2025 unpopular opinion thread

[Democratic Republic Of Mongo]

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Ben DeGros is an industry Psy-Op to get us to care about gear more than we otherwise would and thus seek out specific measurements in products we wouldn't likely buy if we weren't aware of the nuances.

[close]

he is a drywaller.....

That’s what makes the psy-op so sinister. Nobody expects the drywaller!

[happenstance]

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1st time I watched Sorry as a kid I thought to myself, wtf does Johnny Rotten have to do with skateboarding? Funniest bit was him dissing Ali's gear low key calling him a poser.

[close]

He didn't even slightly call him a poser in the Sorry video.
He said:

"he's brillian' on a skateboard and a complete plonk off one, lay off the punk gear my mate, you know?     ... you look like a gerl on yer skateboard when ye wear that stuff"

I had the same thought though - clearly it was just a pay day and an excuse for Rotten to get drunk. Seemed like he was enjoying himself and the commentary added a good bit to the vid.

“Originally from the Congo but passing himself off as French at the moment” for Bastien hits different when you learn Rotten’s views on immigration.

[BigClassic]

We have too many pros. It should be capped at like 100 or something closer to what the industry can sustain. Everyone else get a job, get flowed shoes and boards and skate for the love of it. You will be better off in the long run.  Was it Bill S who said everyone is at their illest right before they blow up. I'm feeling that energy in these bloated times.  The money is spread too thin. Also it isn't mandatory for every ex pro to start their own company. Glad to get that off my chest lol

[Rick Trapasso]

We have too many pros. It should be capped at like 100 or something closer to what the industry can sustain. Everyone else get a job, get flowed shoes and boards and skate for the love of it. You will be better off in the long run.  Was it Bill S who said everyone is at their illest right before they blow up. I'm feeling that energy in these bloated times.  The money is spread too thin. Also it isn't mandatory for every ex pro to start their own company. Glad to get that off my chest lol

People can do what they want, but I get where you're coming from.

Downside of this would be that a majority of those 100 would likely be contest guys if sponsors had that decision making power/limit.

I feel like the bloat comes from the people that lived through the late 90s and early 2000s thinking the industry will be like it was back then ever again.

That shit is GONE man.

[sfa]

skaters need to be better advocates for skateboarding and that includes a lot of things

- go to a local shop to buy your gear/order from a shop that gives back to skating
- wear some fucking skate gear, you don't have $150 for jeans, fine, but buy a skate t and a fucking hat
- help kids out, be nice to them, teach them a trick, make them want to come back out skating
- support the pros and brands you love, don't buy other shit just cause it's cheap
- go to as many local events as you can - hell, make the 2hr drive to go to even more events - enter the local contest you pussy
- gate keep from actual outsiders, start shunning the shitty stuff, stop watching youtubers

[I-am-12]

Ben DeGros is an industry Psy-Op to get us to care about gear more than we otherwise would and thus seek out specific measurements in products we wouldn't likely buy if we weren't aware of the nuances.

No hate on him but I intentionally avoid clicking nowadays because I know I'll start over thinking things and get gear madness.

Just yesterday I noticed Hardbody has 8.25 short and 8.25 long (0.25in difference in wheel base, something else in total length too).

Immediately I knew I was about to have to go watch a 20 minute Degros video and go down a massive fucking rabbit hole because I've been corrupted and lost my innocence. I immediately closed everything out and pretended I didn't see anything. It's already tainted but I'm still going to pretend I'm fully ignorant on these things.

I know deep down it doesn't make a difference because I'm terrible / not pro, but I can imagine people with OCD habits or whatever may get frustrated. Must be overwhelming for kids who think it actually matters.

[Slappykrook]

Ben degros is boring I’d rather watch hardcore porn and do everytime someone tries and talk to me

[GnarAlarm]

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Ben DeGros is an industry Psy-Op to get us to care about gear more than we otherwise would and thus seek out specific measurements in products we wouldn't likely buy if we weren't aware of the nuances.

[close]

I know deep down it doesn't make a difference because I'm terrible / not pro, but I can imagine people with OCD habits or whatever may get frustrated. Must be overwhelming for kids who think it actually matters.

Devil's Advocate here, I'd say knowing exactly what works best for you and why it works might be more beneficial to a less gifted skater than a pro or even local shredder.
Especially since nobody is giving us free boards.
Everybody has bought a board that just doesn't work out, maybe it's like kickflips just keep going rocket on this deck and you don't know why but you paid $75 for it so you're just stuck with it for the next 4-6 weeks.
That's a scenario where it'd be good to know your kickflips suck on longer wheelbase decks so be sure to buy shorter wheelbase decks from now on.

[ferguu]

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Ben DeGros is an industry Psy-Op to get us to care about gear more than we otherwise would and thus seek out specific measurements in products we wouldn't likely buy if we weren't aware of the nuances.

[close]

I know deep down it doesn't make a difference because I'm terrible / not pro, but I can imagine people with OCD habits or whatever may get frustrated. Must be overwhelming for kids who think it actually matters.

