INTRODUCTORY GNOME

Yeah, I’m the guy who writes under the (whatever)Gnome byline over on www.68caliber.com.  Most of the time anyway.  The Gnome started out as an in-house name and has gradually become mostly me, at least on the editorial side.

Judging by the emails and phone calls we get whenever I pen a new editorial, I’m being effectively provocative, if not actually stabbing my finger right into the pulse of the industry.  I’ve received secondary praise on a number of occassions (secondary because no one knows who I am) and generate a lot of follow on discussion on the various forums. I figure I must be doing something right.

Which brings us to this new blog.  It seems that I’m just no longer able to confine myself to the pages of 68caliber.   

When you write for a news site, you’re either writing news coverage – in which case you’re supposed to present factual information in an unbiased manner – or you’re writing opinion, in which case you can pretty much say any damn thing you want as long as you pitch it properly.  (I know that most in the paintball world are dreadfully, woefully unfamiliar with the ethics of journalism.  The previous definitions, while loose, cover the bases.) When it comes to editorial policy however,  there are political and to a lesser degree, legal considerations.  There are economic considerations. There are consequence considerations.

In other words, you don’t just stir the pot because its fun.  You’re supposed to have some compelling reason for doing so.  Over at 68caliber, when I’m wearing my contributing-writer hat, I try very, very hard to stick to the letter and the intent of the law as enumerated above. 

In so doing I miss a lot of really darn good opportunities to stir the pot. Just for fun. 

And now you know why this blog.

Just a few rules and caveats in passing.  This blog is not associated with www.68caliber.com in any manner whatsoever.  The opinions expressed here are the Gnome’s and only the Gnome’s.  I will not discuss my identity.  Questions on that subject will be ignored.  While dealing with serious subjects, the primary intent here is to poke some fun at the industry and have some fun while doing it.  That means humor.  If you’re not laughing, I’m probably writing about you. 

CLIFF HANGER:  In the days and weeks to come, I’ll be taking a swipe at the following subjects:

The “new” paintball industry organization

The “new” scenario game format – tournaments in the woods

The “new” paintball economy (or ‘why X-Mas is gonna suck this year’)

The “new” lack of social responsibility in the game

The “new” concept that ignorance is bliss when it comes to the future of the industry

and more – oh, so much more…