MichaelRapp
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2014
- Messages
- 279
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For some reason -- ironically after I severely cut my finger working on a rocket -- I feel compelled to write this.
I've only been back in rocketry for about two months now and I have to say, I find the culture of safety to be extremely refreshing.
I've been involved in a few hobbies that had rules either because one could hurt oneself or others by being careless/reckless or in that the resource was so limited that rules existed in ensure fairness. Frustratingly, some of these hobbies included a contingent that always thought the rules didn't apply to them and seemed to relish in showing that repeatedly. They seemed to spend a great deal of energy showing that they were the "real" hobbyists and/or that the rules were only for the beginners or the unadventurous and unworthy. In another hobby there was a substantial "no one knows if you're breaking the rules so it's okay" vibe.
I grew weary of the subtle peer pressure so I left one hobby completely and greatly downscaled my participation in another.
Here in Rocketry, things seem to be very, very different. Safety is very important to us. We have a code that is printed everywhere you look. In the books, the NAR materials, here on TRF, and in my newly-found club, safety is a point of pride. It is exceptionally refreshing. (Indeed, there seem to be subtle mechanisms to quickly identify those who want to "blow stuff up/play with explosives" and suggest that model rocketry might not be the best hobby for them.)
One thing that I think is really cool is that if you watch some of the multitude of rocketry launch videos, you'll sometimes see parents using rocketry to subtly (or overtly) teach their kids the importance of being careful and responsible. Additionally, I feel confident that if I say or start doing something unsafe, I can feel comfortable that someone is probably going to point that out to me.
Very cool.
I've only been back in rocketry for about two months now and I have to say, I find the culture of safety to be extremely refreshing.
I've been involved in a few hobbies that had rules either because one could hurt oneself or others by being careless/reckless or in that the resource was so limited that rules existed in ensure fairness. Frustratingly, some of these hobbies included a contingent that always thought the rules didn't apply to them and seemed to relish in showing that repeatedly. They seemed to spend a great deal of energy showing that they were the "real" hobbyists and/or that the rules were only for the beginners or the unadventurous and unworthy. In another hobby there was a substantial "no one knows if you're breaking the rules so it's okay" vibe.
I grew weary of the subtle peer pressure so I left one hobby completely and greatly downscaled my participation in another.
Here in Rocketry, things seem to be very, very different. Safety is very important to us. We have a code that is printed everywhere you look. In the books, the NAR materials, here on TRF, and in my newly-found club, safety is a point of pride. It is exceptionally refreshing. (Indeed, there seem to be subtle mechanisms to quickly identify those who want to "blow stuff up/play with explosives" and suggest that model rocketry might not be the best hobby for them.)
One thing that I think is really cool is that if you watch some of the multitude of rocketry launch videos, you'll sometimes see parents using rocketry to subtly (or overtly) teach their kids the importance of being careful and responsible. Additionally, I feel confident that if I say or start doing something unsafe, I can feel comfortable that someone is probably going to point that out to me.
Very cool.