Whose cache is it?

[+Setan Meyacha]

I've noticed in several different threads that a number of people are taking it upon themselves to 'police' other people's caches; i.e., CITOing items found in a cache that is objectionable to them; whether it is business cards, religious tracts, New Testaments, or whatever. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it the CO's perogative/responsiblity to leave or remove such items and not the cache finder's? Unless I'm wrong in my thinking, you are either to trade up, trade even, or don't take anything at all. If they are items that have been damaged due to mositure, then cleaning out the cache container and disgarding items that have been ruined seems to be an acceptable practice and one appreciated by most COs; even though the CO should make a maintenance trip to determine why the cache contents became wet. But, I fail to see the logic that we, as cache seekers, have the right to impose on others what we deem objectionable by removing items we don't like from a cache.

BTW, I rarely ever do any trading and I don't leave business cards, religious tracts or New Testaments; it's the principal of the action.

Edited June 8, 2010 by Setan Meyacha

[+EscapeFromFlatland]

One cacher's swag is another cacher's garbage. You could say you're trading up by cleaning out the mess.

[+briansnat]

I agree. If you find something you feel is objectionable, then trade it out. leave the cache "cleanup" for the owner.

[+teamjandt]

The question I posed in another thread earlier today was out of concern that before I could get home to the puter to email the CO another person or persons would find this by letting their children take the find and then 'hello' welcome to the real world. And oh look....teamjandt were just here and they must not be the kind of people I want to meet or they wouldn't have left this for our children to find. Now aside from racsism there really isn't much that would rile me up personally. I've pretty much seen it all, accidently or on purpose. I don't have children but I do love the lttle buggers, and I wouldn't want them to open up a container and see ******(insert female name her) loves ***** (insert body part here) with phone number attatched along with other such sentiments. Like I said I wasn't personaly offended but was only thinking of the little ones to come. I know what I'll do in the future regardless if others agree or disagree. In the end I want to know I can sleep well at night. If the CO checks their computer as much as the rest of us he/she knows by now. Like I said in the other post....wasn't trying to step on anyones toes, just wondered what others thought.

[JohnX]

I have noticed that many cachers are extreme "rule" followers or control freaks. Why they concern themselves with a business card or religious tract in a tupperware container in the woods escapes me.

Edited June 8, 2010 by JohnX

[+mchaos]

The geocaching community is a self policing one. We have member who volunteer to review cache posts. The community is encouraged to make note of any problems with any caches. Mark them if they need maintenance or are in need of archiving.

 

Its just good practice. If I have a cache out there and it gets full of garbage, like business cards, edibles, or any other bad swag, I would hope some one would CITO it for me if needed.

[+BlueDeuce]

I've noticed in several different threads that a number of people are taking it upon themselves to 'police' other people's caches; i.e., CITOing items found in a cache that is objectionable to them; whether it is business cards, religious tracts, New Testaments, or whatever. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it the CO's perogative/responsiblity to leave or remove such items and not the cache finder's? Unless I'm wrong in my thinking, you are either to trade up, trade even, or don't take anything at all. If they are items that have been damaged due to mositure, then cleaning out the cache container and disgarding items that have been ruined seems to be an acceptable practice and one appreciated by most COs; even though the CO should make a maintenance trip to determine why the cache contents became wet. But, I fail to see the logic that we, as cache seekers, have the right to impose on others what we deem objectionable by removing items we don't like from a cache.

BTW, I rarely ever do any trading and I don't leave business cards, religious tracts or New Testaments; it's the principal of the action.

 

At what point does the owner have any say in what I decide to trade out?

[+JJball]

I take out trash. I've found leaking batteries, and wadded up candy wrappers in caches that I've removed. I really can't imagine someone honestly objecting to the removal of those type of objects.

 

I'm pretty sure I would remove something that was actually dangerous (like a rusty nail) but aside from the leaky batteries, I haven't come across that yet. If I saw something pornographic (nothing wrong with its existence in general, just doesn't have a place in geocaching imo) or hateful (sexism, racism etc), I'd probably remove that too.

 

I see nothing wrong with business cards or religious items, I see that all the time.