[close]

Devil's Advocate here, I'd say knowing exactly what works best for you and why it works might be more beneficial to a less gifted skater than a pro or even local shredder.
Especially since nobody is giving us free boards.
Everybody has bought a board that just doesn't work out, maybe it's like kickflips just keep going rocket on this deck and you don't know why but you paid $75 for it so you're just stuck with it for the next 4-6 weeks.
That's a scenario where it'd be good to know your kickflips suck on longer wheelbase decks so be sure to buy shorter wheelbase decks from now on.

Angels Advocate: That's crazy talk.

Anybody who's new / a beginner / not especially gifted in skating needs practice, not board dimensions. We're talking about quarters of an inch here, that is the least of a sucky guys concern.

[backside_frontside]

We don't need anymore Ben DeGros. We need Ben ToGo.

[jums]

Whatever happened to going to the shop and standing on the board you may be interested in?.. fuck dimensions and physics, just buy a damn board and skate.

[devils acrobat]

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Ben DeGros is an industry Psy-Op to get us to care about gear more than we otherwise would and thus seek out specific measurements in products we wouldn't likely buy if we weren't aware of the nuances.

[close]

I know deep down it doesn't make a difference because I'm terrible / not pro, but I can imagine people with OCD habits or whatever may get frustrated. Must be overwhelming for kids who think it actually matters.

[close]

Devil's Advocate here, I'd say knowing exactly what works best for you and why it works might be more beneficial to a less gifted skater than a pro or even local shredder.
Especially since nobody is giving us free boards.
Everybody has bought a board that just doesn't work out, maybe it's like kickflips just keep going rocket on this deck and you don't know why but you paid $75 for it so you're just stuck with it for the next 4-6 weeks.
That's a scenario where it'd be good to know your kickflips suck on longer wheelbase decks so be sure to buy shorter wheelbase decks from now on.

[close]

Angels Advocate: That's crazy talk.

Anybody who's new / a beginner / not especially gifted in skating needs practice, not board dimensions. We're talking about quarters of an inch here, that is the least of a sucky guys concern.

Devils Acrobat: both are wrong

Specs provided by Ben are only 'useful' to the mediocre skater who is good enough to realize the difference between wheelbases but also not good enough to get decks, trucks, etc with the same specs for free. Also the one who is obsessed with skating and dreams of getting a tiny bit better by changing gear. Taking a hard look in the mirror myself rn.

[Rick Trapasso]

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Ben DeGros is an industry Psy-Op to get us to care about gear more than we otherwise would and thus seek out specific measurements in products we wouldn't likely buy if we weren't aware of the nuances.

[close]

I know deep down it doesn't make a difference because I'm terrible / not pro, but I can imagine people with OCD habits or whatever may get frustrated. Must be overwhelming for kids who think it actually matters.

[close]

Devil's Advocate here, I'd say knowing exactly what works best for you and why it works might be more beneficial to a less gifted skater than a pro or even local shredder.
Especially since nobody is giving us free boards.
Everybody has bought a board that just doesn't work out, maybe it's like kickflips just keep going rocket on this deck and you don't know why but you paid $75 for it so you're just stuck with it for the next 4-6 weeks.
That's a scenario where it'd be good to know your kickflips suck on longer wheelbase decks so be sure to buy shorter wheelbase decks from now on.

[close]

Angels Advocate: That's crazy talk.

Anybody who's new / a beginner / not especially gifted in skating needs practice, not board dimensions. We're talking about quarters of an inch here, that is the least of a sucky guys concern.

[close]

Devils Acrobat: both are wrong

Specs provided by Ben are only 'useful' to the mediocre skater who is good enough to realize the difference between wheelbases but also not good enough to get decks, trucks, etc with the same specs for free. Also the one who is obsessed with skating and dreams of getting a tiny bit better by changing gear. Taking a hard look in the mirror myself rn.

Idk man, Ben is pretty decent. Especially for someone his age.

I think there are plenty of people who can ride whatever (within a reasonable range) and skate fine.

But there is probably a roughly equal sized group that has serious preferences in gear and notice the effects of it more.

[Texas_Tone]

We don't need anymore Ben DeGros. We need Ben ToGo.

If  being completely honest I’d like to see some more Ted Degros, but then again maybe Ben Degros is better than No Degros

[I-am-12]

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Ben DeGros is an industry Psy-Op to get us to care about gear more than we otherwise would and thus seek out specific measurements in products we wouldn't likely buy if we weren't aware of the nuances.

[close]

I know deep down it doesn't make a difference because I'm terrible / not pro, but I can imagine people with OCD habits or whatever may get frustrated. Must be overwhelming for kids who think it actually matters.

