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Sir, I love you! I saw this yesterday and wanted to post but, you know, the usual peeps would have given me flak for it and started a thread war (Again).

I always knew why the boards were always divided on sharing and not sharing locations ... but I think this article pushed me over to the not sharing camp to a 70:30 ratio ...

There's locations that are reasonable to share (Kodak, for example) when they have nothing left of value and are already trashed beyond belief. There's no more damage that can be caused.

But as always be careful who you share things with. Use reason and common sense.

But on the other hand - using locations as leverage against other people isn't cool either.

I know all of us don't always get along - but I'd say there's a solid few people who we could all (or almost all) agree are trustworthy explorers - if you ignore the personal drama and focus on just their exploring capability and trustworthy-ness.

Posted by Skye_Ann There's locations that are reasonable to share (Kodak, for example) when they have nothing left of value and are already trashed beyond belief. There's no more damage that can be caused. But as always be careful who you share things with. Use reason and common sense. But on the other hand - using locations as leverage against other people isn't cool either. I know all of us don't always get along - but I'd say there's a solid few people who we could all (or almost all) agree are trustworthy explorers - if you ignore the personal drama and focus on just their exploring capability and trustworthy-ness.

Skye! I think I love you! LOL

Posted by Rashomon Skye! I think I love you! LOL

Thanks, Rashomon. I'm just being honest. Over the years I've noticed several little exploring cliques who use their "Exploring power" or what have you - to gain leverage over other people. Lately we've been much better as a community towards the newer people to our group. But truth be told, there are some people who just shouldn't be involved in this hobby.

Sometimes the "noobs" just need a hand in getting started with their exploring careers. It's always a risk when telling a newer member about a location - but there's got to be at least one or two to share that are "noob-friendly".

It takes a bit of trust and a lot of work to become respected as an explorer on this forum and I always feel a little bit upset when someone is then outed because of some personal drama they've had. Unless you've done something to harm a location (Vandalism, graffiti, etc.) I'll still share locations with you - even if I personally don't like you as a person.

I think some people need to separate the "explorer" from the "person". Much like "Business" vs "pleasure".

I dunno why I'm being like this tonight. Just really emotional I guess. Hope everyone had a good march break!

Personally I don't really care too much if someone wants to keep a special location to themselves or with a select few individuals. Maybe it's because I'm not a photographer & I don't feel like I need to take pictures of a special location. The pictures I take suck compared to most of you, but they are an avenue of sharing & to refresh my memory in what I am most interested in & that is absorbing the history & past of some locations.

There are a few of those extra special locations that are like stepping back in time & of course I would like to explore those locations. But if it means those places are preserved longer or that a photographer was willing to share his photos but still insisted in not revealing the location, cest la vie. At least I can experience it through their work & that's better than not experiencing any of it.

Posted by superss There are a few of those extra special locations that are like stepping back in time & of course I would like to explore those locations. But if it means those places are preserved longer or that a photographer was willing to share his photos but still insisted in not revealing the location, cest la vie. At least I can experience it through their work & that's better than not experiencing any of it.

Well said! MANY others don't share the same view.

Thanks for posting this, I don't expect it to change many people's opinions, but I'm glad you shared!

Posted by rockandrollfreak Thanks for posting this, I don't expect it to change many people's opinions, but I'm glad you shared!

Normally people visit a place, expose it & never return so they often do not see what becomes of a location. This sort of crap has been happening a lot in the UK. Some are selling locations for a few quid to the Daily Mail which has immediately launched them into the most hated in the hobby.

In retrospect it's almost laughable that some just openly give them away when there's a few toonies to be made....

This isn't an attempt at kicking up the usual drama with the usual people. Just giving an example of what can happen & what is happening outside the bubble of Ontario.

It all comes down to trust, and who to trust.

I know who I am, and what my ideals are. But, do I really know who you are?

Are your ideals shaky?

Are you fair-weather?

Do you have an alliterative motive?

What do you stand for?

Does your word mean anything?

Would you have my back?

Some things that I look for.

Again. To each their own. No drama necessary.

Posted by jerm IX Again. To each their own. No drama necessary.

Yep. Personally, I don't care much about sharing vs. not. I've seen locations go from pristine to ruined overnight since long before the internet existed, so I don't blame that for everything. But (for example) if someone shows me a location, and doesn't want me to share/divulge/whatever, then I do what they wish. Not because I agree with their view or not, but because I respect their choice.

Probably the only thing you have in this world which absolutely nobody can screw with = your word.

The diving community is anal about this, too. Basically, if a wreck isn't worth anything or doesn't have anything special left about it, you can publicize its location. But, if it has some historical significance or anything special you don't want to see stolen, you keep it locked up tight. I've seen beautiful wrecks go straight to shit when people steal the bells, knock off the wheel, take artifacts one by one, and leave the empty shell of what once was a beautiful relic of the past. So, if a place is worth its salt, its best left between those who can be trusted. Basically, the reason for the secrecy in the UER database.

Posted by RockNRollWithMe Do you have an alliterative motive?

No, never.

Posted by rob.i.am No, never.

Almost all adventurers agree.

Posted by Skye_Ann There's locations that are reasonable to share (Kodak, for example) when they have nothing left of value and are already trashed beyond belief. There's no more damage that can be caused. But as always be careful who you share things with. Use reason and common sense.

I agree with this fully. there are some great spots out there! ive been to a few just filled with antiques and cool stuff to find and photograph, or also ive been to some buildings that are pretty much empty, but their heritage value is so rich that I would honestly be sad to see them vandalised.

I personally don't think anyone should be scorned for not wanting to share a location, a lot of us im sure the same as me do a lot of scouting, waiting, and careful planning to get to explore the amazing places we have gotten too.

I also agree though, some places that are just so far gone there isn't much worse that can be done to them are perfect for urbex beginners, everyone needs to start somewhere and a giveaway like that could help them learn how to scout locations for themselves in the future.

basically, I have few I definitely wouldn't share unless I knew the explorer, but then I also have a few spots I could give that would be perfect for a beginner.

Posted by Ansion Yep. Personally, I don't care much about sharing vs. not. I've seen locations go from pristine to ruined overnight since long before the internet existed, so I don't blame that for everything. But (for example) if someone shows me a location, and doesn't want me to share/divulge/whatever, then I do what they wish. Not because I agree with their view or not, but because I respect their choice. Probably the only thing you have in this world which absolutely nobody can screw with = your word.

I agree with your point mate.

Your word is valuable in my eyes. It is either worth something or you're full of shit.

Great point and post!

Posted by RockNRollWithMe Do you have an alliterative motive?

My motive is to make many missions to medieval mansions for their magnificence, and to minimize their malicious misuse by maintaining a minimal mark on the minds of the masses.

Posted by EVmAN My motive is to make many missions to medieval mansions for their magnificence, and to minimize their malicious misuse by maintaining a minimal mark on the minds of the masses.

wickedly well worded