So what is it with..................

So what is it with some people who can’t handle getting “good” at something? I’m posting this on a modeling forum but it applies to more than just this subject. I’ve worked with GM for almost twenty years and I got pretty good at being an automotive technician especially in the electrical end of things. I say that not to toot my own horn but to point out that I always seemed to remember where I came from and always knew that I had more to learn. In short I never reached, nor ever claimed to reach a plateau where I thought I was better than the next guy.  I knew this one technician who was really all that and a bag of party mix when it came to fixing a car. I mean this guy was really good and he was a really nice guy. In addition to his great skills he became “GM World Class Certified” through his years in GM manufacture specific training. It was after this that this guy developed a severe case of the dumb. He literally fell off of the planet in regards to reality thinking that he was God’s gift to the automotive repair community.  Any time a technician had a question they learned to steer clear of this fella. Sometimes he would walk around and find them to critique their work out of the blue doing so with that “holier than thou” attitude. I must point out that this was all unsolicited advice given with attitude.

 I’ve seen the same thing happen in the modeling community as well. I’ve seen folks who were easy going and fun to talk with on the forums  who knew their stuff yet when they go to “the next level” or get a couple of wins at the shows they become pompous and arrogant. Again these particular folks seem to fall off the planet in terms of being a little “too good” and offer unwelcome advice with attitude. We’ve all seen them come…………..and go. Don’t get me wrong, constructive criticism is always welcome but intrusive and rude approaches to it are not. What’s the turning point for people to totally disregard where they came from and to start acting an  or better than the next guy? Who are we to criticize any work we see at a show or on the forums with the attitude that we would never buy such an expensive kit only to do what is considered “substandard” work to it? How do we know the guy who built it? Maybe he or she is handicapped or maybe they are really young or just getting into the hobby. I don’t see a lot of it going on here thankfully but if you look around long enough in the modeling community, you’ll see it for sure.

Coming back around to my initial question, What is it with these people? My theory is that as the knowledge is gained it seems to put some folks “above” others. Maybe I’m all wet. I’d like to hear your thoughts on this one.

 I hope I am always able to keep my head and remember where I came from, am always friendly and approachable, always be able to learn more and retain some amount of humility no matter how good I get at this hobby. Hats off to all here who pitch in and make this an enjoyable, supportive and encouraging place to be , Joe