Critics vs. Sunshine Pumpers - the false TNet dichotomy . .

Oct 16, 2017, 12:32 PM

The Bowden years did irreparable harm to this board and the Clemson fan base. There is now what seems like a permanent divide between the sunshine pumpers and the critics. The minute a critic levels a complaint, he gets tagged as a hater that doesn't appreciate anything Dabo's done, and wants Dabo fired.

When TB's tenure ran out of steam and the questioning of Dabo's hire started up, the critics figured the pumpers were put in their place permanently, since TB's tenure never materialized like they predicted ("we TOLD you so!"). Then, when Dabo turned out to be more or less the the best thing since sliced bread (or, the best thing since Danny Ford), the Pumpers returned as if all the critics never had a point to begin with, as if longsuffering your way through mediocrity is what won us a national title. The argument, at some point- on both sides, ceased to be about the merits of the particulars at any given point, and started, rather, to center around basic optimism vs. pessimism, loyalty vs. criticism. Anyone who attempts an appropriate blend of constructive criticism bolstered by overarching loyalty, respect and gratitude, is forced into the "hater" camp by the pumpers. And the pumpers in their defense, often get forced into the "I love mediocrity" camp by the critics.

But of course, such a simplistic view of things can't bear up under the weight of the actual specifics of any given situation. I mean, every argument has a pre-engineered response that fits the narrative. If Dabo or the staff do something terrible, then you musn't make more than a passing or sheepish comment on it, or at least you ought follow it up w/ some sort of adulation that basically swallows up your criticism, else you are a hater - armchair QB who thinks the staff that accomplished so much is a bunch of bumbling fools. I swear, we could go for it on 4th and 99 on our own 1 with a 7 point lead in the fourth, and some folks would respond to any critics as "shut up, because national championship!"

On the other hand the pumpers who get tired of the kind of criticism that would give you whiplash from the sheer force and speed of its negativity, have a point too. It's not like anyone who chooses to see the glass half full is necessarily pining for the days of Bowden's perennially frustrating teams.

Seriously, if we would focus on responding to substance, and chalk up the disagreements to philosophical perspective on the game, rather than support vs. hate, negativity/optimism, etc. then this all would go so much more swimmingly.

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you'll find that the dumpers have a greatly diminished membership. I think that is fair and also believe that post from the first couple days after a loss should be removed from the sample. Emotions destroy reason.

Sometimes even the most reasonable people make the most outrageous statements while under the influence of emotions whether the emotions be generated by the loss or the attack on their reasoning from those who have different opinions.

I'm never online during a game although Tnet keeps me logged in hours after I shut this laptop. I try to resist posting the day after a loss because I've experienced the pain of reading harsh, broad sweeping, negative statements about Clemson's coaching staff and players.

I'm not yet sure it's safe to be here today. Over a few days after a loss those who want to do harm to Clemson Football as retribution for causing them 'embarrassment, pain and suffering,' will thin.

Critics vs. Sunshine Pumpers - the false TNet dichotomy . .

Tigerdrummer and deroberts not

Uh, well, I honestly don't

Tigerdrummer needs to practice his

I don't have the focus to read that. Need pictures***

Re: Critics vs. Sunshine Pumpers - the false TNet dichotomy . .

See, now I love that kind of post!!!

If you cull out the emotional radicals on both sides..

Some great points there . . . altough

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