Friday, March 28, 2008

Enough is enough

Warning: cranky rant below. Skip if you're easily offended.

No endorsements here. Vote or don't vote. Being asked to vote one time wasn't so bad, it's the 38th request that gets old. I'm getting heartily sick and tired of campaign spam and emails (to me directly and posted by non-participating lurkers on several of my triathlon email lists) from people I've never met and don't know anything about, thank you very much. No, I don't want to take the time to watch your video. I wish everyone luck in their efforts, but. . . .

If you're going to put so much time and effort into obtaining schwag, I wish you'd take it offline and put those efforts into getting local support for your own local triathlon community right at home instead of simply generating publicity for yourself and others. Or in setting up a secure voting site that won't be subject to rampant voter fraud. Or work to earn the money to buy the equipment you want yourself instead of trying to get something for nearly nothing. I know that most of you in the running can afford it.

How about just working a water stop at a local triathlon without a lot of fanfare? Or showing up unannounced to cheer on your fellow triathletes at an event? Or become a certified official or coach? Or pursue an advanced degree and conduct health and performance research yourself? Or help out with the local high school track team every week, without fail, so that they see they have someone that they can depend on?

Schwag hos and attention hos. I don't like either one.

And btw, triathlon doesn't need a shiny new program (conveniently with YOU as the centerpiece and spokesperson, just coincidentally) to evangelize about fitness lifestyles. Triathlon is doing just fine without it. There are plenty of extremely worthy existing programs on the local and national level to which you could donate your energy and talents. Let's hear about what you've already accomplished that's worked successfully for others, not about what you're supposedly going to do - to draw attention to yourself.

Should I change my blog title to Tri-Curmudgeon?

(If you don't know what I'm talking about, just ignore this. I'm not posting links which will only give them more publicity).

And no, this was not directed at any one person. Despite what you may think, it's not all about you.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

+1

Joy | Love | Chaos said...

Thanks for putting that out there. I think it's a perspective that not many are willing to talk about, but it's a really valid one. I think there are some possible benefits from the program of which you speak, but there's also a lot to be said for "think globally, act locally." Sometimes our biggest impact can be in our own towns and down the block. Not always, but often.

21stCenturyMom said...

Right on - I'm sick to death of this EvoTri thing. Couldn't they have just done a single entry and decided themselves? No - that would not get them so much notice. This whole thing is about EvoTri marketing and it has gotten very old. I wish everyone who wants to be on the team well and I have my personal faves but I, too am really sick of the spam.

SingletrackJenny (formerly known as IronJenny) said...

No kidding! I love love love my picks - even posted encouraging others to vote for them, but the Evotri method of repeat voting is absurd!

Paulie said...

I totally agree. I tuned out after being asked to vote twice. And I don't watch American Idol either.

Sarah said...

I can tell you this, your blog made me realize that it is possible. And I continue to be motivated by you. And you are right, so much can be done on a local level.

Nancy Toby said...

Aww, what a kind thing to say!! Thank you!!!!

Spokane Al said...

Nancy, my computer was broke for a couple of days so I am just catching up.

I concur 100%. I have had many of your same thoughts.

S. Baboo said...

Way to put it out there Nancinator!

The way I see it, and many may disagree, if you really want to promote the sport of triathlon you should become involved in our governing body ESPECIALLY if you are not so fond of our governing body. Everything else is just marketing for profiteers and trying to garner some schwag.

Andra Sue said...

I tend to agree with you as well; self-promoting emails really rub me the wrong way. In addition--if you are a sponsored athlete for any reason--fine, enjoy all your free crap, but quit talking about it already. I'm not here for commercials. :P

Iron Pol said...

The interesting thing is that many who threw their hats into the ring (myself included) feel the the same way at one level or another. In fact, I tried to skip sending notes to people I guessed would have already gotten one (or more) e-mails. Thanks for speaking your mind, though.

Keep in mind that many of the people trying to get on the team are already huge supporters of local and national efforts. And some wouldn't otherwise have access to the type of support being offered. Just my four cents worth (inflation, you know).

ShirleyPerly said...

I apologize for being one of the many who spammed you. Really, though, I view this sponsorship, as others I've received, to be like missionary work. The stuff we get will probably not even come close to how much we will spend out-of-pocket to fulfill our obligations. I can't speak for everyone who's competing but if I thought it was just about getting stuff or self promotion, I wouldn't have even bothered entering. It would have been much cheaper and easier to just buy the stuff and try to do what I want to do on my own. I wish there was a better way to select the team with the community's input but w/o pissing them off.

Jumper 2.0 said...

I don't think that any solicitors of votes should take all this personally.

It's just that it changes the relationships here in many ways including of friendships to choosing friends (possibly).
I am fairly disappointed with Evotri for putting us through this as well as changing the atmosphere of the blogosphere.
It puts people on different levels (i guess thats the way to describe it). I just started triathlon last year. I was (and still am) excited but part of that excitement was the Tri-geek and Simply Stu podcasts. You really felt like that we were all one, now there is a hierarchy. They don't have time to podcast but we are to spend all this time choosing a team based on some video or 500 page letter. I totally forgot about the Simply Stu worldwide triathlon this weekend and am a little put off by the sudden notice that it was this weekend. Other years there were countdowns, posts, podcasts, etc. You absolutely knew about it.

Fortunately, the funny (looking;-) TacBoy and Bigun podcast as well as the many great blogs around here have filled in the hole left by the changes that I feel have happened above.

Does this make sense? Does anybody agree with what I am saying here?

Taconite Boy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Taconite Boy said...

Funny Looking!!!! I wouldnt talk there Jumpster!

Hi Nancy...the Tribe says hi as well.

Oh and I think the term 'ill conceived' might apply here.

Jumper 2.0 said...

Very good point Tac Man

(not about the funny looking, already knew that)!

I think the evotri individuals are great as far as I know them. ill conceived is a very good word. I have know doubt that they meant well!