Edited June 8, 2010 by JJball

[+Setan Meyacha]

I've noticed in several different threads that a number of people are taking it upon themselves to 'police' other people's caches; i.e., CITOing items found in a cache that is objectionable to them; whether it is business cards, religious tracts, New Testaments, or whatever. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it the CO's perogative/responsiblity to leave or remove such items and not the cache finder's? Unless I'm wrong in my thinking, you are either to trade up, trade even, or don't take anything at all. If they are items that have been damaged due to mositure, then cleaning out the cache container and disgarding items that have been ruined seems to be an acceptable practice and one appreciated by most COs; even though the CO should make a maintenance trip to determine why the cache contents became wet. But, I fail to see the logic that we, as cache seekers, have the right to impose on others what we deem objectionable by removing items we don't like from a cache.

BTW, I rarely ever do any trading and I don't leave business cards, religious tracts or New Testaments; it's the principal of the action.

 

At what point does the owner have any say in what I decide to trade out?

 

If you are trading out, that is one thing. If you are just removing something because you don't like it, that is quite another. Pornographic material doesn't belong in any cache, that's a given. Business cards, unless pornographic, religious tracts, New Testaments, or other non-hazordous items are to be 'traded' out, not removed without trade just because the 'finder' doesn't like whatever it is.

[+bittsen]

If you are trading out, that is one thing. If you are just removing something because you don't like it, that is quite another. Pornographic material doesn't belong in any cache, that's a given. Business cards, unless pornographic, religious tracts, New Testaments, or other non-hazordous items are to be 'traded' out, not removed without trade just because the 'finder' doesn't like whatever it is.

 

I would think that good pornographic material is worth trading for.

It doesn't belong in a cache, of course, but seeing as how porn is a billion dollar a year industry, it MUST have some value.

[+BlueDeuce]

I've noticed in several different threads that a number of people are taking it upon themselves to 'police' other people's caches; i.e., CITOing items found in a cache that is objectionable to them; whether it is business cards, religious tracts, New Testaments, or whatever. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it the CO's perogative/responsiblity to leave or remove such items and not the cache finder's? Unless I'm wrong in my thinking, you are either to trade up, trade even, or don't take anything at all. If they are items that have been damaged due to mositure, then cleaning out the cache container and disgarding items that have been ruined seems to be an acceptable practice and one appreciated by most COs; even though the CO should make a maintenance trip to determine why the cache contents became wet. But, I fail to see the logic that we, as cache seekers, have the right to impose on others what we deem objectionable by removing items we don't like from a cache.

BTW, I rarely ever do any trading and I don't leave business cards, religious tracts or New Testaments; it's the principal of the action.

 

At what point does the owner have any say in what I decide to trade out?

 

If you are trading out, that is one thing. If you are just removing something because you don't like it, that is quite another. Pornographic material doesn't belong in any cache, that's a given. Business cards, unless pornographic, religious tracts, New Testaments, or other non-hazordous items are to be 'traded' out, not removed without trade just because the 'finder' doesn't like whatever it is.

 

I think this is where we disagree. When someone finds something that offends their delicate sensibilities they are within their rights to trade it out.

 

Fact is when they do, you ain't gonna know the difference.

 

Edited for clarification.

Edited June 8, 2010 by BlueDeuce

[+brslk]

If you are trading out, that is one thing. If you are just removing something because you don't like it, that is quite another. Pornographic material doesn't belong in any cache, that's a given. Business cards, unless pornographic, religious tracts, New Testaments, or other non-hazordous items are to be 'traded' out, not removed without trade just because the 'finder' doesn't like whatever it is.

 

I would think that good pornographic material is worth trading for.

It doesn't belong in a cache, of course, but seeing as how porn is a billion dollar a year industry, it MUST have some value.

 

Internet porn is a billion dollar industry. The printed magazines that are not online are dying.

 

Although I have an old Vanessa Williams Penthouse that is said to be worth something.

[+bittsen]

Internet porn is a billion dollar industry. The printed magazines that are not online are dying.

 

Although I have an old Vanessa Williams Penthouse that is said to be worth something.

 

I think I know of a set of rafters with a that issue.

[+BlueDeuce]

If you are trading out, that is one thing. If you are just removing something because you don't like it, that is quite another. Pornographic material doesn't belong in any cache, that's a given. Business cards, unless pornographic, religious tracts, New Testaments, or other non-hazordous items are to be 'traded' out, not removed without trade just because the 'finder' doesn't like whatever it is.

 

I would think that good pornographic material is worth trading for.

It doesn't belong in a cache, of course, but seeing as how porn is a billion dollar a year industry, it MUST have some value.

 

Internet porn is a billion dollar industry. The printed magazines that are not online are dying.

 

Although I have an old Vanessa Williams Penthouse that is said to be worth something.

 

Hey, thanks for adding to the conversation.

