+sept1c_tank Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 If you were a muggle (I know it may be hard to think in these terms), and your friend, who happened to be a geocacher, decided to teach you the game, what would you think? Not knowing what you know today, would you believe him to be crazy; would you regard him as an inspiration; would you disregard him? Quote Link to comment
+Deliveryguy428 Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 If you were a muggle (I know it may be hard to think in these terms), and your friend, who happened to be a geocacher, decided to teach you the game, what would you think? Not knowing what you know today, would you believe him to be crazy; would you regard him as an inspiration; would you disregard him? We speaking from a personal story here? I would tell them about it and direct them to the webpage, and then offer to take them out one day to see first hand what it is like Quote Link to comment
+cachew nut Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 If you were a muggle (I know it may be hard to think in these terms), and your friend, who happened to be a geocacher, decided to teach you the game, what would you think? Not knowing what you know today, would you believe him to be crazy; would you regard him as an inspiration; would you disregard him? Who changes the batteries in the ammo box transmitter? Quote Link to comment
+sept1c_tank Posted March 23, 2005 Author Share Posted March 23, 2005 Who changes the batteries in the ammo box transmitter? The UnfrozenCavemanGeocacher, of course! Quote Link to comment
+cachew nut Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 The UnfrozenCavemanGeocacher, of course! I'm just a caveman. I fell on some ice and later got thawed out by some of your scientists. Your world frightens and confuses me! Quote Link to comment
+sept1c_tank Posted March 23, 2005 Author Share Posted March 23, 2005 I'm just a caveman. I fell on some ice and later got thawed out by some of your scientists. Your world frightens and confuses me! Rightfully so. Quote Link to comment
+cachew nut Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 I'm just a caveman. I fell on some ice and later got thawed out by some of your scientists. Your world frightens and confuses me! Rightfully so. It's your iron birds and your picture boxes with magic cavepaintings that freak me out the most. Quote Link to comment
+QDman Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 If you were a muggle (I know it may be hard to think in these terms), and your friend, who happened to be a geocacher, decided to teach you the game, what would you think? Not knowing what you know today, would you believe him to be crazy; would you regard him as an inspiration; would you disregard him? That was me two months ago! I was visiting family and my brother pops up and says, "Let's go geocaching." He had just heard about it himself a day or two earlier. He described it, I said, "Let's go," and we did. We had no GPS, just descriptions and aerial photos. We found 3 of the 4 we went to look for, and later found out that the 4th had been washed away. I came home, researched GPS's, ordered mine, and the rest is history (or will be, someday). Quote Link to comment
+sept1c_tank Posted March 23, 2005 Author Share Posted March 23, 2005 It's your iron birds and your picture boxes with magic cavepaintings that freak me out the most. Yes. But it's our iron birds and picture boxes with magic cavepaintings that have enriched our lives and shown us the way to many geocaches. This we believe to be the way. Who are you, strange UnfrozenCavemanGeocacher? Quote Link to comment
+sept1c_tank Posted March 23, 2005 Author Share Posted March 23, 2005 ...We had no GPS, just descriptions and aerial photos. We found 3 of the 4 we went to look for, and later found out that the 4th had been washed away. Now, that's faith...or something. Quote Link to comment
+Tidalflame Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 I don't know... everyone I've told about Geocaching thought it was cool, if that's what you mean. Quote Link to comment
bug and snake Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 Not knowing what you know today, would you believe him to be crazy; would you regard him as an inspiration; would you disregard him? I would probably have to kill him and ritually eat his liver..... (so long as it wasn't Bob we are talking about!) Quote Link to comment
+Team Wampus Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 I don't know... everyone I've told about Geocaching thought it was cool, if that's what you mean. Well, I can't claim EVERYone I've talked to about geocaching thought it was cool...a couple thought it was kinda silly...but they're mostly older folks! The few that I've actually taken with us had a great time, and I know there's some "need-to-buy" lists with GPSr near the top now. Quote Link to comment
+AtoZ Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 I was told about geocaching by someone that hadn't done a cache but was thinking about getting a GPSr and so I checked it out. I think it depends upon the kind of person you all. Some people like GOLF, go figure chasing a ball around a field wacking it with a stick, Kind of like looking for tupperware in the woods. But most the golfers I know think geocaching is silly but then I think golf is silly. So I think it depends upon the kind of person you are. cheers Quote Link to comment
