This Mornings paper.

NakedHedgehog

Looking good so far for hitting the "one a week" rule for posting yet again about "airsoft in the media" there seems to be on this board.


Is this really post worthy?
Maybe the reporters are writting these articles to see what kind of reaction they can get out of us. Then they all meet in a pub every Friday and recount their favourite quotes from the week's replies to their article on boards.ie

I realize it's never going to end, but I'd really like it if there were less of these posts. In fact I'd love it if they were locked and buried and deleted as soon as they went up. After all - nothing new ever comes from it. EVER.

bullets

NakedHedgehog wrote: »

I realize it's never going to end, but I'd really like it if there were less of these posts. In fact I'd love it if they were locked and buried and deleted as soon as they went up. After all - nothing new ever comes from it. EVER.

Well I like when people post articles that appear on the media, and
I would be against locking such threads. If there is something on the news
or public media and people want to discuss (or bitch and moan)
then I would not be against it.

I plan on collecting articles and I dont often see some of the papers like
the Local papers that are not published nation wide that may feature stories
(Good or Bad) that involve Airsoft etc.. so if people post here where I mainly
read....or over on the IAA webpage they have a specific thread for it,
it helps me.

~B

Cuddlesworth

gandalf wrote: »

I doubt very much that a hardened criminal will use an airsoft gbb or aeg in a robbery as the real thing is apparently very close to the prices of the airsoft versions.

Depending on who you know, could end up cheaper. That's an amusing predicament.

ED E

defenderdude wrote: »

and when someone asks "what does the Irish Airsoft Association do for me...?"

read the article.

Well done IAA.



JOIN the Irish Airsoft Association. simple as

I would, cept I've always been a member

Yeah, this is why we need them, bullseye Aidan. Lads, you spend more on BBs than IAA membership costs anually, dont be so stingy

The IAA Needs YOU!

*Runs to Photoshop....

Masada

Ask not what your organisation can do for you, but what you can do for your organisation...

Witcher

vtec wrote: »

Ask not what your organisation can do for you, but what you can do for your organisation...

True, true, fair play to the IAA

Ya's do a great job, that ya's aren't appreciated for.

CrazyRabbit

vtec wrote: »

Ask not what your organisation can do for you, but what you can do for your organisation...

Stealing quotes from dead people now are you? Tut Tut

Regarding the article, it's certainly 100% better than previous articles. I am ever so slightly hopeful that it won't be too long before we get a positive airsoft article stating the merits of the sport.

Killinator

The fact that thats one of the better articles on airsoft guns is worthy of tears,

I wonder did their weapons 'expert' give them the names of the guns in those pics:D

Stercus Accidit

Killinator wrote: »

The fact that thats one of the better articles on airsoft guns is worthy of tears,

I wonder did their weapons 'expert' give them the names of the guns in those pics:D

"Yep, that one is the ak47, and that one is the m16, the only two guns in the world, now about that pint of lager you owe me, ta"

MacAonghusa

OzCam wrote: »

Oh for God's sake, not again. We've been over this at least 3 times in the last month or two. Go away and read the previous threads on this subject.
Hive has answered this a million times already.

Well excuse me for not having the time to read every single thread on the forum; work, kids and a social life often interfere with my post reading.

Gizmodeon

In cases where people start saying "Why aren't there any positive reviews about airsoft? Why haven't the IAA done anything about this?"
Thats when we realise that it's not just the IAA's job to promote the sport.
There has been efforts made by a few teams to promote the sport otherwise,
but if anyone has any friends in the media, give them a shout!