[close]

Devil's Advocate here, I'd say knowing exactly what works best for you and why it works might be more beneficial to a less gifted skater than a pro or even local shredder.
Especially since nobody is giving us free boards.
Everybody has bought a board that just doesn't work out, maybe it's like kickflips just keep going rocket on this deck and you don't know why but you paid $75 for it so you're just stuck with it for the next 4-6 weeks.
That's a scenario where it'd be good to know your kickflips suck on longer wheelbase decks so be sure to buy shorter wheelbase decks from now on.

[close]

Angels Advocate: That's crazy talk.

Anybody who's new / a beginner / not especially gifted in skating needs practice, not board dimensions. We're talking about quarters of an inch here, that is the least of a sucky guys concern.

[close]

Devils Acrobat: both are wrong

Specs provided by Ben are only 'useful' to the mediocre skater who is good enough to realize the difference between wheelbases but also not good enough to get decks, trucks, etc with the same specs for free. Also the one who is obsessed with skating and dreams of getting a tiny bit better by changing gear. Taking a hard look in the mirror myself rn.

Angel's Arbiter: If you're not good enough to notice a major difference in your skating after 1-2 months of skating a deck (wear, loss of pop, grip, etc) then I'm sure certain specs / shapes wont matter much. Until I start noticing performance issues after skating a board for 1 week, then it's probably worth looking into wheelbases and concaves and shit. This is my perspective as a ~3 year in skater

[spooky electric]

Ben degros is boring I’d rather watch hardcore porn and do everytime someone tries and talk to me

I don't know what to say about this, but it's quite the statement.

[Turtle Boy]

I feel there are way too much trucks models and variations on the market.
We have Lows, Highs, hollows, inverted kingpins, titanium, 8 holes, cast, forged.
I really feel half of it is just gimmicky and brands should focus on doing less products and do them better (i.e. better bushings, better quality control, better pivot cups, etc.). It's a good metaphor of current economy, in a way we don't need half of the products/features we have, but just more durable/thoughts products, but that cannot work because our economy model needs constant replacement/renewal of products to survive.

[slippy]

Spitfire has a terrible logo and I'd never wear a shirt with it

[Magnolia]

I don't get the AA hype. I only know him from the hockey videos so maybe I'm missing his incredible legacy at antihero but his skating is so blah to me

[Binomial Nomenclature]

Andrew Allen has quite a long career to look at with also quite a wide range of skate styles. He was pretty technical earlier in his career and that stood out compared to the rest of the Anti Hero team. I think part of the appeal now is his fans know how much talent and experience he has and they appreciate his current approach.

[Magnolia]

Andrew Allen has quite a long career to look at with also quite a wide range of skate styles. He was pretty technical earlier in his career and that stood out compared to the rest of the Anti Hero team. I think part of the appeal now is his fans know how much talent and experience he has and they appreciate his current approach.

Thanks for explaining it, are there any AH parts in particular that stand out?

[Slappykrook]

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Andrew Allen has quite a long career to look at with also quite a wide range of skate styles. He was pretty technical earlier in his career and that stood out compared to the rest of the Anti Hero team. I think part of the appeal now is his fans know how much talent and experience he has and they appreciate his current approach.

[close]

Thanks for explaining it, are there any AH parts in particular that stand out?

I watched this one a bunch growing up

[Fats]

A lot of people like AA cause they're outta shape white dudes

And switch game

[TwisT]

Spitfire has a terrible logo and I'd never wear a shirt with it

It's a bad logo, but I still will put a spitfire sticker on my board because my favorite skaters did it when I was kid. I would still put a giant emerica sticker on the nose of my board if given the opportunity.

[jums]

A lot of people like AA cause they're outta shape white dudes

And switch game

Basically

I always thought he was an odd fit on AH. He isnt really gnarly and his skating is AM level to me. Must have a good personality.

[Slappykrook]

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A lot of people like AA cause they're outta shape white dudes

And switch game

[close]

Basically

I always thought he was an odd fit on AH. He isnt really gnarly and his skating is AM level to me. Must have a good personality.

What kind of busted calculator brain logic is this

[Never Bored]

I feel there are way too much trucks models and variations on the market.
We have Lows, Highs, hollows, inverted kingpins, titanium, 8 holes, cast, forged.
I really feel half of it is just gimmicky and brands should focus on doing less products and do them better (i.e. better bushings, better quality control, better pivot cups, etc.). It's a good metaphor of current economy, in a way we don't need half of the products/features we have, but just more durable/thoughts products, but that cannot work because our economy model needs constant replacement/renewal of products to survive.

We need trucks with Bluetooth capability

[j....soy.....]

I don't get the AA hype. I only know him from the hockey videos so maybe I'm missing his incredible legacy at antihero but his skating is so blah to me

Heavy set white dudes in workwear who have a couple special moves?  Relatability? 

[Lenny the Fatface]

The classic dude that Slap overrates is either an overweight guy, or someone with good hair. At one point AA had both, and he was tech, and rode for Anti-Hero, and is an introvert but not weird about it. Checked too many boxes.

[devils acrobat]

AA slams with force yet graceful like no other.