Falko

I don't. There's a big difference between (1) making mistakes in the learning process, like we all do and always will, and (2) being a dumb shit. I save my hope and good wishes for the people to which (1) applies. Those in (2) should just go away, disappear silently, one way or the other, I don't care. Ich betrachte die Religion als Krankheit, als Quelle unnennbaren Elends für die menschliche Rasse. (Bertrand Russell, engl. Philosoph, 1872-1970)

I agree with Piisfish. Don't let 200 jump wonders specify the level of safety on your DZ. That should be up to the DZO or club board (Marl is a club IIRC?). Let me put a twist in here: How about if, say, 2 or 3 potential customers won't go to Marl because word of mouth is that you let 200 jump wonders on highly loaded XFires cannonball the landing area, compromising everyones safety? I believe there is a DFV recommendation (DFV-AHB, page 157) requiring 300 jumps minimum & 150 jumps in 12 months to jump a 1.5 WL. Ich betrachte die Religion als Krankheit, als Quelle unnennbaren Elends für die menschliche Rasse. (Bertrand Russell, engl. Philosoph, 1872-1970)

Bragging with their own stupidity on SDM... yeah I'm impressed . If these idiots had balls they would identify themselves so that other DZ's can ground them in advance. That was so fucking stupid I'm lost for words. Ich betrachte die Religion als Krankheit, als Quelle unnennbaren Elends für die menschliche Rasse. (Bertrand Russell, engl. Philosoph, 1872-1970)

My thoughts exactly. My answer is not directed at you, Duckwater.

Cool Don't know if my sister would like me instilling an urge to skydive that early in my nieces life... But I'll definitely be her first skydive... uncle will have a few hundred tandems by the time she turns 18 I hope. Ich betrachte die Religion als Krankheit, als Quelle unnennbaren Elends für die menschliche Rasse. (Bertrand Russell, engl. Philosoph, 1872-1970)

Why don't you just lay down in a corner and die? But silently please, I gotta work here! Or these: If I had your face I'd run laughing into a buzz saw. Can't you do something more reasonable than bugging me... Like cleaning the gutter or shooting yourself? It's getting dark, maybe you should go back to your garbage can. Did you fart? Ah sorry, you were talking... Why don't you go play on the highway? I have trouble recalling your name, may I just call you asshole? Ich betrachte die Religion als Krankheit, als Quelle unnennbaren Elends für die menschliche Rasse. (Bertrand Russell, engl. Philosoph, 1872-1970)

I live in Germany, there are a few good rates from Frankfurt also... you just need to book very early to get a really cheap flight. I think I should spend more of my skydiving holidays in GA or FL. gotta go, 3:30 AM over here... *yawn* Ich betrachte die Religion als Krankheit, als Quelle unnennbaren Elends für die menschliche Rasse. (Bertrand Russell, engl. Philosoph, 1872-1970)

If it's that exciting already to become an uncle, how much more must it be to become a dad??? Ich betrachte die Religion als Krankheit, als Quelle unnennbaren Elends für die menschliche Rasse. (Bertrand Russell, engl. Philosoph, 1872-1970)

Whow 2 minutes, 4 replies... I'm so excited, I wish I could be there!! I sure will... well, if I get to see her that often Don't think my sisters family is going to come back soon. They just moved to Atl 1 year ago. She won a green card in the lottery, and he's settled as a MBA (both german and US diploma and some more certs I cannot name... me is IT geek ). And now I probably will be the "I-have-an-uncle-in-Europe" type of uncle... *sniff* Ich betrachte die Religion als Krankheit, als Quelle unnennbaren Elends für die menschliche Rasse. (Bertrand Russell, engl. Philosoph, 1872-1970)

My brother in law called me today: My sister gave birth to a gorgeous little girl today... Julia, 3000gr, 51cm. So I'm an uncle... I guess... that means !!! I feel the urge to cuddle & smoooooch... but she's some 6000 miles or so away in Atlanta. Will visit them in February though. So what do y'all think??? She's less than a day old but her eyes look like she knows it all already. Ich betrachte die Religion als Krankheit, als Quelle unnennbaren Elends für die menschliche Rasse. (Bertrand Russell, engl. Philosoph, 1872-1970)

That makes them mentally ill in my book. Seems it all boils down to semantics and definitions. Well, this is Speakers Corner so what would one expect. Case is closed for me, there's no point in defining terms even further than we did. Anyhow I admit I also find myself to be a little misanthropic at times... but I don't like the bitter aftertaste! I'm out, blue skies! Ich betrachte die Religion als Krankheit, als Quelle unnennbaren Elends für die menschliche Rasse. (Bertrand Russell, engl. Philosoph, 1872-1970)