Something I noticed the paintballers did, is they had a photoshoot of their own with girls and the guns, and it looked great from a promotional point of view.
I'd love to do a documentary, if only I had the equipment :rolleyes:

Anyone else have any other ways to promote the sport?
I think the HRTA birthday bash getting a little more media attention would have done great for the sport.
We need to offer the journalists something tasty to catch their attention. How about Hive in a bikini?

kevteljeur

I'm still against promotion, and I'll evangelise this position at every point possible. I don't mean this in an inflammatory way: The public at large don't take Paintball seriously. I'm not saying it's not a legitimate sport (it is, in my eyes) but the public perception of it is knockabout fun. Airsoft is not. It'll never be seen that way. And it doesn't need any help to get in the public mindshare. What it needs is prevention of getting into the public mindshare.

MacAonghusa

kevteljeur wrote: »

I'm still against promotion, and I'll evangelise this position at every point possible. I don't mean this in an inflammatory way: The public at large don't take Paintball seriously. I'm not saying it's not a legitimate sport (it is, in my eyes) but the public perception of it is knockabout fun. Airsoft is not. It'll never be seen that way. And it doesn't need any help to get in the public mindshare. What it needs is prevention of getting into the public mindshare.

I'm not sure I understand you're pov. Why isn't airsoft knockabout fun? Shouldn't it be? Wouldn't that be a "lower threat" perception of the sport?

Shiva

MacAonghusa wrote: »

I'm not sure I understand you're pov. Why isn't airsoft knockabout fun? Shouldn't it be? Wouldn't that be a "lower threat" perception of the sport?

I think I see where Kevin is coming from. The simple fact is that people dont see paintball guns as being replica firearms. Even though you can get paintball guns that have a resemblance to their real counterparts, they're not as realistic as an airsoft gun. And therein lies the problem.

Its not what airsoft guns do, its whats they look like. Joe Public will always see an airsoft gun as a realistic imitation firearm that shoots "pellets". I dont think we'll ever get past that. If I was selling paintball guns I wouldnt have had an Evening Herald reporter in the shop a few weeks ago buying one and splashing headlines across the front page, even though a paintball gun is up to 17 times more powerful, and requires authorisation from the Gardaí to own one.

MacAonghusa

Shiva wrote: »

I think I see where Kevin is coming from. The simple fact is that people dont see paintball guns as being replica firearms. Even though you can get paintball guns that have a resemblance to their real counterparts, they're not as realistic as an airsoft gun. And therein lies the problem.

Its not what airsoft guns do, its whats they look like. Joe Public will always see an airsoft gun as a realistic imitation firearm that shoots "pellets". I dont think we'll ever get past that. If I was selling paintball guns I wouldnt have had an Evening Herald reporter in the shop a few weeks ago buying one and splashing headlines across the front page, even though a paintball gun is up to 17 times more powerful, and requires authorisation from the Gardaí to own one.

Ok, my own opinion is that with the right publicity/education you might just get past that to a certain degree; to at least the point where ppl do see it as just knockabout fun even if the guns do look real.

CrazyRabbit

MacAonghusa wrote: »

Ok, my own opinion is that with the right publicity/education you might just get past that to a certain degree; to at least the point where ppl do see it as just knockabout fun even if the guns do look real.

Educating people is something to be feared. Remember, all media people are evil. Best we just sit back and hope that there isn't too many negative news stories involving airsoft that eventually create the political will to get airsoft banned. We only have 5 or 6 so far. Nothing to worry about...yet.

/sarcasm off

I'm all for the great work being done by retailers and the IAA, but I am still not 100% convinced it's a good idea to avoid actively publicising the sport in a positive light (for fear of it being turned into something negative).

MacAonghusa

CrazyRabbit wrote: »

Educating people is something to be feared. Remember, all media people are evil. Best we just sit back and hope that there isn't too many negative news stories involving airsoft that eventually create the political will to get airsoft banned. We only have 5 or 6 so far. Nothing to worry about...yet.

Can't say I agree at all. I think you have to be proactive otherwise the media will print what they like and the public will believe every word.

kevteljeur

MacAonghusa wrote: »

Ok, my own opinion is that with the right publicity/education you might just get past that to a certain degree; to at least the point where ppl do see it as just knockabout fun even if the guns do look real.

