Grand Prix Rejects

Good argument Watka, though I'd be inclined to say Sunday trading laws (at least in the UK) came long before the advent of online shopping. It's main drivers in my eyes are convenience, and boosting the economy. When you work 5 days a week full-time, why have one day to go shopping when you can have two, and greater flexibility? It's about making it as easy as possible for people to spend money, and thus benefit all areas of society - shops and their owners (whether local or national chains), councils through additional rent, the government through more VAT and more corporation tax, and the people employed in the shops who are given another opportunity to earn money.

Whether people like it or not, an economy such as the UK's is driven primarily by the financial sector, and the service sector of which the vast majority is retail. Much has been made of the rise of online shopping, but it's becoming more apparent as time goes by that the physical store isn't going to die out, shop owners just need to adjust their approach - making their shops attractive and easy for people to use and drop into when they want - which includes opening on Sundays. Allied to that they need to ensure they have a good presence online with a decent website and online shop. It's a joined-up strategy that is required, not one over the other. Otherwise, with the ease of websites like Amazon, eBay and Gumtree, you can quickly take your custom elsewhere if your local shop isn't up to task.

Unfortunately an argument such as restricting Sunday trading hours will do nothing to protect local shops. If anything, as I pointed out above, it will make them even less accessible and thus more susceptible to loosing business to alternatives that make it easy for people. Too many old shop owners are too cynical and too set in their ways to innovate and make the changes needed to keep business. In Banbury, a medium-sized town of some 40-45,000 where I come from, I can think of numerous independent shops that are either already shut or not far from it because they haven't changed since I was going into them as a kid in the mid-90s. And none of that has anything to do with Sunday trading laws. It's a case of risking standing still and becoming completely irrelevant to the new generation. Simple as that.

AndreaModa wrote: Too many old shop owners are too cynical and too set in their ways to innovate and make the changes needed to keep business.

When I read that sentence, one thing came to mind: Bernie.

And actually, my main reason for not wanting Sunday trading is more along 'religious' reasons, and also explained by this website, giving more than economic reasons.

I agree with AndreaModa.

Another argument is that for a lot of people, sunday is the only day of the week that they have enough time to do their purchases. That is the hard reality of many people on this planet, including the rich countries. Denying them the possibility (some of them have access to online shops, but not all of them) is isolating them from society.

In the modern day, treating sunday as different from other days of the week is just not sustainable. Especially the fact that in my city, there is nearly no public transport on a sunday, is just ridiculous. Even people just wanting to visit their family are denied of the possibility to do that. So even the non-economical reasons to keep sunday a special day are just not in touch with reality of most people.

I understand that Bakers ideas are rather a case of 'how it would be in an ideal world', but there is no denying the fact that we don't live in an ideal world, and we got to make the best out of the opportunities we have. (and also it's impossible to define 'ideal' as different people have different dynamics and different needs in their life)

Also, banning Sunday trading stops the creation of part-time working opportunities that can be invaluable to some who don't have the possibility to do so during the week. I don't buy the argument that people have to work more because of Sunday trading - in many cases, weekday and weekend staff are seperate, or at least weekend working is not mandatory. The rail industry is a good example - no drivers are contractually obliged to work Sundays, but can opt to if they wish.

To ban Sunday trading imposes restrictions upon the population some people would be against. After all, there is not much to force us to avoid using Sunday as a 'family day', rather we are simply choosing not to. The nuclear family is dead, the campaign for keeping Sundays as a day for family is flogging a dead horse. The demographic is a minority.

Also, what This said. Our perspectives of 'ideal' change drasticly from person to person. There's no need to ban something for everyone when many are happy with it being so, and might be quite annoyed or angered with such a ban.

I use the "student" argument to justify Sunday trading being made longer, most of our brethren do not awaken from their slumber until well after noon time.

This wrote:I understand that Bakers ideas are rather a case of 'how it would be in an ideal world', but there is no denying the fact that we don't live in an ideal world, and we got to make the best out of the opportunities we have. (and also it's impossible to define 'ideal' as different people have different dynamics and different needs in their life)

Biscione wrote:Also, what This said. Our perspectives of 'ideal' change drastically from person to person. There's no need to ban something for everyone when many are happy with it being so, and might be quite annoyed or angered with such a ban.

