What you are about to read is my opinion on a few things going on in Our sport right now that I do not agree with. This does not mean you will agree with me, and in no way means you have to. I am simply stating my opinion from here on out.
I’ve been in the sport of scootering for over 8 years. I know quite a lot about our sport. I’ve seen a lot, met a lot of people, and seen some of the best riders come and go. The sport means so much to me and so many others because we all worked our ass off to get it to where it is today. So now tell me this, is it ok for someone to come into this sport having done nothing for it. Having no knowledge of the sport and what WE have done in it, and try to make his claim to fame in it? A sport that has brought so many of us to places and led us to meet people we never could have met without it. A sport that some of us watched grow from nothing, to turn into what it is today. Is it fair that someone that took no part in any of that, but has some extra cash around, come into our sport and try to make a name for himself? By in one way or another exploiting us, using property of riders without their consent, and falsely advertising us to the public in ways we never wanted or agreed to?
The answer to most is obvious. No, it’s not fair and it’s not right. However, to have money and to have some skills in business or advertising and promotion can take someone a long way if they are determined enough. The question is how long can they continue to push this? When they are slowly losing their credibility, the respected image that they never had, that was so needed is starting to take a different shape now. One thing you need to note no matter who you are, or what your intentions are. Is that when coming into someone else’s territory, in this case, our sport, you need to know exactly who you are talking to, or in some cases threatening. Someone can win over all of the impressionable younger kids they want. By doing what they wish with their time and money. They can even win them over with their plans and dreams for the future, and how they will “push the sport”, but the day someone starts threatening to take legal action on someone who was stating their opinion, and not only someone but a highly respected someone in this sport, and also a good friend of mine. Is the day you’ll find me writing pieces like this.
Some people may have money, they may be smart, and they might even have a small group of people that have bought into the fact that they are, “What this sport has been, needing and waiting for”, but know this. These type of people, the ones that think they can come into something they have no place in, and try and single handedly do something “amazing”. Will never have the respect from the people they need for it to succeed. You see, one thing I think this person might have forgot somewhere along his way. Was that respect, in this sport buddy…is Earned. Not Bought.
-Written by Steven Tongson
amazing...
ReplyDeleteWould this have anything to do with kotasports, because everything in there discribes them.
This is about whoever fits the mold. Unfortunatley there are more than one person in our sport that do that.
ReplyDeletei think its bobby gurba
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing that has happened in the world of scooters, on SR, C4, or any other site for that matter that equates to what this article is about.
ReplyDeleteA grown man, threatening a 19 year GIRL with court action, for a simple statement, backed with evidence.
Now that is professional for someone looking to "help" the sport, is it not?
To have respect, you have to earn it. Either with your riding ability or just the fact you ride everyday. Money can only get you so far.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how he says its for himself but tells the people hes "working with" that its a buisness.
ReplyDeletean orginasion is a business retard.
big deal you probably sucked in buisness school.
dont ask dont tell ;*
I personally want to say... none of this should matter. If you helped build the sport from the ground up you are considered a pioneer...If you walked into a place still a work in progress and had no reason to be there but you had a little interest and decided you wanted to put money in it you are a founder. Its just that simple, our sport is too small for the "workers" and the "financiers" to realize their differences and start word wars with it.
ReplyDeleteTongson, I totally feel where you are comming from. The pioneers of this sport have all the respect. The sports first generation of riders, and innovative minds could never be thanked enough. But unfortunately, we live in a world where you cant get shit done without some money. Nothing can possibly break and limits anywhere without some cash. I beleive both the worker and the financier should be perhaps equally respected for the growth of this sport.
Besides, when you put innovative minds with money stacks.... trust me... good shit happens. look at NASSAU :)
Cheer up, brighter days are around the corner if we all continue to work together.
Yours Truly, (A Homie that has seen it all in the Streets)
Zig Short
listen to zig
ReplyDeletesteven, so much respect to you dude.
ReplyDeleteif it werent for what ure saying i would have had no clue what was going on and followed the line of sheep, but because of what ure stating man that will hopefully make a change now.
Respect.. I don't know how.. but more was earned within this article. And thats hard because the respect level i have for you is through the roof.
ReplyDeleteSACRIFICE HIM TO OUT GODDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
ReplyDeleteOUR GOD! ANDREW! SACRIFICE FOR THE ALMIGHTY!
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the day the moneywhores of the world will do this with any hobby. BMXing has gone majorly that way. You just gotta enjoy it whilst it lasts and hope it doesn't bring the place down. P.s. I like the amount of anonymous posts in this here comment's thread, makes me chuckle that few can give their opinion and their name.
ReplyDeleteThanks for opinions guys, we like hearing what you have to say.
ReplyDeleteI hear you loud and clear, Steven. We've been in this game since the beginning. If it wasn't for riders like us, the sport would be no different from Gopeds. Dead, no events, no new products, no backing by riders whatsoever.
ReplyDeleteBut here's the thing. Tons of companies have come and gone. And the select few that knew what was going on say "good riddance." Karma is a bitch, and it will always come back to slap you in the face.
Sadly though, with great responsibility, there's ALWAYS politics. They go hand and hand. And as long as there is money flowing through their veins, it will continue til their business crumbles. When the riders are all the wise...
I agree pretty much. Everyone should know who this is about, but can be applied to other people. I wouldn't mind it as much, but there is a money factor involved. Profiting off of other peoples videos and photos just because you run a little (worthless IMO) blog is scumbag status. Then to go and threaten people by getting them fined by your "lawyers" because you know how to use google and look up this "defamation of character" (which you found out about on ask.com) WHICH WOULD NEVER HOLD UP IN COURT. Ever hear of the first amendment? The case, or fine, would never go any further than you submiting it, because ANYONE CAN VOICE THEIR OPINION ON A CHARACTER, ON THE INTERNET, TV, PUBLIC SPEECH OR ANYTHING. For you to even bring up that threat makes you sound like a big greedy jew (for lack of better terms).
ReplyDeleteGo run your little website, enjoy all of the kiddies fondling your balls because your good at copy and pasting video links and writing a little passage to hype up these riders. You lost respect that you never had to begin with. None of the original riders in the sport will ever have a good thing to say about you or your website.
Sue me for commenting on a blog, im sure your "defamation of character" charge will go real far. Its all about money money money, for you to look for it in the scooter world is a mistake, there is none, yet.
Thanks for all the comments guys. Appreciate everyones input on the article and what its about. God i love Boston.
ReplyDeleteIF there is a fine to be payed, then I gladly will pay it Steven / Margaret. (yeh, I know, money talks....)
ReplyDeleteThanks Marcel, but don't worry. There will be no fines. For him to pursue that would not only be ridiculous, but would cause him to lose what little respect he might have left from the community...if any.
ReplyDeleteHaha Marcel is so sick.
ReplyDeleteThe only fine he would be paying is the money he looses in court fees filing a bullshit case.
ReplyDeleteWho are we talking about here? Who's trying to sue? Who has all this money shit crap stuff trying to win the sport over and failing?
ReplyDeleteIm completely out of the loop here.