He sounded at times like a really condescending ***** in his posts. Maybe I was reading too much into it but that's how he came across to me just reading some of his posts. Seems counterintuitive to try and push a product like that and not be ready to kiss the public's ***. Also weird to switch user names.
Maybe he acted condescending to the wrong person who then tattled to Ryan...
Let us be conscious of the fact that just because a person is banned, doesn't mean that they don't still read. It isn't very courageous, nevermind courteous, to call people out when they can no longer step back in and defend themselves, or explain their point of view.
For example, the switch in user names may have been required, or might have been a logical progression in the transition from GJ member, as Leveleer, to GJ SPONSOR, which Stedlin, the name of the company that Leveleer started, became... paying money I presume to support this forum.
So as to distinguish sponsored forum posts from the mindless drivel of regular joes like me, which ostensibly (but not always) helps readers discern agendas behind content, a GJ sponsor may be required to reidentify themselves by their company name.
Alternatively, a member turned entrepreneur, who begins paying money to the forum for the sponsor status, may WANT to get every dollar of value they pay for with the sponsorship, by reidentifying themselves by their company name.
Neither scenario is "weird". Both seem very logical, and obviously, the name change was not a secret, because we wouldn't be having this conversation had it not been known. In fact, the change was announced by Leveleer as Stedlin. Nothing weird or underhanded about it.
Furthermore, there is nothing wrong with believing, with all of one's heart, soul, and mind, in the value of one's product. One could not possibly make the personal and financial sacrifice one has to make to get a product to market in this snake pit of legal wrangling, patent puking, import knock off, tax tangling world we live in today. So anyone bold enough and brave enough to weather that journey, better damn well believe in the product they just gave birth to. Their zeal and enthusiasm for what they delivered is to be expected. In fact, I would be concerned if the opposite were the case.
It takes GUTS to turn an idea in one's head into a physical widget that can be mass produced and shipped UPS. It doesn't take any guts to talk smack behind someone's back.
I'm not defending Leveleer / Stedlin, nor am I questioning Ryan's decision, because I have absolutely no idea what transpired between the two, and even if I did, I have no place, vote, or authority to render a verdict.
Like most people, I have opinions, and expressed mine about the videos before I realized that Stedlin became banned. I later reconsidered the review I posted, believing that I could have sent my comments in a private message... but didn't because I was curious if anyone else had a similar reaction to the video. It turns out that other people did, so that was probably useful feedback for Stedlin to have... but I still could have been more sensitive in how that feedback was delivered.
Unlike many tool corporations, whose management is a revolving door of college internships to overpaid CEO's just passing through on their way to their next higher paying gig... there is one man behind Stedlin. He was a GJ forum member called Leveleer. He is a real person, with feelings too. His name is Frank.
I don't know him personally. I never met him. I've never spoken to him over the phone. I don't have any of his products. I don't even like his videos. But I have a tremendous amount of admiration and respect for what he accomplished over the last two years right here before our very eyes. I'd be delighted to see him back.