Sadly, you have a strong, valid point. Technically, I'm against working on a Sunday full-stop. But people still fall ill and get injuries on Sundays so we need doctors and nurses. If there were no police, crime may well climb on a Sunday, so we need police too. Fires still happen, so fire crews too. And once you start making exceptions for some people, where do you draw the line? Is it essential to have plumbers or locksmiths to work Sundays? What about pharmacies? So being consistent is difficult. And we all have free will to make our own decisions and choices, so to heck with it. There's an ideal world, then there's the real world. And I enjoy watching people getting paid to do their job of driving fast around race tracks on Sundays...

dr-baker wrote:

This wrote:I understand that Bakers ideas are rather a case of 'how it would be in an ideal world', but there is no denying the fact that we don't live in an ideal world, and we got to make the best out of the opportunities we have. (and also it's impossible to define 'ideal' as different people have different dynamics and different needs in their life)

Biscione wrote:Also, what This said. Our perspectives of 'ideal' change drastically from person to person. There's no need to ban something for everyone when many are happy with it being so, and might be quite annoyed or angered with such a ban.

Sadly, you have a strong, valid point. Technically, I'm against working on a Sunday full-stop. But people still fall ill and get injuries on Sundays so we need doctors and nurses. If there were no police, crime may well climb on a Sunday, so we need police too. Fires still happen, so fire crews too. And once you start making exceptions for some people, where do you draw the line? Is it essential to have plumbers or locksmiths to work Sundays? What about pharmacies? So being consistent is difficult. And we all have free will to make our own decisions and choices, so to heck with it. There's an ideal world, then there's the real world. And I enjoy watching people getting paid to do their job of driving fast around race tracks on Sundays...

Sunday's just another day. Doesn't matter what religious or social connotations it brings, it's just one more cog in the seemingly never-ending cycle of days.

Ataxia wrote:Sunday's just another day. Doesn't matter what religious or social connotations it brings, it's just one more cog in the seemingly never-ending cycle of days.

For you, maybe, but it isn't so for everybody. Although it can feel like that sometimes. Life is what you attempt to make of it.

dr-baker wrote:

Ataxia wrote:Sunday's just another day. Doesn't matter what religious or social connotations it brings, it's just one more cog in the seemingly never-ending cycle of days.

For you, maybe, but it isn't so for everybody. Although it can feel like that sometimes. Life is what you attempt to make of it.

That's a bold statement. I'd rather say 'sunday doesn't necessairily has to be sunday, it also can be a tuesday, or wednesday or every other day depending from person to person', and it doesn't specifically have to happen every week. I would consider moon and sun cycles as significantly more important than week cycles, because that's how our planet rolls. So stating that every day is the same is a bit scientifically untrue. Everyday has the potential to be unique. Sounds like you're depressed, Ataxia

On the front page it says the forum has exactly 4000 topics!

87 people have got 1000 or more posts.

Did the apocalypse began? For some reason on my tablet I can't see anyone's avatars

HawkAussie wrote:87 people have got 1000 or more posts.

Of whom 3 have 10,000+ posts.

dr-baker wrote:

HawkAussie wrote:87 people have got 1000 or more posts.

Of whom 3 need to get out a little more

Fixed

I just noticed that I've made the 8,000th post in the Black Stig Memorial Forum.

This wrote:

DanielPT wrote:

This wrote:You really want me to answer that?

In short: i'm kind of being a parody of myself by over-exagerrating things and pulling them out of their context a lot. With purpose to test how good this forum copes with these kind of thing. I'm testing out how far one can go, so it will encourage people to be themselves, no matter how weird they are, because they know you people can deal with it.

So, how is it going? That sociological experiment with us as your guinea pigs?

