Ethics and Geocaching – Second Part

[rpaske]

Let’s see, how many cachers are registered on Wi-Geocaching? How many are we talking about? Let’s sing the praises of those cachers who have reached a milestone. Let’s continue to sing praises of Wisconsin’s Geocaching extravaganzas. Let’s continue to boast about the quality of temp caches.
Let’s discontinue pointing fingers. Let’s discontinue saying what should not be done. Let’s not hide our heads for the caches that have been logged. Let’s be proud of the accomplishments of individuals and of teams.

[rpaske]

I am reminded of this series of posts regarding the healthy attitude of Wi- Geocaching http://wi-geocaching.com/forums/Forum1/HTML/000485.html

or this series of posts http://wi-geocaching.com/forums/Forum1/HTML/000485.html

a look back at our history….

[rpaske]

Let’s all take a deep cleansing breath http://www.relaxorium.com/journalpics/thellamasong.swf

[wzbt03]

Okay, I posted a couple of subjects to get our “mentors” to give some guidance.
Many have stepped forward and offered what they feel geocaching is about.
I sort of knew what direction a discussion of ethics would take and was pleasantly surprised, as I have been in the past, that our leaders have stepped forward to help guide.

Are the people who logged false caches bad people, no. Do they need to correct the wrong, yes.

I have often been confused on what the WGA board does do and does not do. It is now quite obvious that their main function is to mentor us all and when we go astray, point us in the right direction.
We probably all thought about numbers at some point and thank god you grow out of it. Some sooner then others.

Often it is hard to get the mentors to speak up since it will always be heard two different ways. No one (including me) likes controvery on the forum but some of these discussions are needed so the mentors can chime in.

Lets continue our support of our board of mentors and also give them our input so that we can see things in the light of those whom we have elected.

There a pretty amazing bunch who have told me when they think I am wrong and patted me on the back when they thought I was right. Its helped me play the game they way I want but also the way it should probably be played.

My back and backside have both be patted and chewed lately but in a very constructive way.

[Flushingrouse]

I just have to thank Randy for the Llama song.. It’s terrific!! I can’t stop smiling now!!! I’ve got a new song to hum to myself while caching now!!

Er, um that’s geocaching!!(WINK)

Maybe we should switch our name to “Team Llama”?

Cheers All!!!

[admin]

I was playing devil’s advocate when I SARCASTICALLY questioned team logs. I didn’t think people were actually doing the divide and conquer!?!? WOW. I don’t want to know and won’t be trying to find out.

we CHOOSE to have separate logins in my household and sometimes it would be nice to have a family log instead ( two members of my household are under 12 and aren’t officially WGA members) up until recently the other three in my household never went without me, but I went alone quite often. we also had only one GPSr.(just got a extra yellow etrex) lets just continue to have fun and not worry about it.

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“A bad day of hunting is better than a good day at work”

[Mama Fishcacher]

quote:

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Originally posted by rpaske:

I am always happy to meet others at caches. But, now I will wonder if it is right to log it, since I am not the one who actually found it.

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Of course you can log it! You set eyes on that logbook and could sign it yourself with your own hand. (I really think that’s what this thread is trying to convey…. At least that’s how I’m reading it, lol.)

Now next time I run into you on the trails, I’ll just make sure *not* to call the hooty-hoo – I’ll just tuck it back and make you find it yourself, like you did for me lolol!

~Mama Fishcacher

[Mama Fishcacher]

quote:

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Originally posted by EnergySaver:
…awaiting “cool log entries” that express the great experience…

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This is why I have a huge *watchlist*, lol. I love to read the cool log entries! (Linus and Tishman are a couple that pop into mind for me instantly! I love reading the logs they leave!) I keep caches I’ve found on a watchlist for awhile to see what others experience as well. I really enjoy that side of geocaching – *almost* as much as going out and finding them myself!

~Mama Fishcacher

[Mama Fishcacher]

quote:

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Originally posted by WISearchers:
Ms. WISearcher and I have not been (geo) caching (almost slipped, Ken! in almost 2 months.

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OMG!!!!!!!! I go thru withdrawl if I don’t cache once in a week. How the heck can you two stand it?!?!?!?