What exactly is your core question? That in post #163: Tell me where the difference is between a so-called "sociopath" not being able to regard another fellow human as a human, and a "human" (like you) not being able to regard a so-called "sociopath" as a human. In essence I only see two opposed people who don't acknowledge each other and who don't treat each other humanely. Only the reasons differ... one is probably very sick in a way we don't even begin to understand, the other one has, well, other reasons (let's skip the personal stuff). One cannot argue with semantics. What attributes of character does one have to have to be considered "human" in your book? Is a mentally ill person not human by your definition? Where's the line between mentally ill and mentally sane? I say there is none... quoting you "we're all fucked up". And we're all humans. Thanks for the positive assumption, but this is not the "empathy contest #432" I'm trying to win here. My one and only issue is your distinction between humans and non-humans. That's a kind of classification I'd like to see gone. I don't care what the reasoning behind the distinction is. It needs to go and then (maybe) there can be healing. Some will never heal, but that shouldn't keep us from trying. Ich betrachte die Religion als Krankheit, als Quelle unnennbaren Elends für die menschliche Rasse. (Bertrand Russell, engl. Philosoph, 1872-1970)

You still haven't adressed my core question, all you do is defining your distinction of humans vs non-humans. But I'll rest my case as we're going in circles anyway. That's the conclusion I don't agree with. Everyone is human when they were born from a human mother. Humanity is an axiom for me, for you it's a variable in an equation. Big difference. Let's agree to disagree. Trying to play the "pick your side, I've picked mine" card? Implying that I don't have compassion with the victims? Forget it... Well it was you who took it to the personal level (telling about your own experience with sociopaths 2 posts up), I only referenced it. If you don't want this discussion to include personal experiences, just leave them out of your posts. I have my share of experience with weird/twisted/sick people too, but it has nothing to do with this thread and I wouldn't share it anyway. blue skies, I'm outta here. Ich betrachte die Religion als Krankheit, als Quelle unnennbaren Elends für die menschliche Rasse. (Bertrand Russell, engl. Philosoph, 1872-1970)

You didn't adress the distinction between "humans" and "non-humans". Quite the opposite, you tried to draw the line even more. Being empathic is one thing, allowing someone to do damage is another. From what you write it seems to me (correct me there) that because you allowed a "sociopath" (whatever that word defines) to damage you is reason for you to not be empathic with "sociopaths" any more. Even going a step further and denying them being humans. Tell me where the difference is between a so-called "sociopath" not being able to regard another fellow human as a human, and a "human" (like you) not being able to regard a so-called "sociopath" as a human. Is it because both cannot, or because they could but won't? I don't know and I think noone really knows where to draw the line where free will ends and compulsive behaviour starts. But, since you're claiming that you're human and "they" are not, I think you should step up to your own standard and BE human by regarding your fellow human beings, including those of "inferior" mental state as such: a human, with a right to live. edit: f****ng grammar... this gives me a headache. Ich betrachte die Religion als Krankheit, als Quelle unnennbaren Elends für die menschliche Rasse. (Bertrand Russell, engl. Philosoph, 1872-1970)

I thought ideas like that had been overcome 60 years ago, at least in the western world? The whole "less than human" argumentation is disgusting, no matter how much you try to make it sound politically correct. Put aside the nice-wording-gift-wrap and let's look at the underlying principle, which is: There are humans... and there are "non"-humans. From 1933-1945 they were called "Untermenschen" here in Germany. Now how anyone in their right mind nowadays can still try to draw a line between humans and "non-humans" is beyond me. Sociopaths are as much humans as you and I. Now accepting that as an axiom and continuing to develop our society from there is where the real challenge is! "Getting rid of all the low lifers" is no solution. It was called "die Endlösung". You say it, same post, different line... but have you tried it? Ich betrachte die Religion als Krankheit, als Quelle unnennbaren Elends für die menschliche Rasse. (Bertrand Russell, engl. Philosoph, 1872-1970)

Fight Club! His face, his play, his voiceovers, all of it just works! Great actor.

I side with ReBirth. 1) Legalize drugs in that they will be made available to addicts through a doctor, just like any other medicine. Legalizing does not mean "making available publicly". I'm not saying it's ok to buy your personal dose of heroin like a pack of cigarettes in a shop just because you feel it's a good day to try a new drug. But I'm all for controlled output to addicts under medical supervision, that's what will lower drug-related crime significantly! 2) Against capital punishment, in Singapore and everywhere. Ich betrachte die Religion als Krankheit, als Quelle unnennbaren Elends für die menschliche Rasse. (Bertrand Russell, engl. Philosoph, 1872-1970)

Everyone goes to the same place after their death... what- or whereever that may be. Could be heaven, could be nowhere. I don't know. What I believe is that the only "hell" that does exist is the one we've created here on earth by feeding narrow-minded religious constructs into our fellow humans to beat them into submission instead of encouraging them to look for the answers inside them. It's all about power! Don't let anyone fool you with this "good people go to heaven, bad people go to hell" crap! The fact that you asked your question tells me that you're in the scare-trap already. Look for the answer inside you, don't listen to anyone here... including me. Does that make sense?