We'll see if it worked when someone else tells things about themselves that are considered controversial by society. I'm just paving the road for others. (at least, i hope)

The reaction of this forum is very interesting, in the fact that the general reaction is 'yeah, whatever, do what you want'. This proves this forum is more open-minded when it really matters than most of internet, or at least not against it. In most places, you would expect hate messages rather soon. Well, i haven't received one yet, so i can say this place is LBGT-safe. Now why would i use this place as an experiment? Well, after all this is an autosport forum, a typical guy place. (At least, that's what society says). Fact is that typical guy places are usually very transphobic and homophobic into the extreme. The fact that reactions on here are reasonable, means this forum just passed a huge test. It also proves autosport is not an elite guy thing anymore. Don't worry about the lack of 'native females' here, this will just take time.
Then why over-exaggerating things in a self-humourous way? Well, it's a lot easier than just saying the truth, because of the simple fact that nobody takes it serious. People know what i'm saying is nonsens, but that there's also a hint of truth in it, because if it wasn't, i wouldn't say it. Humour is the best way to see how far you can go with people. And threatening to do it with others was just situational. Well, i have the feeling that i can now say 'things are going to change a lot, deal with it'. And it's not going to change for fun or for excitement. It's not actually a fetish, it's not just dressing up either, i was just very curious how the forum would cope with the thought of me as a female person. And altough i'm obviously different than other people here, people generally didn't see that one coming. Except for those who read the hints i already dropped. Nothing is without a reason.

More information than you wanted to know? I don't have to tell this, but i choose to do it anyway, because i like this forum, and i want this place to be a safe home for all people, no matter who they are.
Now who was that guy that wanted an LBGT team somewhere? Well, you can come out of your closet now, it's safe enough here!

Well despite being one of the more right leaning 'MURICAN! members on here, I'm going to a midnight performance of The Rocky Horror Show (the live play) as Frank N Furter. How's that for a curveball? I'm bringing my wife (as Columbia) but still.....

See that?

Just reached 5000 posts.

Am waiting for my certificate.

pasta_maldonado wrote:See that?

Just reached 5000 posts.

Am waiting for my certificate.

Twatwaffle.

Image of the year.

Biscione wrote:

pasta_maldonado wrote:See that?

Just reached 5000 posts.

Am waiting for my certificate.

Twatwaffle.

Post of the God Damned Year.

5000 posts. I guess I need this image as well.

There have been no new members since September. This is the longest time in the forum's history that no new members have joined. Usually there's at least a few every month.

Simtek wrote:There have been no new members since September. This is the longest time in the forum's history that no new members have joined. Usually there's at least a few every month.

I hadn't noticed this before, but sure enough, after a short investigation, it turns out user registration has been disabled, ever since the forum broke out with a case of eBola. Now that I've noticed, it's been reactivated.

However, given how much the site has been bombarded by spambots and the like over the years, new registrations will require admin approval to be accepted. The forum database is filled with enough worthless spam account as is.

Biscione wrote:

Simtek wrote:There have been no new members since September. This is the longest time in the forum's history that no new members have joined. Usually there's at least a few every month.

I hadn't noticed this before, but sure enough, after a short investigation, it turns out user registration has been disabled, ever since the forum broke out with a case of eBola. Now that I've noticed, it's been reactivated.

However, given how much the site has been bombarded by spambots and the like over the years, new registrations will require admin approval to be accepted. The forum database is filled with enough worthless spam account as is.

And already three people have joined. But how many of them are real?

Prior to this post, this forum has had 333,030 posts, meaning 303 posts until hitting 333,333 posts!

dr-baker wrote:Prior to this post, this forum has had 333,030 posts, meaning 303 posts until hitting 333,333 posts!

And the honour of 333,333rd post goes to:

Aguaman wrote:

Biscione wrote:The 'designs' (i.e. the red) on the car look like something a boy racer would stick on his Corsa

Pretty much or like how some 10 year old would design his car in a video game.

How mundane.

Simtek wrote:

dr-baker wrote:Prior to this post, this forum has had 333,030 posts, meaning 303 posts until hitting 333,333 posts!

And the honour of 333,333rd post goes to:

Aguaman wrote:

Biscione wrote:The 'designs' (i.e. the red) on the car look like something a boy racer would stick on his Corsa

Pretty much or like how some 10 year old would design his car in a video game.