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~Mama Fishcacher

[Mama Fishcacher]

quote:

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Originally posted by rpaske:
Let’s all take a deep cleansing breath http://www.relaxorium.com/journalpics/thellamasong.swf

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ROTFLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bushwhacking Queen]

Wow – A lot of you don’t know me but I’m new to geocaching. I have cached for just over two months and have been drawn into the addiction.

People geocache for several different reasons: the joy of being outdoors, hiking, the hunt, the bonding with friends, meeting new people, going places they’ve never been, or simply the goal to find as many as quickly as possible, etc.

Some people cache for pure joy of nature and outdoors while others do it to fill a need in their life, perhaps the need for competition (whether one sided or not).

Whatever the reason, why does it really matter? This is not something we make millions of dollars doing. It is to fill a personal need, whatever that need may be.

I know people that just go out and cache and don’t log it on line. Some log just to say, “hey I’ve been there.” Others may log because they want to brag how many they’ve done.

Who are we to judge why someone does something? Shouldn’t we sit back and wonder why this enire sport was created?

I try to stay out of these boards because why discus such negative things? So far I’ve met a lot of wonderful people through geocaching that I wouldn’t have met otherwise. I consider it an extended family in a way. That would explain the ‘bickering’ of such things as ethics in caching. Caching is what we make it. Who is to say why/how a person is doing it is wrong?

Just food for thought.
-Bushwhacking Queen

[Miata]

I was with a Geocacher who was content just finding the container and not disturbing it to sign the log. There is no doubt in my mind that each and every cache logged by this individual is genuine. It was fantastic to see the genuine love of the sport at the same time.

I shouldn’t be too surprised that this type of thing has happened, but am surprised that it happened in such a large scale.

First I learn there is no Santa. Then I have to park the Miata for the Winter….now this!

quote:

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Originally posted by fishcachers:
Of course you can log it! You set eyes on that logbook and could sign it yourself with your own hand. (I really think that’s what this thread is trying to convey…. At least that’s how I’m reading it, lol.)

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[wzbt03]

quote:

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I try to stay out of these boards because why discus such negative things? So far I’ve met a lot of wonderful people through geocaching that I wouldn’t have met otherwise. I consider it an extended family in a way. That would explain the ‘bickering’ of such things as ethics in caching. Caching is what we make it. Who is to say why/how a person is doing it is wrong?

Just food for thought.
-Bushwhacking Queen[/B]

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To defend this unethical behavior of logging caches not found is beyond belief.

Please do not take this too personally but I think you do not understand this activity quite yet. Read some of the threads that Grousetales comments lead you to and you may take a different look at how the game is suppose to be played.

If you are, and I am not saying that you are, one of the people logging these finds incorrectly please share the reasons on why you think you should be able to do this while the rest of us have to find the caches.

[Ray]

Several months ago Trudy & I retired a half dozen caches in Sheboygan County. A friend of ours hadn’t had the opportunity to visit those caches. Would it be acceptable for me to write his name on the retired logs and then call him to let him know he could go ahead and post the finds? How would this be any different than what has been going on?

This is no different than cheating on an exam. A few years ago there was a runner that registered for a marathon and then during the race started at the last mile when the rest of the pack got there. Would that be unethical? Are these the values we want to teach to our children?

The rules of this game are rather simple. Somebody hides a cache, A second party finds the cache. When the second party finds the cache, they get to log in the logbook and on the web page. The second party has earned the right to count the find. Counting the find without walking the walk is insulting to the cache hider and to those cachers who have a legitimate find.

For those of you that would subscribe to this new thinking on geocaching, what does your count mean. On how many of your last 400 finds did you actually hold that cache in your hand or just see the container.

When I hide a cache and make a challenge for you to find it; when I determine the level of difficulty do you feel that sitting at your computer and create a bogus log is what I have in mind? How would this be any different than creating bogus hides and letting my friends log their finds?

This isn’t bickering, this is an attempt to cauterize a festering wound that has been made in our sport and our community.

some more of my $0.02
tb

[rpaske]

http://www.zinnware.com/HighAdv/Geocaching/most_caches_found.html

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