th time, I'm not trying to get any "scoop" nor am I trying to convince anyone to do/not do or think/not think anything. A couple here say they've known me for a long time but I honestly wonder what they've noted and what they've ignored.
Am I a good guy ... well, I think I am. Do I filter info ... I do now but only because I balance whether or not giving an "insider" bit is worth the crap that always follows it.
I don't think anything I've been told is wrong. Unless I hear something that disproves it, I do think the decision to renew the show was far more complicated than mere ratings. I believe Skiffy folks were expecting higher ratings than they got. I also believe they told Ron and company the ratings were outstanding. This is the same thing they've done to other people on other shows so its not a new thing. I also believe my CG friends were told to prepare for 22 episodes. That may or may not prove to be the correct number. Both options might be considered at the moment for all I know.
Somehow, those simple statements were turned into my proclaimation that I said the show was going to get cancelled and then (when it was pointed out that I didn't say anything like that) the "inference" that I was hoping it would all end in six episodes. Do you people actually know how to read or do you simply have some desire to find someone to demonize so you can feel better about yourselves. One of those two sure seems to be the truth but as far as which, I don't know.
What I do know is that you people are seeing hostility and ill-will where none exists -- at least on my part. I don't like the new show. Its that simple.
I'm a very arrogant person but not one so arrogant that I want to force my preferences on everyone else. Enjoy your show for as long as it lasts. Just stop making enemies out of everyone who doesn't share the same love and stop seeing secretive plots in people who are being open and honest. At least do them the favor of considering that they're being honest with you before diving for some hidden, sinister reasoning.
Some of you may see me as coming off as "high and mighty" ... I'm not sure how to change that other than to never post anywhere, even on a board I created myself. I'm sure some would like that but at this point, I really don't think I'm the one with the problem.
So, for the 1001st time, I have no secret agenda. I fully believe my friends are sincere and knowledgeable in their specific areas of interest. If I am somehow filtering or spinning any information I'm doing it on a level so deep in my subconcious I can't even begin to recognize it. ... and, if any of you opt to spend the time wondering at my character, you can spend it e-mailing me directly and just asking.
You'll find that I'm not "high and mighty" and pretty reasonable. Believe what you want about any info anyone posts but I'd appreciate it if you'd stop insulting my friends or me personally. -- and yes, pushing off the bad character to my friends and saying that THEY have an agenda or are liars is just as bad as calling me a liar directly.
I can't quite understand how something so simple seems so hard for some of you.
Sandy
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Post by TwoBrainedCylon on Feb 5, 2005 14:23:33 GMT -5
Greetings all.
First of all, congrats to Xenu and the team for the growing success on RA.
Second of all, thank you for the unrequested feedback on my character and motivations. No doubt some of you understand me better than I understand myself. The insight has been helpful, if not a bit painful. Hearing what others think of you can often challenge what you know about yourself. In this case, I've gotten a grand dose of that.
I disagree with much of what has been written here but everyone can work most of it out for themselves. Regardless, since I have become the topic, not the subject of the post, it seems fair to provide some feedback.
I personally don't feel that I have some intolerance for people who disagree with me. I have intolerane for insincerity, lying, TROLLING, and game playing. Some fairly fierce fueds that arose when the miniseries was first announced as a concept may have tainted some of my thinking but most seem to think I'm a reasonable guy. To believe that I can't stand someone who disagrees with me misses what I see as my real character. I can only believe that anyone who feels this hasn't really read the things I write or realized the basis of the conflicts that have occurred.
I didn't like being called volitile but I can understand why that characteristic may seem valid to many. That and the comments about being confrontational were useful to me and I thank those that made them as it is a valueable perception that I'll try to keep in mind in the future.
As for my motivations behind posting the first and second message, there wasn't and isn't any sinister plan to sway anyone to one side or the other, deflate anyone's hopes or dreams, soften the blow for TOS fans, spin doctor a situation to seem to be different than it is, or anything else. It was simply to provide information that people could consider or not.
Every time I do this I get a storm of flak like this and I ask myself why I even bothered. In this case, I heard scores of folks firmly under the belief that if the new series broke a certain mark it would be renewed. I know for fact that there are far more considerations than that under the table. If the posts sounded like I was dissing the show, I don't think you read them for their real content. If you note, there were also comments about how Larson saving the day for the TOS crowd isn't a viable possibility either and that the Sci-Fi Channel isn't about to backpeddle and get more TOS friendly even if the show tanks.