How mundane.

Quite so, indeed.

Oh my God, tuens out our forum moderator is Alex Wurz covering himself as kostas/stramala/biscione


That'a a news!

"Total members 1049"

I believe now is a good time to abandon ship...

Simtek wrote:"Total members 1049"

I believe now is a good time to abandon ship...

Don't worry, what's the Wurz that could happen?

Over the past year or two, I have noticed that my average "posts per day" (an average from the day I joined) has fallen from well over 5/day to currently being 4.40/day. However, I have just realised that, rather than being a few thousand posts behind Wizzie as "person with most posts", I am now only around 300 behind. Wasn't my intention, but...

Fits in with my recent theory that there seem to be much less posting generally on this forum over recent months. Or is my perception warped?

Well, we seem to have more calmer periods. However i don't think that the forum gets read significantly less.

I have kinda drifted away, still enjoy reading the site and forum, but I just can't think of anything creative or interesting to post. Maybe I just procrastinate too much.

It's the chatroom really. It's taken over the role of the forum for a lot of people; you'll notice that some members who don't post as much here are quite active in the chatroom.

As for me, I've just not really been bothered with the forum very much for a number of reasons.

It's a shame, because I feel like I miss out on a lot of chat and banter now that people post on the IRC more often. Half of the time there is nobody else there when I log in, and when it is busy it is primarily taken up by people talking about fifth forum stuff. As someone who has no interest in that forum, the IRC chat can feel like a waste of time for me a lot of the time.

Rob Dylan wrote:It's a shame, because I feel like I miss out on a lot of chat and banter now that people post on the IRC more often. Half of the time there is nobody else there when I log in, and when it is busy it is primarily taken up by people talking about fifth forum stuff. As someone who has no interest in that forum, the IRC chat can feel like a waste of time for me a lot of the time.

...and as someone who's losing interest in it, I just want somewhere to discuss normal things. Like Bake-Off.

Ataxia wrote:

Rob Dylan wrote:It's a shame, because I feel like I miss out on a lot of chat and banter now that people post on the IRC more often. Half of the time there is nobody else there when I log in, and when it is busy it is primarily taken up by people talking about fifth forum stuff. As someone who has no interest in that forum, the IRC chat can feel like a waste of time for me a lot of the time.

...and as someone who's losing interest in it, I just want somewhere to discuss normal things. Like Bake-Off.

Interest in that lowermost of the forum seems to be declining in general, at least for the time being, and the IRC has accordingly moved towards discussion of general aspects of F1, a significant amount of talk regarding other motorsport and general moaning and complaining about our lot in life. It's really not as mysterious and nefarious as it's cracked up to be.

dr-baker wrote:Over the past year or two, I have noticed that my average "posts per day" (an average from the day I joined) has fallen from well over 5/day to currently being 4.40/day. However, I have just realised that, rather than being a few thousand posts behind Wizzie as "person with most posts", I am now only around 300 behind. Wasn't my intention, but...

Fits in with my recent theory that there seem to be much less posting generally on this forum over recent months. Or is my perception warped?

I think the forum is definitely quieter then it used to be, Maybe more people are using the chat then the threads. We did seem to loose a few people when the site changed over. It just seems that their are less of us maybe.

peteroli34 wrote:

dr-baker wrote:Over the past year or two, I have noticed that my average "posts per day" (an average from the day I joined) has fallen from well over 5/day to currently being 4.40/day. However, I have just realised that, rather than being a few thousand posts behind Wizzie as "person with most posts", I am now only around 300 behind. Wasn't my intention, but...

Fits in with my recent theory that there seem to be much less posting generally on this forum over recent months. Or is my perception warped?

I think the forum is definitely quieter then it used to be, Maybe more people are using the chat then the threads. We did seem to loose a few people when the site changed over. It just seems that their are less of us maybe.

Changing to a different site with a different layout and less profile-oriented content definitely left us with fewer members and less of an established presence. We're trying to pick up some new audiences, but the simple fact is a lot of us have studies and/or jobs taking up a considerable amount of time.