+sbell111 Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 Most people just think that I'm insane. Members of my family have pretended to be interested and even enjoyed it when we went to find some, but have never actually gone out without me; even though I bought them GPSrs. A few friends have taken up the hobby. Strangely, a couple of people have not taken it up, but will occasionally call me to tell me that there is an article on it in the newspaper. One family member gave me a ready-to-hide cache for Christmas. Quote Link to comment
+Greymane Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 My old circle of friends (military) were very tech minded and think things like this are cool. The area I moved to after retiring is, shall we say...a bit backward. These people think that computers are evil and cell phones melt your brain. (I really think they are worried people will invade their "herb" gardens!) Quote Link to comment
+teepeeayy Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 (edited) My experience has been gender-oriented. Note: This is in my circle of friends, this is not meant to start a side bar "geocaching gender" thread. Anyway, the wife and her best friend both said: "So, you walk around in the woods looking for a tupperware container to trade a McDonald's toy?" Well, when you put it that way..... Can't convince them that its the hunt that's important, not the catch (or cache) The husband said "let's go find one....NOW!" Edited March 23, 2005 by teepeeayy Quote Link to comment
+StarBrand Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 (edited) When I first read about Geocaching back in Jan 2002 - my first thought was - "yea right, like anybody would really do that". Second thought was - "I'll bet there isn't one within 200 miles of here." Third thought was "just why DID I buy that GPS??" About 20 minutes later I was pulling a coffee can out of a pile of leaves 1.2 miles away......... Edited March 23, 2005 by StarBrand Quote Link to comment
+sbell111 Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 My first thought was 'maybe that will give us something to do around here!' Quote Link to comment
+Miragee Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 My experience has been gender-oriented. Note: This is in my circle of friends, this is not meant to start a side bar "geocaching gender" thread. Anyway, the wife and her best friend both said: "So, you walk around in the woods looking for a tupperware container to trade a McDonald's toy?" Well, when you put it that way..... Can't convince them that its the hunt that's important, not the catch (or cache) The husband said "let's go find one....NOW!" Interesting! That's just the opposite of what I experienced with a neighbor. HE thinks it is just stupid! On the other hand, my best friend, a mother of four, grandmother of six, thinks it is great fun and is ready to accompany me on my next day-long hunt. When I first learned about Geocaching, I told a friend about it. I thought he and his wife and little girl would enjoy the activity. I never thought I would enjoy the activity all by myself! Silly me . . . Quote Link to comment
madratdan Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 If you were a muggle (I know it may be hard to think in these terms), and your friend, who happened to be a geocacher, decided to teach you the game, what would you think? Not knowing what you know today, would you believe him to be crazy; would you regard him as an inspiration; would you disregard him? I'd say, "Can I do it naked! He'd reply, "No, someone already beat you to it. But I'll still teach you, if you promise to keep your clothes on!!! Quote Link to comment
+Wsmith Posted March 24, 2005 Share Posted March 24, 2005 I have seen the "Muggle" reference before. Who does it refer to, exactly? Any non-Geocacher or someone who pilfers the caches? Just verifying the meaning of the term. If I am going to use it in conversations, I would at least like to know the correct context. Thanks Quote Link to comment
+Miragee Posted March 24, 2005 Share Posted March 24, 2005 As I understand it, the term comes from the Harry Potter books where a "muggle" is someone who doesn't understand their wizard abilities (forgive me if I've got that wrong . . . I haven't read the books myself). I think "muggle" refers to any person who doesn't know about Geocaching. Someone who pilfers the caches is a . . . . er, vandal. Quote Link to comment
+Kai Team Posted March 24, 2005 Share Posted March 24, 2005 I have seen the "Muggle" reference before. Who does it refer to, exactly? Any non-Geocacher or someone who pilfers the caches? Just verifying the meaning of the term. If I am going to use it in conversations, I would at least like to know the correct context. Thanks See the Geolex. Although "muggled", the verb, is used to denote a vandalized cache, "muggle", the noun, just means someone who isn't aware of the activity. It's a reference from Harry Potter - the muggles were those not in on the magic! Quote Link to comment