One could bellieve I'm at war with everyone and that would fit the evidence before you OR you could simply consider that things are just as I claim they are and that I was merely relaying an insider's view with no other motive than to provide people with a window as to some of the thinking going on behind the scenes.
Someone noted that I didn't announce a series pickup before it happenned in early 2004. That's true. I knew when it happenned but was asked to keep it to myself. In fact, I keep a lot of information to myself (about 1/2 to 2/3rds). Usually that's simply to honor requests made by those who share things with me but increasingly, its because sharing information with this fanbase isn't worth the hassle that always accompanies it. Try having every word you write scrutinized with sinister motives added and see how ambitious you become to tell people things you know, epecially if its what they don't want to hear. To many, it sounds arrogant that I think my words have such impact but experience has shown me that even things I write causally impact a lot of people and are often used as ammunition for one side or the other often years later. (Ask people you trust if this is arrogance or truth). I may come across like Moses coming from the mountain but in my mind, I'm simply a fan sharing some things I know for those that want to consider them. If some (or even most) don't, that's fine too. The last time this sort of conflict of info took place I made a lunch bet over it and would have laughed and enjoyed the lunch had I lost.
I recently decided to post a basic review of the series (my personal thoughts) because I'd been requested to do so by quite a number of folks, including some members of the production team. I posted it on the Skiffy board and pointed people towards it. Within a day, the mods had to close it down due to the backlash and personal attacks launched against me.
In this latest case, I posted information on Cylon.org, not to stroke the egos of anyone but just because that's the closest thing I have to a "BSG Home". I clearly said, "take it or leave it" yet for some reason, its posted all across the internet now and people are whining about some secretive plan I must be following. You guys should really listen to yourselves sometimes because your explainations are pretty rediculous. If you live in a world framed by a struggle of making the new series succeed or die you live in a world unconnected to mine. Some are correct, that I wouldn't shed a tear if this new series were cancelled. I've told Ron that directly. I also wouldn't be bothered if it continued for another ten years. My participation in fandom (minimal at the moment) is to interact with other fans not sway anyone to any cause or press forward under some misguided belief that I'm going to change anything about any production. If anyone thinks they're swaying any production team or media studio with their BBoard posts they're very sadly mistaken. I might be passionate about Galactica but I'm not a stupid person nor do I belief I inflate my view of my own importance.
The info I posted doesn't parallel what everyone hears. That's absolutely true. I think I even noted that. I posted it precisely because it contrasts. If things I heard were the same as what everyone else was saying, there wouldn' be any reason to post it. If I did have some anti-TNS agenda, trust me, it would be a LOT more fun to let you guys continue to get spun up about how a second season was a certainty and then laugh when the cancellation was announced. Then, there would be a sea of comments to throw in people's faces.
I'm not that way and anyone who thinks I am isn't even trying to understand my character -- not that I think anyone should try to understand my character but if you spend effort describing what I must be like you should at least try to see if I really am this villian you describe.
As many know, I and KR have a profound dislike for each other. I now like Michael Hinman but we've been through some strong challenges and you could claim we are at odds based on what's posted on the internet. Yet, with these two, I still wouldn't assign some ulterior motives to thier actions for posting information. I take what they present at face value until I know otherwise. I think many of you would be well advised to do the same. I explained in context the information I presented and explained why I bothered to post it in the first place. Before you call me a liar, you should at least have something to go on other than a belief that I must have some secret agenda. In ther future, if anyone really wants to know what I think or intend about anything, you're welcome to contact me directly at realshades@cfl.rr.com . I doubt you'll find me to be the evil, plotting mad-scientist so many of you picture me to be.
If the membership here intends to alienate and attack everyone that doesn't sing the top praises of the new series, that's fine in itself but I'm reminded that this site was originally concieved because new series fans felt they couldn't express themselves without someone attacking them. I personally find it ironic that its become a safe haven for engaging in the exact same conduct against members of other sites who either like the original series or dislike the new series. I recall that a chief complaint was that people at Cylon.org weren't considerate enough of new series fan's views and a place where everyone was respected had to be created. Somehow, I thought mutual respect would sound less vicious than what I've read here.
Of course that's only my opinion.
Sandy
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