I disagree. Bill von Novak did some extensive research on that, please see this thread: Why the 45 degree method does not work Fact of the matter is, it is never applicable. This topic has been beaten to death already. I agree about both points I've found the ton of crap talk to be everywhere in skydiving, it has nothing to do with the internet. The only difference between dropzone.com and the Bonfire talk on any local DZ is the number of potential listeners, and that one risks damaging their credibility in front of the whole skydiving community if they get caught writing complete BS! I've heard so much crap on different DZs from different people already in my short 3 years of skydiving, that sometimes I'd rather go on DZ.com and do some extensive research on a topic than putting up with the half-drunken Bonfire talk. Here I can just skip the bullshit by scrolling down to the post of someone who knows what they're talking about, and who proves it with facts that I can comprehend. I'm getting offtopic here, sorry... blue skies

"No Need To Argue" by The Cranberries, ever since it was sung a-capella 1996 in church at a good friends funeral who shot himself at age 19. My eyes get wet everytime... just reminds me of how we all should STFU, stop fighting and celebrate life because it's so damn short and could end anytime. Ich betrachte die Religion als Krankheit, als Quelle unnennbaren Elends für die menschliche Rasse. (Bertrand Russell, engl. Philosoph, 1872-1970)

Yes, great show! Thank you guys for providing an all new service to the skydive community! Already looking forward to the Bill-Booth Q&A next week! I learned a lot on Brians show, even though I've already read "the parachute and its pilot". Hey Brian maybe you'll find the time to record an audio-book . I think it would give many people a chance to get your message who are a bit "lazy" when it comes to reading. Or people that have a reading weakness. You could make it paypal-clicky-downloadable on your website. Ich betrachte die Religion als Krankheit, als Quelle unnennbaren Elends für die menschliche Rasse. (Bertrand Russell, engl. Philosoph, 1872-1970)

Downwind? Am confused, you mean upwind? If I land upwind (hopefully) and the canopy 1) touches down nose first: While walking around it (either direction) reeling in the steering line of the side closest to me and stepping on the Pod/Bridle. (rarely happens to me on a Nitro120 unless I pull on the fronts after landing. Doesn't happen on windy days anyway, if one lands upwind that is ) 2) stalls and falls behind me: I turn my body 180, reeling in the steering line on the lower of the two crossing risers. I'll step on some fabric or grab the tail. 3) If I have the canopy collapse sideways (my favorite): same thing, pulling in brake line on the lower side of the canopy. In normal winds/no wind I like to train collapsing the canopy sideways, so that cell by cell deflates, forming a nice stack of fabric. It has all the air coming out AND the lines form a close bunch. Ich betrachte die Religion als Krankheit, als Quelle unnennbaren Elends für die menschliche Rasse. (Bertrand Russell, engl. Philosoph, 1872-1970)

Funny story, got video? I second FrogNog. If the wind is really strong, let go of one toggle and use both hands to pull in the other steering line all the way until you have fabric in your hand. For example if the canopy tends to fall over to the left, let go of the right toggle and quickly pull in the left steering line with both hands. That will work, always. On a sidenote: If the winds were lower and the canopy already collapses when you pull one steering line (having both toggles in your hands), put the toggles back on the riser in the correct orientation before you pick up the canopy. Better yet, (especially when you have a big canopy) set the brakes so you'll have less trouble picking up the canopy because the tail fabric is closer to you and you won't have to pull in individual line groups. Setting the brakes is so your steering lines won't spin up without you noticing. If you had let go of the toggle and walked back to the hangar, you would have to untwist the steering line before stowing the brakes. If you don't untwist them you might find yourself under canopy one time having like 10-20 twists in one steering line which then will be shorter than the other, thus forcing you to compensate for the different lengths. But when you're picking up the canopy/setting brakes etc, watch your surroundings and other peoples landings: It has happened to me already a few times that I had to jump out of the way of someone who was heading directly towards my body (target fixation). That's why I also recommend walking a half circle around your canopy (that is if it touched down nose first) so that you face opposite of the landing direction. This way you can see incoming people and not have them kick you in the back while you're busy stowing your brakes & picking up your canopy. Whew what a rant, sorry for that. But I'd rather be precise when giving tips as not to leave to much room for false interpretation. have fun, blue skies edit2add: Have someone show you how to daisy chain the lines. I don't dare explaining it without illustration. Also have a look at these threads: Picking up your deployed canopy Carrying the mess back Ich betrachte die Religion als Krankheit, als Quelle unnennbaren Elends für die menschliche Rasse. (Bertrand Russell, engl. Philosoph, 1872-1970)

Isabelle, is that you? What happened to your other username? You might want to fill out your profile. How are things in Eloy?

If it's not on video, it didn't happen! Where can I see that??? Ich betrachte die Religion als Krankheit, als Quelle unnennbaren Elends für die menschliche Rasse. (Bertrand Russell, engl. Philosoph, 1872-1970)