+Wsmith Posted March 24, 2005 Share Posted March 24, 2005 One thing I would note -- and I am not sure if it has already been discussed -- is that when describing the game to some folks, you might want to judge thier reaction to the concept in figuring out whether to continue the discussion. I recently had a lengthy discussion with someone -- at a local establishment where I hang out after work -- who was very interested in the hobby. I won't go into details regarding his reaction to the concept, however, I was inclined not to promote the hobby to him because of his attitude and some of the things he said he was going to do with it. He was very interested in the hobby however, he was saying some bad things. ( I won't go into detail) He was an A--hole about it and I just didn't want to introduce him to my "and your" world. It kinda freaked my wife and myself out. It might be wise to consider who you are introducing this game to. It is still a pretty obscure hobby. Might as well be picky when we are able. No matter how hard we try, some muggles are just not going to understand the concept. Bad for the hobby, I think. Quote Link to comment
+cache_test_dummies Posted March 24, 2005 Share Posted March 24, 2005 I have seen the "Muggle" reference before. Who does it refer to, exactly? Any non-Geocacher or someone who pilfers the caches? The term gets used as a noun to describe anybody who isn't aware of geocaching, or doesn't actively participate the way we do. It also frequently gets used as a verb if somebody outside the game messes with a cache ("my cache got muggled"). Not everybody likes, or uses the word. I think it comes from some Harry Potter reference to "non-believers" or something. There have been some interesting topics in the forums about the use of this word. If I wasn't so tired, I'd look up a few for you. If I am going to use it in conversations, I would at least like to know the correct context. The word must never be spoken out loud! Don't use it in conversations except here in the forums or you'll break the game!! I'm kidding about the "never spoken out loud" thing! Quote Link to comment
+1NatureMom Posted March 24, 2005 Share Posted March 24, 2005 Not knowing what you know today, would you believe him to be crazy; would you regard him as an inspiration; would you disregard him? INSPIRATION! Because I would be speaking with a like minded-spirit. . Caching is our 6th sense; we should know whom to introduce to this sport & whom not to. For example: I have NOT wasted my time explaining to a friend who spends all her free time shopping at the mall. getting her nails done, and buying the latest perfume. But I HAVE explained to a friend who owns a pop-up camper. Quote Link to comment
+Tidalflame Posted March 24, 2005 Share Posted March 24, 2005 Not everybody likes, or uses the word. I think it comes from some Harry Potter reference to "non-believers" or something. There have been some interesting topics in the forums about the use of this word. If I wasn't so tired, I'd look up a few for you. Actually, in Harry Potter, it means any non-magical person, so it's pretty well suited, I think Quote Link to comment
+sept1c_tank Posted March 24, 2005 Author Share Posted March 24, 2005 One thing I would note -- and I am not sure if it has already been discussed -- is that when describing the game to some folks, you might want to judge thier reaction to the concept in figuring out whether to continue the discussion. I recently had a lengthy discussion with someone -- at a local establishment where I hang out after work -- who was very interested in the hobby. I won't go into details regarding his reaction to the concept, however, I was inclined not to promote the hobby to him because of his attitude and some of the things he said he was going to do with it. He was very interested in the hobby however, he was saying some bad things. ( I won't go into detail) He was an A--hole about it and I just didn't want to introduce him to my "and your" world. It kinda freaked my wife and myself out. It might be wise to consider who you are introducing this game to. It is still a pretty obscure hobby. Might as well be picky when we are able. No matter how hard we try, some muggles are just not going to understand the concept. Bad for the hobby, I think. This is a good point. Because of my tendency to to talk a lot about geocaching, I have found myself in similiar situations. Sometimes I attempt to steer or lead those types to more realistic approaches to the game. Occassioinally, I find myself pointing out that it (the game) really takes a lot of time and costs a lot of money. Quote Link to comment
+crazyone Posted March 24, 2005 Share Posted March 24, 2005 I saw an article for geocaching in a magazine and wonder what it was all about. I already had an gps unit for camping and decided to find out what it is all about. Found my first cache and now im hooked. Now i am always looking for caches site on my days off, cant wait to be out Quote Link to comment
+KiltCacher Posted March 24, 2005 Share Posted March 24, 2005 I myself have converted 6 muggles to geocaching to date. I think anyone with a love of the outdoors will naturally gravitate to the sport if given the opportunity. Quote Link to comment
+Team BubbyMac Posted March 25, 2005 Share Posted March 25, 2005 this was exactly my case. one of my employees had told me about it one day i kinda blew her off and didn't think anything about it. she kept talking about so i decided to check it. she told me about the site and the ones around my area. i looked them and and started playing with the gps. I though it was pretty cool. i borrowed her gps then boutgh my own, i have been hooked ever since. Quote Link to comment
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