CrazyRabbit wrote: »

Educating people is something to be feared. Remember, all media people are evil. Best we just sit back and hope that there isn't too many negative news stories involving airsoft that eventually create the political will to get airsoft banned. We only have 5 or 6 so far. Nothing to worry about...yet.

/sarcasm off

I'm all for the great work being done by retailers and the IAA, but I am still not 100% convinced it's a good idea to avoid actively publicising the sport in a positive light (for fear of it being turned into something negative).

The thing is, that people go by what they see. If it looks like a dog, and it barks like a dog, then it's a dog. Paintball has been around for a long time, the markers look like weird alien devices which people recognise as paintball markers and it's confined to specialist sites - you will never see them anywhere else. That is absolutely crucial in it's public perception. If you want to muck about with paintball, you will have to spend a day getting shouted at by safety instructors on site, and you can't take them home.

Airsoft has arrived recently, the guns look exactly like the real thing (in incredibly detail) and the only rules regarding use are really a side-effect of other rules. Oh, and any Tom, Dick and Harry can buy them in any major town without restriction. You can't get past it.

Promotion of airsoft just means more people are aware of it and discussing it, and more people want to get into it before the sport has matured into something that can deal with it. It will mean more fly-by-night retailers, more irresponsible people buying, and more 'incidents'. And many more people fearing it. Right now it's barely on the radar but promote it and many, many more people will get to see the problem we have here. Hence, go slowly, let us not be like a proverbial bull in a china shop about it and force the issue.

These newspaper articles might to us represent airsoft being portrayed in the wrong light to the the general public, but the fact of the matter is that this is how the general public perceives airsoft with no help whatsover. You can't change that no matter how long or loudly you shout at them about it being a safe , friendly sport, because they've got a preconception stronger than any promotion. We're no Nike or Adidas, like it or not.

OzCam

MacAonghusa wrote: »

Well excuse me for not having the time to read every single thread on the forum; work, kids and a social life often interfere with my post reading.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055387365

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055381672

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055377156

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055372273

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055365487

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055362977

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055337232

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055145778

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055335351

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055326910

...

MacAonghusa

kevteljeur wrote: »

These newspaper articles might to us represent airsoft being portrayed in the wrong light to the the general public, but the fact of the matter is that this is how the general public perceives airsoft with no help whatsover. You can't change that no matter how long or loudly you shout at them about it being a safe , friendly sport, because they've got a preconception stronger than any promotion. We're no Nike or Adidas, like it or not.

You make some good points but I think you need to give people more credit. No one I showed my AEGs to questioned their legality or expressed concern about the safety of the devices. Sure there will be plenty of people concerned about these things but it's because of lack of knowledge. They assume they are dangerous because they look dangerous. They need to learn that 1. they're not dangerous and 2. they are being used (generally) by responsible people in a responsible manner.
The vast majority of ppl will accept that without getting their knickers in a twist. IMO.

TheDoc

I've got a tight knit group of friends, and a large group, roughly 35 mates.

And all have strolled into the shed to check out my kit and the reaction at first is one of " **** man doc has lost it finally" but i simple explain what they are, and all of a sudden, ive about 30 lads saving money to start playing airsoft.

I do not think exposure is a good idea, and I made various points before and I'm not going over them again. If you want to sway over the nation into a sense of airsoft is "grand" then your doing it for the wrong reasons. It just will not happen.

Take a survery of 100 males from 16-30 and I guarantee you, they will all tell you, they dont read the rag papers except for the backpage sport gossip (all it is, is gossip).

You should remember that as far as I am aware, no journalist or paper has come into contact with the IAA for any sort of interview etc, most have not even taken the time to check out the proper facts and material.

So if they are not bothered taking the time from printing what is 80% tripe in their whole paper to find some facts and tell a story...why is anyone bothering to try expose us?

Its not worth the hassle, someone mentioned a prime time special early on in this forum, but prime time gives the vibe of " something bad" and it will come off completely out of context.

