Gatekeepers at the Gates of Hell. We have occasionally been accused of gatekeeping, which isn’t awesome. That’s not who we want to be. So today we’re going to figure out what gatekeeping is, what it maybe isn’t, and revise all of our previous shitty comments about everything.
Music pick of the week:
Robot – Sun Kil Moon – Ghosts of the Great Highway
Stevil – Quicksand – Manic Compression
Podcast (revolting): Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:10 — 82.7MB)
I have friends that love the Foo Fighters. I have friends who drive to rides and have all the gear. I come across riders that have blue tooth speakers blaring all manner of music that I do not like during their rides. Those aforementioned things are fine. Not my cup of coffee, but fine. However, riders that litter and/or riders that act like assholes expecting everyone to get out of their way is where I keep this ethereal gate. If that is someone’s “yum” they can fuck right off. The mountain bike team I support and coach just concluded their season. We are adamant with the kids to be courteous and to NEVER litter. This includes proper passing guidelines, calling out passes as well as teaching about packing out anything they bring on rides. Additionally, they all must do a certain minimum of trail maintenance to remain on the team and they get extra points when they do more.
As for gaslighting, my favorite consideration on this was being a band with a drummer that would roll onto his back with his legs in the air and light his farts ablaze. Horror and hilarity from everyone in attendance would ensue.
I’m a road rider, I don’t ride mountain bikes. I’m not into skateboarding. And I don’t particularly care for punk. But I faithfully listen to, and enjoy, the podcast, nonetheless. In fact, I have grown to love the podcast (I didn’t at first) precisely because you guys touch on much bigger issues than mountain biking or skateboarding or punk. I don’t feel excluded or hurt when you diss either music I like or how/what I ride.
There is a secret that I have tried to impart to my now adult kids: “Don’t take it personally.” You guys are not judging MY choices. You’re stating your opinions and preferences. There is a bigger picture in what you have to offer in each episode, and that is what I have come to value and enjoy. Yes, some of these truths revolve around cycling. But many more are about life and how we approach life. And I’m grateful for y0ur insights and thoughtfulness and humor. Keep it up.
You guys know perfectly well what ‘gatekeeping’ connotes, and we all know it’s not about ‘yucking someones yum’ in their zest for trail littering.
That you have music picks suggests an open gate, but one might instead call it ‘gatekeeping lite’…e.g. why we all should care so deeply that ‘Jawbreaker signed to a major label’.
A more nuanced form, but a form nonetheless.
Then what’s the difference between expressing an opinion, and this? We never said our opinion was the right one.