originally posted on 9/4/2020
I’ve come to realize that, at least for me, the internet is a double-edged sword when it comes to my coaster enthusiasm. A warning: I know this is long-winded and that I might not be absolutely correct, as I’d love to hear other opinions.
I joined ACE in the late 1970s as part of a couple with my fiancé (first wife), but we could only afford a single membership, which was lost with the divorce (she didn’t renew). I kept the railway membership, which is where I remained active through the birth of my son with my second wife, Peggy. Sometime in the late 1980s, I was setting up a messaging service, and if I agreed to mirror five usenet newsgroups, we would get a discounted subscription for internet service. That is how I came to find the rec.roller-coaster newsgroup (RRC).
Through RRC, I returned to my youthful interest, learned about roller coasters around the world and became reacquainted with ACE. Friends I made in the days of RRC are still friends today. Before Google Maps, there were directions on RRC and AAA Triptiks, which led to new destinations with people who were only usernames before meeting in person. Legendary nights like the stormy Stark Raven Mad and trips to California, in addition to side trips during corporate travel, were all the result of postings on RRC. ACE was there as well. And Peggy went to work at Six Flags Over Georgia. Yahoo News tried to keep up, but RRC was where the latest information could always be found. I remember downloading (on my fast-for-the-times 14.4-baud modem) the basic computer animation of a new coaster coming to Busch Gardens Tampa and being transfixed by the awe that is Kumba.
The growth of coaster enthusiasm and knowledge is the positive correlation to the growth of the internet. But at the same time, there are definitely negatives. The first has to be that a troll is no longer something in a fantasy story living under a bridge. Instead the troll now hides behind a username with a keyboard, throwing out baseless allegations, which, in my opinion, have evolved into “fake news” conspiracies. RRC had its share of trolls, but as the internet grew, the numbers of trolls grew as well. While I try to laugh off things, the anonymous defamations are often very painful to read. These bullies hide behind the armor of satire and humor, but too often I find their comments cruel and unfunny.
One of the things I love about ACE is the egalitarian democracy founded in the club’s 40-plus-year’s DNA. I think the legacy being created with our long-lived diverse community will last for generations to come. In the internet universe, individuals have quickly created personal “clubs,” which can be anything from just a Facebook page and a park event meet-up to a full-blown website with forums and stories. Unfortunately, sometimes these sole-proprietor organizations, even if run by a team, have a tendency to become cults of personality. There is no respect for opinions that are not of the group’s mainstream agenda. And then things get personal with the individuals in charge. Banning is all too easy in this internet environment. While ACE is occasionally criticized for being “cliquey,” other internet groups can evolve into an “in-crowd” group who mocks and laughs at those who are somehow different. I hope this painful representation of enthusiasm elitism is never allowed to fester within ACE.
A definite internet positive/negative is that now information travels lightning fast. There’s no longer a need to depend on the US Postal Service — just a few clicks and you’re registered for an event with a confirmation. RSVP to an activity with an easy reply link. It sure beats the days as an ACE regional representative before email existed and I had a dedicated answering machine to collect responses and worried about getting card stock to send out postcards. But the negative to having information available everywhere instantaneously is that print media is looking like a dinosaur to many. RollerCoaster! continues to be relevant by having remarkable photos and insightful writing that delivers perspectives to the readers, educational and historical content and engaging topics. Only a few clubs continue to offer this benefit to their members.
The more things evolve, I hope that they are changing for the better. Today, in the time of COVID-19, the internet has definitely helped lessen the isolation and loneliness of the quarantine lockdown. Virtual Google meetings, Zoom chats, instant messages, Facetime and Duo have all provided welcome relief to the isolation required to remain safe in these trying times. Better days are ahead, and I hope everyone can make things better with their thoughts and actions in the future. Just like this virtual stuff, while it helps to pass the time, everything will be so much better when we can talk, laugh and hug in person.
Sorry to be long-winded on this, but it’s something I’ve thought about for a while. And, with internet publishing, word count becomes less of a metric. Thanks for reading.
Stay safe. Be healthy. See you in a queue.
— Robert Ulrich, ACE President
rulrich@aceonline.org
@#$%&!
#ACENews