The Next Generation

[jdsffa]

I consider my self as part of the next generation of cave Divers. I am 25 and have been cave diving fo almost 2 years now. I am just intrested in were we as a group can start making a difference in the community of cave divers. How can we make a difference without offending those who came before us and those who have worked so hard to get us where we are today? I am as open at they come for new suggestions and want to know where to start being assertive but not aggresive? As part of the "next generation" I want to help in every way possible but need direction from the first generation on where to start and where do we go from here?

John Spann

[Tegg]

I consider my self as part of the next generation of cave Divers. I am 25 and have been cave diving fo almost 2 years now. I am just intrested in were we as a group can start making a difference in the community of cave divers. How can we make a difference without offending those who came before us and those who have worked so hard to get us where we are today? I am as open at they come for new suggestions and want to know where to start being assertive but not aggresive? As part of the "next generation" I want to help in every way possible but need direction from the first generation on where to start and where do we go from here?

John Spann

Why does there need to be a "next generation"?

Since Cavedivers are a small group, why can't we just be "Cavedivers"?

What is it you want to change?

[jdsffa]

Angie Reim wrote:
Ken Hill wrote:
FW wrote:

I locked 2 threads based on this, and removed another.


My money rests with the next generation of cave divers and so what if they are aggressive ... that's good. Us old guys could and should keep a "choker collar" on them until they're ready to meet and greet the state reps and park managers. It's a mistake to stifle enthusiasm. We're supposed to be here to mentor not only diving but the public perception, governance and discipline of our sport. My .02

/Ken



My whiners comment was just me being silly. Sorry if I offended.



First, the last place I would put my money is with the next generation of cave divers, particularly if they take up diving with the same attitude as they do in the main realm of life period. But then, they probably wouldn't last long and Darwin would win and the we as group would loose.

Cave diving does take a certain amount of maturity to survive. Training isn't the only criteria to sucessful cave or technical diving.

Second, Angie, your whiners comment was appropriate. It actually relates to my first paragraph. The next generation is more prone to it.
They, (as a generalized group) like to whine and complain rather than do the hard work proper training takes to survive in the alien environment we so love.

The number of newbe's I see who run off to easy environments to take certain advance courses over taking them local far outnumber those who take their training is the more hostile local environments. It shows. The next generation does definately prefer the short cut method.


Dale
_________________


I was making a refrence to a previous topic

[Ken Hill]

Why does there need to be a "next generation"?

Since Cavedivers are a small group, why can't we just be "Cavedivers"?

What is it you want to change?

Joe,
Next generation! I've been trying to put my point on this across for several threads. The best example I know you know of is the purchase of School Sink. There was a "generation" before me that knew about and dove it frequently. It was common knowledge that an old man in Michigan owned it.

I contacted the man in Michigan and he said it was to be his retirement home, wife passed, bottom line he'd like to sell it for $45K. He said the Pasco Schools wanted to buy it once but were afraid of the sinkhole. That was a clue to negotiate a joint venture with Pasco Schools. They got their addition and the CDS got a chance to purchase a site for less than $9k.

Once we closed, you came along and offered to clean it up and see to it that the fences and gates were installed. I was glad you "took charge." You did more than your part and became the third "generation" if you will. One goal and a successful outcome.

My only concern is before anyone attempts to do something that they think will benefit the cave diving community, that person needs to make an effort to see what's already been done. Whether it be money, brains or back breaking work, somebody might have been there before you and you can only benefit from their gains or mistakes. Those that fly in the face of an organized effort are showboaters for the most part and cave diving does not need that.

Generation has nothing to do with age. It means nothing if your John Spann whose 25 or me who was twice that when I started looking at School Sink. ( and Joe, I think you are somewhere in the middle.)

Good post you guys. /Ken

[Tegg]

Thanks Ken,

My thought is that if we could just get the "generations" to quit being retards and actually work together, we could accomplish so much more.

That's why I just call all of us cavedivers, with no generational seperation.

I am hoping that with effort across the "generations" we can weld together as one HUGE group of cavedivers and have more voice/power in the things that are important to us. (State Regulations / Permits / Access).

Overall though, I do agree that lately it has been good to hear the questioning taking place... as I do on a daily basis. If someone says something is the way it is simply because "thats how it's always been", I always question it and see if there is a better way.

BTW, thanks again for your efforts on School Sink, because of those efforts exploration continues (Alex Warren, etc..) without the worry of someone "closing access".

[jdsffa]

Thats exactly hat I meant Is that most of us young and old want to help we just need to know where to start and what has been done in the past to better our efforts now and in the future.

[Angie Reim]

Please don't lump me in with Dale's comments. I disagree with his opinion. My attitudes lean more toward those of Teggs.

John...you are starting off on the right track. Good for you!

[Kelly Jessop]

I consider my self as part of the next generation of cave Divers. I am 25 and have been cave diving fo almost 2 years now. I am just intrested in were we as a group can start making a difference in the community of cave divers. How can we make a difference without offending those who came before us and those who have worked so hard to get us where we are today? I am as open at they come for new suggestions and want to know where to start being assertive but not aggresive? As part of the "next generation" I want to help in every way possible but need direction from the first generation on where to start and where do we go from here?

John Spann

I appreciate your comments a lot. Sometimes I wonder if there is a generation,or just a group that hung around after the turn over of cave divers that seems to occur every three years. The one problem that I see that occurs is that we turn over cave divers every three years,and the next group asks the same questions and hits their head on the same wall as the last group(s). We definitely need to work together as a group/cohesive unit,because 1)we won't be as likely to expend energy repeating the same mistakes, and 2) a collective voice has more strength than unorganized individual efforts. There are a lot of ways people can help,and one doesn't have to learn cave diving history 101 to be able to proceed. Becoming actively involved in one of the cave agencies can help or other foundations that exist. I applaud your interest,because your's and other's efforts can make a difference.

[kuster500]

Tegg's right we are all cave divers.

I also agree with the comment that it isn't so much a boundry of age that defines generations, but years in the sport.

[Ken Hill]

Ah finally .... all eight cylinders. /K