[LilRaverBoi]

Any of you who have been involved in the scene for a number of years...have you noticed a progression of people's talent throughout the years or an increase in the number of people who dabble with manipulation props/skill toys (ie: glowsticks, poi, staff, hoop, devilstick, juggling, contact juggling, rope dart, etc)? From my own experience, when I first started going to raves, there were only a few people in the area who glowsticked (strings) and they were in the beginner stage. Now there are a multitude of talented stringers (ranging from beginner to very advanced) as well as many other very talented people who practice a myriad of skills. I hypothesize that the original people inspired others along their own progression toward mastery. Our local parties have a much larger display of diverse talents than we have ever had before. Have any of you noticed similar progressions in your own areas? Do you have many people who string, freehand or do other skills at parties in your area?

[Kythos]

YES!

even a year ago at one of my first raves most of the people i saw who where captivating where just using beginner level skills, sure there were a couple crazy people out there, i remember someone doing sun wraps and i was blown away.

NOW... almost everyone i see stringing are hardcore, wrap combos of every imagine.

in my opinion it is the internet and sites like this that are pushing "ravers," "stringers," and "poi artists" all year round. with sharing with videos and talking about everything its advanced the sport. before GXG you had to go to many parties/events/raves to gain the incite and experience to get to those higher levels. but now, GXG alone has transgressed me from beginner level "stringing" with the leash of a led stick to Flowpoi. I still have much to learn, but now i can do that in my house in my free time.

I cant tell you how many videos i have watched but those can be part of virtual experience... philosophy class... hume vs kant on how people learn... you are preprogrammed and everything you know in life your are born with vs. you learn through experience and other peoples experience AKA watching videos/practicing at home

thats my hypothesis.... anyways >.>

: )

[LilRaverBoi]

nice rebuttal...especially the ubiquitous nature vs. nurture argument...I never thought about the internet as a factor...excellent point!

[TommyRaver]

Poi in my town (i live in the north of england) is very rare, you only see poi for circus skills etc. Since the few people who know poi don't do it when they go out, it like a hidden talent. Im the only person in my town who glowstrings and takes it seriously. Sometimes at raves there is the few led poi spinners, but there onlt basic spinners despite 1 - 2 years spinning.

Im not saying that im the best spinner, but my talent stands out since know one else knows as many moves and combos. I think it all down to people not knowing where to learn new moves and find time to practice.

I have seen a few raver who can do the figure of eight, but not freehand moves such as toss combos and stalls

[LilRaverBoi]

Yeah, I have met quite a few people who never seem to progress to the next level. They're good at the basics, but never ventured further on their epic quest toward spinning mastery. You can definitely tell when people are serious about the skillz and know more than just your everyday weaves, wraps and butterflies.