You do not need to try get yourself on telly or the paper to make a difference. I've educated and converted everyone in my family, all my neighbours, all my mates and their family and parents, my girlfriend ( the tough one) college mates and lecturers.

Thats easily 60-70 people ive converted if not more through just a simple chat.

Imagine ten people did that?

Theres 600-700 people aware of airsoft and how its not the end of the world.

You can do great work in your own social avenue so do it, and stop posting crap about public exposure before I lose all complete faith in this place

gandalf

Yep word of mouth is our friend. I got into Airsoft because of word of mouth. 3 others in my workplace are now active airsofters directly because of me (more active than me now!). 3 others workmates have been airsofting directly because of me. I've had other friends out airsofting. All had a ball and enjoyed themselves immensely and we do plan to have another company airsofting day at some stage (the management decided not to attend, not sure why ).

MacAonghusa

Nothing wrong with word of mouth certainly; it's works for small numbers I know. But just to pick up on a point kev made earlier:

"...but the fact of the matter is that this is how the general public perceives airsoft with no help whatsover."

Why does the general public perceive airsoft in this way? The simple answer is ignorance.
The solution proposed by ppl here seems to be to let them believe what they want. I just fail to see how that can be a positive thing; tbh.
Surely combatting that ignorance is more positive.

Let me ask you; why do so many sites and teams have websites if not to publicise airsoft? If ppl are so against promotion why all the bebo & myspace pages? Seems like a contradiction to me.

TheDoc

to promote their teams, through airsofters.

They arnt out doing a massive drive of new players, its more a reference point for current players id imagine

MacAonghusa

[DM]-TheDOC- wrote: »

to promote their teams, through airsofters.
They arnt out doing a massive drive of new players, its more a reference point for current players id imagine

Bebo/myspace would seem like an odd place to do it so. :rolleyes:

Masada

its also about target market, the bebo generation would be the kind of new players to the sport. most people buy who certain newspapers woundnt be the type of target market airsoft would be aiming towards., (ie, the joe duffy brigade)
Airsoft isnt an illegal activity so i dont see where there would be a problem with having bebo and myspace groups etc., these are also run by individuals and not by any representing body in airsoft.,

Lemming

MacAonghusa wrote: »

Bebo/myspace would seem like an odd place to do it so. :rolleyes:

Bebo/myspace/etc. are - as much as they may have large volumes of people using them - a niche area and people are unlikely to just stumble across airsoft without deliberately searching for it.

Further, and I'm sorry to burst (well actually no I'm not) the bubble of anyone who thinks their bebo/myspace/facebook profile is some sort of super-important world renown place, the vast, vast majority of this nations population neither use nor visit such sites.

Even further, the people who really matter (i.e. politicians, state security services, and those most likely to harass their TDs, i.e. middle-age parents) almost certainly do not either use nor visit such sites.

Bubble. Pop. BANG.


Airsoft is new to this country. It has spread at an exponential rate. Perhaps too fast for its own good at the moment. THe national coverage we have received has not been flattering for the most part as people find this "new" thing frightening and scary. Paintball suffered much the same 20-odd years ago. In that regard, I would be against some national evangelical drive in the present climate.

MacAonghusa

vtec wrote: »

its also about target market, the bebo generation would be the kind of new players to the sport...

Mainly old timers up here :rolleyes:

MacAonghusa

Lemming wrote: »

...THe national coverage we have received has not been flattering for the most part as people find this "new" thing frightening and scary. ... I would be against some national evangelical drive in the present climate.

I don't think anyone is suggesting any kind of "national evangelical drive" in fairness; but at the end of the day positive coverage is certainly better than negative coverage. Obviously.

Hivemind187

MacAonghusa wrote: »

I don't think anyone is suggesting any kind of "national evangelical drive" in fairness; but at the end of the day positive coverage is certainly better than negative coverage. Obviously.

So what are your suggestions for "positive coverage"?