[+brslk]

If you are trading out, that is one thing. If you are just removing something because you don't like it, that is quite another. Pornographic material doesn't belong in any cache, that's a given. Business cards, unless pornographic, religious tracts, New Testaments, or other non-hazordous items are to be 'traded' out, not removed without trade just because the 'finder' doesn't like whatever it is.

 

I would think that good pornographic material is worth trading for.

It doesn't belong in a cache, of course, but seeing as how porn is a billion dollar a year industry, it MUST have some value.

 

Internet porn is a billion dollar industry. The printed magazines that are not online are dying.

 

Although I have an old Vanessa Williams Penthouse that is said to be worth something.

 

Hey, thanks for adding to the conversation.

 

Ditto.

[+EscapeFromFlatland]

One of the caches I found last month was an ammo can after a 4mile hike with a 2800ft elevation gain.

The can was full of swag and trash.

Stickers.

Rotting rope.

Rotting orange peel.

tire gauges.

broken McToys.

exploded pen

rusted novelty buttons

something muddy/mushy in a ziplock bag

moldy New Testament

expired coupons

Play/Canadian money

etc.

 

Several logs going back a year had talked about the degrading quality of stuff in the can.

I took it all out. Left the working pens. Left the non-rusted tire gauges.

Left the log book. Left the "free geocoin" poker chips.

Everything else was put in a garbage bag in my backpack.

[+brslk]

One of the caches I found last month was an ammo can after a 4mile hike with a 2800ft elevation gain.

The can was full of swag and trash.

Stickers.

Rotting rope.

Rotting orange peel.

tire gauges.

broken McToys.

exploded pen

rusted novelty buttons

something muddy/mushy in a ziplock bag

moldy New Testament

expired coupons

Play/Canadian money

etc.

 

Several logs going back a year had talked about the degrading quality of stuff in the can.

I took it all out. Left the working pens. Left the non-rusted tire gauges.

Left the log book. Left the "free geocoin" poker chips.

Everything else was put in a garbage bag in my backpack.

 

I would be willing to take all the Canadian money you find.

[+EscapeFromFlatland]

I would be willing to take all the Canadian money you find.

 

I live in downtown Portland, so within a day it's usually given to someone my age that's panhandling.

[drewmm]

Play/Canadian money

 

I like that play and Canadian money are grouped together in one unit.

 

That is all.

[+Herb and Beans]

As far as your thoughts, geocaching is policed by its members. Although cache owners are responsible for their caches, I don't believe it is wrong to help maintain a cache.

As far as garbage being placed in a cache, why let it continue to sit there? If you have the means to make it a little cleaner, what is the issue?

 

Play/Canadian money

 

I like that play and Canadian money are grouped together in one unit.

 

That is all.

 

Now, now, just because it is colorful does not mean it is worthless!

[+Smurf]

I'm pretty sure I would remove something that was actually dangerous (like a rusty nail)

 

OK .. I can see how a rusty nail would and should be classed as trash,

 

But can someone PLEASE explain to to me how it could ever be classed as dangerous ??????

[+Chokecherry]

Play/Canadian money

 

I like that play and Canadian money are grouped together in one unit.

 

That is all.

 

Was it Canadian Tire money (which resembles play money)? In a border area here I'd leave that in the cache as it does have value at Canadian Tire stores.

[+EscapeFromFlatland]

I'm pretty sure I would remove something that was actually dangerous (like a rusty nail)

 

OK .. I can see how a rusty nail would and should be classed as trash,

 

But can someone PLEASE explain to to me how it could ever be classed as dangerous ??????

 

You might get tetanus if you step in the cache.

[+Driver Carries Cache]

I removed a small bottle of Vodka from a cache once... but only to protect the children!

(and I contacted the cache owner and offered the booze to him... he said "enjoy"!)

[+JL_HSTRE]

If you find a dangerous item then definitely remove it. Not long ago I found a fishing lure with a rusty hook in a travel bug hotel; hello, trash can. Likewise, items in a cache that are clearly water damaged or otherwise junk (not lousy swag but actual garbage) and items that clearly violate geocaching rules.

 

For something questionable/borderline like religious material or business cards: I would personally leave it alone as long as it wasn't "hostile" material (i.e. clearly advocating violence/hate against a group - like KKK propaganda).

 

Self-policing community behavior by geocachers happens; people should just try to be calm and reasonable about it.

[hoosier guy]

I have never "policed" a cache but I have removed soggy papers and busiess cards when someone did not replace the lid or the container failed.